Las Vegas has grown to become one of the world’s most incredible cities to visit, with a range of attractions that vary from ultra-luxurious to downright surreal. With the cosmopolitan cool of the casinos blending with the rugged mountain ranges of the Nevada desert, the city's two sides contrast beautifully.
The Strip
The centre of all the city’s glitzy fun is the famous ‘Strip’. This is a road of about four miles, lined with major hotels and casinos. Many of the world’s biggest hotels stand here, plus some of the best-known performance venues, like Caesars Palace and the MGM Grand.
You don’t have to be staying at the hotels or gambling in the casinos to enjoy the buzz of the Strip. It’s great to drive your hire car up and down, particularly at night as there are spectacular light shows outside many of the major resorts. The regular outdoor displays include the Bellagio's mesmerising dancing fountains and the mock volcano eruption at the Mirage.
You’ll also find luxury fashion stores, open-air restaurants and a mall of shops linked to the Venetian Hotel by singing gondoliers on canals.
More than just casinos
Vegas is much more than a hotspot for casino enthusiasts, with numerous attractions that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Look out for the Stratosphere, a 1,149-foot observation tower with white-knuckle rides perched at the top or take in the unique Fremont Street Experience, a 24-hour mall under a huge canopy of LED lights.
The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort is the perfect place to go for sea life fanatics. Feel like you're in and amongst the fish as you walk through the underwater tunnel as live sharks swim above your head. If you're travelling with children, head for the Adventuredome, an enormous indoor amusement park with rides suited to all ages.
Exploring Nevada's outdoors
You can easily escape The Strip, especially if you’ve got your own hire car. Three miles west you can take a stroll in the tranquil botanical gardens of the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. And one of the best car trips is to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in the Calico Basin to the west of the city. There is a 13-mile scenic driving route here and walking trails among the spectacular red rocks.
Enjoy the waterside break at the tranquil Lake Mead, offering you the perfect escape from the bustling Bright Lights City. For adventure enthusiasts, get your hiking boots on and walk the God Strike Hot Springs trail through the rocky outback of the city's more peaceful side. But if you're wanting to sit back and relax, head for the Recreation Centre and spend an afternoon on the lake's open waters in a rowing boat, taking in the dramatic desert scenery.
From the razzle dazzle of the Strip to the dusty trails through the Death Valley National Park, car hire from Las Vegas Airport will give you the opportunity to take in the very best of Nevada.
