10 Best Stops on the Las Vegas Strip for First Timers (with map)

The Las Vegas strip is one of the most famous and more expensive streets in the world. If you come to Las Vegas for the first time, before doing all the food and gambling and partying, you must take a walking tour of the most iconic places on the Strip. There are many ways to walk the strip for the first time, but after visiting Vegas many times I have created my own beautiful walking tour of the strip. So, come along with me for a walking tour of the Las Vegas strip for first timers.

Stretching for just under 5 miles, the Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada is one of the most famous streets in the world. It is a strip of the Las Vegas Boulevard, from Tropicana Avenue (and bit south of it) going north to Sahara Avenue (and a bit north of it). In addition to being famous, the Strip in Las Vegas, is probably one of the most expensive streets in the world. So, let's put aside gambling and drinking for a while and put on some comfortable walking shoes and come along with me on my favorite walk on the Las Vegas Strip for first timers.

Walking tour map of the Las Vegas Strip
Red-see, Green-walk

With our printable walking map of Las Vegas Strip in our hands, let's start walking and taking in all the lights and sounds. In a way this walking tour can also serve as a 1 day in Las Vegas itinerary, especially if you are tight on time. Or, to put it another way, this is your first time in Vegas checklist for 2022.

1. MGM Bridge

The Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada – The Strip at night from the bridge to New York, New York.
See my photos from Las Vegas Strip

I like starting my walk by crossing the bridge from MGM Grand to New York, New York and take in the sights to the north (and south). Especially at night, the lights are very impressive. If you're staying off the Strip, and you have to drive ve in,  you can park in the MGM parking lot and go out to the Strip. Then, as we get to the other side of Las Vegas Boulevard, we start walking North.

The strip in Las Vegas, Nevada is indeed spectacular at night.
See my photos from Las Vegas Strip

The Las Vegas Strip is most impressive at night. This is because all the amazing lights are on and you see how each Las Vegas resort struggles for your attention. Newer construction in Las Vegas is always bigger and better and has more lights in order to compete for you, the customer. As you cross to the other side, you can also go south a bit and explore New York, New York, especially the Brooklyn Bridge replica outside, which has restaurants and live music.

If you're asking what to do on your first night in Vegas, I always suggest to visit the most famous resorts on the Strip starting with New York, New York and working your way up to Caesar's Palace.

2. Shopping at the Crystals

High fashion shops inside The Crystals leading to the Aria resort
See my photos from Aria, Las Vegas

As we keep walking North on Las Vegas Strip, we see the famous Las Vegas Hard Rock Café on the right across the street, but we keep walking north until we get to the Shops at Crystals. We go inside to admire the newer and high end shops inside, leading inside the Aria resort.

We don't go inside the Aria resort (you can also go inside Aria if you are first time in Vegas), but instead we come out still further north and exit Crystals to the bridge over Harmon Avenue. We cross over the bridge and continue to stay on the same side of the strip.

3. Cosmopolitan

The Chandler is the iconic symbol of the Cosmopolitan
See my photos from Las Vegas Strip

The Cosmopolitan, like Aria, is one of the newer resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Coming out from the Aria shopping area on the connecting bridge we come into the large Chandelier inside Cosmopolitan. If you come around breakfast time, until 11 am, you can a joy the gorgeous breakfast buffet at the Wicked Spoon inside the Cosmopolitan.

We go down the escalator, through the gambling area and exit to the North and continue walking on the Strip.

4. The Bellagio Conservatory

Beautiful gardens at The Conservatory inside The Bellagio Resort.
See my photos from The Bellagio, Las Vegas

As we continue walking north past The Cosmopolitan we come upon the impressive Bellagio. I like taking the escalators towards the Bellagio right before the amazing fountains. The escalators take us to the left and up the hill. As we walk up towards the Bellagio entrance, you have the best views of the Paris resort across the street. These are some of the best spots for great pictures and it is a must do on the Las Vegas Strip for first timers.

Paris, Nevada – Beautiful night view of The Eiffel Tower and the Fountains at the Bellagio
See my photos from Paris, Las Vegas

Go inside the Bellagio and visit the Bellagio Conservatory, which includes gorgeous gardens that change every season during the year. Take your time and walk slowly through the beautiful flower arrangements.
Las Vegas for families

5. Fountains at the Bellagio

The beautiful Fountains at the Bellagio water show happens many times a day.
See my photos from The Bellagio, Las Vegas

We're coming out from inside the Bellagio and going immediately left as we exit. We will walk down and around the beautiful lake with great view of the Paris resort right in front of us. Take your time walking down and find a good spot to see the water fountain show. Simply put, the Fountains of Bellagio water show is a must see event on the Las Vegas Strip for first timers. Here is the schedule of the daily show.

The Fountains of Bellagio is a daily show in Las Vegas. The show is every 30 minutes from 3pm to 8pm Monday through Friday and every 15 minutes from 8pm to midnight. On Sundays the show starts at 11am every 30 minutes until 7pm when the show goes on every 15 minutes until midnight.

