Your ultimate travel guide to Las Vegas

Located in the heart of the Mojave Desert, there are only a few travel options to get into the city. Unfortunately, Las Vegas is the second-largest city in the United States without passenger-train service, which means you have to either drive or fly.

Flying is generally the fastest, cheapest, and most direct route to Las Vegas, and major airlines offer service into Las Vegas Airport. Check with your hotel to determine if it offers shuttle service or other means of transportation to and from the airport, or you may flag down a taxi, or call a ride share. Rental cars are also offered right at the airport.

As another option, the drive from either Los Angeles or Phoenix presents historic, unique, and beautiful sights well worth the time and distance. From Phoenix, it's an easy detour to swing by the Grand Canyon and take in one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Even better, you can drop down into Hoover Dam at the Arizona-Nevada border and not only drive but also walk across the impressive landmark.

The drive along Interstate 15 from Los Angeles is littered with attractions, many of which are right on the highway, like the small city of Jean, Nevada, where you can see the world's largest Chevron gas station and the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. Primm, Nevada, is also the home of Bonnie and Clyde's death car. And Baker, California, has the world's tallest thermometer.

Of course, piling into a car to navigate traffic only to arrive tired might not seem like an ideal way to start a vacation. But there are other options: Rent a luxury van or reserve a party bus. Many of these vehicles are luxurious and encapsulate the feeling of a hotel suite on wheels. But it's probably less expensive to fly first-class from Los Angeles to Las Vegas than to rent one of the driving services.

From sleek, luxury hotels to cheap rooms starting as low as $30, Las Vegas hotels are pretty incredible. Splash out on a lavish but affordable suite, or consider staying off-Strip for a more locally-infused experience with fewer crowds. There's also always Airbnb, too.

However, here are three luxury hotels in Las Vegas you've probably never heard of but should strongly consider booking.

The first is NoMad Las Vegas, a boutique hotel-within-a-hotel. NoMad sits on top of the 32-story Park MGM property.

From the moment you step beneath the discreet red awning at its private entrance, you are swept into another world. The lobby, restaurant, and rooms are all decorated with rich fabrics, warm woods, and stylish fixtures, giving the entire hotel a dark, moody ambiance that resembles another era.

A hidden gem, the rooms are elegant and sophisticated, bringing in opulent European residential vibes with a distinct New York edge. Some even have standalone soaking tubs next to the bed for a sultry touch. The attention to detail is impeccable, making this property one of the lushest, most lavish stays in Las Vegas.

For a Las Vegas Strip hotel with a quieter, casino-free experience and affordable rates, choose the Vdara Hotel & Spa. As one of the few nonsmoking, non-gaming properties in Vegas, Vdara is a serene oasis in the heart of CityCenter. With a luxurious, two-story spa, the focus at Vdara is to be pampered and relaxed and each room is a condo-style suite with a kitchenette, washer, and dryer. The property is also dog-friendly.

Of course, if you want to enjoy the Strip's offerings, there's a free tram that runs from neighboring Aria through Park MGM to the Bellagio.

Finally, for an iconic Las Vegas stay, head to Circa Resort & Casino. Located on Fremont Street, the resort is an old-school nod to Vegas with a modern twist. Even the name, Circa, pays an homage to the legendary architects and founders of casinos along both Fremont Street and the iconic Las Vegas Strip. Opened in late 2020, the Circa Resort & Casino is one of the newest properties in Vegas.

The interior is a tasteful throwback to a time when the Rat Pack personified the city. In fact, that modern and mature crowd is Circa's target guest. One of the only properties in Las Vegas that doesn't allow anyone under the age of 21 inside, the hotel is designed exclusively for adults.

The space has five bars — including the longest bar in the entire state of Nevada — a state-of-the-art sports book, and a unique rooftop with six pools that features the largest outdoor screen for sports betting in the entire city.

Las Vegas is home to world-class dining, endless buffets, celebrity chef-driven restaurants, and unique dining experiences you won't find anywhere else.

For a place that will make your Instagram followers drool, stop by Gäbi Café. A vintage coffeehouse with old-world elegance combined with new-world sophistication, the café features unique elements designed for a one-of-a-kind experience. The kitchen is housed inside a glass greenhouse — surrounded by trees — with its sleek, modern coffee roaster on full display.

