Go on a 48-hour adventure in Las Vegas, where every moment is a roll of the dice. From casinos and dazzling shows to pumping dance floors and poolside bliss, the action never truly sleeps in the heart of the strip. As the anticipation builds for the 2024 Super Bowl hosted in Las Vegas, we've curated this guide to make your Sin City escape an unforgettable one.
For a short 48-hour trip, it’s best to choose a hotel that’s located on or near the Las Vegas Strip. Competition is plentiful on the Strip and there’s an abundance of hotels, especially if you book in advance.
If you want the full Vegas experience, consider booking a hotel with an attached casino. Here’s a tip: there are often attractive room discounts where hotels bet that your time spent at the blackjack table will outweigh the room costs — a gamble that might just play out in your favour.
For an unforgettable 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, there’s no doubt it’ll keep you entertained during your stay.
On such a brief trip, buying tickets ahead of time will help you avoid the queues and maximise your fun. There are so many 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 always appeal to a worldwide audience. If you’d prefer to experience the Las Vegas of yesteryear, then check out one of the live performances by the Rat Pack. You never know if one of your favourite singers past or present may be playing a show.
If you don’t feel like you have time for a full-length performance and you want to try something completely different, consider a tour of the Mob Museum. Alternatively, engage your rage and smash stuff for fun in the wreck room experience.
Diving into the vibrant pool scene in Las Vegas is always a fun challenge. But with so many options available, you’re spoilt for choice.
If you’re travelling without kids, the new Circa Resort & Casino offers an adults-only Stadium Swim outdoor poolside experience with a massive screen that’s perfect for watching sporting events. If gambling poolside is your goal, then the Wynn Las Vegas is a good full-service choice that also provides the option of reserving a luxurious cabana.
Some pools close for the winter, but you’ll always be able to find heated outdoor pools, as well as plenty of smaller indoor options. Many hotels also offer day rates, so you don’t necessarily 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 start firing on all cylinders until well after midnight, and they can be on the pricey side, but it’s hard to deny they offer a truly unique experience.
One stand-out, smaller option is the nightclub Tao, located inside 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 won’t hurt to ask the concierge if they can put you on the guest list.
Speaking of concierges, you can also ask at your hotel for advice on clubs that are easier to get into at short notice, and even have them help you secure tickets. You’ll find that the concierges in Vegas really do offer heaps of helpful insider information.
With so much going on, you may not get a whole load of sleep during your 48 hours in Vegas, but you can replenish your energy levels and nourish your body by scheduling a trip to the spa.
Centrally located, the Vdara Hotel & Spa at ARIA Las Vegas might not have a casino on-site, but it more than makes up for it with an elegant and calming spa oasis where you can recover from any sensory overload. Treat yourself to a healing marine detox mineral wrap, or perhaps a gemstone clay mask. Or just recharge with a massage and a mani-pedi before returning to the excitement that is the heart of Vegas.
Food might not be the main event on your trip to Las Vegas, but you won’t want to leave without paying a visit to its string of 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 offerings all over Vegas.
To give your legs a rest and your eyes a treat, consider booking a trip on the nightly helicopter ride over the Las Vegas Strip. The breathtaking views from high in the Vegas night sky are truly a sight to behold, offering perhaps the best vantage point to see the sprawling array of neon lights – from the Eiffel Tower replica to the laser beam of the pyramid-shaped Luxor hotel.
If you’re chasing a more adrenaline-inducing activity, then head to The Strat. At 350 metres it’s the tallest observation tower in the US, and from its viewing deck it offers a full 360-degree panorama of the city. Top it off in style with a thrilling adrenaline-pumping open-air free-fall on the SkyJump.
When your 48 hours are up, you’ll still be able to pull the lever on a few slot machines while you wait for your flight to take off from McCarran International Airport. At the very least, you’ll have earned yourself a nice, long nap on the journey home.
