Real tips from Sergio – Italian expat in Las Vegas since 2019, traveler, and serial mistake-maker turned local guide.

Intro: 

That Fear of Missing Out Is Real

You just booked your flight to Las Vegas—or you’re about to.

Three days.

Are three days in Vegas too many… or not nearly enough?

You’re scrolling endlessly through blogs and TikToks, trying to plan the perfect Vegas trip before your thumb burns through your screen.

Where do you even start?

Should you hit the Casino first or catch a show?

And which show, when there are hundreds to choose from?

Should you start exploring the Strip or escape into the desert instead?

And where exactly should you go—especially if it’s your first time in Las Vegas (or even your first trip to the U.S.)?

And how are you supposed to “see everything” when even locals like me can’t keep up with how fast this city changes?

I get you.

I was a tourist in Vegas for 15 years before I moved here with my wife, Anna, in 2019.

I created Getawayk™ after realizing how many travelers—surprisingly, even those coming from nearby States—arrive here overwhelmed, confused, and full of questions no one answers honestly.

This guide is here to help you see the real Las Vegas—without wasting your time, money, or sanity under the desert sun.

Before You Start:

What Nobody Tells You About “3 Days in Vegas”

Most blogs — usually written by AI or by people who’ve only been here a couple of times — give you these picture-perfect itineraries without thinking about the heat, travel times, jet lag, or the simple fact that… you’re human.

Here’s the truth from someone who’s lived it:

• The Strip is 4.2 miles (7 km) long—but under the July sun, it feels like double.

• Hotel lobbies are mazes. You’ll walk 15 minutes just to reach your room.

• Air conditioning is Arctic-level—you’ll freeze after 5 minutes if you’re sweaty.

• If you try to do everything, you’ll end up doing nothing.

  
  

So here’s my smarter way to do it.

And remember — the point of this blog isn’t to scare you off or make you change your mind about coming here. Anna and I love Las Vegas — that’s exactly why we’re still here after six years.

But I want you to see it for what it really is: a chaotic masterpiece that rewards those who plan smart.

I just want you to hear things from someone a little less “Instagram-perfect,” someone who’ll tell you the real stuff — the kind of things all of us travelers say once we’re back home:

“Man, I wish someone had told me that before…”

Let’s go!

DAY 1:

The WOW effect & Finding Your Vegas Rhythm

Let’s say you’re flying straight into Las Vegas—but these tips also apply if you’re driving in from California, Arizona, or Utah.

Think of your first day as an orientation day, because Vegas hits you with a sensory shock the second you land.

Here’s why:

• If you don’t live in a desert, the heat and humidity will feel totally different from home.

• If you’re coming from smaller countries like UK, Germany, or Japan, distances here are massive.

• If you don’t speak English or Spanish, almost nobody will speak your language.

• And schedules, habits, even how people eat, are nothing like back home.

And no, you can’t just say to yourself,

“Alright, I’ll sit down in a café, grab an espresso, and figure it out.”

Because this is Vegas—by the time you’ve finished your coffee, that café place may have already closed, changed ownership, and reopened as a taco bar.

Arrival + Check-In Reality Check

When you land at Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran), brace yourself for a long passport-control line—especially if you’re entering on a tourist visa.

Depending on how many international flights land at the same time, it can take 45 to 90 minutes before you reach your luggage. If you breeze through, consider it a win.

Once you reach your hotel, expect another wait. Check-in can take 15 minutes… or over an hour. We’ve literally seen people fall asleep on their suitcases in line.

👉 So here’s the rule: never book a show or major activity within your first few hours in Vegas. Delays aren’t “bad luck”—they’re the Vegas arrival ritual.

Car or No Car? Spoiler: Don’t Do It.

If you’re staying on the Strip for your whole three-day trip, do not rent a car.

Let me repeat that: do NOT rent a car.

Yes, Uber and Lyft have gotten pricier, and taxis aren’t cheap either—but driving on the Strip is a nightmare. Parking is expensive (even at your own hotel), traffic never stops, and valet lines can feel eternal.

Instead, walk, use rideshares, or hop on the Monorail—it’ll save you hours and stress.

👉 If you speak a bit of English (or just use auto-translate), check out our full guide on the best months to visit Las Vegas 2025—so you can avoid chaos like Formula 1 week in November.

Where to Stay (And Where Not To)

If it’s your first time in Vegas, base yourself in the Center Strip—roughly between The Cosmopolitan and Caesars Palace. That’s the heartbeat of the city, and everything you came for is right there.

