Las Vegas is a city known the world over for its unique atmosphere and vibrant nightlife. While the best areas to stay in Las Vegas will revolve around what casinos are there for many, there are other things to consider as well.
That’s why I want to give you a quick rundown of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas, no matter what your intentions are. This will make sure you know everything you need, to have a trip to “Sin City” you remember for a lifetime.
Las Vegas: The City At A Glance
Located in southern Nevada, around half-way between Los Angeles and the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas is the largest, most populous city in the state. It is situated within the boundaries of Clark County, in a basin floor of the Mojave Desert.
Founded in 1905, Las Vegas truly burst into life during the 1930’s. With the construction of the Hoover Dam, the legalisation of casino gambling, and the reduction of divorce requirements to just six weeks, it became an equally popular destination for both workers and partygoers.
As it grew in popularity, casinos and hotels continued to get bigger and more lavish, eventually adopting the themes they are known for today.
International artists even began gravitating towards “Sin City”, as the constant desire for entertainment offered more opportunities than almost anywhere else in the world.
With warm weather year-round and 24/7 entertainment to suit all tastes and budgets, Las Vegas is a city guaranteed to provide a once in a lifetime experience.
Best Time To Visit Las Vegas
With incredible weather year-round, there isn’t really a bad time to visit Las Vegas.
That said, most people will want to visit between March and October, as this is when all of the hotels will have their pools open, many of which host incredible pool parties for you to enjoy.
To narrow it down even further, mid-May to the end of September is the timeframe where you can enjoy everything Las Vegas has to offer with a temperature that rarely drops below 70 F°, even at night.
While it may be a little too hot or busy for some at this time of year, it is an ideal time to party.
Best Areas To Stay In Las Vegas
As we move on to our list of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas, I am now going to suggest a few options. Each will be ideal for some of the most common needs people have when travelling.
The Las Vegas Strip (Best Area To Stay In Las Vegas Overall & Best Area To Stay In Las Vegas Without A Car)
Despite not technically being in Las Vegas (the strip is actually located in neighbouring Paradise, Nevada), the Las Vegas Strip is undoubtedly where the party is at for the vast majority of visitors to the city.
For starters, the casinos of the Las Vegas Strip have something to keep everyone entertained around the clock.
You can catch a boxing match or UFC event at the MGM Grand. Stroll through the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. Take a gondola ride around The Venetian. Watch the legendary Bellagio fountain show. Maybe even enjoy the ride of a lifetime atop The Stratosphere.
Then there are themes of the hotels themselves, which can add a magical feel to your stay, for both adults and children alike.
Spend a night in a medieval castle at The Excalibur or in ancient Egypt or Rome, at The Luxor and Caesars Palace, respectively. Explore a pirate ship at Treasure Island or a big top tent at Circus Circus. Almost every casino or hotel on the strip creates their own unique world for you to enjoy.
All of the casinos and hotels are filled with shops, bars, and restaurants, offering you plenty of places to wine and dine out of the Las Vegas heat. With casinos keen to keep you near their tables, many will offer fabulous deals as well, meaning you can have fun on the strip, no matter your budget.
Beyond the casinos you have locations like the famed “Welcome To Las Vegas” sign to visit, the Fashion Show Mall to explore, and venues like Allegiant Stadium and T-Mobile arena to catch a game or a show at.
Everything on the strip is within walking distance, so you needn’t worry about renting a car. Simply stroll up and down at your own pace, taking in the sites at your leisure.
For the times you do need to get somewhere in a hurry, many of the casinos have free tram systems, allowing you to get from a to b in a flash.
The Strip is also one of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas to book tours to some of the legendary locations outside of the city.
Attractions like the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam are both must-see locations, that can be reached through tours on helicopters, buses, and a number of other means.
McCarran International Airport is even located at the southern end of the strip.
This makes it undoubtedly one of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas for those who don’t want to waste any time or effort getting from their flight to their accommodation, so they can start enjoying their vacation right away.
Stay On The Strip If:
· You want everything within walking distance
· It is your first time in Las Vegas
· You want to be near the airport
· You want to be surrounded by the most iconic Las Vegas casinos
· You don’t plan to rent a car
Best Hotel To Stay On The Strip – The Bellagio
Staying at The Bellagio is our pick for the best hotel to stay at on the strip, as it offers the most well-rounded experience of Las Vegas. A stylish casino hotel without a theme, it generates its world-famous reputation based on its quality alone.
Staying here will surround you with all the luxuries Las Vegas is known for, from stylish rooms to shops and restaurants, allowing you to truly pamper yourself throughout your stay.
Its location at the heart of the Las Vegas strip provides convenience for those who want to explore everything this part of the city has to offer.
At the same time, being set slightly further back from the street lets it provide stunning views of both the strip and The Bellagio’s famous fountain show.
Downtown Las Vegas (Best Area To Stay In Las Vegas On A Budget)
Downtown Las Vegas offers a similar range of attractions to the strip and is located roughly 6 miles to the north.
The main difference between the two areas is that Downtown Las Vegas is a little less grand and flashy. Themed hotels and casinos still make up the bulk of the entertainment, but they tend to be a little smaller and older.
This means they generally feature much lower rates, much like the bars and restaurants that surround them. As a result, they are much more popular with the locals and are ideal for anyone travelling to Las Vegas on a budget.
The most popular part of Downtown Las Vegas is the Fremont Street Experience. A giant, LED lit canopy covers a street filled with performers, while casinos, bars, and restaurants line each side.
Thrill seekers can take the opportunity to zipline from one end to the other. This will get your blood pumping and give you a truly unique view of Las Vegas.
As the older part of Las Vegas, Downtown is also one of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas for those wanting to explore the history of the city.
