Allow 8–10 hours door-to-door from Toronto Pearson International Airport to your Las Vegas hotel, including early airport arrival, the flight, U.S. immigration, baggage collection, and the transfer from Harry Reid International Airport. For a morning or early-afternoon departure, arrive at Pearson roughly three hours before takeoff; after landing, budget 45–90 minutes for immigration and bags, then about 15–30 minutes by rideshare or taxi to the Strip, depending on traffic. For this itinerary, stay at Paris Las Vegas for the first three nights (December 21–23): it keeps tonight’s dinner and viewing deck easy, and puts you centrally on the Strip. Expect roughly US$25–45 for the airport transfer, excluding surge pricing. Keep the afternoon intentionally light after the flight—check in, hydrate, and take a short rest rather than trying to fit in major sightseeing.
Begin at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, an atmospheric 45-minute stop that is free and typically open late, though holiday display hours can change. From there, walk outside to the Bellagio Fountains for a performance; shows generally run every 30 minutes in the evening, but check the posted schedule when you arrive. Allow about 10 minutes to walk from Paris Las Vegas to Bellagio, using the pedestrian bridges and indoor casino routes where possible. For dinner, continue to Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas—reserve ahead, particularly for a window table and the holiday period; budget about US$40–70 per person before drinks, tax, and tip.
Finish at the Paris Las Vegas Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck, an easy final stop directly above your hotel. The open-air observation deck is especially good tonight because it gives you a quick visual map of the Strip without committing to another long walk. Check the attraction’s holiday closing time and reserve an entry window if available; allow roughly an hour including the elevator queue. Afterward, return straight to the hotel and sleep early—jet lag and tomorrow’s Sphere and Las Vegas entertainment plans will be much easier if you avoid adding another late-night stop.
Start downtown at The Mob Museum when it opens, allowing about 2½ hours. Its galleries cover organized crime, prohibition, law enforcement, and Las Vegas’s uneasy relationship with both; the interactive courtroom and crime-lab exhibits are especially worthwhile. General admission is typically around US$35–45, with extras for experiences, and advance tickets are sensible during the holiday period. From your Las Vegas hotel, a rideshare to Downtown Las Vegas usually takes 15–25 minutes; if driving, use the museum’s garage or nearby paid lots rather than relying on street parking.
Walk a few blocks to Fremont Street Experience for roughly 1½ hours. Look up at the enormous Viva Vision canopy, browse the neon signs and souvenir shops, and expect lively street performers even during the daytime. Then take a rideshare about 10 minutes to Esther’s Kitchen in the Las Vegas Arts District for lunch. Plan on US$30–55 per person and reserve ahead if possible; the restaurant is popular, and holiday-week demand can make walk-ins difficult. Allow extra time for the transfer and a short wait before your table.
After lunch, continue west by rideshare to AREA15, allowing around 15–20 minutes from Esther’s Kitchen and about two hours inside. This immersive entertainment complex is best approached as a browse-and-explore stop: wander through its art installations, shops, and atmospheric common spaces, then visit any ticketed attraction you have reserved. Experiences inside AREA15 are separately priced, often roughly US$20–60 or more, and availability varies, so book specific installations in advance rather than assuming entry guarantees access. Wear comfortable shoes; the complex is more spread out than it first appears.
Leave AREA15 with plenty of time for Sphere, allowing 20–30 minutes by rideshare depending on traffic and event congestion. Attend Wizdom of Odds in the evening, but confirm the exact production title, performance date, start time, and ticket availability directly with Sphere before finalizing the day—show schedules and naming can change. Arrive at least 45–60 minutes early for security and venue entry, and avoid bringing oversized bags. Afterward, rideshare pickup can be slow around Sphere, so follow the venue’s designated pickup instructions or walk to a nearby pickup point before requesting your car.
Have breakfast near your hotel, then take a rideshare or drive to Las Vegas Springs Preserve for about two hours. It is roughly 10–20 minutes from the Strip, depending on traffic, and parking is generally available on site. The botanical gardens and desert-ecology exhibits make a good, quieter start after yesterday’s sightseeing; allow extra time if you want to explore the walking trails rather than only the indoor galleries.