From your second visit onward, you might want to explore Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street)—grittier, more local, and full of nightlife energy.

Quick Tips:

• Avoid weekends if you can—hotel prices skyrocket.

• If you’re not using a car or Uber, don’t book hotels too far east or west of the Strip. The far-east side has improved since the Formula 1 expansion, but don’t go past the Virgin Hotel.

💡 We’ve booked with Booking.com for over 15 years because of free cancellation, real photos, and honest reviews—it’s the most stress-free way to pick your Vegas base.

Our Top 2025 Picks:

• The Cosmopolitan – unbeatable views & perfect central spot

• Planet Hollywood – affordable, fun, and steps from everything

• Paris Las Vegas – romantic, European flair

And if this is your first Vegas adventure, don’t miss our in-depth guide to the best Las Vegas hotels for 2025—written by locals who actually live here.

Evening Walk on the Las Vegas Strip

Many travelers we’ve met and helped — honeymooners, families, even solo explorers — were completely wiped out on their first night and wished someone else could walk for them.

Others, fully wired from jet lag, wanted to “see all of Vegas in three hours.” (I used to do the same… until my body politely told me to stop.)

So take this first evening to get your bearings. Don’t overdo it — your body will remind you tomorrow if you do.

Mini Evening Itinerary

• Start at the Bellagio. 

Watch the Fountains of Bellagio (every 15 minutes after dark), then step inside to explore the free, ever-changing Botanical Conservatory.

• Cross the Strip 

for your classic photo in front of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.

• Dinner tip: Reserve a table at Mon Ami Gabi (right across from the fountains). Perfect for a light dinner or brunch with a Strip-front view.

If You’re Not Totally Jet-Lagged…

Try one of the foodie walking tours that take you through 3–4 local and international dining spots — all within the Strip.

💬 Why we recommend it:

Anna actually worked as a guide for these tours for months, leading both domestic and international travelers. They’re fun, filling, and genuinely loved by anyone who believes good food is good travel (which, let’s be honest, means all of us Italians).

👉 Book your spot here: [LINK]

DAY 2: 

Go Beyond the Strip — The Desert Is Calling

The Strip is fascinating, no doubt — a one-of-a-kind world of lights and chaos.

But we built Getawayk™ to help travelers like you experience something deeper… the kind of trip that reconnects you with yourself, not just your camera roll.

And although three days might sound short, the worst thing you can do is come all the way to the Nevada desert… and only see the oasis.

Anna and I live just 12 minutes from the Strip, surrounded by scenery that still takes our breath away. Out here, the scale of nature makes you feel small — in the best possible way.

Local Tip: Leave the Strip.

Book a guided day trip and dedicate one full day to exploring beyond the casinos. Some tours even offer guides in different languages, like Japanese, Portuguese, German, Chinese, and we’ve hand-picked the best ones inside our Complete Vegas eGuides.

Here are the top day trips from Las Vegas:

• Red Rock Canyon – just 30 minutes away. Short trails, incredible views, or a scenic drive if you’d rather skip hiking.

• Hoover Dam – a monumental engineering marvel on the Arizona border.

• Valley of Fire – surreal, fiery red landscapes. One of Nevada’s hidden gems (note: often closes during extreme summer heat).

• Grand Canyon West – the closest rim to Vegas. Not the deepest section, but absolutely stunning.

Thinking of going further?

If your heart’s set on the South Rim or Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon + Horseshoe Bend), know this:

• 5 hours there

• 5 hours back

• 3 hours on site

• bathroom & food stops

   = a very long day.

  
  

👉 Find our complete list of the best Las Vegas day trips, including Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire, right HERE.

✅  Smart Traveler Reminders (learned the hard way):

• Don’t book last-minute. The closer you get to your travel date, the fewer your options — and the higher your risk of cancellations. (And for non-English-language tours, you’ll need extra time to lock in the right guide.)

• Plan breakfast the night before. If your hotel doesn’t include it, swing by Walgreens for a quick burrito or snack stash. Tour stop times rarely match your hunger clock.

• Always pack a thermal jacket like this one. Even in summer. It’ll save your throat, back, and mood. Air conditioning here is a full-blown Cold War — even inside tour vans where you’ll sit for hours.

🎒 Use our free Packing Essentials Guide to know exactly what to bring: water, walking shoes, sunscreen, and the one item every smart traveler forgets.

If you haven’t grabbed it yet, download it through the FREE GUIDE banner below!

