Where To Stay In Las Vegas: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide
As the most populous city in Nevada, Las Vegas is a major tourist destination known for its gambling, shopping, and nightlife. Las Vegas is sometimes referred to as "Sin City" due to its reputation for being a place where people go to gamble and party.
Las Vegas is home to many famous casinos, such as the ones at the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and the Venetian. The city also has numerous hotels, resorts, and other attractions. Visitors to Las Vegas can enjoy shows, nightclubs, museums, and other entertainment options.
Despite its reputation as a place of vice and decadence, Las Vegas is also home to a number of family-friendly attractions. These include the Adventuredome, an indoor amusement park, the Shark Reef Aquarium, and the Hoover Dam, which is located just outside of the city. You can also use Las Vegas as a hub to see such iconic places as the Grand Canyon if you're willing to drive a bit.
Las Vegas has something to offer everyone, whether you're looking for excitement or relaxation. Where you decide to stay in Las Vegas will depend entirely on your goals for when you're in town. Do you like the action of the Las Vegas Strip or the slightly slower pace of Downtown Las Vegas, or would you prefer to stay even further out for better rates and ease of exploring other attractions in the state? Regardless of where you choose, you're sure to be in for a good time!
Before you embark on your Vegas adventures, make sure that your bags are well looked after. Head to a Bounce luggage locker and drop everything off so you're free to explore. Once the bags are taken care of, you can go sightseeing around your new temporary neighborhood.
Where to stay in Las Vegas
The Strip
The Strip, also known as Las Vegas Boulevard, is really where most people stay when they come to town. The Strip is what everyone thinks of when they picture Las Vegas, and to say there are a bunch of hotels here would be an understatement. Each hotel on the Las Vegas Strip is its own mini-town with restaurants, bars, live music venues, shops, attractions, pools, and of course, casinos.
For ease of exploration, you may want to consider staying on the central part of the Las Vegas Strip, but with the monorail that runs the length of the main part of Las Vegas Boulevard, it's pretty easy to get from one end to the other. The Strip itself is defined as the four-mile stretch of the boulevard that goes from Mandalay Bay in the south to the Strat Hotel in the north. You really can't go wrong with any of these well-lit-up hotels, but for the most central experience, try to position yourself near the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, or the Flamingo. None of these would be considered a boutique hotel. To put it simply: they are all huge.
You may not think that the Las Vegas Strip is an ideal place to bring kids due to all the drinking and gambling, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Most of the accommodations have large swimming pool complexes, their own attractions like roller coasters and gondola rides, and other kid-friendly activities. Just keep them away from the slot machines! If you are in Las Vegas with kids, some of the best hotels to choose from are Circus Circus and the Treasure Island Hotel for their whimsical and entertaining atmospheres. You should also stop by the Mirage Hotel for a glimpse at the Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden with its lions and white tigers as well as the erupting volcano.
Pretty much every hotel on the Strip has a vast selection of restaurants for some of the best brunch in Las Vegas, indoor shopping malls, and countless other things to do and see. You'll have trouble exploring the entire area in a single trip, so you'll have to prioritize.
As mentioned, any of the hotel rooms on the Las Vegas Strip is likely to suit your needs, and prices vary extensively from place to place and definitely by room type. You can often find last-minute and discounted packages if you're not too picky when you go.
If you've never been to fabulous Las Vegas before, it would be a real shame not to stay on the iconic Strip. This is where all the action is when it comes to unmissable things to do at night, people-watching, and round-the-clock activities, but all this action can get loud. If you like to get to bed early, try to pick one of the quieter ends of the Strip or stay in another neighborhood altogether.
Downtown Las Vegas
The neighborhood of Downtown Las Vegas centers around East Fremont Street, also known as Fremont East, which is the main thoroughfare. It's about a 15-minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip and has a similar feel but is not nearly as grand. The gem in Downtown Las Vegas is the Fremont Street Experience. It's a pedestrian mall and entertainment district located on three blocks of Fremont Street. The area is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The Fremont Street Experience features free live concerts, light shows, street performers, and other special events. The mall is also home to many restaurants, bars, casinos, shops, and attractions. You'll find the famous Golden Nugget is an anchor here.
Aside from the Fremont Street Experience, Downtown Las Vegas also has plenty of great things to keep you busy and is worthy of your consideration on where to stay in Las Vegas. The Mob Museum, Neon Museum, and City Hall are all here. You can easily access all the exciting things to do downtown by using the free Downtown Loop shuttle bus. It's relatively easy to get around Las Vegas as a whole, and this free bus will even take you to the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets.
