Dreaming of your first time in Vegas? Start here.

There are two types of people: those who’ve been to Sin City and those who haven’t. If you are one of the latter and you’re planning your first time in Vegas, this guide is for you. There is no better time than the present to go all out on a weekend trip here—to experience th\e glitz, glamor, and excess that Vegas has to offer.

Treat this as your first-time-in-Vegas checklist. With the details on how to get here in style, where to stay on the Strip, and what must-do experiences and attractions you have to hit, let us take you on the weekend of a lifetime. It all starts here.

Getting to Vegas.

The best way to get to Las Vegas for your first time is on board a private jet. True, you can drive here or catch a commercial flight, but that’s not in the spirit of Vegas. Vegas is all about celebration and extravagance, and economy class is neither.

Your first time in Vegas should always begin by arriving in style and stepping onto the tarmac from a private jet. Avoid the chaos of public terminals that funnel tens of millions of people into the city every year and get here via your own comfortable cabin. A private charter to Vegas is your slice of paradise.

When Vegas calls, book a private charter here.

Where to stay your first time in Vegas.

There are seemingly unlimited exclusive accommodation options for your first trip to Vegas. After all, this is a city designed to host the rich and famous. Here are just a few of the most prestigious hotels, all renowned for their high-end suites and premium amenities.

MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino might be the ultimate first-timer’s choice, with its suites promising to deliver a “bigger, wilder, and Vegas-er” experience. With suites delivering dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, two-story layouts, spacious areas for entertaining, and views overlooking Vegas, the MGM Grand is what Vegas dreams are made of. Then, there is the on-site entertainment: Top golf, Wet Republic Ultra Pool, Hakkasan Nightclub, residencies, and more.

The Mirage Hotel & Casino

Now operated by Hard Rock, The Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is a staple on The Strip. It has received a AAA Four Diamond award, is the preferred choice among celebrities, and offers an iconic welcome with its famous volcano. The Mirage’s Premium Suites come with exclusive elevator access, private master bedrooms, and elegant finishings throughout. From Cirque du Soleil to the world’s biggest comedians, at the Mirage, you vwon’t have to go far to find Sin City’s big-ticket events.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas Hotel

One of the newest additions to Las Vegas’ premium hotel offerings, the Fontainebleau is a 3,600-room, 60-floor hotel with a 150,000-square-foot casino, world-class dining, and never-ending nightlife. You can expect beautifully appointed suites and spacious luxury rooms well over 1,100 square feet featuring views of The Strip or the mountains—dealers’ choice.

Your first time in Vegas. Things to do.

Before we get into specifics, let’s cover the basics of what your first time in Vegas should entail. Las Vegas is known for three things: excess, nightlife, and casinos, and ideally, your first time here should take in a little of everything.

Take in the excess of The Strip.

All weekend escapes here should start with The Strip. This is the world-famous four-mile expanse of glittering lights and elaborate displays. From the synchronized fountains at The Bellagio to the Venetian Grand Canal at the Venetian Resort to the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel, there is almost too much to take in during a single night out.

If The Strip at street level is too much for the senses, you can still take it all in with a quieter spin around the High Roller at Caesar’s. Soar 550 feet above The Strip on North America’s largest observation wheel, offering panoramic 360-degree views without mingling into the bustling streets below. The High Roller has 28 spacious cabins, ensuring a comfortable, calmer experience as you take in the sights of The Strip and beyond.

Plan your visit around the nightlife.

Las Vegas comes alive at night, which means you should, too. When the sun goes down, this city is just getting started, with constant entertainment options no matter what tickles your fancy. Vegas hosts it all: extravagant nightclubs, internationally renowned musician residencies, comedy, Cirque du Soleil, and, yes, even magic.

Place your bets at Vegas’ famous casinos.

The heart of Vegas’ fame is its casinos. Icons like The Bellagio, known for its high-stakes poker rooms; the MGM Grand, with its vast gaming floor; and Caesars Palace, a landmark for its opulent high-stakes casino floor, are essential stops. Even if you don’t typically place bets, you can’t leave Vegas without trying your hand with a few rounds at the blackjack table or a cocktail while playing the slots.

All the must-see Vegas attractions.

Catch a Vegas residency.

