Holiday houses in Las Vegas

Located in the midst of the Mojave Desert at the sun-baked southern tip of the state of Nevada lies the unapologetically flashy, neon-lit city of Las Vegas. Always humming, Las Vegas never sleeps, with something happening at every hour of the day or night. You can sip a cocktail at a glamorous rooftop bar after a day by the pool, see a world-class show, dine in an award-winning restaurant, and dance the night away in one of the city’s many buzzing clubs.

Though best known for its nightlife, towering buildings, and glitzy casinos, Las Vegas also has a fast-growing cultural community, and you’ll find galleries and cafes as well as artists showcasing their work all over downtown. There’s also plenty to see and do outside the city limits: taking a trip to the Grand Canyon, visiting the Hoover Dam, and setting off for a hike in the dramatic Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

As it’s located in the middle of the desert, Las Vegas can get extremely hot, especially in the peak summer months of late May through early September. However, there’s such a huge amount to do indoors and in the evening that the heat doesn’t need to be a drawback. Many Las Vegas holiday rentals also offer air conditioning or are in close proximity to the city’s many pools and day clubs, where it’s possible to cool off when the mercury rises. If you’re spending any amount of time outdoors during the warmer months, be sure to have lots of water on hand, as well as sun protection.

Temperatures remain mild and dry for the rest of the year, and spring (March-April) and autumn (October-November) are generally the most pleasant times to visit, especially if you want to explore the area’s many outdoor attractions, such as the Grand Canyon. December and January can get very cold, with temperatures dipping below freezing at night, though it very rarely snows and rain is rare.

The Strip

One of the most famous streets in the world, the Las Vegas Strip is the epicentre of this eclectic city, home to iconic hotels, sought-after restaurants and bars, theatres, and ever-vibrant nightlife. Here you’ll find craft cocktails, stand-up comedy, circus shows, and musicals. The Strip is 6.7 kilometres long, and it takes around 90 minutes to walk its full distance, though you’re sure to make plenty of stops along the way.

Neon Museum

Just north of downtown, this not-for-profit organisation is committed to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting iconic neon signs from various moments in the city’s history, from the 1930s to the present day. Every sign in the museum offers a unique insight into the people who created it, as well as where and why it was made.

Hoover Dam

Just 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, on the Colorado River, you’ll find the Hoover Dam, one of the highest dams in the world, which forms the largest reservoir in the United States. Built during the Great Depression, the dam took five years and the efforts of over 20,000 workers to complete. Today, the dam wall stands at over 221 metres, and the view of Lake Mead from the bridge is spectacular.