- I'm a travel journalist who has been visiting Las Vegas regularly for over 15 years
- I've visited with both friends and family, but I often travel solo and love it.
I've been to Las Vegas many times in the past 15 years with friends and family but most of the time I've gone by myself. As an avid global solo traveler, it's become one of my favorite places to visit.
With so many guests visiting from all over the world, I've never felt weird visiting the city solo. There's always something to do and I've felt safe pretty safe there.
Here's why Las Vegas is one of my top picks for solo travel, plus what I love to do there.
Walking and people-watching is my favorite thing to do in Las Vegas when I'm by myself
The main strip in Las Vegas is completely walkable, which is great for people like me who love exploring a new place on foot. Whenever I visit, I love to walk along it and just take in the sites.
The strip is just over 4 miles long, but I typically stick to the main part, from the Luxor Hotel & Casino to Fashion Show Mall, that's closer to 3 miles. On my walks, I'll explore many casinos like the ones at Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, and Wynn Las Vegas.
I usually feel safe walking the Strip at night and during the day because it's a popular tourist spot always bustling with visitors.
Vegas has some gorgeous properties to stay at, too
When I'm solo traveling I prefer to and feel safer staying at well-known properties with good reputations.
I've stayed at most of the major properties in town, and one of my favorites is the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. It checks all the boxes for me, with nice rooms, an excellent expansive pool, and tons of on-site dining — meaning I don't have to venture outside of the resort during my stay if I don't choose to.
Although there are plenty of nearby smaller motels in Vegas, I will always splurge for nice accommodations when traveling alone so I feel comfortable.
Dining out is also one of my favorite Las Vegas pastimes
I know it's not for everyone, but I love eating at restaurants by myself and one of my favorite things to do is to try new ones. Fortunately, Las Vegas is home to an incredible dining scene, including many outposts of celebrity restaurants owned by stars like Gordon Ramsay and Todd English.
When I'm alone, I try to sit at a bar top so I can interact with others if I want to and, usually, meet bartenders and chefs. With this being Las Vegas, you never know who you'll end up chatting with. I've always felt safe when dining out solo in Las Vegas and use common sense, like not leaving my purse or drink unattended.
Some of my favorite spots in Vegas are also chains, like the high-end Japanese spot Nobu and popular West Coast chain In-N-Out. The Taco Bell Cantina is always a fun stop, too.
I usually skip bars when I'm traveling by myself unless it's a Tiki bar, which usually has themed decor and fun drinks. I've found that Vegas has some of the best Tiki bars, like The Golden Tiki and Frankie's Tiki Room. Their lively atmospheres mean I never feel weird visiting them by myself.
I love the pools in Las Vegas, but I avoid day clubs
One of my favorite activities when solo traveling is relaxing by the pool — fortunately, Vegas usually has great weather for doing so.
The city is known for its day-club pools, which are usually crowded and feature DJs. I skip those when I'm traveling by myself and instead opt for the quieter settings at hotel pools. Two of my favorites include the pools at Park MGM and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
I love the attractions and entertainment in Vegas
Whenever I solo travel, I seek out unique experiences, shows, and attractions. Fortunately, Vegas has plenty of all three.
On my many trips to Las Vegas, I've enjoyed both concerts and live productions, like The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil. One of my favorite attractions in Las Vegas is Meow Wolf's Omega Mart, an immersive interactive art exhibit.
Above all, I love that there's always something new to discover in the city
Every time I visit, I love finding hidden gems and city favorites, from a secret pizza stand inside The Cosmopolitan to Battista's Hole in the Wall, an old-school Italian restaurant.
There's always new to discover in Las Vegas and that keeps me coming back time and time again.