The Mob Museum will teach you about the infamous mafia influence Las Vegas was known for in the past. The Neon Museum shows you the evolution of the city’s bright lights and signage throughout the years.
The Children’s Discovery Museum will entertain your little ones and teach them about everything from science to art. You even have the Nevada State Museum, showing you photos and artefacts that teach about the rest of the state as well.
Combined with the numerous historic hotels and buildings, it easily makes Downtown one of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas for those interested in the history of the city.
Stay In Downtown Las Vegas If:
· You are travelling on a budget
· You are interested in the history of the city
· You want to gamble where the locals do
· You want to visit the Fremont Street Experience
Best Hotel To Stay In Downtown Las Vegas – Golden Gate Hotel & Casino
Nothing captures the spirit of Downton Las Vegas quite like the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino. The oldest hotel and casino in Las Vegas, first opened in 1906, it perfectly represents the history this part of the city is brimming with.
With countless legends having stayed here throughout the years, it will give you a true sense of what Las Vegas is all about. Found within the Fremont Street Experience, it is also conveniently located within walking distance of many of the primary attractions in the district.
Combined with the affordable rates for rooms, it allows you to make the most of the time and money you have available, to really enjoy yourself.
Summerlin (Best Area To Stay In Las Vegas With Family)
Summerlin is roughly 10 miles to the west of Downtown Las Vegas and is considerably quieter than the central parts of the city.
An upper-class neighbourhood that regularly ranks as one of the best places to live in the US, it is easily one of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas with family or children.
Stylish shopping and dining establishments are abundant in Summerlin, allowing you to enjoy a similar level of quality to the rest of Las Vegas, without all the crowds. With almost everything in walking distance, you don’t have to worry about driving and can explore at your own pace.
Summerlin is particularly well known as a destination for those who love the great outdoors. With 25 parks and more than 150 miles of hiking trails, Summerlin gives you the opportunity to explore the natural landscape and wildlife of southern Nevada.
Slightly further out, you even have Red Rock Canyon to explore. With numerous bouldering, camping, climbing, and hiking spots throughout the canyon, people of all fitness levels have the chance to get out into the wilds for a while.
Summerlin isn’t without more conventional vacation attractions either though. Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas is a brilliant waterpark that offers days of fun for all the family. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Ballpark gives you the chance to spend a day out watching baseball while you’re in town.
Considering you can be back in the bright lights of the strip and Downtown Las Vegas in under 20 minutes, it makes Summerlin one of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas for a truly well-rounded trip.
Stay In Summerlin If:
· You are travelling with family or small children
· You plan to rent a car
· You enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and camping
· You prefer a quieter, more relaxed area
· You enjoy baseball or waterparks
Best Hotel To Stay In Summerlin – JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort And Spa
The JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort And Spa is the premier place to stay in Summerlin.
The spacious rooms are great for those travelling in larger groups, while the central location provides the upmost convenience, which is ideal for those with kids not wanting to travel too far.
The stunning resort features a 50,000 square foot casino and a world-class spa containing 36 treatment rooms, a full-service salon, and a gym. This lets it provide the luxuries Las Vegas is known for, in a much quieter, more intimate environment.
Henderson (Best Area To Stay In Las Vegas Off The Strip Best Area To Stay In Las Vegas For Golf)
Henderson is technically a separate city that on its own is considered the 2nd most populous in all of Nevada. Located around a 15-minute drive southeast from the strip, it is one of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas off the strip.
This is because it offers an entirely different experience yet is incredibly convenient for those who want to split their time between the two. Primarily a residential area, you can enjoy a much more relaxing experience than in the tourist heavy world of central Las Vegas.
You still have plenty of bars, casinos, and restaurants to keep you entertained, while there are now a greater range of choices like malls, movie theatres, and concert venues to enjoy.
Henderson is also where many of the most popular golf courses and resorts in Nevada are located. Whether you want to play a challenging round or relax at an exclusive country club, Henderson is one of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas for golf enthusiasts.
There are also plenty of places to enjoy the wonderful climate and landscape of southern Nevada in Henderson as well.
You have Lake Las Vegas, a 320-acre reservoir where you can enjoy activities like boating and swimming, surrounded by luxury resorts and amenities. More active visitors will enjoy the River Mountain Loop Trail, where you can hike to see some of the most stunning views in the region.
You have the Clark County Wetlands Park and the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. These two locations help to preserve the wildlife and landscape of the region, making them fabulous places to visit for nature lovers.
Similarly, the Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden and Acadia Demonstration Gardens are great places to explore some of southern Nevada’s native vegetation.
With so much variety on offer, it should be clear to see why Henderson is one of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas for anyone who doesn’t want to be right in the heart of the city the entire time. Especially given how quick you can get back to the action if you so choose.
Stay In Henderson If:
· You plan to rent a car
· You are interested in nature
· You want to play golf
· You prefer a more residential area
· You want more refined hotels and casinos
· You want to be near the water
Best Hotel To Stay In Henderson – The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa
The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa is a beautiful resort, located right on the shores of Lake Las Vegas. With stunning views and easy access to mountain trails and Henderson’s best golf courses, it offers everything you could want from this part of Las Vegas.
The grounds include 3 restaurants offering different cuisines, one of which is poolside, and a cocktail lounge to relax in. For those who need even more pampering, the spa offers treatments including massages, pedicures, and facials, to help take your relaxation to the next level.
There is even a choice of two outdoor pools for when you want to go for a quick dip or need to keep the kids safe and entertained while you relax.
Conclusion
Las Vegas is one of the most unique cities in not just America but the entire world. While many say that you will either love it or hate it, you at least need to experience it so you can decide for yourself.
Hopefully, you will now have a better idea of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas based on your own wants and needs. All that’s left is to get everything booked, so you can start looking forward to experiencing it all for yourself, as soon as possible.