The peak season in Las Vegas is between October and April due to the excessive summer heat, and a stay in Downtown Las Vegas will set you back about $100 per night. This includes everyone's favorite Golden Nugget. As with most areas in Las Vegas, there are plenty of hotels to choose from here. You can also find a more high-end experience at spots like the Circa Resort & Casino Hotel for about $250 per night. Many hotels have tons of amenities, so you won't ever be bored in this area of Sin City.
North Las Vegas
Under ten miles (and obviously north) from the Strip, you'll find the neighborhood of North Las Vegas. It's far enough from the chaos of Las Vegas Boulevard but not so far that you can't commute in and out on transit or by taxi or ride-share. North Las Vegas is the ideal neighborhood for travelers on a budget and those who like to explore nature. Within this District, you have access to Craig Ranch Regional Park and Ice Age Fossils State Park. The kids will also enjoy water features and simulated dinosaur dig at Aliante Nature Discovery Park. It's also home to the golfer's paradise of Shadow Creek Golf Course, but you have to stay at an MGM Hotel to be able to play here. And with green fees in the $750 to $1,000 range, this is well outside most people's budgets. The North Las Vegas Airport is also located here.
Most of the hotels in North Las Vegas would fit into the budget hotel category, so this option is ideal for large families and basically anyone who can't splurge on either Downtown Las Vegas or the Strip. It's also nice for those who like a quieter vacation and those who like to seek out the party rather than have it come to them.
North Las Vegas has all the most common budget and mid-range hotels you can think of. This includes Holiday Inn Express, Motel 6, Best Western, and La Quinta Inn.
Green Valley
Green Valley is technically part of the city of Henderson but is still part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area. It's well outside the action of the Strip and is a master-planned community. If you're someone who likes to relax by the pool and avoid the usual Vegas hecticness, this area might be a good fit. But be warned, there isn't much to do other than lounge around. You'll find a few restaurants and bars and the option for wine tours and helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon nearby. You're also within striking distance of the Clark County Wetlands Park, which makes an excellent day trip.
If you're going to be spending a lot of time at your hotel, your choice of accommodation in this neighborhood has to be Green Valley Ranch. This luxury hotel has everything you might need, from a meal at an on-site restaurant and a dip in the swimming pool to some fancy room service. They have it all.
Visiting Las Vegas doesn't have to mean a long weekend of debauchery, and Green Valley Ranch is a great place to pamper yourself while maintaining access to slot machines and some nighttime activities.
Lake Las Vegas
About 40 minutes by car from the central part of Sin City, Lake Las Vegas is the perfect spot to stay in Las Vegas if you're into watersports. It's in the heart of the Mojave Desert, surrounded by stunning mountain views, and the lake itself is a 320-acre man-made reservoir. This oasis in the desert is a popular spot for boating, fishing, swimming, and other water activities. There are also several upscale hotels and resorts in the area, making it a perfect destination for a relaxing getaway. There are also stunning public golf courses to try out here. Choose Lake Las Vegas if you and your family are into being outdoors and not so much into the all-night parties.
Summerlin
If you enjoy sports and the outdoors, consider Summerlin as the place to stay in Las Vegas, even though it isn't technically in the city. This master-planned community is only about 20 minutes northwest of the Strip and offers easy access to places like Red Rock Canyon. Red Rock Canyon is a picturesque state park that is always worth exploring. Summerlin West also has a Costco, so if staying in the Las Vegas suburbs doesn't bother you, the accommodation prices will be very agreeable.
Aside from proximity to Red Rock Canyon, Downtown Summerlin also boasts the eight-acre Las Vegas Ballpark, which is home to the Las Vegas Aviators if you want to catch a game while you're in town.
Arts District
Arts District is a more quirky place to stay in Las Vegas, and it is technically part of the downtown area. Arts District is home to many art galleries, businesses, and restaurants. The Arts District is also home to the annual Life Is Beautiful festival, usually held in September. You can sip craft beer, get a tattoo, see a drag show, and admire colorful street art without leaving this neighborhood.
The neighborhood was first established in the early 2000s when a group of artists and developers renovated several old warehouses into lofts and studios. The area quickly became popular with local artists, who were attracted to the cheap rent and abundance of space. This neighborhood will appeal to a few travelers, especially those who have already done the Strip.
There aren't many hotels in the Arts District, so if you have your heart set on staying here instead of the famous Las Vegas Strip, you'll likely end up using a site like Airbnb and staying in a guest house or other rented accommodation.
Conclusion
Deciding where to stay in Las Vegas doesn't have to be complicated. First-time visitors should almost always stay on the Strip; you'd be missing out otherwise. Downtown Las Vegas is a good option that has most of the fun of the Strip but on a smaller sclae while still remaining close to some of Las Vegas' major tourist attractions. Aside from these two locations, the others on this list offer better accommodation prices and more quiet, which is bound to appeal to some. Just pick a place and go with it, and you're bound to have a blast!