Las Vegas 3-Day Itinerary
After a grueling 6-hour drive from Los Angeles through the desert, we finally arrived in Las Vegas. The journey left its mark—my arms were now several shades darker from the relentless sun! 🥲 But as soon as we hit the city limits, the transformation was immediate. Las Vegas is a city built on entertainment and money, a dazzling oasis of excess where even the local 7-Eleven signs seem to sparkle with a bit of extra glitter. 💸✨ We dove headfirst into the Vegas experience, catching two incredible shows, trying our luck at the tables, and soaking in the sheer spectacle. Here’s our complete guide to conquering Sin City in three days. 🎭 The Vegas Vibe: Shows, Slots & Sphere Las Vegas truly is a city of dreams and delusions. We immersed ourselves in the nightlife, catching two highly recommended shows: Rouge and Awakening. Both were absolutely fantastic and come with our highest recommendation! The production value was through the roof. We also experienced the technological marvel that is the Sphere. We watched The Wizard of Ozon its massive, wrap-around screen—it felt like an upgraded, ultra-immersive version of Disney's "Soarin' Around the World." It was genuinely mind-blowing. 🎪 Of course, no trip to Vegas is complete without a visit to the casino. My husband and I played some Texas Hold'em, and while the experience was fun, our wallets were lighter by about $1,000 by the end of the night. 😅 On our final evening, we capped things off with the Australian Bee Gees Show, a tribute act that had this fan feeling incredibly nostalgic and moved. 🎶 A word of warning: After three days, the constant flashing of red and green lights from the slot machines gave me a serious case of PTSD! The sensory overload is real. 🗺️ Sightseeing Route: The Iconic Strip Upon arriving in Vegas, we made a strategic decision: we returned our rental car. 🚗❌ The traffic on the Strip is notoriously congested, and the parking fees at hotels are astronomical. We found that using Lyft (our ride-sharing app of choice in the U.S.) was far more economical and less stressful than driving ourselves. All the sights are concentrated on Las Vegas Boulevard (The Strip), making it perfect for a walking tour with occasional taxi rides. Our Recommended Walking Route: Start at the southern end and work your way north. 📍 Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign: The classic, must-have photo op. 🏨 Mandalay Bay: Known for its massive pool complex and shark reef aquarium. 🔺 Luxor: The iconic black pyramid and giant Sphinx—you can't miss it. 🗽 New York-New York: Ride the roller coaster that weaves through a miniature Manhattan skyline, complete with the Statue of Liberty. 🦩 Flamingo: Visit the free wildlife habitat to see the hotel's namesake pink birds. 🏰 The Venetian: Get lost in the stunning indoor canals and take a gondola ride. 🛍️ Coca-Cola Store & M&M's World: A sugar-fueled shopping spree for unique souvenirs and flavors. 💡 Pro-Tips for Shows & Sphere 🎫 Buying Show Tickets: We purchased tickets for Awakeningand Rougethrough a ticket agent we found on Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book). We were initially skeptical, but it worked perfectly! We scored tickets at a 40% discount off the original price. It's definitely worth exploring this option, as the savings can be massive. 🌐 The Sphere Experience: We booked our Sphere tickets directly through Ctrip . We chose Section 305, which offered excellent, centered views. As a fun bonus, this section is in the "drop zone" where virtual apples fall from the sky during the show. The cost was approximately ¥1,400 per person. For those on a tighter budget, Sections 307 and 308 also offer great views at a lower price point. 🍽️ Food Guide: Where to Eat Without Breaking the Bank Let's be honest: the food inside the major hotels is often overpriced and underwhelming. We don't recommend wasting your money there. Instead, head to Chinatown for incredible value and authentic flavors. 🥩 888 Japanese Barbecue: This all-you-can-eat Japanese BBQ spot was so good we went twice! For around ¥300 RMB per person, you get high-quality meats, and you can even order sashimi. In a city where money seems to evaporate, this place offers exceptional value and delicious food. 🍜 Chinatown in General: The entire Chinatown area is a foodie's paradise. You'll find excellent Japanese ramen, authentic Vietnamese pho, and hearty Lanzhou beef noodles. The flavors are spot-on, and the prices are reasonable. You can easily plan all your meals in this area to save money and eat well. Las Vegas is a whirlwind of lights, laughter, and calculated risks. With this plan, you can experience the best of the glitz without losing your shirt (or your sanity). Good luck, and enjoy the show! 🎲✨ #US #Nevada #Las Vegas