Where to stay

There really isn't anywhere better to stay for nightlife and entertainment than the famous Las Vegas Strip. Approximately four miles long, The Strip is home to numerous hotels, restaurants, casinos, apartment high-rises and attractions (most of this stretch of road has been deemed an All-American Road and a scenic route at night). Reserving a room on The Strip means access to the city's biggest, most luxurious hotel rooms, Broadway musical productions just downstairs and a huge range of dining options, from all-you-can-eat buffets to Michael Mina and Emeril Lagasse eateries. Also, there's no need to rent a car since everything is within walking distance. From exploding volcanoes to pirate ships to mesmerizing dancing fountains, hotels on The Strip are perfect if you want to be in the middle of the action.

After you've tried your luck at the casinos, there's more to discover in Downtown Las Vegas, directly north of The Strip and the original epicenter of the city. Travelers seeking Las Vegas history and culture will want to stay in this eclectic neighborhood, home to an assortment of restaurants, boutiques, cafes and historic buildings. The Main Street Hotel and Casino displays a chunk of the Berlin Wall, and you can walk along pedestrian-friendly Fremont East reading historic facts emblazoned on bronze medallions on the sidewalk. Also known as "Old Vegas," the Fremont Street Casino District is home to the city's original casinos, the nightly Viva Vision Light Show and free live music at the brightly-lit Fremont Street Experience. Hotels in the Fremont East Entertainment District put guests on a pedestrian-friendly stretch of Fremont, with direct access to numerous restaurants, bars and cafes. Art-loving travelers will be tempted by the Arts District (or 18b) and its collection of art galleries, studios and shops (the neighborhood is known for its First Friday art walks). Hotels in Downtown Las Vegas are close to the city's most interesting museums, including the Neon Museum (and Neon Boneyard) and the Mob Museum (great for kids). For a college-town ambience, reserve a hotel in the University District, a welcoming and sophisticated neighborhood full of walking paths, gardens, a fine art gallery, chic coffeehouses and a natural history museum.

For foodies, The Strip is the place to reserve a hotel. Just downstairs, there are nearly four miles of restaurant options, with just about every kind of cuisine imaginable. Stay here for multi-course menus, family-friendly establishments, cheap eats, steakhouses, celebrity chef restaurants and more - you can easily eat your way through the day. Travelers who choose to stay in Downtown Las Vegas and the walkable Fremont East District will find more eclectic dining, from sushi bars to breakfast joints, and vegetarian cafes to Cajun fare. For more than 150 Asian restaurants to choose from amid Tang Dynasty-era architecture, stay in Chinatown, two miles from The Strip.

Las Vegas fun doesn't center solely on the casinos and glitzy entertainment of The Strip. Consider staying just west in Summerlin if you're interested in exploring Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Mount Charleston and beyond. There are hiking and biking opportunities here to last for days, as well as oasis-like golf courses. Henderson, a popular Vegas suburb, is another favorite place to stay for outdoor enthusiasts. The area borders Sloan Canyon and Lake Mead, offering ample hiking and water activities. Consider a hotel in Boulder City, to the east of Las Vegas, for convenient access to Hoover Dam, the Mojave Desert and the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail.

The District at Green Valley Ranch is a popular place to stay for its sophisticated mixed-use development, featuring world-class shopping and dining. Stay in Summerlin and shop till you drop at its walkable urban center brimming with upscale shopping, restaurants and a great line-up of live entertainment and events. Accommodations in North Las Vegas are close to fantastic premium outlets in an outdoor setting.