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Las Vegas: travel guide for a 4-day stay

To the point A trip to Las Vegas can be expensive, but you can get away with it on the cheap! Discover the best itinerary and ways to save.

Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world, offering endless possibilities for fun and wonder. Las Vegas isn’t just casinos and hotels, it’s also a gateway to many natural wonders and incredible excursions in the American West. There’s so much to see and do that organizing a four-day trip can seem insurmountable.

Here’s a detailed itinerary to help you make the most of your stay in Las Vegas, combining the city with a nature getaway for a short break.

Las Vegas - Day 1: Discovering the Strip

The Las Vegas Strip is the city’s most famous attraction, and for good reason. The Strip is home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and casinos, as well as renowned restaurants and attractions.

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Las vegas strip

Start your day with breakfast in one of the hotel’s many cafés and restaurants. Afterwards, take a stroll along the Strip and admire the many well-known landmarks.

The Venetian is a glamorous hotel that reproduces the romantic canals and architecture of Venice, Italy. You can opt for a gondola ride through the inland canals and admire the superb works of art, stores and restaurants along the way.

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The Bellagio fountains are one of the most iconic attractions on the Las Vegas Strip. These water fountains dance to the rhythm of music and lights, creating a spellbinding spectacle that’s free to all. Fountain shows take place every 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes at night.

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The Mirage volcano, which erupts every night with flames and smoke, is another site not to be missed. You can also stroll through the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace, home to over 160 designer and specialty boutiques. Be sure to stop for a photo with the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.

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In the evening, enjoy a show or try your luck in one of the city’s many casinos.

Las Vegas - Day 2: Grand Canyon day trip

The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most astonishing natural wonders, and it’s only a few hours’ drive from Las Vegas. Indeed, Las Vegas is often the starting point for hikes to the Grand Canyon and other wonders such as Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park. If you want to explore the region in depth, you’ll need much more than four days!

While there are many ways to visit the Grand Canyon, a guided tour of the West Rim, including a visit to the famous Skywalk Bridge, or a private tour is the best way to see the most breathtaking views.

For those who don’t have much time, you can also book a flight by helicopter or tourist plane.

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The South Rim is the most popular part of the Grand Canyon and offers the most impressive panoramas. You can book a sightseeing plane tour the Grand Canyon National Park, including a visit in a Hummer.

If you prefer to explore on your own, you can rent a car and drive to the South Rim. There are many viewpoints and hiking trails to discover, so don’t forget to bring plenty of water and wear comfortable shoes.

Grand Canyon

Las Vegas - Day 3: Visit Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a 30-minute drive from the Strip and offers magnificent views of the Mojave Desert.

You can book a private tour of Red Rock Canyon, including other places like Death Valley. Or rent a car and explore on your own.

Red rocks

After visiting Red Rock Canyon, head for Hoover Dam, one of the world’s engineering marvels. Hoover Dam is a short drive from Las Vegas and a popular tourist destination. You can take a guided tour of the dam or explore it on your own.

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Las Vegas - Day 4: Fremont Street Experience and shopping

Fremont Street is located in downtown Las Vegas and has a vintage feel. You can attend the famous Viva Vision show, a spectacular display of lights and music every evening. You can also zip-line above the crowds on the SlotZilla zipline or ride the High Roller observation wheel, which offers a breathtaking view of the city.

If you’re in the mood for some shopping, head to the Fashion Show Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in Las Vegas. The center boasts over 250 stores and restaurants, including high-end brands such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Louis Vuitton. You can also visit the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, with over 170 stores and restaurants.

Fremont street experience with signs

If you’re interested in art and culture, head to the Art District, just a few minutes from the Strip. The arts district is home to galleries, boutiques and restaurants, as well as First Friday’s, a monthly arts and culture festival held on the first Friday of every month.

In the evening, head back to the Strip for another show or try your luck in one of the many casinos. You can also visit the nightclubs, bars and lounges that line the Strip.

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Among other activities, you could also skydive at SkyJump at The Strat, book a luxury gourmet tour or seal your love with Elvis at Graceland.

