Las Vegas Holidays

Irish tourists love Las Vegas for lots of reasons. It’s an easy, direct flight away, everyone speaks English, and it delivers a complete holiday in one exciting and sunny destination. Whether you want world-class shows, incredible pools, top-tier shopping, or jaw-dropping day trips to natural wonders, Vegas has it all.  

The city is brilliantly versatile. For couples, it’s about romantic dinners, spectacular Cirque du Soleil shows, and lounging by luxurious pools. Groups of friends thrive on the legendary nightlife, dayclub pool parties, and the non-stop energy of exploring the different themed resorts.  

For families, the focus is on huge pool complexes, fun attractions like arcades and aquariums, water parks, and the sheer wonder of the Strip itself. And who says a holiday can't be educational too - in a fun way, of course. A short road trip or planned group tour can take you to one of the great natural wonders of the world, the iconic Grand Canyon, the engineering mastery of the Hoover Dam, and the beautiful and spectacular desert scenery of Red Rock Canyon.  

When the sun sets, Las Vegas nightlife is famous for its glittering shows and extravaganzas, but the city also has a lively - and unique - bar scene. There are themed bars, bars in casinos, bars all along the strip, bars in bars, and lots more. If you can imagine it, you'll find it in Las Vegas. And, you can easily find a taste of home in the many lively Irish pubs showing GAA and other sports in fun and friendly surroundings. 

A few practical tips make your trip smoother. The weather is extreme; summers are fiercely hot, while winter evenings can be cool. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant temperatures. For getting around, using your own two feet are best on the Strip, but the Deuce double-decker bus is a great budget option for longer outings. Ride-shares like Uber are plentiful and often cheaper than standard taxis.  

To save money, remember that the casinos offer free drinks while you’re playing (just remember to tip your server). Buy bottles of water and snacks from the off-Strip pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens. You probably don't need to be reminded of this, but try to steer clear of the hotel mini bars if you don't want don't want to end up paying a king's ransom for a simple bottle of water. And also remember, when you're booking your hotel, always check what the mandatory 'resort fee' will be - it can add a significant daily cost on top of the room rate. The experts at Cassidy Travel will be happy to advise you. 

And finally, don’t try to fit everything in on one trip. The scale of Las Vegas can be overwhelming and confusing, so plan your itinerary carefully. Pick a few must-see shows or attractions, book your day trips in advance, leave plenty of time to relax by the pool and simply soak in the amazing atmosphere to put you in the mood for a big night out on the town. Whatever you want to do, Vegas is all about having fun your way. 

Las Vegas is all about entertainment, offering endless ways to fill your days and nights. While the iconic sights are a must, the real experience comes from discovering the layers beneath the neon and backstage behind the shows and extravaganzas.  

Regarded as the cornerstone of Vegas, your first stop has to be the Strip. The best time to visit the Strip is in the evening when the fountains dance at the Bellagio and the Mirage Volcano erupts. For the best view, ride to the top of the High Roller observation wheel just before sunset. While the famous hotels are attractions themselves, don't miss the quieter magic of the Bellagio Conservatory - its stunning, free botanical displays change completely from season to season. Just like everything in Vegas, every experience is done at a totally different level, with microscopic attention to detail.  

For a totally different vibe, head downtown to the Fremont Street Experience. It’s a sensory overload of vintage neon, live music, and the buzz of the original Vegas cityscape. For a unique perspective, book a ride on the famous SlotZilla, a zip line experience that sends you flying under the massive LED canopy. Nearby, the Neon Museum and the Mob Museum offer fascinating insights into the city's gritty and glamorous history - plus, book a night tour at the Neon Boneyard for an extra-special opportunity to see the city's old heritage signs brought back to life.  

Along with the most famous sights, there's a lot to experience that flies completely under the radar. Art lovers should seek out Area15, an immersive, mind-bending entertainment complex anchored by the surreal Omega Mart - a grocery store unlike any other.  

For a peaceful escape, the Floyd Lamb State Park, with its lakes and resident peacocks, feels like a world away from the glitzy neon and exteriors of the casinos and resorts. And for a quirky photo op, visit the Bright Angel 'Last Supper' statue at the Silverton Casino, a fascinating piece of folk art that not everyone adds to their itinerary.  

The surrounding US landscape is Las Vegas' greatest open-air attraction. Red Rock Canyon is perfect for a scenic drive or a hike among its fiery sandstone cliffs. The engineering marvel of the Hoover Dam is a sobering contrast to the city’s more frivolous side, while a day trip to the Grand Canyon - whether by coach, helicopter, or a guided tour to the lesser-visited West Rim - is an absolute lifetime highlight and your photographs will bring back memories for years to come. For something completely different, the ghost town of Rhyolite close to Death Valley - the hottest place on earth - offers a beautiful and insightful glimpse into the region's past.  

