Is Las Vegas Still Fun During the Week? Let’s Find Out
Las Vegas is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States and for a good reason! With endless nightclubs, world-class shows, and the hottest shopping and dining destinations in the world, there is always something to do. The real question is, is Las Vegas as fun on the weekdays as it is on the weekends?
Can you still have fun in Las Vegas during the week? Of course, you can!
Las Vegas is home to some of the best entertainment in the country with popular shows playing every night of the week. There are also endless activities in and around Las Vegas that you can do during a mid-week stay. Visiting during the middle of the week will give you a break from the crowds that arrive for the weekend, and will also save you some money!
Las Vegas is fun, no matter when you go. If you are looking to have a slower-pace vacation and save a little money on tickets and hotel rooms, visiting Las Vegas during the week is an excellent option for you!
(If you’re wondering how long you should stay in Las Vegas you can find that out in our article here)
Plenty of Las Vegas Mid-Week Fun
The best thing about Las Vegas is there is seriously always something going on. If you are looking to hit the casinos, they are open 24/7. Most restaurants and bars are also open as long as you need them.
Some places will close a little earlier during the week, but finding something to do on a Tuesday at 2 am shouldn’t be a problem.
If you are looking for activities to do during the day, there are some extremely popular places and landmarks to visit that are just a short tour bus or car ride away. Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, and Red Rock Canyon are always open and some of the most beautiful places to see in the United States.
If you are looking to stay in the Las Vegas area, you can check out local museums, entertainment areas, and even catch an open-top Big Bus Tour of the Strip.
For those who are looking to hit some of our world-famous nightclubs, Las Vegas is home to clubs that are not only open every day of the week, but they are also just as fun and busy as they would be on the weekend. Some of these nightclubs even offer cheaper admission and drink costs than you would find on a busy weekend night.
One of the biggest draws to visiting Las Vegas during the week is that the overall price of your trip is going to be significantly less. Most hotel rooms, casinos, and bars will have weekly specials to keep the cost of your trip down, and this lets you get out and see more of Las Vegas without breaking the bank.
Depending on the type of trip you are looking for, the groups who visit during the week and the weekend are very different. Most people find the weekdays to be much calmer than the weekends.
Don’t get me wrong, Vegas is a party every day of the week if that’s what you’re looking for but there is a sense of semi-calmness during the week that builds to a crescendo once the weekend hits.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Las Vegas During the Week?
Las Vegas has quite a few benefits for those who are visiting during the week. If you are looking for a calmer Vegas vacation, or possibly traveling with children, then let’s talk about a few of the advantages and disadvantages of what a weekday vacation to Vegas can offer.
One of the main differences is the crowd who are out and about during the week vs. the weekend. In general, the crowd is a bit older during the week, as the younger crowd often flocks to town as the weekend approaches.
Advantages
I’ve heard Las Vegas described as “pleasantly busy during the week” and that’s about right. The Strip is always busy (even on weekdays) but Vegas can get downright hectic on the weekends.
By visiting during the week, you are likely to have much less of a crowd to deal with. If you are planning on trying to get tickets to shows or hitting up casinos, then you are more likely to be able to enjoy yourself without feeling stressed out.
(You can find out our #1 recommendation for discount show tickets here and find out about some of the best shows playing in Vegas right now)
In other words, during the week there’s a little more elbow room. Whether you’re in a casino, walking down the Strip or checking out the Bellagio Fountains there’s generally less of a crowd and some more room to breathe.
Las Vegas is also known for its luxurious buffets, and you can bet that the lines are going to be much shorter during the week.
(Find out about the 15 best Las Vegas brunch buffets in our article here)
One of the main advantages of Las Vegas during the week is that it is much more affordable. During the weekend, the same rooms can be almost double in price because of the increased demand.
*Tip: While the weekdays are usually less crowded, there are sometimes huge conventions that come to town during the week that can make it just as crowded as the weekends. Here’s the official Las Vegas convention and trade show schedule.
**Tip continued: There are always conventions happening in Las Vegas but most of these you won’t even notice. Just watch out for the mega conventions with 100,000 attendees or more. Those will make for big crowds and erase any potential savings you might get from a mid-week trip to Vegas.
Some restaurants and bars also feature happy hours or weekday specials, which can cut down on costs as well. Casinos are also likely to have lower minimums for games, and better chances of hitting the jackpot.
Although not all of the leading nightclubs are open during the week, there are plenty of nightclubs to keep you busy. Some nightclubs even offer free or reduced entry costs as a way to get people into the building.
