Las Vegas in 2026: What's New on (and Off) the Strip
Las Vegas is the singular American city — 46 million annual visitors, 150,000 hotel rooms, and the entertainment-and-dining capital of the United States — that has, in the past three years, undergone its most dramatic transformation in two decades.
The recent additions have substantially shifted the experience. Sphere (opened September 2023) is the world's first 17,000-seat fully wrap-around LED-screen venue, with U2 and Phish residencies. Resorts World Las Vegas (opened 2021, $4.3 billion) brought the first new major Strip resort in over a decade. Fontainebleau Las Vegas (opened December 2023, the most expensive single hotel in Nevada history at over $3.7 billion) added 3,644 rooms at the Strip's north end. Plus Allegiant Stadium (the Raiders' home, opened 2020) and the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix that runs on the actual Strip each November. Vegas in 2026 is the most actively evolving entertainment city in America.
Quick facts
Live right now
Where to base yourself
First-time visitor? Pick a neighborhood that matches your vibe and stay there.
The Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard South)
The 4-mile resort corridor
The world's most concentrated resort-and-entertainment corridor — about 30 major mega-resorts in a 4-mile stretch, with the iconic Bellagio fountains, the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, the Pyramid at Luxor, the canals at the Venetian. Walkable in theory but exhausting in practice; use the monorail, tram, or rideshare.
Downtown / Fremont Street
Old-school Vegas
The original 'Glitter Gulch' Vegas — Fremont Street with its 1,500-foot LED canopy, the vintage casinos (Golden Nugget, Binion's, Four Queens), the more affordable old-school version. Plus the new Fremont East Entertainment District with serious cocktail bars (The Laundry Room, Velveteen Rabbit). The cool counterpoint to the Strip.
Arts District (18b)
Bohemian downtown
South of Fremont Street — a former warehouse and industrial district that became the city's arts neighbourhood. First Friday gallery nights, serious craft cocktail bars, indie restaurants, the Velveteen Rabbit. The Vegas the locals actually live in.
Off-Strip / Summerlin
Suburban resort enclaves
Outside the Strip and downtown — Summerlin in the west has the Red Rock Resort and JW Marriott Las Vegas, Lake Las Vegas in the east has the Westin (with the Italian-village-style residential development). Where high-rolling repeat visitors actually stay.
Henderson / Lake Las Vegas
Lake-side resort area
20 minutes south-east of the Strip — the man-made Lake Las Vegas, surrounded by Mediterranean-village-style resort developments (Westin, Lake Las Vegas Hilton, the recently renovated village). Quieter, properly grown-up, with substantial outdoor and golf programming.
Where to stay
Steve Wynn's flagship — the most consistently high-rated luxury resort on the Strip across two interconnected properties (4,749 rooms total). Properly serious spa and fine dining (Mizumi, SW Steakhouse, Wing Lei — Michelin-rated).
“The Encore Beach Club is the iconic Vegas day-club.”
The Bellagio with its 8.5-acre lake and dancing fountains (the most famous Vegas image) — 3,950 rooms, plus a roster of fine-dining restaurants (Picasso, Le Cirque, Lago) and the Conservatory Gardens (free, properly photogenic).
“The defining Strip luxury stay.”
The 4,049-suite Venetian resort with its themed Venice canals, gondoliers, and St. Mark's Square replica — properly extravagant in the iconic 1990s-2000s Vegas way.
“Connected to the Palazzo and Conrad Las Vegas in a single complex.”
Opened December 2023 after 15 years of stop-start construction — 3,644 rooms in a 67-storey blue-glass tower, the most expensive single hotel project in Nevada history at over $3.7 billion. The most-anticipated 2020s Vegas opening.
“New wave of luxury restaurants and bars.”
Opened 2021 — the first new major Strip resort in over a decade, at $4.3 billion. Three connected hotel brands (Las Vegas Hilton, Conrad, Crockfords).
“3,500 rooms, the largest pool complex on the Strip, the Genting Group's Vegas flagship.”
Among the most architecturally and culturally distinctive of the contemporary Strip resorts — 2,995 rooms with sharp design, the iconic Chandelier Bar (a multi-storey three-bar chandelier), and an excellent restaurant lineup (Scarpetta, China Poblano, Beauty & Essex, Estiatorio Milos).
MGM's flagship modern resort — 4,004 rooms in a 61-storey design tower, with Carbone, Sage by Shawn McClain (Michelin-rated), and the largest convention spaces on the Strip.
“The polished modern alternative to the themed older resorts.”