Over the last decade, this city’s nightlife has been taken up a notch, with a growing number of renowned artists taking up residencies across The Strip. Barry Manilow, Adele, Shania Twain, Lady Gaga’s Jazz Showcase, and Maroon 5 are just a handful of the upcoming residencies at venues like the MGM and Caesars Palace.

Dig into dining experiences.

Las Vegas is a gourmet’s paradise, with more than a few of the world’s greatest chefs setting up restaurants here.

Lock in a reservation at Nobu, Wing Lei, Le Cirque, Picasso, or Joël Robuchon, just to name a few, and find yourself transported on a journey of the senses. Expect exquisitely appointed interiors, unparalleled table-side service, and platings worthy of a Michelin star.

Hit the casinos.

Whether your first time in Las Vegas is specifically for the casinos or not, they are undeniably a destination in and of themselves. With over 100 casinos in the Valley and more than 30 on The Strip alone, you’ll want to start by hitting the best casinos for your first time in Vegas: Paris Las Vegas, The Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The Venetian, and The Cosmopolitan.

And for a little something different than the modern, sleek designs across The Strip’s most prestigious casinos, why not try your luck at a few of the quirkier playing floors? Circus Circus maintains coin-operated slot machines, a relic of years gone by, and The Golden Gate Casino still keeps up the old-Vegas energy with its vintage aesthetic.

Epic day trips.

If you have more than a weekend in Vegas and feel the need to get out of the city for a day, you’ll find yourself blessed with options. Rent the luxury exotic vehicle of your dreams, then spend a day exploring the landscape around Sin City.

If you’ve never been, your first choice should be Grand Canyon National Park, one of the earth’s most remarkable natural landmarks. It’s just two and a half hours away and makes for a memorable canyon-side lunch date.

In spring, you can’t miss a drive through Zion National Park to witness the beauty of the desert in bloom. Or, for something completely different, experience the otherworldly salt flats of the Badwater Basin at Death Valley National Park.

Designer shopping.

If casinos aren’t on your Vegas bucket list, you might find a similar rush while getting lost in this city’s designer shopping destinations. Visit the Shops at Crystals for an array of luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and Giorgio Armani. Or the Forum Shops at Caesars, with 160 luxury stores, including Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co.

Then, at the Wynn Plaza Shops, you’ll find everything from Stella McCartney to Saint Laurent, Celine, and Kiton. In Vegas, these three high-end destinations are just the beginning.

Tips for your first time in Vegas.

Vegas is about letting loose, living extravagantly, and leaning into luck. If you genuinely want to make the most out of your first time in Vegas, start with these three tips:

Tip #1: Don’t limit yourself.

If this is your first time in Las Vegas, why not go all out? Upgrade to the luxury suite, get the best table at the best restaurant, and spend every night out on the town. Whatever you do, don’t hold back. Las Vegas is a city of excess, and there’s no reason why your first trip here should be reserved.

Tip #2: Book a private jet to Las Vegas.

With more than 40 million people visiting the city annually, flying private is the only way to avoid the crowds on your journey here. Fly where, when, and how you choose with Volato’s national fleet of modern private jets and our world-class concierge team. With our exclusive private jet service to Vegas, you’ll arrive feeling refreshed and ready to take the city by storm.

Flying from California? Check out Volato Go! West to pay our lowest dynamic rate to Las Vegas from Los Angeles or Oakland.*

*Based on availability at time of request. Private charter flights are subject to availability.

Tip #3: Stay on The Strip.

The only way to experience Las Vegas in all its glory is to embed yourself on The Strip. You’ll be close to all the action and just a short ride from the downtown core. With all the major hotels, restaurants, attractions, and casinos centralized around this short four-mile zone, you won’t need to travel far to find whatever experiences are on your Vegas checklist. Plus, as the night winds down, be mere moments away from your own corner of paradise at a luxury suite at one of the city’s best hotels.

First time in Vegas? Make it a trip to remember.

Any trip to Vegas is an invitation to indulge in an extravagant lifestyle. Unlike no other city, Vegas is a spectacle of lights, luxury, and limitless adventure. Whether you’re here to try your luck at the casinos, explore The Strip, or indulge in the nightlife, embrace the city’s ethos of living life to the fullest.

Let us help you live out your Vegas dreams. Fly to Vegas in style. Fly Volato.

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