Check the preserve’s current holiday-season hours and admission before leaving—hours and exhibit access can vary. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and expect cooler temperatures in the morning. Afterward, return toward the Strip; a rideshare is simplest, while driving means allowing time for resort parking and walking through the casino areas.
Spend the afternoon at Mandalay Bay. Mandalay Bay Beach is a seasonal pool complex, so in late December its outdoor pools may be closed or operating on a limited schedule. Confirm access directly with the resort; if the beach areas are unavailable, enjoy the property’s public spaces and move indoors rather than building the afternoon around swimming. Allow about two hours, including the walk from the parking garage or rideshare drop-off.
Then visit the Shark Reef Aquarium, an indoor attraction that takes approximately 1½ hours. Tickets are commonly around US$30–40 per adult, though prices and timed-entry requirements can change; booking ahead is sensible during the holiday period. The aquarium is inside Mandalay Bay, so no additional transportation is needed. If you want a break between activities, Border Grill or Ri Ra Irish Pub at the resort are convenient options, but leave enough time to reach dinner.
Head to Park MGM for dinner at Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar, allowing about 1½ hours. A realistic budget is roughly US$60–120 per person before drinks, tax, and tip. Reserve in advance, especially for this holiday week, and allow 20–30 minutes from Mandalay Bay by rideshare; walking the Strip is possible but takes longer than it looks. After dinner, continue north to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for about 1½ hours. Wander through the casino interiors and public art spaces, including the Chandelier area, and take in the livelier Center Strip atmosphere without needing another ticketed show. For the return, use a rideshare pickup zone rather than trying to hail a car on the Strip; resort parking and traffic can make the short distances surprisingly slow.
Pick up your rental car in Las Vegas around 8:30–9:00 AM and follow US-95 north toward Beatty. Allow 2½–3 hours with a fuel stop and a couple of short desert pullovers; services become sparse after leaving the city, so fill the tank and carry water and snacks. Check Nevada road conditions before departing, particularly if winter weather is forecast. On arrival, park in central Beatty and begin with the compact Beatty Museum and Historical Society, allowing about an hour to get oriented to the area’s mining, ranching, and railroad past. Confirm its Christmas Eve opening in advance, as holiday hours may be shortened or it may be closed.
Drive roughly 10 minutes west from Beatty on Daylight Pass Road to Rhyolite Ghost Town. The open desert setting and weathered mining-town ruins are best appreciated in the clear winter light; allow about an hour and stay on established tracks around unstable structures. Just beyond it, Goldwell Open Air Museum takes around 45 minutes. Its large-scale sculptures are spread across the desert and are generally viewed outdoors, so bring a warm layer—the wind can be surprisingly sharp in December. Both sites are exposed and have limited facilities, so use the restroom and collect supplies in Beatty beforehand.
Return to Beatty for dinner at The Happy Burro Chili & Beer, a relaxed, rustic stop for chili, beer, and simple comfort food—budget approximately US$15–30 per person. Christmas Eve hours are not guaranteed, so verify the opening time before committing; if it is closed, arrange a backup meal or pick up provisions earlier in town. After dinner, check into The Exchange Club Motel for one night. Keep the evening quiet and refuel if needed: tomorrow’s Death Valley National Park day involves long distances, limited services, and an early start.
Leave Beatty around sunrise for the drive over Daylight Pass into Death Valley National Park. Allow 1½–2 hours, longer if winter weather affects the pass; check the National Park Service road-status page before setting out, since snow or ice can occasionally close higher sections. Fill the tank in Beatty, take breakfast, and carry considerably more water than you expect to need—services inside the park are very limited. Your first stop is Zabriskie Point, where a short paved walk leads to the best early light over the folded badlands; allow about 45 minutes and bring a warm layer, as the viewpoint can be windy in December.
Continue to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center for roughly 45 minutes. Check current road closures, temperatures, and trail conditions before committing to the afternoon drive, and pay the park entrance fee if it was not handled online or at an entrance station. From there, drive south to Badwater Basin, about 30 minutes away, and spend around 1½ hours walking onto the broad salt flats. Stay on established paths and avoid wet-looking salt crust, which can be fragile and surprisingly sticky after rain.
