48 Hours in Las Vegas
Only here can a tomato cocktail be glam, the future be found in a Sphere, and dinner be served inside a birdcage
Dripping in spectacle, Las Vegas turns even a stroll into a sensory thrill. But beyond the glitz and glow, you’ll find immersive art, culinary landmarks, historic nods and iconic experiences worth sampling. Here’s how to make the most of two dazzling days in the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Day one
Choose a hotel in the heart of the Strip to keep the city’s highlights within easy reach. The Bellagio, a AAA Four Diamond property, remains a classic Vegas stay for good reason. Beyond its central location and refined atmosphere, rooms overlooking the famous fountains provide an ever-changing show right outside your window (stream the soundtrack from your room’s TV).
The hotel’s conservatory is another standout, redesigned seasonally with towering floral sculptures in fantastical themes. It’s a must-see for many tourists, so it’s often crowded, but you can score some personal space with an exclusive brunch at The Garden Table at Sadelle’s Café, right inside the conservatory. This private (and only) atrium table brings front-row access to the epic displays, along with an unforgettable meal. For a more accessible option, dine inside the main restaurant, where open archways still provide garden views with your pancakes.
After brunch, venture west of the Strip to AREA15, a multi-sensory arts and entertainment district that feels a bit like entering another planet. The top attraction is Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, a surreal supermarket that quickly spirals into an interactive installation of hidden doors, secret passageways and neon-lit dreamscapes. Step through the freezer case, open strange portals and follow the clues to piece together the fictional narrative woven throughout the space. You’ll want at least 90 minutes to fully explore, and longer if you’re really diving into the storylines.
If you have time, get lost in more of AREA15’s mind-bending attractions or recover with a cocktail at Oddwood under a 23-foot-tall Japanese maple tree with 5,000 LED-lit leaves. If you prefer to get back to the famed Strip, head to The Chandelier, a multilevel bar within The Cosmopolitan. Renowned for its design featuring over 2 million strung crystals, it’s a chic spot to people-watch with a pre-dinner drink.
For dinner, journey a few steps to LPM Restaurant & Bar at The Cosmopolitan, a relaxed Mediterranean concept that offers a refreshing contrast to the city’s high-octane energy. Start with the signature Tomatini, a crisp, clarified tomato cocktail that’s become a cult favorite for its sweet-savory balance and unexpected complexity. Pair it with warm prawns in olive oil and lemon juice or the tomato and burrata starter.
Time your return to the Bellagio after dinner to coincide with the next fountain show. The choreographed displays run every 15–30 minutes depending on time of day, and watching them from the sidewalk is a beloved Vegas tradition. Then wind down with a nightcap at The Vault, an intimate speakeasy hidden in plain sight just off the casino floor. Inside, polished brass fixtures, black mohair seating and dramatic presentations set the mood for a quietly glamorous finale to your first night. If you’re looking for a livelier vibe, The Pinky Ring, Bruno Mars’ velvet-rope lounge, features retro cocktails, live DJs and plenty of sparkle.
Day Two
Head to The Venetian and start the day with a leisurely brunch at Bouchon by Thomas Keller, where French bistro dishes like croque madame are served indoors and out. Once energized, make your way to The Palazzo Pool Deck and take advantage of one of the Strip’s more serene and expansive retreats with a day pass (best to reserve in advance). With seven pools across multiple levels framed by palm trees and classic Italian architecture, the complex hosts a somewhat calmer escape from the Strip’s bustle. To take it up a notch, rent a private cabana, which includes a flat-screen TV, electrical outlets, a stocked fridge and a dedicated server. Either way, try a refreshing watermelon drink with easy bites like sushi burritos and house-made guacamole with chips.
As afternoon temperatures peak, escape the sun and step into the future at Sphere, a state-of-the-art entertainment venue that’s become an instant landmark since opening in 2023. Covered entirely in LED screens and housing the world’s largest high-definition display, Sphere isn’t just a unique concert venue; it’s also an immersive cinema space with wraparound visuals, advanced audio systems, and haptic seating that reacts to key movie moments. Come early to converse with eerily advanced robots in the lobby before settling in for your screening.
Dinner tonight brings you back to The Venetian for a meal at Mott 32, where traditional Chinese cuisine gets a contemporary, upscale twist in a richly layered setting. The interior is decked with antique accents surrounded by bold industrial architecture that combines silk wallpaper and timber slats with wrought ironwork and a chain-link chandelier. For a hint of exclusivity without sacrificing views of the chic dining room, ask for one of the slightly elevated semi-private “birdcage” booths that encircle the main space. To splurge, pre-order the applewood-roasted 42-day Peking duck, carved tableside (for $138). Otherwise, start with the hot and sour Shanghai soup dumplings or the soft quail egg siu mai, and follow with the signature triple-cooked Wagyu short rib. Even the cocktails lean adventurous here. Try the Hanami, with Japanese whisky, yuzu and umeshu, for a balanced floral finish to your second dinner in Vegas.
While your 48 hours might be nearly up, the city’s lights never dim. Catch a concert, cabaret or comedy show before turning in or just consider the never-ending entertainment a good reason to come back soon.