Your guide to visiting Las Vegas: What to do, see and eat in Sin City

With Rugby League taking over Las Vegas this weekend, thousands are flocking to Sin City for an action-packed weekend of games and fanfare.

If it sparks your wanderlust for a trip this year, there's plenty to do and see in the city itself (and just outside of it), as well as lots of new things opening.

Whether you're visiting with family, friends, or solo travelling, here's your guide to Vegas.

READ MORE: NSW beach suburb crowned the 'Aussie town of the year' for 2025

What's the best time to go to Vegas?

It's best to visit Vegas either between September and November or March and May.

During these times of year - spring and autumn - Vegas boasts the best weather conditions, with temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees.

It's also always good to check that your trip dates don't coincide with a big event in the city in case you want to avoid large crowds.

READ MORE: The best places to see blossoms and spring blooms around the world

View gallery

These are the 'top Aussie towns' to visit in 2025

Where to stay in Las Vegas

Vegas boasts plenty of grand hotels - and they're not all your usual sort.

Despite its casino culture, you don't need to be a gambler to enjoy the city's hotels and resorts, of which it boasts over 300.

However, you can certainly book something more lowkey for accommodation and enjoy the mammoth hotels for their amenities, or simply for the outside view. They're situated along The Strip, the almost 7km-long main street, AKA Las Vegas Boulevard.

Plus there are plenty of new additions and upgrades happening. MGM Grand Hotel & Casino is undergoing a USD$300 million remodel encompassing the hotel's 4,212 rooms and suites within its main tower. The transformation is slated for completion in December 2025.

The hotel will also be opening the Palm Tree Beach Club in May 2025, promising "a tropical oasis with chart-topping performers and top-tier service."

Things to do in Las Vegas

Go to Downtown Vegas

While once a no-go area, downtown Las Vegas is essential for any travellers wanting to experience vintage Vegas.

Catch the neon lights of The Strip, which is fairly walkable, or stroll down Fremont Street, the city's entertainment and gaming hub.

And the best part is, it's totally free!

You can also catch the SlotZilla zipline 11 stories over Fremont Street for an amazing, view of the city lights, and shop and eat at Downtown Container Park, an open-air shopping centre built with shipping containers.

The Neon Museum is also a really interesting outdoor attraction which will educate you on the city's history via its mammoth old neon signs. It's a great Instagram spot.

READ MORE: Seven tips for the perfect Margaret River road trip

Watch a show in the Sphere

The Sphere is a music and entertainment arena east of the Las Vegas Strip that opened in September 2023. It took five years to complete and cost $US2.3 billion ($3.7b).

It is also the world's largest spherical structure and has taken live entertainment to a whole new level and totally changed the Las Vegas Skyline.

Currently The Eagles have a residency there, but upcoming are the Backstreet Boys, bringing their legendary Millenium album to life alongside their greatest hits from July '25.

Kenny Chesney will become the first country music artist to play at Sphere when he takes to the stage for a residency in May and June.

Cirque du Soleil

Great for adults and kids, this global entertainment powerhouse has five shows currently performing in Las Vegas including Echo, their newest show featuring acrobats, lights, music and projects, as well as O, Mystere, Michael Jackson ONE and KA.

Cirque du Soleil also has a new (and free) exhibition that takes you behind-the-scenes of Cirque du Soliel's Las Vegas productions running until May 1 inside City Hall's Grand Gallery in Downtown Las Vegas.

It's the first museum curated exhibition and features around 100 artifacts, including costumes, 3-D printed fabrics and measurements sheets from the five Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas shows.

READ MORE: This airline will refund passengers if it rains too much on holidays

Where to eat in Vegas

Vegas is famous for its fried chicken, buffets, and steakhouses.

The Vegas buffets offer pretty much every kind of dish you could dream about on offer for a one-off price, but they're not as affordable as they used to be, so make sure your family are bigger eaters before committing.

Las Vegas also boasts a thriving multicultural food scene.

Hit up Esther's Kitchen, the much-loved Las Vegas neighbourhood Italian restaurant which has moved to a new, bigger location in the Arts District, or Amaya Modern Mexican, which has officially opened its doors at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Netflix and MGM Grand Hotel & Casino have also just opened a new dining experience with Netflix Bites Vegas.

From screen-to-table, fans and foodies alike will be invited to a one-of-a-kind restaurant experience with inspiration from hit Netflix titles, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Dishes inspired by shows for young and older, including Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Squid Game, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and Dinner Time Live with David Chang, are featured.

READ MORE: Cruise expert warns passengers against wearing these surprising items of clothing

Day trips from Vegas

If you have a little more time on your hands, why not get out of the city and take a day trip?

The Grand Canyon and National Park are around a 4 hour drive from Vegas city.

Experience the sheer drop of the Canyon, visit the Hoover Dam, and trek through the National Park and past the Colorado river.