This article includes links to our travel partners at Tripadvisor, where you can read traveller reviews, book tours and plan your visit to Las Vegas.
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is in the heart of Las Vegas, Nevada, the bright and extravagant tourist spot known for spectacular shows, all-night gambling, endless partying, and wild adventures. Though the airport can give you a touch of Vegas charm, you may want to plan an extended layover to explore some of “Sin City” nearby. While The Strip provides this desert city’s famous lights and sights, it’s not the only great place in Las Vegas. Look through this airport guide to see what to do on your Vegas layover and how to do it.
Airport Overview
Harry Reid International Airport will never let you forget you are in Las Vegas, so even somebody stuck inside the airport on a short layover can enjoy themselves. In case you’re feeling lucky, row after row of slot machines fill the hallways of the terminals. Giant screens grace the walls of the airport’s entrance, showcasing all the incredible shows Vegas offers. If you want a more relaxing experience, LAS Airport does offer a few lounges, food stops, and WiFi everywhere. Check out our Las Vegas Airport guide for more information on the airport.
Las Vegas Sightseeing Attractions
Below are a few of the top things to do in Las Vegas:
The Las Vegas Sign
If you want a quintessential taste of Las Vegas, there may be no better place to go than the world-famous Las Vegas Sign. Located on the edge of The Strip, you can easily snap a few pictures (be prepared to wait in a short line) and take a walk down to see some of the hotels. Mandalay Bay, Tropicana, Luxor, and MGM are pretty close.
- Time Required: Seeing the Las Vegas sign can easily be a quick 30-minute trip or stretched out into an eight-hour excursion, depending on how much time you have and how many hotels you want to see.
- How to Get There: The Las Vegas sign is only a few minutes from the airport. Check out this Google Map for details on the public and private transport options available for reaching The Las Vegas Sign and the required time.
- Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about visiting the Las Vegas sign, book a tour or read traveller reviews.
The Linq’s High Roller
A great spot on The Strip that provides multiple activities is The Linq Hotel & Casino. One of the most incredible experiences is riding the High Roller, the 550-foot-tall observation wheel that is the tallest in the world. Step into one of the enclosed cabins and get a breathtaking view of the Las Vegas Strip. After your ride, enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants or try gambling in the casino.
- Time Required: The Linq suggests planning for an hour when experiencing the High Roller, though the ride takes around thirty minutes. If you want to see the other things The Linq offers, add another two or three hours.
- How to Get There: Check out this Google Map for details on the public and private transport options available for reaching The Linq Hotel & Casino and the required time. Remember to consider high traffic if it is nighttime.
- Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about visiting the High Roller, book a tour or read traveller reviews.
Fremont Street
Fremont Street is old-school Vegas, where the lights sparkled in the early 1900s and still sparkle today. The Fremont Street Experience is a great place to see older hotels like the Golden Nugget or the recently renovated Plaza. Across Las Vegas Boulevard is Fremont East, a hip hangout filled with interesting bars and unique eateries, and Container Park, a shopping/dining/entertainment experience built entirely from shipping containers.
- Time Required: While you can see Fremont Street in an hour, it is a great place to linger. You can easily spend five or six hours at this Vegas hub.
- How to Get There: Fremont Street is easily accessed through public and private transportation. Check out this Google Map for details on the public and private transport options available for reaching Fremont Street and the required time.
- Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about visiting Fremont Street, book a tour or read traveller reviews.
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is a beautiful conservation area with stunning red and orange rock formations and great photo opportunities. Nearly 200,000 acres of land, Red Rock Canyon is a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of The Strip. The 13-mile scenic loop is a lovely way to drive through Red Rock and see its majesty. This conservation area also offers hiking, camping, and horseback riding.
- Time Required: Plan at least four or five hours. The 13-mile scenic loop can easily be stretched into three or four hours. However, adding activities like horseback riding could turn it into an all-day excursion.
- How to Get There: Renting a car or limo would be ideal. Check out this Google Map for details on the public and private transport options available for reaching Red Rock Canyon and the required time.
- Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about visiting Red Rock Canyon, book a tour or read traveller reviews.
The Mob Museum
Las Vegas has a fascinating history with the mob, and it is on display at The Mob Museum, The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement. Located in downtown Las Vegas, the Mob Museum building was once a post office and courthouse that tried organized crime cases. Now, it is an interactive display of true mob stories.
- Time Required: Plan one to three hours to explore the museum, depending on how much you want to linger at each exhibit.
- How to Get There: The Mob Museum is easily accessed through public and private transportation. Check out this Google Map for details on the public and private transport options available for reaching The Mob Museum and the required time.
- Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about visiting the Mob Museum, book a tour or read traveller reviews.
Airport Transportation
Public
- Shuttle – The airport offers shuttle services that will take you to The Strip or Downtown Fremont Street. If you take a shuttle, add extra time to your sightseeing excursions.
- Bus – Vegas has a variety of buses that go to most of the popular tourist spots. Once you’re on The Strip, a bus may be the best way to go. Plan extra travel time to and from your destination, like a shuttle.
Private
- Taxis – Taxis can be your best bet for quickly reaching your destination. Though you will spend more money than you would when using public transportation, you will not be wasting time on other people’s stops.
- Car Rental – The airport has plenty of rental companies on site. This would be another great option to decrease wasted time on your layover.
- Limo – Using a limo service is a stylish and beloved way of travelling through Vegas, and it doesn’t always have to break the bank. Make your reservation ahead of time.
Before You Go: Layover Tips
Now that you are motivated and excited about your mini layover vacation, check a few final logistical concerns off your list before you fully commit.
- Do you need to organize a visa to leave the airport? Requirements change frequently and for each nationality, so be sure to seek out current details on the availability, cost, and procedures of obtaining a transit visa.
- When is your next flight’s check-in time? Double-check with your airline exactly when you need to be at the airport – and plan your layover accordingly.
- What are security wait times like at the airport? Some airports are notorious for extended security wait times, so research in advance and factor that into your overall time budget.
- What’s happening with your luggage? When you check in to your first flight, confirm whether your luggage is checked through or needs to be picked up between your connecting flights.
Other Useful Resources
Finally, here are a few handy resources to help you plan your layover even more thoroughly:
- Tripadvisor – Visit Things to Do in Las Vegas to plan a tour or the Las Vegas Travel Forum to check out past threads to see what other travellers have shared about sightseeing during long layovers at Las Vegas Airport and post your questions.