DAY 3:

The Real Las Vegas + A Show to Remember

Morning: Explore + Shop (at Your Own Pace)

How your morning goes depends on three things:

• How late you stayed out last night

• Who you’re traveling with

• How much that jet lag is still destroying your soul

Our honest advice? Stick around the Strip.

Sleeping well in Vegas is not a given. Between the flashing lights, the slot machine sounds, and hotel curtains that never seem fully blacked out, good rest can be tricky.

So do yourself a favor: pack or order earplugs and a sleep mask.

You can grab them on Amazon for hotel delivery, or find them easily at CVS or Walgreens near your stay. They cost next to nothing—and can literally save your day.

If You Haven’t Done It Yet…

• Take a morning stroll down the LINQ Promenade—perfect for photos, people-watching, and stretching your legs.

• Pop inside the Flamingo Hotel to see real pink flamingos right in the middle of the desert.

• Lunchtime? Grab a burger at In-N-Out on the Promenade—retro diner vibes, fresh burgers, and “secret” menu items like Protein Style (no bun, wrapped in lettuce!).

Add a Little Vegas Flair

• Caesars Palace + Forum Shops – where it’s always “daytime” indoors (and blissfully air-conditioned).

• The Venetian – yes, there are gondolas. Yes, the canals are real. And yes, they’re on the second floor.

Would we recommend a ride? Probably not—it’s $39 per person for 20 minutes, or $156 for a private gondola. Watching others float by is free (and fun).

• For real shopping, head to Fashion Show Mall, the UFO-looking building near Wynn.

Beyond the Casinos: The Creative Side of Vegas

Vegas isn’t just about casinos and luxury resorts. The city’s creative heart beats just off the Strip—and if you’ve made it to Day 3, it’s time to experience it.

The Arts District

Grab an Uber and head to the Arts District, one of Vegas’ coolest neighborhoods. It’s filled with murals, street art, local coffee shops, and restaurants where you’ll finally eat like a local instead of a tourist.

Local favorites we personally love:

• Esther’s Kitchen – handmade pasta, fresh bread, and that “neighborhood Italian” feel.

• Good Pie – legit Brooklyn-style pizza that hits the nostalgia button.

• Main St. Provisions – modern dishes, perfect for a long lunch.

• Jammyland – Caribbean food, strong cocktails, and live music on weekends.

After lunch, grab a coffee at one of the hip local cafés, or take a short Uber to Container Park—a shopping village built entirely from recycled shipping containers.

Container Park

Container Park

You’ll find small local shops, family-friendly play areas, and—get this—a giant fire-breathing mantis guarding the entrance.

Yes, a mantis. That breathes fire. Welcome to Vegas.

It’s worth the stop just for the photo ops (and the absurdity).

Head Toward Downtown: Fremont Street

From Container Park, walk northwest (Google Maps works perfectly offline here) and you’ll end up in Downtown Las Vegas—home to the legendary Fremont Street Experience.

This is where the real Las Vegas was born.

You’ll find vintage casinos like Golden Nugget, new high-tech ones like Circa (the first adults-only resort downtown), and a massive LED canopy that turns the street into one huge light show.

Every night, the whole sky explodes with music, visuals, and performers—it’s chaos in the best way.

And if you’re brave enough, you can soar Superman-style across Fremont on the SlotZilla Zipline. (We don’t recommend doing it right after lunch… for your sake and the people below you.)

Evening: Pool Time + A Show to Remember

Poolside Recharge

After hours of walking, take a break by your hotel pool. If you’re staying at Mandalay Bay or MGM Grand, you’re in for a treat—both have huge tropical-style pools, lazy rivers, and actual sand. It’s the perfect way to recharge before your final Vegas night.

Night Show: Cirque du Soleil or The Sphere?

No debate here—your last night deserves a show.

✅ Go see a Cirque du Soleil performance on the Strip. We’ve reviewed every one of them currently running in 2025 (check out our full guide HERE).

Here are our top picks for first-time visitors:

• O (Bellagio) – poetic, iconic, breathtaking water acrobatics.

• Mystère (Treasure Island) – classic Cirque magic, family-friendly.

• Awakening (Wynn) – not Cirque, but visually insane and absolutely worth it.

Pro Tip: Book in advance on Vegas.com for the best seats and to avoid tourist markups.

If you’ve got some budget left (and didn’t spend it all on those “What Happens in Vegas…” T-shirts), check out a show at The Sphere.

It looks unreal from the outside—but inside, it’ll leave you speechless.

Book HERE.

Not a Show Person?

