Las Vegas is like no other city on earth. We spent two days in this city of neon and excess, primarily exploring the strip, which, like pretty much everything in Las Vegas, is far bigger than I’d imagined…
Las Vegas in 2 Days Itinerary
| Day 1 | Accommodation – Ellis Island Hotel Casino and Brewery Lunch at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Strip (South) Paris Las Vegas New York New York Hershey’s Chocolate World Excalibur Luxor Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign Las Vegas by Night Bellagio |
| Day 2 | Las Vegas Strip (north) The Strat Circus Circus Treasure Island The Venetian Dinner at Ellis Island Hotel Casino and Brewery |
Las Vegas Day 1
We reach Las Vegas by 11 am, check in to our hotel and set about exploring this unique but crazy city.
Accommodation – Ellis Island Hotel Casino and Brewery
Obviously, there is a huge choice of accommodation in Las Vegas. We chose the Ellis Island Hotel Casino and Brewery. Situated two blocks from the strip, this hotel with its own microbrewery worked out cheaper than staying on the strip itself. It also offers free parking. Once we have dropped our stuff in our very pleasant room, we head to the bar to claim our free litre of beer. It comes in a glass flagon with the hotel logo on. There is a difference of opinion on whether this is a cool souvenir or a heavy item to carry with us for the remaining 30,000 miles of our round the world trip?
Lunch at Planet Hollywood
We start by going for a buffet lunch at Planet Hollywood. The old man moans that it costs $20, then polishes off 5 platefuls. Note: Planet Hollywood has several restaurants, but no longer offers a buffet. On the way there, we are serenaded by a drunk Elvis on a mobility scooter and bump into Superman on an escalator.
Las Vegas Strip (south)
After lunch, we set off walking south along the Las Vegas Strip, heading for the iconic ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign. The sign is much further out of town than I’d realised – as the crow flies, almost 3 miles from our hotel, past the many and varied themed hotels. However, in reality, you walk much more as you wander around taking in all the crazy. Of course, you don’t have to walk; there are regular buses up and down the strip and there is also a monorail a block further east. However, if you walk, you see much more of what Las Vegas has to offer.
Paris Las Vegas
First up, Paris Las Vegas with its various Parisian landmarks including a 164 meter high (that’s half sized) Eiffel Tower.
New York New York
Next, New York New York with its (also half sized) Statue of Liberty standing proudly in front of a roller coaster which winds round and through the hotel.
Hershey’s Chocolate World
At Hershey’s Chocolate World, not only can you purchase a broad range of chocolate products, you can also admire chocolate sculptures. Including yet another Statue of Liberty.
Excalibur
Excalibur is designed to look like a medieval castle from the outside. Inside, you can attend a jousting themed dinner or play in a dungeon arcade.
Luxor
Next door is Egyptian styled Luxor with its giant sphinx and pyramid. The 100 metre tall black glass pyramid emits a light beam which is visible from space.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
We are still haven’t reach the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign. The old man tries to convince me to make do with a sign pointing the way to the sign. But we persevere. And upon arrival, we persevere some more as we wait in line for the obligatory selfie.
Las Vegas by Night
Then, it’s back up the strip to see Las Vegas lit up after dark. I hadn’t realised the sheer scale of the strip. In one afternoon we’ve walked 13 miles and only covered the bottom half.
Bellagio
Our final stop is Bellagio to watch the fountains, which perform a display set to light and music each evening. Timings can be found here.
Las Vegas Day 2
Las Vegas day 2 and to be honest, my tolerance level for this place was probably one day. We go down for breakfast at 8 am. The restaurant is in the corner of the casino, which is already full of gamblers and a surprising number of people drinking beer. Even in my hardcore student days, I don’t recall having beer for breakfast. The hotel breakfast consists of a basket of pastries. I don’t think I’ve seen a fruit or vegetable since we entered Nevada!
Las Vegas Strip (North)
Junk food consumed, we set off for a second day exploring the strip. Today, we opt to take the Monorail to the top of the strip and walk back down. We take the monorail to its northern terminus, Sahara Las Vegas.
The Strat
We head first for The Strat, a 350 metre high tower attached to a hotel, which has observation decks at 250 metres for a bird’s eye view of Las Vegas and beyond.
There are a whole range of other entertainment options available, including a ride which propels passengers over the edge of the tower and a skyjump free-fall descent from the tower. In true Vegas style, there’s even a high rise chapel. We make do with a quick trip to the observation deck.
Circus Circus
We set off back along the strip, next stop, Circus Circus. This hotel, designed to look like a circus big top has its own 5 acre indoor theme park. Entertainment includes a programme of free clown shows and circus acts. We watch a man perform various stunts involving a ladder. People around us are excited – they recognise him from America’s Got Talent.
Treasure Island
We walk back to our hotel via the northern end of the Strip, passing pirate themed Treasure Island complete with pirate ship.
The Venetian
And finally The Venetian; an Italian inspired hotel featuring replica Venetian landmarks and canals full of gondolas.
Dinner at Ellis Island Hotel Casino and Brewery
It’s been fun, but we’ve had our fill of Las Vegas. We return to our hotel, passing by Mickey and Minnie Mouse fighting over a bottle of wine, for dinner and to pack for tomorrow’s very different experience as we head for the Grand Canyon.
- Trip taken: February 2018
- Updated: October 2026
I hope you found the above information useful. For guides to more destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full list of Independent Travel Itineraries here.
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