Not a hotel, but worth singling out — the off-Strip Thai restaurant that food critic Jonathan Gold called the best Thai restaurant in North America. Properly serious. Two Vegas locations.
“Reservations essential.”
Where to eat
Three Michelin stars (the only three-star restaurant in Las Vegas). The late Joël Robuchon's American flagship — properly serious French classical fine dining, with the iconic mashed potatoes (the most legendary side dish in modern fine dining).
“20-course tasting menu.”
One Michelin star. Chef Julian Serrano's modern French restaurant in the Bellagio — the dining room is decorated with original Pablo Picasso works (15 original paintings worth tens of millions), facing the Bellagio fountain lake.
“Properly serious, with a terrace for the fountain show.”
Major Food Group's Italian-American homage restaurant in the Aria — the spicy rigatoni vodka, the veal Parmesan, the tableside Caesar salad. Among the most fashionable Vegas dinners.
“Reservation 1-3 months ahead.”
Brendan Sodikoff's dark-and-leathery contemporary steakhouse — properly serious dry-aged steaks, an exceptional bar program.
“Among the most consistently fashionable Vegas dinners.”
An 8-seat tasting-menu counter hidden inside Jaleo at the Cosmopolitan — José Andrés's ultra-exclusive experience, with avant-garde Spanish dishes. Reservations open monthly and book within minutes.
“The most exclusive Vegas seat.”
Costas Spiliadis's Greek seafood institution — fresh fish flown in daily from the Mediterranean, displayed on ice for customers to choose, then grilled simply.
“Among the smartest Vegas dinners that's not a steakhouse or Italian.”
The Italian food-hall chain's Vegas outpost — multiple restaurants and food counters, plus a serious wine and grocery component. Open all day; properly Italian.
“The new affordable option in the central Strip.”
Museums worth your time
Opened September 2023 — the world's first 17,000-seat fully wrap-around LED-screen venue, with a 580,000-square-foot interior screen and the world's highest-resolution audio system. U2's Achtung Baby Live residency (2023-24) was the launch event. Now hosting Phish and other major residencies.
“Worth visiting just for the architecture.”
Visit website →In a downtown former federal courthouse (where Senate hearings on organised crime were held in 1950) — properly serious history of organised crime in America, with substantial Las Vegas content. The Underground prohibition-bar speakeasy in the basement.
“2-3 hour visit.”
Visit website →A 'Neon Boneyard' of retired Las Vegas casino signs from the 1930s-2010s — the original Stardust, Sahara, Hacienda signs. Best visited at night with the special illuminated walking tours.
“Properly atmospheric Las Vegas heritage.”
Visit website →The downtown Las Vegas Natural History Museum — fossils, taxidermy, geology, the local Mojave Desert ecology.
“Modest by national-museum standards but a reasonable rainy-afternoon option (rare in Vegas, but it happens).”
Visit website →The defining Las Vegas experience — the 4-mile Strip illuminated, with the Bellagio fountains (every 30 minutes evening, free), the Mirage volcano (decommissioned 2022, but the Mirage is being demolished and rebuilt as the Hard Rock Hotel), the Bellagio Conservatory Gardens.
“Walk a section of the Strip; ride the tram to skip the long sections.”
Only-here places
The 8.5-acre Bellagio lake with its choreographed dancing fountains — 1,214 jets, water shooting up to 460 feet, set to music. Free shows every 30 minutes evening (every 15 minutes in peak hours), every 30 minutes during afternoon.
“The defining Strip image.”
The 460-foot half-scale Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas — observation deck with central-Strip panorama, plus the Eiffel Tower Restaurant 11th-floor dining (with proper French cooking by chef J.
“Joho).”
Visit website →The 1,500-foot LED canopy over Fremont Street in downtown Vegas — with constantly running animated light shows. Plus zip-line above the street, street performers, and the cheaper vintage casinos.
“The original Glitter Gulch.”
Visit website →Held annually since 2023 in mid-late November — the F1 race uses a 6.2-km street circuit running along the actual Strip (with the start-finish straight on Las Vegas Boulevard).
“Major social event; book hotels months ahead for that week.”
The 550-foot High Roller observation wheel at The LINQ — the second-tallest in the world (briefly the tallest at opening 2014). 30-minute ride; the day-vs-night versions are properly different.
“Among the most photographed Strip experiences.”
Visit website →Tours & things to do in Las Vegas
In partnership with GetYourGuide, Locals Insider recommends these tours and things to do in Las Vegas.
Nature & quiet
The 196,000-acre Red Rock Canyon — 13 miles of canyon hiking, rock climbing, 13-mile scenic drive, and properly serious geological features. 20 minutes west of the Strip. Free entry; small parking fee.
