As much as I would LOVE to win that big jackpot at the casino, I know I have a much better chance at losing all my hard-earned money (I stress if I lose 5 dollars at the blackjack table). So instead of spending our time in Vegas gambling, we decided to take advantage of the cheap flights to Vegas and explore epic outdoor scene nearby. This guide will walk you through how to spend one weekend in Las Vegas (Without Gambling). Everything from where to stay, what to eat, and of course what to do.
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Table of Contents
How do I get to Las Vegas?
This one is pretty self-explanatory as Las Vegas is well-known to all. It’s usually one of the most affordable places to fly to with round trip tickets even under 100 dollars from other major cities. The airport is also located very close to the strip and many hotels.
For this particular weekend trip, you will be spending most of your time off the strip so you will need to rent a car. From the airport, you can hop on the free rental car shuttle and they will take you to the Rental car center (about 6 min away). I recommend checking out DiscoverCars to find the best rental deals in Vegas.
What is the best time to visit Las Vegas?
For this adventure itinerary, the best time to visit is during the cooler winter months (October-March). Las Vegas is known to be extremely hot during the summer months and not ideal for following outdoor adventures. You will also find the best deals if you travel mid-week.
Side note: If hoping to stay on the strip as a home base for your adventures, be sure to check if there are any big events happening as this will cause the hotel prices to soar.
Las Vegas Average Temperatures (Averages from NOAA):
- January: 59/28
- February: 66/33
- March: 72/39
- April: 81/45
- May: 90/53
- June: 102/61
- July: 107/67
- August: 104/66
- September: 96/57
- October: 83/46
- November: 70/35
- December:60/27
***Janurary-March see the most rain with an average of 2 days per month.
Where should I stay in Las Vegas?
Booking.comAs much as we love outdoor adventures, we also like good restaurants, fancy hotels, and the city life. For these reasons, we choose to have the best of both worlds and stay on the strip. This way we could explore during the day and return to the city at night. It’s also a great mid-way point for the adventures in this 3-day Las Vegas Weekend itinerary. With this being said, this itinerary includes staying on the strip due to nighttime activities!
We personally stayed at the Mandalay and it was a great experience. But, other top-rated strip hotels include The Bellagio, The Venitian, The Cosmopolitan, and The Mirage (if hoping to save a bit of money).
You can stay off of the strip too, but we have not had the best experience with those hotels. To me, it’s worth it to spend a few extra dollars a night to stay right on the strip.
Read more about our stay at the Mandalay here!
3-Day Las Vegas Weekend Itinerary
Day 1 in Las Vegas:
Morning:
Catch an early flight (or arrive the night before), grab your rental car, and head out on the road for a kayaking adventure. At less than an hour from the strip, you’ll find yourself at Willow Beach Marina, the landing area to get to the magical Emerald Cave. You can choose to book a guided tour or rent kayaks right at the marina. You will then kayak 2 miles down the beautiful Colorado River until you reach the sparkling green water inside the Emerald Cave. Our tour also included a stop at a beach, interesting history lessons, and a short hike to an amazing overlook. Expect to spend about 4 hours here.
Read more about kayaking to Emerald Cave here!
Afternoon:
After your kayaking tour, head back toward the strip. On your way back, make a pit stop at the famous The Hoover Dam (it’s right on your way). Be sure to check out the Visitor Center, which offers educational exhibits that explain the dam’s construction and history. You can also take a guided tour of the dam or take a boat ride to explore the Colorado River.
Evening:
Check in to your hotel (if you haven’t already) and quickly get ready for a night out! You have countless choices as to where to eat on the strip, but some fan favorites are Beer Park for a laid-back vibe with a view (Paris Las Vegas), Truth and Tonic for plant-based options (The Venitian), Margaritaville for a beachy experience (The Flamingo), and Top of the World for a fancy dinner (The Strat).
After dinner, head to a quintessential Vegas show! Any other America’s Got Talent Fans out there? You’ll find many of your favorites along the strip. Don’t stay out too late though as you have a jam-packed day tomorrow with an early start!
Day 2 in Las Vegas:
Morning:
Up and at ’em extra early today as you have a FULL day of exploring! Today you will be heading 2 hours west to Death Valley National Park. I recommend leaving as early as possible so you have enough time to squeeze in everything.
After arriving head to the Mesquite Sand Dunes to watch the sunrise. Since you’ll likely be one of the first ones there, you’ll get to see the sand dunes smooth and undisturbed. Once the sun is up and you are done trekking along the dunes, head to Mosaic Canyon Trail (3.6 miles away) for a 3.3-mile hike.
Afternoon:
You’ve likely worked up an appetite at this point, so you can stop at Stovepipe Wells Saloon for lunch. If you do not have time to sit down and eat, you can order a box lunch upon request. When we visited, the service was quick, the food was delicious, and it was actually quite affordable (even though it’s one of the only places to eat in the National Park).
