You might think that Las Vegas is all about the bright lights and the bling, with luxury hotel stays and days at the casino making up the majority of available activities. Yet the beauty of this dazzling city in the desert lies beyond the glitz and the glamour. As well as museums, fairground rides, and aerial adventures, there are out of town tours that take you to see some of the most famous sites in the United States, and most of the don’t involve psychedelic looking cocktails or losing all your money in the slot machines!
So, if you’re heading to Las Vegas for 48 hours, you can fill your days with outdoor adventures and thrilling experiences, while leaving the evenings free to indulge in what the city does best – entertainment!
When it comes to hotels, it’s a good idea to base yourself centrally around The Strip. There are some fabulous accommodation options for all budgets here, and you’ll be close to the main attractions which cuts down on taxis and long walks! Plus, if you’re staying in Las Vegas, you really should have the whole experience and spend the night right in the heart of the action!
As you’re here for more than a day, it’s worth getting a Las Vegas tourist pass, which includes visits to multiple attractions across the city, as well as some day excursions outside it too! It’s a great way to save money if you know you’ll be stopping by several places during your stay. You can also get tickets to shows, whether you’re into circus extravaganzas or comedy performances.
Day One
Morning & Afternoon – Tour the Grand Canyon
It might sound odd to be suggesting that the first thing you do after arriving in Las Vegas is to leave! Yet since the city is so close to several of America’s most beautiful natural sights, it would be almost rude not to include one of them in your 48-hour Las Vegas itinerary.
So book a tour to the Grand Canyon and see for yourself why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is at the top of nearly everyone’s bucket list. You’ll stand on the rim and appreciate the vastness of the geological phenomenon, and intrepid souls can even go on a hike along one of the canyon trails. There’s a Native American village to visit too, and of course a bit of souvenir shopping and overlook viewpoints for those all-important selfies.
Don’t leave without braving the Grand Canyon Skywalk – a glass bridge that extends over the edge of the 1200-metre deep precipice. Look down if you dare!
Evening – Enjoy a night out on the town
After arriving back in Las Vegas, it’s time to let your hair down and sample some of the sites that have made the city so famous. Head straight for the famous Bellagio Hotel (you can’t visit the city without popping in to see what the fuss is all about!), for dinner and a night out to remember.
Check out the fabulous Bellagio fountain, a synchronised water display complete with music and lights that will have you reaching for the camera. It’s one of the must-sees when in town. Then it’s time for a bit of poker in the casino, or maybe some blackjack if you prefer. Don’t worry if it’s your first time in this sort of arena, you’ll soon learn the rules of the game, and there are always slot machines if you want to build up your courage before progressing to one of the tables.
Day Two
Morning – Take a bus sightseeing tour
After a bit of a lie-in and a hearty breakfast, we recommend taking a hop-on, hop-off bus tour around the city. You can sit on the open-roofed top deck in the sun and cruise the streets in style. This is a great way to see a lot in a short space of time, and you can jump off at the spots that interest you the most. Popular attractions include Madame Tussauds, the Mob Museum, and the High Roller, which is the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. Take a spin and enjoy breathtaking views from inside your cosy capsule!
Back down on earth, pop over to The Venetian Hotel and treat yourself to a gondola ride on the lake. It’s something you must see and do in Vegas if you’re looking for a little romance. And it’s almost as good as the real thing in Venice! See if you can spot the replica Rialto Bridge and the Piazza San Marco as you float around the lagoon with your professional gondolier.
Lunch – at The Venetian
Enjoy a well-earned lunch at Yardbird in The Venetian, where Southern comfort food is given a stylish new twist. Book a table in advance as it’s really popular!
Afternoon – Head up the Stratosphere Tower
If you have a head for heights, then you’ll love ascending the Stratosphere Tower for a bird’s-eye view of the city up on the observation deck. There are a few spine-tingling theme-park style rides up here too, and with names like X-Scream, Insanity, and Big Shot you’ll need nerves of steel to give them a go! Thrill-seekers can plunge off the edge on the Skyjump which is one of the most iconic activities in Las Vegas.
Have an early dinner in the Top of the World restaurant in The Strat. You’ll enjoy unrivalled panoramas out over the sparkling city as the entire floor revolves 360 degrees so you won’t miss a thing!
Evening – Helicopter ride and the circus
As evening falls, take to the skies on a helicopter flight to see the city lights illuminating the streets down below. You’ll fly over The Strip and see all the iconic attractions ablaze with colour. Then finish up with an evening at Cirque du Soleil, the world’s most famous circus show, complete with acrobats, magic, and sparkling sets. It’s the ideal end to a perfect 48 hours in Las Vegas!