“The classic Vegas nature half-day.”
The 1936 Hoover Dam — one of the most ambitious engineering projects of the 20th century, on the Colorado River. Walking tour across the dam (including the 1985 bypass bridge).
“Half-day from Vegas.”
The Grand Canyon's South Rim is 4.5 hours' drive east of Las Vegas — too far for a comfortable day-trip but doable. Helicopter tours from Vegas are the popular shortcut (1 hour each way, with landing).
“The defining Western US natural wonder.”
Properly the smartest Vegas-natural-extension — 2.5 hours' drive north-east. The Narrows, Angels Landing, Canyon Overlook hike.
“A 1-2 day visit is the sweet spot.”
A 40,000-acre red-rock state park north-east of Vegas — Mars-like sandstone formations, prehistoric petroglyphs, the cinematic Fire Wave hike. The compact natural alternative to Zion.
“Half-day to a full day.”
City festivals
- November (mid-late)F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
Held annually since 2023 — three days of F1 racing on a street circuit running along the actual Strip. The Saturday night main race is one of the most televised single sporting events in America. Hotel rates triple for the weekend; book months ahead.
- April–MayEDC Las Vegas (Electric Daisy Carnival)
One of the world's largest electronic dance music festivals — three days at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with around 400,000 attendees. Late April / early May.
- OctoberLas Vegas Restaurant Week
Three weeks in October — Vegas's serious restaurant week with prix-fixe menus at most of the city's top kitchens at substantially below normal pricing. The smart food-led Vegas visit timing.
- NovemberVegas Strong Bowl + College football season
The Vegas Bowl (December) is a major college football game played at Allegiant Stadium. Plus regular Raiders NFL games at Allegiant Stadium (Aug-Jan) and Vegas Golden Knights NHL games at T-Mobile Arena (Oct-Apr).
Travel safety & inclusivity
Las Vegas is generally safe — the Strip itself is among the most heavily surveilled-and-policed places in America, with low crime rates against tourists. The standard cautions: be aware of pickpocketing at pool parties and busy casino floors, and downtown Las Vegas (especially east of Fremont Street) has more pronounced poverty and street issues. Solo travel including for women is fine in the major tourist zones at any hour.
Nevada has comprehensive LGBTQ+ legal protections including same-sex marriage since 2014, and Las Vegas is among the most LGBTQ+-friendly American cities. Visible scene around Fruit Loop (just off the Strip near the Hard Rock area). Las Vegas Pride happens in October. Visible affection on the Strip and in casinos is completely normal.
Safety scores reflect UK FCDO & US State Department travel advisories. LGBTQ+ scores reflect Equaldex and ILGA-Europe rankings. Both refreshed quarterly.
Frequently asked about Las Vegas
Where do locals eat in Las Vegas?
Three picks across the spectrum of how Las Vegans actually eat (which, surprisingly, often means not eating on the Strip).
For the iconic Las Vegas Strip institution: Carbone, at ARIA Resort & Casino, 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89158. The Las Vegas outpost of New York's Major Food Group's Italian-American throwback — the iconic spicy rigatoni vodka, veal Parmigiana, tableside Caesar salad. Reservations weeks ahead; the city's hottest Italian table.
For the locals' off-Strip institution: Lotus of Siam, at 620 E Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119. Chef Saipin Chutima's Northern Thai restaurant in a strip mall east of the Strip — properly serious Northern Thai cuisine (the iconic Khao Soi, sai oua sausage, the Northern-style nam prik dips). Multiple James Beard Award wins. Among America's most-cited regional Thai restaurants.
For the affordable, locals' standard: In-N-Out Burger at 4888 Industrial Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103 (and multiple other Las Vegas locations) — the West Coast burger chain that's the iconic Las Vegas-locals comfort food. The Double-Double Animal-Style is the order. Walk-in, properly affordable. For a more contemporary alternative, the iconic Raku at 5030 Spring Mountain Road in Chinatown serves serious Japanese izakaya cuisine — Beard Award–nominated chef Mitsuo Endo.
Where can I get the best seafood with champagne or sparkling wine in Las Vegas?
For Las Vegas seafood with serious Champagne, the destination is Estiatorio Milos, at The Venetian Resort, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
The Las Vegas outpost of chef Costas Spiliadis's iconic Greek seafood restaurant (with branches in Athens, New York, Miami, London, Montreal) — daily fresh Mediterranean catch flown in, the iconic display ice counter where you pick your whole fish to be grilled or roasted in salt crust, and one of Las Vegas's most extensive Greek and Champagne wine lists.