Edison bulbs hang from driftwood beams, mismatched furniture offers a variety of seating, and every design element is marked by an incredible eye for detail.

In addition to a wide array of specialty coffee and tea varieties, the café spotlights a lighter-fare menu with the main focus on its incredible desserts.

To taste the latest in food trends, visit the Vegas Test Kitchen located in the downtown area. Launched in late 2020 by Jolene Mannina, the president and founder of Secret Burger, this brick-and-mortar location offers a rare culinary experience.

At the kitchen, renowned chefs test new recipes and concepts while getting real-time feedback. In addition to rotating resident chefs, the space frequently offers pop-up menus, guest chefs, and special events. Be sure to check out its social media and website to catch your favorite chef or menu options. The kitchen offers dine-in, pickup, and delivery.

For an unforgettable dining experience, make a reservation at BLACKOUT Dining in the Dark. Just like the name says, the restaurant removes your sense of sight and serves a seven-course, prix-fixe, plant-based meal completely in the dark.

You'll be asked to place all light-emitting objects in free, secure lockers before you begin, ensuring that the entire experience is enjoyed in pitch black. The menu is exclusive to the restaurant, and each meal is meant to enhance your taste buds while awakening the rest of your senses. This is more than a meal. It's an adventure.

Many people come to Las Vegas to gamble on the casino floor, indulge in a spa treatment, dip in the pool, or hit up nightclubs, but for something a bit more unique, consider other one-of-a-kind adventures you'll only find in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is known for is its iconic neon lights. As casinos come and go, these signs have largely resided unlit and unseen in the Boneyard. But in 2012, the Boneyard was converted into the Neon Museum, with many of the signs restored to their former glory days. Visitors can take a tour and see the signs that once dazzled tourists as far back as 1940.

The main entrance is the restored and relocated lobby of La Concha Hotel, adding even more historic detail. The space also offers a 30-minute musical tribute to Las Vegas history called Brilliant!. The installation brings dozens of defunct signs back to life using projectors, giving visitors a dazzling glimpse at the growth and evolution of Las Vegas.

While it's impossible to get near the Army base that houses the infamous Area 51, you can spend the day exploring on an Area 51 day tour, seeing many areas associated with the elusive facility. Start by touring the mysterious red Janet Airlines, which doesn't exist. From there, you'll travel up the Extraterrestrial Highway and stop by a dry lake bed with alien petroglyphs, the small town of A'Le'Inn, and the Black Mailbox.

You'll end at the perimeter of the base the government denies exists. The heavily armed men guarding the perimeter are real though, as are the cameras and listening devices scattered throughout the cacti.

Finally, Las Vegas is a city of extremes and there's nothing more extreme than whipping a luxury sports car around the Supercar Racetrack where actual NASCAR champions have raced. At the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, you can purchase a two-hour package that includes classroom training and practice laps either as a passenger or on a laser-scanned, identical replica of the track. From there, you pick the car of your dreams, don full race gear — including the helmet — and fulfill your need for speed. An intercom keeps you connected with an instructor the entire time.

Once complete, you'll get a certificate congratulating your new milestone. You can even add a video to your package, allowing you to relive this incredible experience whenever you want.

Before you travel, it's important to check with all COVID restrictions for each establishment you plan on visiting.

As of publishing, masks are recommended in all indoor venues regardless of vaccination status. Though businesses are open to full capacity, many have decided to continue with stricter rules to ensure the safety of their guests. Restaurants may require reservations, pools may limit capacity, and temperature checks may be done upon entry.

If you're driving or plan on renting a car, expect to pay for parking. Now that the Strip is open close to full capacity, properties are again charging parking fees, including valet. Each property is different: Some offer free parking to guests; others allow a free hour for shopping or attending events. The fees can also vary depending on the time of day or week. With a little research, parking fees can be minimized if you're willing to use the tram or rely on ride-hailing services and cabs.

Speaking of fees, if you're booking through a travel site, be sure to call the property directly to inquire about its resort fees. These mandatory fees vary by property and are not included in the base room rate on most travel sites. Since these hidden costs can be upwards of $45 a night, it can be quite a shock when checking out at the end of a killer weekend.