You can also sign up for guestlists before you go to make sure that the club you plan on attending is open.
Clubs in Las Vegas have dress codes. Find out what to wear to a nightclub in Vegas in our article here.
If you’re hoping to spend some quality relaxing time by the pool, then weekdays are perfect!
Disadvantages
Since the crowds are not as high during the week, some nightclubs, restaurants, and bars are more likely to close a bit earlier than on the weekend. Having said that, there are plenty of nightclubs open during the week to choose from.
If the night club scene is important to you you should always check the hours of these establishments before you book your stay.
(Are nightclubs in Vegas free? You can find out in our article here. You’ll also learn which clubs in town are the best)
Pool parties aka dayclubs are one of the most popular activities for those who are visiting Las Vegas due to the high-temperatures and beautiful pools at many of the resorts. Some of these parties are a little more mellow during the week but you still won’t be disappointed.
The same goes for some shows. They know they may not sell as many tickets, which means they may not have as many shows during your stay. Please understand though that Las Vegas has hundreds of shows big and small that have performances throughout the week.
Vegas is not a town that rolls up its sidewalks during the weekdays 🙂
If you are looking to see one of the residency shows from your favorite artist during your trip, check their schedule ahead of time to make sure they will be performing during your trip. We’ll talk more about artists in residence below.
If you are heading to Las Vegas to experience the ultimate adult vacation, then the weekdays may be too tame for your trip.
Some hotels cut back on their services since the rooms are less full, and they have to sell them at cheaper rates. If you are excited about buffets, the offerings may be fewer and lower quality than what you would get during a busy weekend.
What is There to Do in Vegas During the Week?
Tours
Las Vegas is a gateway to the southwest. Located just a few hours away from destinations such as the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, and Red Rock Canyon, it is a perfect escape from the city. Since some entertainment may be limited during the week, renting a car or scheduling a tour is a popular option for those who are looking for something to do during the days they are here.
(See a list of some of the most popular tours in and around Las Vegas. Many of these sights can only be seen in Vegas!)
Attractions
Vegas is home to a ton of different entertainment options. You can head to the High Roller Observation Wheel to get great views of the area day and night. The Stratosphere Observation Deck not only has great views, but they have a variety of different thrill rides for those who are looking for a little more excitement.
The Adventuredome located at Circus Circus has some exciting thrill rides too. Try if you can to imagine an indoor amusement park!
If you are trying to keep your feet on the ground, Las Vegas has some great places to visit. You can visit museums in the area like the Mob Museum to find out more about the history of Las Vegas.
My recommendations: Try the Neon Museum and check out its collection of historic Vegas signs or the Pinball Hall of Fame with its 10,000 sq ft of playable pinball machines.
Some of Vegas’ most famous entertainers have unique attractions as well. Like Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. This is where the white tigers are at!
Shows
Like I mentioned earlier there are great shows playing every day of the week. From small intimate club shows to world-class production shows, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of entertainment possibilities every day of the week.
Here are just a few of the most highly recommended shows in town:
- Blue Man Group
- Cirque du Soleil
- Criss Angel MINDFREAK
- Zombie Burlesque
- Absinthe
- Beatleshow
- Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theater
- Tournament of Kings Dinner & Show
- so many more…
This is just off the top of my head. There are so many shows happening each day you would need a list (here’s a list) to find out about everything.
Also, don’t discount the small shows. Bryan and I have had the best time at some of the smallest shows. It doesn’t have to be a big production to be a blast. Although the production shows are really good too!
Here are some of our recommendations for can’t miss shows in Las Vegas.
Residency Shows in Las Vegas
There are always shows from the biggest names in Hollywood to attend. Many of these stars have residencies in Las Vegas, which means you can catch them anytime.
• Garth Brooks
• Maroon 5
• Miranda Lambert
• Santana
• Carrie Underwood
• Usher
• Keith Urban
(Find out all about what a Vegas residency is and the best shows to see in our article here)
Final Thoughts
You can have a blast in Las Vegas on any day of the week! Choosing to come during the week versus a weekend is really a matter of personal preference and what time is available to you for your trip.
In general, if you’ve come to party your brains out, the weekend might be a slightly better choice. If you’ve come for a more relaxing time mid-week is the way to go. That being said, you can find a wild party or have a chill time any day of the week. You can set your own pace in Las Vegas.
If, for some reason, due to your schedule, you can only visit in the middle of the week, don’t hesitate to book the trip! There’s always tons of fun going on in the tourist areas of town, and I guarantee you’ll have a good time.