Remember, the best Las Vegas itinerary should balance planned highlights with spontaneous discovery. Book major shows and popular restaurants in advance, but leave time to wander, people-watch from a casino patio, or find your own favourite hidden bar. The city’s constantly changing landscape means there’s always something new, and something wonderfully classic, waiting for to greet your Las Vegas getaway. 

Las Vegas nightlife is legendary for a reason - it’s a 24/7 city where the energy level never dips. The nightlife options are vast, from free outdoor spectacles and world-class residencies to hidden speakeasies, live music venues, and panoramic rooftop bars.  

Whatever you're planning, whether that's a glamorous night out or an impromptu adventure, your evening will be anything but boring. And to get you started, here are a few ideas you might like.  

• Bellagio Fountains - The iconic, free water-and-music ballet. Best viewed from the Strip or a patio bar like Hyde Bellagio for a cocktail to go with the show.  
• Fremont Street Experience - Downtown’s buzzing, covered pedestrian mall with dazzling light shows overhead and live bands on multiple stages every night.  
• Omnia Nightclub (Caesars Palace) - If you want to dance the night away, you'll love this high-energy, multi-level club with a famous rooftop terrace and world-renowned DJs spinning in the main room.  
• The Chandelier (Cosmopolitan) - This stunning multi-story bar is literally located inside a giant crystal chandelier, . Take a moment to stop at Level 1.5 for the venue's secret Verbena cocktail.  
• Absinthe (Caesars Palace) - Best described as daring, this wildly popular adults-only Spiegel tent show blends jaw-dropping acrobatics, cabaret acts from another era, and sharp, risqué comedy.  
• Skyfall Lounge (Delano) - We think you'll love this sleek, open-air rooftop lounge with breathtaking views of the Strip. It's prime location makes it perfect for sunset or late-night cocktails.  
• The Dorsey (Venetian) - An intimate, stylish cocktail bar known for its creative drinks and sophisticated, vinyl-spinning soundtrack.  Perfect for pre-dinner drinks or even for a full night out. 
• Jewel (Aria) - A state-of-the-art nightclub with a massive holographic DJ booth and a vibrant, high-energy dance floor. A word of advice, leave the sportswear at home. 
• The Underground (The Mob Museum) - A secret speakeasy and distillery from the prohibition-era in the museum’s basement, serving prohibition-era cocktails in an immaculately themed 1920s setting.  
• House of Blues (Mandalay Bay) - A great venue for catching live bands in a more relaxed, authentic music hall atmosphere. If you love Southern cooking and live blues, you'll love this place. 
• Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum - Not exactly a nightclub or bar, but visitors come here for a uniquely eerie after-hours tour of the paranormal investigator’s collection, not for the faint-hearted.  
• The Golden Tiki - An immersive, wildly decorated tiki bar in Chinatown, serving exotic rum concoctions in a fun, kitschy atmosphere. Don't forget to bring your ID; no matter your age. 
• Carrot Top at Luxor - A hilarious, high-tech prop comedy show that’s a long-running unexpected favourite for a night of guaranteed laughs. You never know who you'll see on stage. 
• The Bar at Times Square (New York-New York) - A lively central pub featuring a pair of duelling pianos that get the whole crowd singing along night after night.  A little piece of New York entertainment in Las Vegas. 
• Herbs & Rye - A step-back-in-time, award-winning cocktail bar just off the Strip, famous for its steak specials, Italian classics, and expertly crafted classic drinks from a bygone era.  
• XS Nightclub (Wynn) - An opulent poolside and world-famous nightclub where the party often spills outdoors, featuring top electronic music acts. Due for renovations in summer 2026. 
• Double Down Saloon - This is a genuine, gritty dive bar famously known as the 'Anti-Vegas,' with loud punk music, sassy bar staff, and its signature 'Ass Juice' drink. PS - it never closes. 
• Virgil’s Real Barbecue (The LINQ Promenade) - Simply described as the best barbeque in Las Vegas, this is a great spot for late-night eats with live blues and rock music in a lively but casual setting. 
• Ri Ra (Mandarin Oriental/MGM Grand) - An authentic Irish pub shipped directly from Ireland, with live trad sessions, premium pints, and a great atmosphere for watching sports. A little home away from home. 
• McFadden's Irish Pub (Rio Hotel) - McFadden's is a massive, lively Irish pub with a central location, nightly live music, and a huge outdoor patio for cooling down. A major hub for Irish tourists and expats. 

To get to know Las Vegas you need to look beyond the ringing slot machines, the neon lights, and the city's glitzy atmosphere. Its story begins not with casinos, but with water and a railroad. Founded in 1905, its name - 'The Meadows' - described the natural springs that made this patch of desert an oasis for pioneers and the local Paiute tribes.  

