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A trip to Las Vegas is much more than casinos and neon lights. The world entertainment capital has changed a lot in recent years, with the opening of the Sphere, Fontainebleau, and Resorts World. It’s also an ideal gateway to the great national parks of the American West.
Here’s our detailed itinerary to make the most of a short four-day getaway, combining the city with a nature escape. We also explain how to pay for a large part of your trip with your points and miles.
The Las Vegas Strip remains the city’s most famous attraction—and for good reason. This is where you’ll find the most luxurious hotels, signature restaurants, and must-see attractions.
Start your day with breakfast at one of your hotel’s cafés or restaurants. Then, walk along the Strip to take in the best-known sights.
The Venetian recreates Venice’s canals and architecture. You can take a gondola ride along the indoor canals under hand-painted ceilings, and browse the shops and restaurants lining the route.
The Bellagio fountains remain one of the Strip’s most iconic attractions. The show is free, running every 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes in the evening. The fountains dance to music and lights.
Then stroll through the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, home to more than 160 designer stores. And don’t miss the must-have photo in front of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, located at the south end of the Strip.
Since 2023, the Sphere has become Las Vegas’s new visual icon. This 110-metre-tall spherical venue is covered in LED screens on the outside and offers a one-of-a-kind immersive experience inside. Several artist residencies and Darren Aronofsky’s film Postcard from Earth are on the bill.
In the evening, enjoy a show or try your luck in one of the city’s many casinos. For a panoramic view, grab a drink at the Skyfall Lounge at the Delano or at the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck at Paris Las Vegas.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most impressive natural wonders in the world. It’s just a few hours’ drive from Las Vegas. The city is also a convenient starting point for Bryce Canyon, Zion, or Arches National Park. To explore the whole region in depth, plan for much more than four days.
For the most spectacular views, choose a guided West Rim tour, including a visit to the famous Skywalk bridge, or a private tour tailored to your pace.
If you’re short on time, you can also book a helicopter flight or a scenic plane flight. The view from the air is unforgettable.
The South Rim remains the park’s most popular area and offers the most striking panoramas. You can also book a helicopter tour for a unique perspective.
If you prefer to explore on your own, rent a car and drive to the South Rim. Many viewpoints and hiking trails await. Bring plenty of water and walking shoes.
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a 30-minute drive from the Strip. It offers stunning views of the Mojave Desert and its spectacular red rock formations.
You can book a private tour that includes other places like Death Valley. Otherwise, rent a car and drive the 21 km loop at your own pace.
After Red Rock, hit the road to Hoover Dam. It’s one of the world’s great engineering feats and one of the region’s most popular tourist destinations. You can take a guided tour inside the dam or simply walk across the Mike O’Callaghan Bridge, which overlooks the structure 270 metres above the Colorado River.
Fremont Street is in Las Vegas’s historic downtown. The vibe is more vintage and laid-back than on the Strip. You can catch the famous Viva Vision show, a display of lights and music under a 460-metre-long LED canopy, presented every hour in the evening.
For thrill-seekers, the SlotZilla zipline lets you soar over the crowd. And the High Roller observation wheel on the Strip offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city from 167 metres up.
For shopping, Fashion Show Mall is one of the largest malls in Las Vegas, with more than 250 stores and restaurants, including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Louis Vuitton. Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood has 170 stores. And the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace remain a benchmark for luxury brands.
If you’re into art and local culture, make a detour to the Arts District, just minutes from the Strip. The neighbourhood is home to galleries, independent cafés, and thrift shops. First Friday, a monthly street art and music festival, takes place on the first Friday of every month.
In the evening, head back to the Strip for another show or try your luck at a casino. You can also explore the nightclubs and rooftop bars along the Strip, many of which stay open until the early hours.
To spice up your stay, you can also take the plunge with SkyJump at The STRAT, go explore the spectacular scenery of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, or even seal your love with Elvis at Graceland.
Las Vegas’s food scene is one of the most diverse in the country. You’ll find everything from affordable counters to three-Michelin-star dining rooms. Here are our suggestions for eating well during your trip to Las Vegas.
Las Vegas remains one of the world’s great entertainment capitals. Here’s a selection of the most notable productions currently playing.
Book your tickets in advance: the best performances sell out quickly, especially on weekends and during conventions.
Mastercard cardholders often get discounts on Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas.
These hotels aren’t the most affordable, but they’re the city’s most iconic. To offset the cost, your travel points are your best allies. A good strategy: use a no foreign transaction fee card with a generous welcome bonus, like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card.
Good news for program fans: MGM Collection is now integrated into Marriott Bonvoy. The collection now includes 18 destinations, including 13 on the Las Vegas Strip. You can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at these properties, and take advantage of the annual free night certificate offered by the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card.
Here’s a selection of the best MGM Collection and Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Las Vegas:
It’s easy to earn enough points for a few nights in Las Vegas. The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card offer generous welcome bonuses that can cover multiple nights when combined.
You can also transfer your Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy at a 5 = 6 ratio (i.e., 1,000 Amex points = 1,200 Marriott Bonvoy points). This is worthwhile if you already earn Amex points with another card in the family.
If you’re staying at an MGM Resorts hotel in Las Vegas, sign up for MGM Rewards in addition to Marriott Bonvoy. It’s free, takes two minutes, and really makes a difference to your stay.
MGM Rewards benefits are especially relevant if you plan to enjoy the casino and hotel restaurants. You earn Tier Credits on three main activities:
These Tier Credits then give you access to tangible benefits like Free Play at the casino, restaurant credits, room upgrades, and discounted show tickets (especially for Cirque du Soleil productions and residency concerts).
Sign up at least a few days before departure to receive your digital card. Add your MGM Rewards number to all your reservations (hotel, restaurants, shows) as soon as they’re confirmed. It’s the only way to accumulate Tier Credits from your stay.
How many Aeroplan points do you need in economy for a one-way flight departing from Montreal? According to Air Canada’s points predictor, plan on starting at 12,500 points to get to Las Vegas. Note that the exact threshold may vary by season and availability.
Aeroplan credit cards offer generous welcome bonuses. Depending on the number of people in your group, a single card may be enough to cover your flights. You can also check our comparison of the best credit cards in Canada before choosing.
All Aeroplan cards mentioned below include a free first checked bag for you and up to eight people on the same reservation. It’s a great way to offset the annual fee in a single family trip.
With Aeroplan, always aim for a valuation of 2¢ per point. For flights within North America, it’s doable, but it depends on the cash price of the flight. Pricing varies widely by route and season.
Search on Google Flights. If you find a low fare with a stopover in Toronto, using Aeroplan doesn’t always make sense—unless you want to avoid the connection.
In that case, flexible travel points often become the best choice. Book the cheapest available flight, then redeem your points for a statement credit. For example, you can use your Aventura points to get a free flight to Las Vegas.
Fixed-value rewards are also interesting for North America. Several programs offer them: American Express, CIBC Aventura, RBC Avion Rewards, and many others.
Getting around Las Vegas is easy. Here are the most practical options during your stay.
Whether you’re coming to Las Vegas for the spectacular nature of nearby parks, a world-class show, or to try your luck at a casino, this four-day itinerary gives you a solid base to fully enjoy the city and its surroundings.
A trip to Las Vegas can be expensive, especially if you love Strip hotels and great restaurants. The good news: with a well-thought-out points-and-miles strategy, you can cover a big part of it. No foreign transaction fee travel credit cards, hotel programs like Marriott Bonvoy, and Aeroplan or Aventura points can make a real difference on the final bill.
