While Las Vegas may be an obvious choice for a vacation spot, the city offers much more than just gambling and buffets, and is well worth a fresh look at its constantly changing offerings for accommodations, libations, recreation and relaxation.
The self-proclaimed Entertainment Capital of the World has a thriving Downtown Arts District, several museums, dozens of parks and a world-class center for the performing arts. Its iconic casino-hotels offer extensive shopping, dining, pools and spas, live shows and nightlife. And it was named one of the New York Times' top destinations for 2019, with a much-anticipated Lady Gaga residency sealing the deal.
It’s more doable than you think. According to travel site Skyscanner, there are plenty of flights from Houston to Las Vegas in the next few months, and the prices aren't too shabby.
So if you're looking for a change of scenery, here are some deals to put on your to-do list. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)
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Flight deals to Las Vegas
The cheapest flights between Houston and Las Vegas are if you leave on Aug. 13 and return from Nevada on Aug. 15. Frontier Airlines currently has tickets for $95, roundtrip.
There are also deals to be had later in August. If you fly out of Houston on Aug. 20 and return from Las Vegas on Aug. 22, American Airlines can get you there and back for $123 roundtrip.
Top Las Vegas hotels
Regarding where to stay, here are some of Las Vegas’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.
The Bellagio Las Vegas (3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.)
If you're looking to splurge on top quality, consider The Bellagio Las Vegas. The hotel has a 4.5-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $149.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd.)
There's also the 4.6-star rated The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Rooms are currently set at $140/night.
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino (3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South)
A third option is The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. The 4.3-star hotel has rooms for $149/night.
Local restaurant picks
Las Vegas has plenty of topnotch dining options. Here are a few of the most popular, according to Skyscanner.
Mon Ami Gabi (3655 S. Las Vegas Blvd.)
If you're looking for a local favorite, head to Mon Ami Gabi, which has an average of 4.5 stars out of 86 reviews on Skyscanner.
"This is my favorite restaurant in Las Vegas and surprisingly very well priced, " wrote visitor Anna. "Grab a seat on the patio to see the Bellagio fountains. My favorite is the steak with the blue cheese topping."
Wicked Spoon (3708 S Las Vegas Blvd., Level 2)
Another popular dining destination is Wicked Spoon, with 4.3 stars from 93 reviews.
"Came for Sunday brunch - beat the crowds and overall had a great time, " wrote reviewer Kelly. "Had some truffle spaghetti, the scrambled eggs were soft, desserts were great and even the kale salad was tasty."
Earl of Sandwich (3667 S. Las Vegas Blvd.)
Also worth considering is Earl of Sandwich.
Here, the price tags are well under $10 and [there's] a variety of hot sandwiches, from turkey and cranberry to roast beef and horseradish.
"Very affordable which is great in Vegas with a lot of expensive options there," wrote Cyrus. "Perfect snack to fill [your] stomach when you're hungry or looking to cure the alcohol."
The Chandelier (3708 S Las Vegas Blvd.)
Finally, there's The Chandelier.
"This bar is towards the entrance of the Cosmopolitan hotel, " wrote Stace."It has three levels and is designed to look like you’re inside a chandelier. Each level is different and hosts a unique cocktail menu."
Top Las Vegas attractions
Las Vegas is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are some popular attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings.
Las Vegas Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard)
First up is Las Vegas Strip.
Four miles of fun, fantastic shopping, dining and gambling is what lures people from around the world back to Vegas again and again. From the Mandalay Bay in the south to the Stratosphere in the north, "The Strip" is where the action is. With over 30 major casinos along with world-class entertainment venues, you'll never run out of things to do in this heart of "Sin City".
"A nice walk for the adventurous, " wrote visitor Karen. "We started at Mandalay Bay and walked to the Stratosphere at 3 a.m. It was nice walking on less crowded streets and seeing all the sights."
Fountains at Bellagio (3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.)
Fountains at Bellagio is another popular destination.
Fountains shoot 250 feet into the air to the accompaniment of a symphony every 30 minutes, that is, until 7pm. After that, the spectacular display happens every 15 minutes. This is Las Vegas, after all.
"It is beautiful and relaxing," wrote visitor Kendra. "I love listening to the music and watching the water go with the music. Definitely a must see in Las Vegas."
The Fremont Street Experience (425 Fremont St.)
Finally, consider checking out The Fremont Street Experience.
The Fremont Street Experience is an outdoor pedestrian mall (free entry) in Las Vegas. Its principle attraction is a massive barrel vault canopy screen that hangs over four of the mall’s five blocks. This canopy is famous for its wild light shows that happen every night.
This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
