Fodor’s Travel. September 2026.

I eagerly peeked out the window as my flight approached Harry Reid International Airport. Before even traveling there for the first time, I had the map of The Strip memorized. I could recite all the hotels and their corresponding themes like the back of my hand.

As a 23-year-old college student, I was a self-proclaimed Vegas lover, even though I didn’t gamble or drink. On that first trip, I walked through every single hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard. I also took my first helicopter ride over the city, Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon. I realized that a champagne brunch and a scenic flight don’t churn together if you are prone to motion sickness. I indulged in my first all-you-can-eat seafood buffet (only $25 at the time) and watched one of the iconic Vegas burlesque shows, only to be shocked to find the dancers topless! At night, I returned to the quiet suburbs to stay with my uncle and aunt, who took me to a neighborhood Italian restaurant where I was certain some of the guests were mafia members.

Over countless family reunions, I explored lesser-known eateries, hiked in the scenic Red Rock Canyon, and took long drives to surrounding national parks. As I revisited for work, I stayed at the opulent Fontainebleau, attended the first Southwest Michelin Guide ceremony (as of 2026, Las Vegas has got its Michelin Guide back), went behind the scenes to meet the cast of “O,” and ate at all the hottest new restaurants. Two decades and countless trips later, I still feel the same excitement every time I touch down in Vegas, for the promise of a new and thrilling adventure always remains.

These are my picks for the best things to do and see, plus the must-try restaurants, the top hotels for any budget, and a few things to avoid.

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