Las Vegas - Where to eat?

Las Vegas is renowned for its diverse culinary scene, with options ranging from affordable dining to gourmet experiences. Here are some of the must-visit restaurants:

  • Joel Robuchon: this three-starred restaurant at the MGM Grand is a must for gourmets. It offers an exquisite dining experience, with a menu of French cuisine and an extensive wine list ;
  • Lotus of Siam: located just off the Strip, Lotus of Siam is renowned for its authentic Northern Thai cuisine. It has been featured in numerous culinary publications, including Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown”;
  • Mon Ami Gabi: located in the Paris Las Vegas hotel, Mon Ami Gabi is a classic French bistro. It offers a wide range of dishes, including steak frites, escargots and quiche ;
  • The Peppermill: this retro-style restaurant has been a Las Vegas staple since 1972. It is known for its oversized portions, including its famous wood-fired desserts;
  • Carbone: ARIA Resort & Casino’s Carbone is a retro Italian-American restaurant serving classic dishes such as Caesar salad, spaghetti and meatballs, and veal parmesan ;
  • Hell’s Kitchen: Hell’s Kitchen at Caesar’s Palace is a restaurant inspired by the hit TV show, featuring iconic dishes such as Beef Wellington and Lobster Risotto.
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Las Vegas - What are the best shows?

Las Vegas is known for its spectacular entertainment, including a wide variety of shows featuring world-class performers, dazzling productions and breathtaking stunts. Here are some of the best shows in Las Vegas:

  • Cirque du Soleil: Cirque du Soleil presents several shows in Las Vegas, including “O” at the Bellagio. These shows feature acrobatics, aerial performances and breathtaking visual effects that will leave you breathless;
  • Michael Jackson ONE : Michael Jackson ONE, a Cirque du Soleil show, is a tribute to the King of Pop at Mandalay Bay, with acrobatics, dance and multimedia effects set to Jackson’s iconic music;
  • Absinthe: Absinthe is a wild and irreverent variety show at Caesars Palace that combines burlesque, comedy and circus acts. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s a memorable experience;
  • Blue Man Group : the Blue Man Group has been a mainstay of Las Vegas entertainment for years, with its high-energy percussion performances and zany antics. You can catch their show at Luxor.
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In addition to the shows I mentioned above, Las Vegas also offers several residencies for popular musical artists, including Bruno Mars at the Park Theater at Park MGM.

These are just a few of the many incredible shows Las Vegas has to offer. Be sure to inquire and reserve your tickets in advance, as shows can sell out quickly.

Mastercard holders can take advantage of attractive discounts on various Las Vegas shows.

As the official partner of Cirque du Soleil in Canada, Mastercard® is proud to offer its cardholders access to preferred seating and other special offers for Cirque du Soleil touring shows in Canada and resident shows in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas - Where to stay?

Las Vegas - Famous hotels

While not the most affordable in Las Vegas, these hotels are famous and iconic, so it’s understandable that you’d want to stay at one.

To offset the costs, you’ll need to use travel points. A good strategy would be to use a no-exchange-fee card with a generous welcome bonus like the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card.

  • The Bellagio is a chic hotel known for its iconic fountain show and elegant accommodations ;
  • The Venetian is a luxurious Italian-themed resort where you can take a gondola ride on the canals;
  • The ARIA is a modern, elegant hotel located in the heart of the Strip;
  • The Wynn is a luxury resort known for its upscale accommodations, world-class amenities and golf course.
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Las Vegas - Marriott Bonvoy

In Las Vegas, you could redeem your certificate for a free night’s stay at any Marriott Bonvoy hotel.

It’s easy enough to accumulate enough points for a short getaway to Las Vegas, as the Marriott BonvoyMD American ExpressMD* Card and the Marriott BonvoyMD Business American ExpressMD* Card offer generous welcome bonuses, which can cover a few nights’ accommodation.

