Touch down in Las Vegas and check into a centrally located hotel on the Strip — consider the Venetian for classic luxury or Resorts World for modern comfort and easy access to the Sphere. After dropping bags, grab a late-morning coffee and light breakfast at Bouchon Bakery (Venetian) or Woven & Spun (Resorts World), then take a relaxed stroll along the Strip to orient yourself and snap photos of iconic sights like the Bellagio fountains and the Mirage volcano.
For a leisurely afternoon, explore the immersive exhibits at AREA15 or visit the Mob Museum downtown for a compact dose of local history and cool photo ops. If you prefer people-watching, have a long lunch at The Cosmopolitan’s Block 16 Urban Food Hall or the Wicked Spoon buffet, then return to your hotel to rest and freshen up before the big evening.
Make your way to the Sphere for its breathtaking evening show — arrive early to experience the dazzling exterior LED display and the Sphere’s immersive lobby installations, then settle into your seats for the main performance (check showtime and arrive 30-45 minutes early). After the show, walk nearby to dinner at an elevated spot like Estiatorio Milos (for seafood) or Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, or enjoy a late-night cocktail at an intimate rooftop bar to toast the start of your trip.
Wake up refreshed after last night’s Sphere spectacle and enjoy a hearty breakfast at The Henry (Cosmopolitan) or Mon Ami Gabi with a view of the Strip; fuel up for a day of walking and photo ops. Spend the rest of the morning strolling iconic stops—the Bellagio Conservatory & Fountains, the floral displays and gondolas at the Venetian, and the lively shops at Caesars Palace—popping into interesting spots like the Forum Shops and the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art if something catches your eye.
For lunch, try Eggslut at The Cosmopolitan or head to Momofuku for a flavorful mid-day meal, then explore immersive attractions like AREA15’s art installations or the interactive displays at the Neon Museum if you prefer something off-Strip. Alternatively, book a late-afternoon spa slot at your hotel (The Venetian’s Canyon Ranch or Resorts World spa) to relax and recharge before tonight’s show, or take a helicopter tour over the Strip and nearby Hoover Dam for unforgettable aerial views.
Return to the Sphere early to admire its exterior LED show and enjoy the pre-show installations in the lobby, then settle in for tonight’s immersive performance—arrive 30-45 minutes early to soak in the atmosphere and specialty concessions. After the show, celebrate with a memorable dinner nearby at Estiatorio Milos for fresh seafood or Barry’s Downtown Prime for classic steakhouse vibes, and finish with a nightcap at a rooftop bar like Skyfall Lounge to toast the night with sweeping skyline views.
Pack up after breakfast at your Las Vegas hotel and enjoy a scenic drive toward the mountains — if heading to Mammoth Lakes, stop in Bishop for coffee at Mountain Rambler Brewery or Erick Schat’s Bakkery for a tartine and famous sheepherder bread before the final stretch. Make sure to pick up any last-minute ski gear rentals or lift tickets from Mammoth Mountain’s main rental shop (or Heavenly/Palmsound rentals if bound for Tahoe/Big Bear) so you’re ready to hit the slopes shortly after arrival.
Arrive at the resort and ease into your first ski day with a warm-up run on beginner-to-intermediate terrain like Mammoth’s Main Lodge area or the Camelback/Adventure Peak zones in Tahoe; consider booking a short private lesson or tune-up with a local instructor to sharpen technique. Pause for a hearty mountain lunch at the resort — at Mammoth, try theMill Café & Bar or Convict Lake’s lake-side dining if you detour — and savor the alpine views before heading back out for more laps on groomers or a few exploratory glades.
After a full afternoon on the snow, unwind with après-ski at the Mammoth Brewing Company Taproom or the cozy Lakefront Bar & Grill, enjoying local brews and comfort food while watching the sun turn the peaks rosy. Return to your lodge to warm up by a fireplace, soak tired muscles in a hot tub, and plan tomorrow’s fresh-powder objectives; for a treat, book dinner at the Westin Monache’s on-site restaurant or a relaxed meal at The Stove for homestyle fare.
Wake early and fuel up with a lakeside breakfast at The Stove or a quick coffee and pastry from Sherwin’s Coffee before heading to Mammoth Mountain for first chair; spend the morning carving groomers on Main Lodge lifts or working on technique with a mid-morning tune-up lesson at Mammoth Mountain Ski School (or a lesson at Heavenly/Big Bear if you chose those options). Crisp air and wide-open blue runs will make for an energizing start—aim for a few confident laps while the snow is firm and crowds are lighter.
Pause for a hearty midday meal at the Mill Café & Bar or the McCoy Station cafeteria, then explore more challenging terrain—try Juniper or Face of Five for varied steeps in Mammoth, or head to Tahoe’s KT-22 and Tram areas for big mountain lines; if you prefer trees, seek out guided glade runs or ungroomed trails with a patroller. Keep an eye on lift times so you can squeeze in a few final runs in golden afternoon light before you ski back to the base area.
Celebrate a day well skied with classic après at Mammoth Brewing Company Taproom or the Edison Bar for craft beers and comfort fare, or warm up with cocktails and a fireside table at the Westin Monache’s on-site restaurant; consider a soothing soak in your lodge’s hot tub under starlight to ease sore muscles. Finish with a relaxed dinner at The Lakefront or Buena Vista Bistro and review tomorrow’s drive-to-coast plans, packing any gear you won’t need for the Long Beach leg of the trip.
Pack the car after a leisurely lodge breakfast and set out for the coastal drive to Long Beach, aiming to arrive late morning; if you’re leaving Mammoth, enjoy one last coffee and pastry at Sherwin’s Coffee in town before hitting the highway, or grab a grab-and-go from The Stove. Once in Long Beach, check into your waterfront hotel (consider the Hyatt Regency Long Beach or The Westin Long Beach) and stretch your legs with a brisk walk along Shoreline Village and the Rainbow Harbor boardwalk to take in the marina views and public art.
Spend the afternoon exploring the Queen Mary and its holiday exhibits or visit the Aquarium of the Pacific for immersive marine displays and touch tanks—both are perfect for a relaxed, family-friendly afternoon. Grab lunch at Parkers’ Lighthouse for harbor-facing seafood or head to the retro vibe of Atelier BBQ for casual fare, then rent bikes or scooters to cruise the scenic Belmont Shore and Shoreline Bike Path for ocean breezes and seaside photo ops.
Return to your hotel to freshen up, then choose a festive New Year’s Eve option: a harbor dinner cruise departing from Rainbow Harbor for fireworks views, a special prix-fixe at The Reef or BO-Beau Kitchen + Garden, or a lively celebration at The Promenade with local bars and live music. Cap the night with a midnight toast watching any local fireworks over the water (check event listings and book reservations in advance), then enjoy a late-night stroll along the illuminated coastline before turning in for the night.