For a more iconic American steakhouse-with-seafood alternative, Joël Robuchon Restaurant at the MGM Grand (the late chef's three-Michelin-star restaurant — among the few three-Michelin-star establishments in Las Vegas) offers French-Mediterranean fine dining. For something more contemporary and casual, Bardot Brasserie at the ARIA from chef Michael Mina serves classic French brasserie seafood with serious Champagne service.
Which historical boutique hotel should I stay at in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is not a historical-boutique destination — the city's age is measured in decades rather than centuries, and the iconic Las Vegas hotel experience is the modern integrated mega-resort. For an iconic mid-century-glamour heritage stay, the reference is Bellagio, at 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
Opened in 1998 — Las Vegas's most iconic modern luxury resort, with the famous 8-acre dancing-fountain lake out front. Designed to evoke the Italian Lake Como Bellagio village. 3,933 rooms (yes, that many) across the original tower and the 2004 Spa Tower addition. The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens (constantly redesigned with seasonal themes), the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, and the Cirque du Soleil O production are among Las Vegas's most-cited cultural experiences.
For a smaller, more boutique alternative, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas at 3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South has the most architecturally distinctive contemporary hotel interiors on the Strip (designed by David Rockwell), 3,028 rooms, the iconic Chandelier Bar with the three-storey crystal-chandelier centrepiece. For a properly small boutique experience, Resorts World Las Vegas at 3000 S Las Vegas Blvd opened in 2021 with the upscale Crockfords boutique within (about 240 rooms in the Crockfords tier).
What is the LGBTQ+ scene like in Las Vegas?
Nevada legalised same-sex marriage in 2014 (one of the earlier US states). Las Vegas has a properly visible LGBTQ+ scene with the Las Vegas Pride parade in October.
The neighborhood: The Fruit Loop — the iconic east-of-Strip cluster around Paradise Road and Naples Drive, plus the Commercial Center District at Karen Avenue and Sahara Avenue — is the city's central LGBTQ+ entertainment area. Most LGBTQ+ nightlife is off-Strip; the Las Vegas Strip resort-casinos are LGBTQ+-friendly but not the centre of the queer scene.
The bars and clubs: Piranha Nightclub at 4633 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169 is the iconic Las Vegas gay nightclub — multiple themed rooms, Saturday nights legendary. FreeZone at 610 E Naples Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89169 is the long-running gay-and-lesbian bar with a different themed night every day of the week. For an iconic resident drag show, RuPaul's Drag Race Live! at the Flamingo is the major Strip-side LGBTQ+ entertainment.
Saunas: Hawks Gym & Spa at 953 E Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89104 is the central men's bathhouse in the Commercial Center District.
What unique small museum, new 2024-2026 landmark, or 1-3 day itinerary should I plan for Las Vegas?
The famous-person small museum: The Mob Museum, at 300 Stewart Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101 (officially the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement). Inside the 1933 former Las Vegas federal courthouse (where one of the iconic Kefauver Senate Committee hearings on organized crime was held in 1950), the museum tells the story of American organized crime's deep entanglement with Las Vegas's casino-and-entertainment history — original FBI surveillance equipment, mob-era artifacts, and the iconic basement Speakeasy bar with the original 1933 wall (covered with bullet holes from the St. Valentine's Day Massacre).
The recent landmark: The Sphere at 255 Sands Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89169 — the Madison Square Garden Company's spherical entertainment venue opened in late 2023. The world's largest spherical structure (336 feet tall, 516 feet wide), with the iconic exterior LED display (1.2 million programmable pucks) and the interior 16K LED wraparound screen for immersive concerts and films. U2's residency was the inaugural event series. Among the most architecturally and technologically significant new buildings in the United States in the 21st century.
1-3 day itinerary: Day 1 — Strip walking morning (Bellagio fountains, Caesars Forum Shops, Venetian gondola ride, dinner at Carbone, evening at the Sphere if there's a show). Day 2 — Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street Experience, Mob Museum, Neon Museum at sunset for the iconic vintage Las Vegas signs at golden hour), evening at the Fruit Loop bars. Day 3 — Day trip to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead (45 minutes east) or Red Rock Canyon (30 minutes west — a 13-mile scenic loop drive through Mojave Desert formations), evening Cirque du Soleil show return.
Planning more than just Las Vegas? Our United States travel guide covers the whole country — weather and currency live, hotels and restaurants across regions, must-visit experiences and where else to go.
Articles in this section are written by the Locals Insider editorial team. Got a Las Vegas tip we missed? Email us at hello@localsinsider.com — we read every one.