Here are some of the best Marriott Bonvoy hotels:

  • The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection: a modern, trendy hotel on the Strip. Part of the Autograph collection, it offers a unique and independent experience with spacious rooms, a large casino and various dining and entertainment options ;
  • The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa: this is a non-gaming hotel close to the Strip. It offers comfortable rooms, a spa and a variety of dining options ;
  • JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa: a luxury resort located in the suburbs of Summerlin. It offers spacious rooms and suites, a full-service spa, a championship golf course and a variety of dining options ;
  • Las Vegas Marriott: this hotel is just off the Strip and offers comfortable rooms, a large outdoor pool and several dining options;
  • Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel: a modern hotel located just east of the Strip. It offers elegant rooms, a rooftop pool and several dining options.

Las Vegas - How to get there with points?

Aeroplan

How many Aeroplan points do you need for a one-way economy flight from Montreal? According to Air Canada’s points predictor, you’ll need at least 12,500 points to reach Las Vegas.

Aeroplan credit cards are known for offering generous welcome bonuses. In fact, depending on the number of people in your group, you can earn enough points to travel to Las Vegas with just one of these credit cards.

In addition, all the credit cards listed below come with various benefits, such as free baggage allowance for yourself and up to eight people on the same booking.

Travel rewards

When using Aeroplan, we always suggest aiming for a valuation of 2¢ per point. While it’s not difficult to achieve this goal for travel in North America, it will depend on the price of the flight in cash, which varies greatly depending on the itinerary and the season.

Do your search on Google Flights, for example. If you come across a relatively low price, with a stopover in Toronto, using Aeroplan doesn’t make much sense, unless you want to avoid a connection.

Therefore, travel points would be the best type of points to use. Book the cheapest flight you can find and redeem the points for an account credit. For example, you can use Aventura points to get a free flight to Las Vegas.

Fixed premiums can also be attractive for flights within North America. Some programs offer them, such as American Express, CIBC Aventura, RBC Avion Rewards, etc.

Las Vegas - Getting around

Getting around Las Vegas is relatively easy, thanks to the various means of transport available. Here are some of the best ways:

  • Cabs: cab ranks are available at most hotels and casinos. However, rates can be high, especially at peak times;
  • Ridesharing services: services like Uber and Lyft are popular in Las Vegas and can be a more affordable alternative to cabs. Carpool pickup points are usually located at designated areas in most hotels and casinos;
  • Monorail: the Las Vegas Monorail is a fast and convenient way to get around the Strip. The monorail has seven stops along the Strip, including MGM Grand, Flamingo and SLS Las Vegas ;
  • Walking: this is a popular way to get around Las Vegas, especially on the Strip. But be prepared for long walks and high temperatures during the summer months;
  • Rent a car: this can be a good option for visitors planning to explore areas outside Las Vegas, such as Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon. However, parking can be expensive and traffic can be congested at peak times;
  • Public transport: the Centennial Express (CX) provides direct access to the airport, making it easy to get from the Strip to LAS in around half an hour.

Staying off the Strip and using Uber can save you a lot of money, even when you factor in transportation costs!

Bottom Line

Whether you want to explore the natural beauty of nearby national parks, take in a show or try your luck in the casinos, this four-day itinerary will help you make the most of your stay in Sin City.

A trip to Las Vegas can be expensive, especially if you love gambling! However, there are many ways to make travel more affordable with points and miles.

When is the best time to go on vacation to Las Vegas?

Autumn is a great time to visit Las Vegas. It’s not advisable to leave in summer, as the climate is extremely hot and dry.

Are hotels and flights expensive?

The hotels, which are located close to the famous Strip, are expensive. You could earn free nights with reward points, linked to a loyalty program such as Marriott Bonvoy. As for flights, here again, your points can help you save on ticket prices, which vary according to the season.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Aline Nguyen
I'm Aline, an experienced traveller, a foodie at heart, an Avgeek, a photography enthusiast and an expert on credit card programs. I use Reward Points to travel on a budget and to save money on everyday life; writing about these topics allows me to share my passion and help you. ~ 7 continents and 77 countries ~

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