Las Vegas is the classic grown-ups' escape: great restaurants, world-class shows and some of the most famous casinos on earth, all within a few miles. With a little planning, two or three nights away can feel like a proper holiday rather than a recovery mission.
Childcare first
The most relaxing trips start with the children happily settled at home with grandparents, a trusted sitter or a friend you will repay with a weekend of your own. If you do bring the family, many resorts have pools and attractions for children, and some hotels can recommend licensed in-room babysitting agencies. Note that in Nevada you must be 21 to gamble, and children are not allowed to linger on casino floors. Our guide to family-friendly casino resorts with kids' clubs covers places where children have their own supervised programme.
When to go and where to stay
- Timing: midweek is usually cheaper than weekends. Summer is extremely hot; spring and autumn are more comfortable for walking.
- Centre Strip puts you within walking distance of many of the big resorts.
- Downtown around Fremont Street is often cheaper, more compact and has a lively old-Vegas atmosphere under its giant LED canopy.
- Resort fees: many Las Vegas hotels add a daily resort fee to the room rate, so compare the total price.
Free and cheap sights
The Bellagio fountain show runs throughout the afternoon and evening, the Bellagio conservatory changes its floral displays with the seasons, and Fremont Street hosts light shows overhead after dark. Walking the Strip at night is a show in itself, though the distances are deceptive; see our step plan for busy parents and pack comfortable shoes.
A two-night itinerary
- Night one
- Arrive, early dinner, the fountains, a few hands of blackjack
- Day two
- Pool, a late lunch, a long walk through the resorts
- Night two
- A headline show, a nice dinner, a nightcap
- Last morning
- Brunch and a final look at the casino floor before the airport
Casino basics for first-timers
- Set your budget before you arrive and bring it as a separate amount. Our fun-money plan shows how.
- Join the players' club. Membership is free and can earn you discounts on food, rooms and shows.
- Check table minimums. They are usually posted on a small sign at each table and tend to be higher on weekend evenings.
- Learn the game first. Many casinos have offered free lessons for table games at quieter times.
- Know the house edge. Blackjack played with basic strategy and craps' pass line have some of the lowest edges in the casino; slot machines vary and generally keep a larger share.
Shows and dinner
Las Vegas is famous for its long-running Cirque du Soleil productions, residencies by major music stars and comedy clubs. Book popular shows in advance. For dinner, pick one special meal and keep the others simple. Casino food has a long tradition of good-value classics, from buffets to the famous downtown shrimp cocktail.
Not ready for a flight? An East Coast weekend works just as well: see our Atlantic City weekend without the kids.