Return toward Furnace Creek and turn onto Artist’s Drive, a one-way scenic loop that takes about an hour, with another 30 minutes for Artist’s Palette. The colors are most striking when the low afternoon sun catches the pink, green, yellow, and lavender mineral deposits. The road is narrow and normally restricted to vehicles under 25 feet; check conditions before entering, particularly after storms. There is no reliable food service along this route, so use the packed lunch and snacks brought from Beatty or arranged in advance.
Finish at The Inn at Death Valley, your planned one-night base. Christmas Day dining and front-desk services can operate on reduced schedules, so confirm your reservation, dinner seating, and fuel availability directly with the property before arrival. After dark, step outside briefly for the exceptionally clear desert sky, but keep the evening restful: tomorrow’s drive to Springdale is long, and winter road conditions can add several hours. Keep the car fueled and check both the Death Valley and I-15 routes before bed.
Leave Furnace Creek around 7:00 AM for the long drive to Springdale, allowing roughly 5½–7 hours door-to-door with fuel, food, a park exit, and a winter-weather buffer. Use CA-190 toward Pahrump and Las Vegas, then continue north on I-15 toward Utah. Check Death Valley National Park, Nevada, and Utah road conditions before departing; winter storms can affect mountain passes and the route through Mesquite. Fill the tank before leaving the park, as services are widely spaced.
Break up the drive with about an hour in St. George Historic Downtown. For lunch, George’s Corner Restaurant is a practical choice near the historic center, with a broad menu and easy access from the highway. Afterward, stretch your legs at Red Hills Desert Garden, a free, compact garden showcasing southern Utah’s cacti and native desert plants; allow about 45 minutes. It is a particularly useful stop after the morning’s long drive, but keep the visit flexible if weather or traffic has delayed you.
Continue to Springdale and stop first at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center for roughly 45 minutes. Check the next day’s trail conditions, shuttle arrangements, and any seasonal closures; winter operations can differ from the busy summer schedule, and the shuttle may not run every day. Then check in at Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton, where you will stay for three nights, December 26–29. Its position near the pedestrian entrance makes tomorrow’s Zion National Park visit especially convenient, and you can leave the car parked at the hotel if local access is available. Finish with dinner at Oscar’s Café in Springdale—allow about 1½ hours and budget US$25–45 per person. Reserve if possible, since the number of open restaurants can be limited during the holiday period.
Start early in Springdale and walk or take the town shuttle to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. In late December, the Zion Canyon Shuttle may be operating on a reduced winter schedule, but do not assume service—check the National Park Service schedule and road-status page the evening before. If the shuttle is not running, private vehicles may be allowed farther into the canyon; arrive early because parking inside the park is limited. The park entrance fee is generally about US$35 per private vehicle, unless you have an America the Beautiful pass.
Ride to Zion Lodge, allowing about 30 minutes including boarding and waiting. From there, hike the Emerald Pools Trail, budgeting roughly two hours. Winter conditions can make the stone sections icy, particularly in shaded areas, so bring traction devices, warm layers, and trekking poles if available. The lower pools are the easiest turnaround point; continue only if the trail is clearly open and safe. Keep a little flexibility here—snow, ice, or seasonal closures may shorten the hike.
Have lunch at Zion Lodge, allowing about an hour and roughly US$20–40 per person. Its seasonal restaurant and café hours can change, so bring sandwiches or snacks from Springdale as a backup; do not rely on finding food inside the canyon late in the day. After lunch, walk The Grotto Trail, an easy one-hour riverside route with excellent views of the cliffs. The trail is usually quiet in winter, but the riverbank can be cold and slippery, so stay on the marked path.
In the late afternoon, make your way to the Pa’rus Trail for about 1½ hours. This paved path is one of the more dependable winter walks in the park and gives you broad views as the canyon walls catch the fading light. Start early enough to finish before darkness; winter sunset comes quickly, and there is little lighting along the trail. Return to Springdale by walking, using the town shuttle if operating, or driving only if parking and park-access rules allow.
