Go on a 48-hour adventure in Las Vegas, where every moment is a roll of the dice. From casinos and shows to dance floors and pool parties, the action never stops in the heart of the strip. As the anticipation builds for the 2024 Super Bowl hosted in Las Vegas, we curated this guide to make your Sin City escape unforgettable.
For a short 48-hour trip, it’s best to choose a hotel on or near the Las Vegas Strip. There’s an abundance of hotels on the Strip, especially if you book in advance.
If you want the full Vegas experience, book a hotel with an attached casino. Plus, there are often attractive room discounts because hotels bet that your time spent at the blackjack table will outweigh room costs – a gamble that might play out in your favor.
For an amazing stay in the heart of the Strip, consider the Las Vegas Hilton. With diverse restaurants, a state-of-the-art casino, and a pool deck, it’ll keep you entertained throughout your stay.
For such a quick trip, buying tickets ahead of time will help you avoid the lines and maximize your fun. There are tons of attractions in and around Las Vegas, so choosing what to do in a short period of time isn’t always easy.
When it comes to top-tier shows, the award-winning Cirque du Soleil is a consistent crowd-pleaser, with acrobatics, music, dance, and storytelling that appeal to a worldwide audience. If you’d prefer to experience the golden age of Las Vegas, check out one of the Rat Pack’s live performances. You never know if one of your favorite singers past or present will be playing a show.
If you don’t have time for a full-length performance and want something different, consider a tour of the Mob Museum. You could also engage your rage and smash stuff for fun in the wreck room experience.
Diving into the Las Vegas pool scene is always a fun challenge. And with so many options, you’re spoilt for choice.
If you’re traveling without kids, the new Circa Resort & Casino offers an adults-only Stadium Swim poolside experience with an outdoor screen, perfect for watching sporting events. If gambling poolside is your goal, the Wynn Las Vegas is a good full-service choice that also offers reservations for luxurious cabanas.
Some pools close for the winter, but you can always find heated outdoor pools as well as plenty of smaller indoor options. Many hotels also offer day rates, so you don’t even need to be a guest to make a splash.
DJs are a massive draw in Las Vegas, with venues like Hakkasan attracting EDM superstars like Tiesto and Calvin Harris. These events don’t truly fire up until well after midnight and can be on the pricey side, but they offer a truly unique experience.
One stand-out, smaller option is the nightclub Tao, located in The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. This place feels like you’re attending a rave inside a hallowed hall littered with flower petals. If you’re staying at The Venetian, it can’t hurt to ask the concierge to put you on the guest list.
You can also ask them for advice on clubs that are easier to get into on short notice, and even ask for help getting tickets. You’ll find that Vegas concierges can offer tons of insider information.
With so much going on, you might not get much sleep, but you can always relax and recharge by scheduling a trip to the spa.
Centrally located, the Vdara Hotel & Spa at ARIA Las Vegas might not have an on-site casino, but it more than makes up for that with its elegant spa oasis, where you can recover from any sensory overload. Treat yourself to a healing marine detox mineral wrap or a gemstone clay mask. Or just unwind with a massage and a mani-pedi before returning to the excitement.
Food might not be the main event on your trip to Las Vegas, but you won’t want to leave without visiting its legendary all-you-can-eat buffets. Notable options include The Buffet at Bellagio, which is also in a prime location for a tailgate party. It’s on the pricier side, but regardless of budget you’ll find impressive buffet options all over Vegas.
To give your legs a rest and your eyes a treat, book a helicopter ride over the Las Vegas Strip. The views from high in the night sky are truly breathtaking, offering the best vantage point to see the sprawl of neon lights – from the Eiffel Tower replica to the laser beam of the pyramid-shaped Luxor hotel.
If you’re after a more adrenaline-inducing activity, head to The Strat. At 1150 feet, it’s the tallest observation tower in America with a viewing deck that offers a 360-degree panorama of the city. Top it off with a thrilling open-air free-fall on the SkyJump.
When your 48 hours are up, you can still pull the lever on a couple slot machines while waiting for take-off from McCarran International Airport. At the very least, you’ll have earned yourself a nice, long nap on the flight home.