If live performances aren’t your thing, end your trip with a dinner and a view.

• Top of the World (The STRAT) – the restaurant rotates 360°, offering a full panoramic view of Vegas. Book at least a month ahead if you want a window table—it sells out fast.

• Giada’s (The Cromwell) – Italian-inspired, modern, and stylish, with unbeatable Strip views and that warm, familiar flavor of home.

👉 Local Tip: Whether you end your trip spinning above the skyline or dining at Giada’s with the Strip sparkling beneath you, make your last night count.

Las Vegas always rewards travelers who slow down, look closer, and let the city surprise them.

EXTRA

The Must-Have “Welcome to Las Vegas” Photo

One of the most common questions we get is:

"So… where exactly is the Welcome to Las Vegas sign? Is it worth it?"

Short answer: yes—but it really depends on how much time you have between activities.

The iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign is at the far south end of the Strip, past Mandalay Bay. If you don’t have a car, you’ll need an Uber both ways.

Alternatively, many tourists with limited time opt for guided tours that include a stop at the sign. It’s a smart way to make the most of your schedule.

Smart Tip: If you and your travel buddies go by Uber, aim for early morning. After 9 AM, lines can get ridiculously long.

VACATION-SAVING TIP

Vegas heat is no joke. In summer, temperatures easily hit 115°F (45°C), and the city’s most popular attraction? Watching dozens of tourists end up in the ER from dehydration or heatstroke.

Yes—we’ve been there.

American ER, insurance calls, stress, wasted time…

Trust us: it’s the fastest way to ruin a vacation and bring home not just souvenirs, but a bureaucratic headache too.

✅ Here’s how to stay safe:

• Drink lots of water.

• Cover up from the sun.

• Use the Monorail to get between hotels (AC included).

  
  

Smart Traveler Hack: Believe it or not, buying bottled water on the Strip can cost you up to $60 a day—money that could be spent on a show, an unforgettable experience, or a romantic dinner.

➡️ Grab a reusable and collapsible water bottle like THIS ONE, which you can have shipped straight to your hotel via Amazon USA. You can also buy one locally at CVS or Walgreens, though prices are slightly higher.

Hotel tap water is drinkable (unless otherwise noted), and you’ll find refill stations all along the Strip—often near restrooms.

Not only is it eco-friendly, it saves you money and puts you ahead of the average tourist, who doesn’t realize that 64% of bottled water sold in the U.S. is literally just tap water.

Final Thoughts

There’s so much to say about Las Vegas that one blog post just isn’t enough.

Cultural differences are huge, and it’s easy to be disappointed if you don’t travel smart—following advice from someone who’s already been there.

We packed all of this into a 260-page guide called:

“Discover Las Vegas Through Your Global Eyes”

Anna and I wrote it after seeing countless travelers from all over the world arrive here without a plan, armed with scattered info… and end up missing the best this city has to offer.

Available in three languages—Spanish, French, Italian—and now in English for a global audience, with a special pre-sale price. (Grab it before the full release!)

It’s always up-to-date—unlike many Las Vegas resources that go stale within months—and it literally saves your vacation.

It tells you:

• What to do

• What to avoid

• Where to eat

• Where to stay

• How to save money

• How to dodge scams

  
  

…and all in a friendly, helpful tone, not a generic travel brochure.

The price? Just a fraction of what you’d spend on bottled water on the Strip.

The value? Days of stress, hundreds of dollars, and countless “If only I’d known this sooner” moments.

👉 Download your digital copy HERE or click the banner below.

Happy reading—and enjoy a smart Vegas vacation!

FAQs: Las Vegas in 3 Days

Conclusion: 

3 (Almost) Perfect Days

Las Vegas isn’t just about casinos and neon lights.

It’s a city of contrasts, authentic experiences, stories waiting to be told—and personal reinventions.

And it changes every single year.

If you want to experience it differently—not as a rushed tourist but with curious eyes—we invite you to explore our constantly updated digital guide to Las Vegas and the most spectacular Southwest.

Written by people who actually live here.

All for the price of two over-the-top sugary Frappuccinos (and yes, the air conditioning will make you regret every sip).

💡 Want to get the most out of your trip?

➡️ Visit www.getawayk.com/blog. Check out our travel-saving tips for international visitors to the U.S. and domestic travelers from anywhere in America. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter using the banner below!

➡️ Visit www.getawayk.com/about. Get to know our story—two slightly crazy Italians who decided to help anyone visiting Las Vegas… enjoy it even more. 😉