Finish at Zion Canyon Brew Pub, where dinner typically runs about US$25–45 per person. Reserve if possible, or arrive before the main dinner rush because winter holiday crowds can still create a wait. This is a good night to keep relaxed after the hike: roads around Zion can freeze after sunset, so check the next day’s route and weather before turning in, especially if your car will be parked outdoors.
Leave Springdale around sunrise and drive east on UT-9 toward the Canyon Overlook Trail. The trailhead has a small parking area that fills quickly, so arriving early is worthwhile; allow roughly 25–35 minutes from town, plus extra time if frost or snow slows the road. The hike is only about 1 mile round trip but includes steep, uneven sections and exposed edges—wear sturdy shoes, bring a headlamp, and check for ice before committing. Allow about 1½ hours, including time at the overlook. Continue east to Checkerboard Mesa, where a short roadside stop of around 30 minutes reveals the unusual cross-hatched sandstone. Parking is limited, so be patient and stay well clear of moving traffic.
Continue along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, one of the park’s finest drives, through switchbacks and the historic tunnel toward Zion’s east entrance. Allow about an hour for the drive itself, but check the National Park Service road-status page first: winter storms can bring temporary closures, and oversized vehicles may require a tunnel escort or be restricted. The regular park entrance fee is generally about US$35 per private vehicle, unless you are using an America the Beautiful pass. Return toward the canyon and spend about an hour at the Zion Human History Museum; confirm its seasonal hours before setting out, as winter operations can be limited.
Pick up picnic supplies in Springdale—Sol Foods Supermarket is the practical choice for sandwiches, fruit, hot drinks, and snacks—then have your Zion National Park scenic picnic near town or at an approved park picnic area. Expect cold temperatures after sunset in late December, so treat this as a flexible one-hour stop and use an indoor backup if wind or snow makes it uncomfortable. Finish at Whiptail Grill for a relaxed dinner of Mexican-inspired dishes; budget approximately US$25–45 per person, and verify its winter opening hours before walking over. Most Springdale lodging is close enough to make this an easy walk, while driving is best avoided at night if roads are icy.
Leave Springdale around 7:00 AM for the drive to Grand Canyon Village, allowing 5–6 hours door-to-door with fuel, winter-weather checks, and the park entrance. Follow US-89 south toward Cameron; check road conditions before departure, particularly around higher elevations and the East Entrance. Keep the fuel tank comfortably full, as services are limited along parts of the route.
Stop at Cameron Trading Post for lunch and a useful break after roughly three hours on the road. Allow about an hour and budget US$20–35 per person. The restaurant is convenient rather than a destination meal, while the trading post is worth a quick browse for regional crafts and Indigenous artwork. This is also a good place to confirm the latest conditions for AZ-64 and the East Entrance before continuing.
Continue west on AZ-64 into Grand Canyon National Park. If the East Entrance and road are open, spend about 45 minutes at Desert View Watchtower, where the elevated overlook gives you a broad first view of the canyon and the Colorado River. The tower itself may have limited winter access, but the surrounding viewpoints remain the main reason to stop. If winter conditions close this approach, bypass Desert View and use the South Entrance instead, which will make the afternoon more direct.
By late afternoon, check in at Yavapai Lodge, your base for two nights, December 29–31. After dropping your luggage, spend about an hour wandering the Grand Canyon Village Historic District, including the historic lodges and rim viewpoints. Keep the pace unhurried—daylight is short in late December, and icy paths are possible.
Head to Mather Point for sunset, allowing about an hour including time to find a safe viewing position. It is close to the visitor facilities and a practical first major overlook, though arrive early enough to avoid the busiest pull-in period. Bring a warm layer, gloves, and a headlamp for the walk back after dark.
Have dinner at Maswik Food Court, budgeting approximately US$15–30 per person. Winter hours and individual counters can change, so verify service when you check in; if it is closed or crowded, ask the lodge desk about currently operating dining options. Keep the evening easy after the long drive, and reserve Yavapai Lodge well in advance, confirming that your room and nearby services are operating for the holiday period.
