Arrive at Harry Reid International Airport and take a short taxi or rideshare to your hotel on the Strip — consider staying at Bellagio, The Venetian, or MGM Grand for easy access to sights. Drop your bags, check in, and grab a relaxed late-morning coffee and pastries at your hotel's café or at Bouchon Bakery (The Venetian) to kick off the trip and get your bearings.
Spend the afternoon strolling the Strip to soak in the scale and energy: walk through the themed casinos such as Caesars Palace and the Forum Shops, browse the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, and pop into the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens for seasonal displays and great photos. If you want an elevated view, ride the High Roller at The LINQ for panoramic vistas, then refuel with a casual lunch at Yardbird (The Venetian) or Momofuku (The Cosmopolitan).
As the lights come up, enjoy dinner at one of the Strip's signature restaurants — consider é by José Andrés (Cosmopolitan reservation permitting), Hell's Kitchen (Caesars), or a steak at SW Steakhouse (Wynn). After dinner, catch the Bellagio Fountains, wander through the Mirage volcano and the LINQ promenade, and finish with a show or a cocktail at a rooftop bar like Skyfall Lounge (Delano) for a memorable first night in Las Vegas.
Start the day with a leisurely breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas or the Grand Luxe Café (Forum Shops) to fuel up for a full day of sightseeing. Afterward, wander through Caesars Palace and the Forum Shops, popping into the Colosseum area to get a sense of the big-show scene and then stroll over to the Bellagio to revisit the Conservatory and tour the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art if you’re in the mood for culture.
Have a relaxed lunch at the casual Yardbird (The Venetian) or Black Tap (The Venetian) before exploring The Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes and taking a gondola ride for a classic Strip experience. Next, head to The Mirage to see the Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat or ride up to Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck for sweeping Strip views, then stop by the LINQ Promenade to catch the High Roller from the ground if you prefer to save the ride for another evening.
Reserve tickets for a headline show — consider Cirque du Soleil (O at Bellagio or Mystère at Treasure Island) or a comedy/headliner show depending on availability — and enjoy dinner beforehand at a nearby signature restaurant like Hell’s Kitchen (Caesars) or Lago by Julian Serrano (Bellagio) with a view of the fountains. After the show, stroll the Strip to see the neon and fountain displays, and finish with a nightcap at a rooftop bar such as Foundation Room (Mandalay Bay) or Skyfall Lounge (Delano) for elevated views and a celebratory evening.
Head out early for a scenic drive to Red Rock Canyon (about 25-30 minutes from the Strip) and start with the 13-mile Scenic Drive to admire the crimson cliffs and panoramic overlooks; stop at Calico Hills and the Willow Springs overlook for short, photo-friendly walks. If you're feeling active, take the easy Keystone Thrust or Lost Creek arroyos trail for 1-2 hours to spot unique geology and possibly bighorn sheep, then return to your car for a leisurely coffee break before heading back toward town.
Return to Las Vegas for a relaxed lunch at the charming and seasonal Yardbird Southern Table & Bar (The Venetian) or the farm-driven Honey Salt in Summerlin if you prefer closer to Red Rock; both offer hearty menus perfect after a morning outdoors. Spend the afternoon unwinding with a spa session at your hotel (consider the Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars or ESPA at Vdara) or explore the shops at Downtown Summerlin, giving yourselves time to dress and freshen up for the evening's holiday plans.
For Christmas Eve dining, reserve a festive meal at a standout restaurant like SW Steakhouse (Wynn) or Lakeside at Wynn for waterfront views — alternatively, enjoy an intimate multi-course experience at é by José Andrés if you can get a spot. After dinner, soak in seasonal lights with a stroll through the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens and the Fountains of Bellagio, then cap the night with a holiday cocktail at The Chandelier (Cosmopolitan) or a rooftop bar for sparkling Strip views.
Celebrate Christmas morning with a festive brunch at Mon Ami Gabi (Paris Las Vegas) for a table on the patio overlooking the Strip or opt for a bountiful buffet at The Buffet at Wynn for seasonal specialties; both are open on holidays but reserve ahead. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens to enjoy their holiday display and snap photos by the decked-out seasonal trees and installations.
Spend the afternoon exploring a mix of classic Vegas attractions: visit the Neon Museum for its curated history of vintage signs (book a timed entry) or head to The Venetian for a cozy gondola ride and to browse the Grand Canal Shoppes; if you want fresh air, ride the High Roller at The LINQ for panoramic, daylight views of a quieter Strip. Pause for a late-afternoon coffee or hot chocolate at The Chandelier bar in the Cosmopolitan to warm up and recharge before evening plans.
Dine at a special Christmas dinner — consider Lakeside (Wynn) for seafood with lake views or Scarpetta (The Venetian) for refined Italian, and confirm holiday menus in advance; if you prefer something lively, make a reservation at Hell’s Kitchen (Caesars) for a theatrical meal. After dinner, catch an evening show (Cirque du Soleil often runs holiday performances) or enjoy the illuminated Strip from Skyfall Lounge (Delano) or the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck for a festive, elevated nightcap.
Start your day with a short ride from the Strip to Downtown and fuel up at Makers & Finders for specialty coffee and Latin-inspired breakfast tacos, then browse the quirky shops and galleries along Carson Avenue. Pop into the Mob Museum to connect with Vegas history through immersive exhibits, or stroll through the Container Park — an open-air shopping village with local boutiques and giant playground art that’s perfect for casual exploration.
Have lunch at the Downtown Project’s Eat. or the popular pizza at Evel Pie before diving into vintage and designer hunts along Fremont East; check out antique dealers on Main Street and vintage clothing at stores like Recycled Chic. If you want a break from browsing, visit the Neon Museum's outdoor Boneyard for late-afternoon light and photo ops (reserve timed entry), or treat yourselves to a relaxed cocktail and small plates at Commonwealth’s rooftop bar for skyline views.
As dusk falls, immerse yourselves in the energy of Fremont Street Experience with its Viva Vision light show and street performers; grab a bite at therapy-like Heart Attack Grill if you’re feeling adventurous or choose the refined fare at Oscar’s Steakhouse for a classic Vegas dinner. Finish the night with live music at The Fremont Country Club or a craft cocktail at The Laundry Room speakeasy (reservation recommended), then take a final walk under the canopy to soak up the neon before heading back to the Strip.
Savor a relaxed final morning by enjoying a late checkout if available, then grab a hearty farewell breakfast at Sadelle’s (Bellagio) or the Wicked Spoon buffet (Cosmopolitan) to use up any remaining meal credits and indulge before packing. Return to your room to finish packing, double-check luggage and travel documents, and if time allows, take one last walk through the hotel — pop into the Bellagio Conservatory for a final photo or pick up souvenirs at the Forum Shops.
Check out and arrange a rideshare or hotel shuttle to Harry Reid International Airport, leaving extra time for holiday crowds and TSA lines; if your flight is later, store bags with the bell desk and enjoy a final Strip activity like a quick High Roller rotation at The LINQ or a light lunch at Eggslut (Park MGM) before heading to the terminal. If you have a priority lounge pass, consider spending the last hour in an airport lounge to relax, freshen up, and enjoy snacks and Wi-Fi before boarding.
For an early-evening or nighttime departure, allow plenty of buffer for traffic and security and aim to arrive at the airport 90-120 minutes before domestic flights (longer for international), then unwind on the plane reminiscing about highlights — from Red Rock’s vistas to the holiday lights on the Strip — and make tentative plans to return to Vegas for another adventure. If your flight is much later, consider a final dinner at an airport restaurant like Border Grill or a quick Caesars Palace grab-and-go from the Strip before heading to the gate.