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Image by lindsayascott from Pixabay

Bright, effervescent and often quite thrilling, it’s easy to argue that Las Vegas is the world’s capital of hedonism. It can be all that and more, but it can also be a great place to spend time with your family and friends, seeing the desert, the Grand Canyon, and enjoying some of the crazy sights of Las Vegas. Where you stay in Las Vegas will influence whether you’re part of the show or watching it, so choosing the best neighbourhood for the trip you have planned is paramount. We’ve done a lot of the work for you in our guide to the neighbourhoods of Las Vegas. So sit back and enjoy the wonderful ride!

Our Guide to the Neighbourhoods of Las Vegas

The Strip

Image by Michelle Pitzel from Pixabay

The Strip is the frenetic, palpitating heart of Las Vegas, a roughly four-mile stretch of road lined with casinos, bars, hotels, restaurants, high-end boutiques, and all sorts of entertainment. The Strip unofficially starts at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign and ends at the Stratosphere Tower. Along its route you’ll pass many of the main Vegas resorts: The Venetian, The MGM Grand, The Bellagio, The Palazzo and Caesar’s Palace, among others; they’re all working hard to grab your attention with big-name shows, fancy restaurants and striking gimmicks. So it’s a super colourful and over-the-top four miles! Lots of people come to Vegas and don’t need to leave The Strip! Families may be interested in the Adventuredome indoor amusement park, or the Big Apple Coaster, it’s also a hub for the rest of the Downtown area, and the departure point for tours to the Hoover Dam, the Valley of Fire State Park and even the Grand Canyon.

South Strip

Image by Christiane Wilden from Pixabay

The southern end of The Strip is the most action-packed end: it’s got SIX different Cirque du Soleil productions, some of the bigger names in musical residencies, a number of restaurants with globally-recognised chefs, and some seriously high-end shopping opportunities. This is the place to stay if you’re looking for the FULL VEGAS experience. The South Strip is within walking distance of all the main sights and attractions within the city itself: the Eiffel Tower, New York New York for the rollercoaster, Hershey’s Chocolate World with its 800-pound chocolate statue of the Statue of Liberty, the Venetian and Luxor Hotels, and the most famous casinos, clubs and restaurants. South Strip is also the closest neighbourhood to Mandalay Bay, which has an 11-acre pool with a real sand beach and a wave machine! South Strip also has the Titanic Exhibition and GameWorks, one of the world’s largest video game arcades.

The North Strip

Image by romanov from Pixabay

If the southern end of The Strip is the most action-packed then the northern end has to be the quieter option. On The Strip around The Stratosphere are some more affordable Vegas hotel and resort options, and as you merge into the Downtown area you’ll find the wedding chapels, karaoke bars and pawn shops, so it’s a different atmosphere. Adventuredome, the indoor amusement park behind Circus Circus, is an attraction that will wow any kids in your party. Great for more affordable food and drink options too, as well as accommodation. And you’re close to the golf courses.

Downtown

Image from Pixabay

Beyond the north end of The Strip is Downtown Las Vegas, the historic centre and business district, also known for its casinos, glamorous hotels, nightlife, restaurants and boutique shopping. The Fremont Street Experience is a five-block pedestrianised shopping precinct and hub for casinos, restaurants and hotels. As well as having some simply fabulous neon signs and light-up decorations, it’s where many start their tour of Vegas. To the east is the arty part of Downtown, where you’ll find vintage and second-hand shops, and a cooler, up-and-coming dining scene. This is also where you can find the Smith Centre (which hosts the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra, and touring shows from Broadway), the unusual, but highly interesting, Mob Museum, and the Neon Museum, which has a collection of lights which date back as far as the 1930s. If you’re bringing your family to Vegas you might want to stay in Symphony Park in Downtown Las Vegas, which radiates from the blocks around the Smith Centre, and includes the Discovery Children’s Centre and a raft of family friendly cafes and restaurants.

The Arts District

By Diandra Rodriguez - https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrryblssmninja/17805174823/, CC BY 2.0

Las Vegas’ Arts District is north of The Strip, a long, thin neighbourhood that’s a hub for art galleries and studios, plus indie fashion and design brands, and some great vintage and one-off boutiques. After you’ve perused the galleries and done some shopping, the Arts District invites you to sample something fresh in one of its sophisticated international eateries or cool cocktail bars. Or you can head to a hip craft brewery.

Chinatown

Flickr user pony rojo

Chinatown is west of The Strip, along Spring Mountain Road and the surrounding area, and is a fantastic base for food lovers. Las Vegas has some excellent places to eat and drink, but Chinatown offers real variety as well, and it’s not just Asian businesses either, there’s a pretty global perspective. While Chinatown is rich in restaurants, it’s relatively poor in accommodation, but there are a few options, and plenty of options on The Strip/Chinatown borders.

Summerlin

By Downtown Summerlin - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Summerlin is a more residential neighbourhood that stretches between The Strip, Red Rock Canyon and Mt Charleston. It’s well connected to central Las Vegas via the Summerlin Parkway, and it’s only about 15 minutes by car to The Strip. Summerlin used to be mostly residential, but in recent years more hotels, resorts and retail parks have sprung up. Summerlin has lots of parks too — there are more than 230 — plus ten golf courses. Red Rock Canyon is very close to Summerlin, and offers an ideal landscape for hiking, biking and rock climbing of all types.