Leave your Grand Canyon Village hotel before first light and drive to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Private-car access can be restricted, and the park shuttle may be running on a reduced winter schedule, so check the current service the evening before and allow extra time for the transfer. The walk to Ooh Aah Point is about 1.8 miles (2.9 km) round trip and usually takes 2–3 hours, but winter ice can make the exposed sections slow and slippery. Carry water, a headlamp, warm layers, and traction devices; remember that the return is uphill.
Return to the rim and spend about 45 minutes at Bright Angel Lodge, whose stone-and-log buildings offer a more intimate look at early park architecture than the larger viewpoints. From there, walk to El Tovar Dining Room for lunch, allowing roughly 1½ hours. Expect approximately US$35–70 per person before drinks and tip, and reserve ahead if reservations are being accepted; holiday-week demand is high. If the dining room is full, ask about the waitlist rather than abandoning the area—you can explore the historic village buildings while waiting.
After lunch, follow the Rim Trail toward Yavapai Point, allowing around two hours at an easy, photo-heavy pace. This section is comparatively level, but shaded pavement may remain icy in December, so sturdy shoes are worthwhile. Finish at the Yavapai Geology Museum for about an hour; its large windows and geological displays make the canyon’s layered history especially clear, even if wind or cold limits your time outdoors. Use the park shuttle where operating, but keep the walking plan flexible because winter schedules and weather can change.
End at a suitable Grand Canyon sunset viewpoint, choosing based on the day’s shuttle operation, road conditions, and crowd levels. Mather Point is convenient from the village, while Yavapai Point offers a broader western outlook if you are already nearby; confirm access before setting out. Sunset is often shortly after 5:00 PM in late December, so arrive 30–45 minutes early, then return to the village before darkness and freezing temperatures settle in. A quiet dinner at your lodge or a village restaurant is sensible tonight—tomorrow’s drive to Las Vegas is long, and New Year’s Eve traffic around Hoover Dam can make the return journey slower than the basic driving time suggests.
Leave Grand Canyon Village by about 8:00 AM for Kingman, allowing roughly 2½–3 hours before stops. The full drive to your Las Vegas hotel will take about 5–6 hours door-to-door, and New Year’s Eve traffic can make the final approach significantly slower. Keep the fuel tank comfortably above half-full, especially before joining the quieter stretches of US-93.
Late morning, stop at the Kingman Route 66 Museum for about an hour. The exhibits are a compact introduction to the road’s history, roadside culture, and the communities that grew along it. Check the museum’s holiday opening hours before leaving the canyon; December 31 hours may be reduced. Allow time for parking and a short walk through central Kingman, but avoid lingering too long if you want a relaxed Hoover Dam visit.
Continue south on US-93 toward Hoover Dam, allowing approximately 1½–2 hours from Kingman, plus possible traffic near the dam. Park in the official garage or designated visitor parking and spend around two hours walking the dam viewpoints and crossing the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge for the best broad perspective. A dam tour is worthwhile only if you already have a confirmed time; do not rely on walk-up availability on New Year’s Eve. Bring photo identification if your reserved tour requires it, and check road conditions and security restrictions before departing.
Afterward, take a short break at Boulder City Coffee Company in Boulder City for coffee and something sweet or light, budgeting about US$8–18 per person. It is a useful pause before the busy Strip, but keep the stop to roughly 45 minutes: the remaining drive to ARIA Resort & Casino may take 45–75 minutes depending on traffic and event closures. Ask the hotel about the best entrance for luggage drop-off, since New Year’s Eve street restrictions may affect the usual approach.
Check into ARIA Resort & Casino, your base for two nights, December 31–January 2. Leave the car parked if possible; rideshare or the ARIA Express Tram is generally easier than driving between Strip resorts tonight. Spend about 1½ hours exploring The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, especially the Grand Canal Shoppes and the richly decorated public interiors. Expect dense crowds, security checks, and possible pedestrian restrictions as the evening progresses, so allow extra time for the return to ARIA.