The city's modern transformation was ignited in the 1940s by figures like Bugsy Siegel, whose Flamingo Hotel introduced a dangerous, Hollywood-inspired glamour to the dusty highway. This unique blend of frontier courage and mob-era ambition is the backbone of its 'anything is possible' spirit, a testament to human will in a stark landscape.  

Today, the culture is a fascinating mix of constant reinvention and deep-rooted local tradition. While it's a global stage for superstar residencies and spectacular engineering feats, like choreographed fountains and futuristic theme parks, a proud local community thrives behind the scenes.  

You’ll find examples that demonstrate this famous community spirit in the monthly First Friday art walk in the revitalized Arts District, where local artists showcase their work in converted warehouses. You’ll hear it in the dive bars of East Fremont, where punk bands play, and you'll witness it in the pride for the city’s first major professional sports team, the NHL’s Golden Knights. It’s a place where a quick, quirky wedding at a 24-hour chapel is as culturally valid as a black-tie gala event for superstars of sport, stage, and screen.  

The culinary scene tells a similar story. It’s the home of the legendary all-you-can-eat buffet, a tradition born to keep gamblers at the tables. It’s the classic steakhouse, a holdover from the Rat Pack era, serving perfect porterhouses in dark, clubby rooms. Yet, some of the best meals are found off-Strip in the city’s vibrant ethnic neighbourhoods, like the exceptional Thai food on Sahara Boulevard or the authentic tacos al pastor in the city’s bustling Hispanic communities. For a true local ritual, join the queue for a late-night bite at Heart Attack Grill or a slice at Secret Pizza in the Cosmopolitan.  

Genuine experiences here are defined by contrasts. It’s the awe of standing in the silent, ancient solitude of Red Rock Canyon, only an hour away from the sensory overload of the casino floor. It’s discovering a world-class cocktail bar hidden behind an unmarked door in a shopping mall. It’s understanding that the city’s iconic neon was first a practical tool to lure travellers across the dark desert, now preserved as art.  

Las Vegas is a city built on illusion, but its soul is found in the resilient, creative, and welcoming community that has carved out a home in this unlikely, desert-backed neon oasis. 

Planning your Las Vegas holiday is all about doing a little ground work so you can play harder once you get there. A little local knowledge goes a long way in making your trip easy, fun, and surprisingly good value. Here are a few things you might need to know.  

At Cassidy Travel we're often asked when is the best time to hit Las Vegas? First you need to remember one important thing, the desert climate is extreme. Summer (June-August) is fiercely hot, often over 40°C - great for pool time but limiting for outdoor exploration. Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) offer the 'sweet spot' with glorious, warm days and pleasant evenings, perfect for walking the Strip. Winter days are mild, but nights can be surprisingly chilly, so pack a light jacket or sweater. Regardless of the season you choose, comfortable walking shoes, high-factor sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle are an absolute must.  

Your flight and hotel might seem like a bargain (and they usually are when you book with Cassidy Travel), but always check the daily 'resort fee.' This mandatory charge (typically €30-€50 per night) covers amenities like the pool and gym, and it’s added at checkout. Budget for this as it's easy to get caught out on your last day.  

Drinks are pricey at club and poolside bars; save money by enjoying the complimentary beverages while playing the slots (tip your server $1-2 per drink). For food, venture off-Strip to find the local's favourites, or hit the food courts in places like Crystal’s at Aria for more affordable, quality bites.  

You'll need to rent a car if you want to visit the sights outside the city. However, on the Strip, your best transport are your feet, aided by rideshares (Uber/Lyft) for slightly longer journeys. The Deuce double-decker bus is a cost-effective unlimited-ride option around the city. It's good to keep in mind that you should rent a car only if you plan multiple day trips (to the Grand Canyon, Red Rock, Hoover Dam). It offers fantastic freedom for exploring, but remember that hotel parking, once free, now often carries a substantial daily fee. Why have a car sitting there and costing you money while you're not using it? 

For Irish holidaymakers and their families the direct Aer Lingus flight from Dublin is a major perk - the flight takes approximately 10 years, but with the time difference on the way out you'll hardly notice. Plus, you get to clear security and customs while still in Ireland, meaning your holiday starts the moment you land. 

Remember, tipping is customary (15-20% in restaurants, $1-2 per bag for porters). Notify your bank of travel plans for card use. For families, Vegas is incredibly welcoming, most major resorts have dazzling pool complexes with lazy rivers and shallow areas. Look for kid-friendly shows like Tournament of Kings or marvels like the Shark Reef Aquarium. Schedule pool time for mornings before the peak afternoon heat, and remember that children cannot linger in casino areas.  

Las Vegas is well-known as a international gambling hub but a little advance planning is the surest bet you can make in Vegas.