Next drive 45 minutes to check out Badwater Basin, Natural Bridge Trail, Devil’s Golf Course, Golden Canyon Trail, and Artisit Palette. All of these stops are very close to each other, so with great time managemt, you should have enougth time to stop at each. If you are wanting to do longer hikes at some, you may have to select your favorites.
Evening:
Your last stop in Death Valley is the famous Zabriske Point. Try to time this stop to line up with Sunset as they are some of the best in the park. There are some trails you can take, or you can simply watch the sun go down from the overlook (right by the parking lot).
You are likely exhausted at this point so you can either grab a quick dinner on your way back to Las Vegas, or you can go out again for a night on the strip.
Day 3 in Las Vegas:
Morning:
Another early morning for ya if you want to catch the sunrise. If not, a later start is okay too! Your last day in Vegas will be spent at the beautiful Valley of Fire State Park. It’s just over one hour from the strip, but it feels like a whole different world.
If wanting to watch the sunrise, you can do so from the famous insta-worthy photo spot along Mouse’s Tank Road. There are several small pullouts along the road and then you can hike up a a higher spot. If you cannot find parking along the road, there is a larger parking lot at Rainbow Vista just a bit further down the road.
After you’ve taken all the pictures and marveled at the rising sun, head to your first hike of the day, The Fire Wave which is an easy 1.5-mile hike to amazing views!
Afternoon:
Next up on the Valley of Fire list is the White Domes Trail. If you still have more time after your two hikes, you can check out Petroglyph Canyon (.8 miles) or Rainbow Vista Trail (1.1 miles). If you are running short on time, I recommend you start heading back towards the exit and check out either the Elephant Rock Trail (.3 miles), or the Petroglyph up top of Atatl Rock (.1 mile).
Insider tip: It is a smaller park and with its close proximity to Las Vegas it does get EXTREMELY BUSY. We visited on a day when it was pouring, so we didn’t have to fight with any crowds, but I have heard that the parking lots typically fill up and the trails will be popping. They are going to be moving to a permit system to combat some of these crowds, so be sure to check the website for updates.
Evening:
Head back to the hotel and get ready for a unique dinner and nighttime experience at Area15. Area15 is home to several virtual experiences, a fun restaurant, an indoor zipline, a skyline bar, and of course the famous Meow Wolf OmegaMart.
After eating dinner at The Beast (highly recommend the BBQ Platter…it was SO much food and delish), spend the rest of your night exploring the immersive art installations of Meow Wolf. This one is hard to explain and it’s really something you just need to experience for yourself.
Other things to do near Las Vegas:
- Neon Museum: For 20 dollars, you can tour the Neon Boneyard to check out unrestored and restored Vegas signs. Hours vary by season, so be sure to check the website and purchase a ticket before visiting.
- 7 Magic Mountains: A unique roadside art installation that you are able to visit for free!
- Freemont Street: Freemont Street is a fun place to explore, offering a wide variety of attractions, shops, and restaurants. There are plenty of fun shows, street performers, and amazing light shows at night.
- Goldstrike Hot Springs: The springs are accessible via a 3-mile hike (6-mile rt) along the Colorado River and provides stunning views of the Grand Canyon. This is a hard hike with bouldering and ropes so be sure you are prepared!
- Arizona Hot Springs: Another 6-mile trail that leads to 5 magical hot springs pools! Be sure to bring your Keens (or other water shoes) for both of these hikes!
For a complete list of Outdoor Adventures in/near Las Vegas…CLICK HERE!
Other Tips to Know Before Visiting Las Vegas:
- Summers are HOT HOT HOT. If hoping to hike and use this itinerary, plan it for the winter months
- Be sure to check for events in Vegas before visiting in order to get the best deals on hotels on the strip (no events=much cheaper hotels)
- I do recommend spending a bit more money on a hotel to ensure you get a clean non-sketchy room. It’s worth it in Vegas.
- If you have more time to spend in Vegas, I would recommend checking out the Las Vegas Go-City Pass as it offers admission into over 35+ Vegas attractions and saves you a lot of moolah.
3-day Las Vegas Weekend Trip Itinerary Recap:
- Day 1: Kayaking to Emerald Caves, Hoover Dam, Dinner & Show
- Day 2: Death Valley Road Trip
- Day 3: Valley of Fire State Park and Meow Wolf
Las Vegas Weekend Trip Map
Here’s a handy dandy map to help you plan your Vegas Weekend trip. It’s a busy one BUT so worth it!
One Weekend In Las Vegas Isn’t Enough
As you can see, there’s SO much to do in Las Vegas that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day Las Vegas itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend in Las Vegas. Have you visited the outdoor scene in Vegas?
What else would you add to this “One Weekend in Las Vegas” Itinerary?
Tip! Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more USA weekend getaways and dog-friendly adventures!
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