Finish with your reserved New Year’s Eve dinner at ARIA Resort & Casino, budgeting approximately US$50–100 per person before drinks and service. Reserve well in advance and confirm the restaurant’s holiday seating time; walk-in dining will be difficult. After dinner, stay close to the resort for celebrations rather than attempting to move around the Strip, where road closures, fireworks crowds, and surge-priced rideshares can make even short journeys slow.
Have breakfast near your hotel, then take a rideshare to The Neon Museum in the Downtown Las Vegas area. Allow about 1½ hours for the guided Neon Boneyard visit, where retired casino signs tell the story of old Las Vegas much better than the modern resorts do. Timed admission is essential, and the museum’s schedule can vary around New Year’s Day, so reserve your slot in advance and arrive 15 minutes early. Wear a warm layer: the collection is outdoors and January mornings can feel surprisingly cold.
Continue by rideshare to Las Vegas City Hall and wander through the adjacent Arts District, particularly along Main Street and Charleston Boulevard. Give yourself about an hour for murals, small galleries, vintage shops, and independent boutiques; many businesses may open later or keep holiday hours on January 1, so treat this as a relaxed neighborhood walk rather than a shopping mission. For lunch, ride north toward the Strip to Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge, a classic 24-hour Las Vegas diner. Expect roughly US$20–40 per person, and try to sit in the lounge if you want the full retro atmosphere. Allow extra time for rideshare traffic between downtown, the Arts District, and the Strip.
Spend the afternoon at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, where the Roman-themed interiors, elaborate ceilings, and indoor promenades are almost as entertaining as the stores. Two hours is enough for a browse without turning the afternoon into a shopping marathon. From Peppermill, a rideshare is simplest; alternatively, walk through the Strip resorts only if you are comfortable with the substantial distances and crowds. Keep your evening ticket details accessible, since you will need to reach MGM Grand and clear the theater entrance process before the show.
Head to the David Copperfield Theater at MGM Grand for the evening performance. Confirm that a performance is scheduled for January 1 and book tickets ahead—showtimes, prices, and holiday availability can change, and you should arrive about 30–45 minutes early for security, ticket scanning, and finding the theater. Afterward, spend roughly 45 minutes around the MGM Grand Garden Arena district while the crowd thins, then use the designated rideshare pickup area rather than requesting a car directly outside the theater doors. If you are staying on the Strip, walking back may be practical depending on your hotel; otherwise expect a short but potentially slow post-show rideshare.
Have a relaxed final breakfast at ARIA Sky Suites, either through the suite’s breakfast service or at the hotel café, allowing about an hour while you finish packing. Keep luggage compact—especially if you plan to shop—and confirm checkout and your rental-car return instructions before leaving. A practical target is to be ready to depart the hotel by around 9:30–10:00 AM, depending on your flight time.
Walk or take a short rideshare to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art for a final indoor cultural stop. Allow about an hour, and check the current exhibition, opening time, and ticket availability in advance; admission and hours vary by exhibition. From ARIA, the Bellagio is close, but hotel interiors are deceptively large, so allow 15–20 minutes to reach the gallery entrance.
Continue to Las Vegas Premium Outlets North for roughly two hours of shopping. It is about 10–15 minutes by car from Bellagio in light traffic, though the route can take longer around midday. Focus on purchases that fit easily into your luggage, and keep receipts handy for any returns or baggage questions. If you are returning a rental car, do not leave shopping until the last possible minute: allow around 30 minutes to reach the airport rental-car center, plus time to refuel and unload bags.
Head to Harry Reid International Airport in the early afternoon, allowing at least three hours before an international departure. Build in time for hotel checkout, the airport rental-car return, the shuttle from the rental-car facility to the terminals, airline check-in, security, and possible customs or connection procedures. Your Las Vegas–Toronto journey should be treated as an 8–10-hour door-to-door window, not simply the time in the air; the exact duration depends on the booked itinerary and any connection. Before leaving the hotel, verify the terminal, baggage allowance, and return-car instructions, and keep passports, medication, valuables, and travel documents in your carry-on.
No packing list attached yet.