Once the water show ends, continue walking North and around the Bellagio resort. Go inside and take the escalators up and then take a right on the bridge that will take you across Flamingo Road to Caesar's Palace resort.
Best Things at the Bellagio

6. Shop at the Forum

Tourneau high end watch store at Shops at the Forum
See my photos from Caesar's Palace

As you cross over Flamingo Road you will come to Caesar's Palace and Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen restaurant which is a great place for lunch or dinner.  However, keep walking a little bit North until you come to the entrance to the Shops at the Forum.  This is a beautiful place for shopping and eating and especially if you're into shopping, this area is a must do on the Las Vegas Strip for first timers.

Walk to the end of the shops and you can checkout the large aquarium and Fall of Atlantis water and fire show. If you have small children they will like this little space inside Shops at the Forum.
Best Things to do at Caesars Palace

7. The Venetian

Street acrobat performing in Piazza San Marco inside The Venetian, Las Vegas
See my photos from Venetian, Las Vegas

As you come out of Shops at the Forum area, keep walking North a little bit until you can cross The Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard). As you cross the street, you will be right in front of the Venetian resort. There is also lots of shopping inside the Venetian, but I like to go inside and look at the gondolas and admire the pretty copy of Piazza San Marco from Venice Italy. Yes it's fake, but pretty cool and a must visit on Las Vegas Strip for first timers.

Now, it's time to walk back South on The Strip towards where we started off: the MGM bridge.
Best Things at the Venetian

8. The LINQ Promenade

The Las Vegas High Roller seen from the LINQ Promenade

Walking South right past the oldest Las Vegas Strip resort Harrah, you will find the newer and smaller LINQ resort. Right past it turn left onto The LINQ Promenade leading to the very tall and impressive High Roller Ferris Wheel. This newer area is hip and a cool place on the Las Vegas Strip for first timers especially.

LINQ Promenade is the newest revived areas on the Las Vegas Strip. It boasts lots of restaurants run by the world's most famous cooks like Gordon Ramsey's Fish and Chips.

9. Paris

Beautiful water fountain in front of the Music Academy building at Paris, Las Vegas
See my photos from Paris, Las Vegas

After your fake, but entertaining taste of Italy at the Venetian, it's time for some French taste at Paris resort. So, let's walk back South and cross the bridge towards the iconic Paris, Las Vegas resort. Paris is also a must see resort on the Las Vegas Strip for first timers especially.

Walking South, past Harrah's and Flamingo you will come upon Paris. Go inside, and pass through the casino floor and stop at the French restaurants right past the hotel lobby.

For a long time, you used to see the amazing breakfast buffet place “Le Village” and the small “Le Creperie” where you can get French crepes for both breakfast and lunch. In addition, I love getting a piece of Napoleon cake at Café Belle Madeleine paired with a good cup of coffee. Simply yummy!

Important note: Even through summer 2022, the Paris breakfast buffet is closed. It doesn't look like Paris will ever open it again even after the pandemic, since the space is not a standalone French restaurant.

Paris, Las Vegas – Napoleon cake from Café Belle Madeleine
See my photos from Paris, Las Vegas

As you come out of Paris resort, you can look around and admire the fake iconic tourist attractions from Paris, France: the Eiffel Tower, the Arch of Triumph and the Music Academy buildings.

The Eiffel Tower at Paris Resort has a really cool viewing deck with beautiful views all around the Vegas strip. Fake again, but cool nonetheless.
As you come out of Paris resort, keep walking South back towards MGM Grand.

10. Miracle Mile Shops

The lights on the Las Vegas Strip are the main attraction at night
See my photos from Las Vegas Strip

On your way back toward MGM Grand. You will pass by the older Planet Hollywood resort and you can go inside the Miracle Mile area for some great shopping and restaurants which are a bit more affordable. While there is nothing super exciting about Miracle Mile, this shopping mall is a clean and modern. It is a loop, about a mile long (that's why it's called Miracle Mile), which has several exits back to the Strip. Then, as you come out, keep walking South and just take in all the lights and all the people walking.

Plan Your Trip to the Las Vegas Strip

Watch my video about planning a trip to Las Vegas. This is a simple video that walks you through my custom maps and routes for planning a great trip to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Stay in Vegas. In order to enjoy the Las Vegas Strip for first timers especially, you have to stay close to the strip. When we visit Las Vegas we usually stay at the Polo Towers right next to the strip. Their apartment rooms are a great value, especially for families. For even more affordable places you can search budget hotels in Vegas. With over 6000 properties you can find something for you. Just beware of the fine print because the price quoted might not include the nightly resort fee.

Rent a car in Vegas. Get a budget rental car, especially if you have extra time for enjoying a few beautiful day trips from Vegas. Driving to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and even Zion National Park can be an amazing experience.

Is it Worth Walking the Las Vegas Strip for First Timers?

I think walking the Strip is the best introduction to Las Vegas for first timers. My walking tour of the Las Vegas Strip for first timers provides also the best way to get an overview of this famous area. It contains highlights of all the major resorts on the strip, as well as a few details that will make this walking tour very enjoyable, especially if you have never been to Vegas before.
Yes, it will take you around 5 hours to complete, but you will get a good understanding about what all these resorts offer for attracting all these tourists that flock to the entertainment capital of the world, as Las Vegas likes to call itself.