The surreal nature of Las Vegas is evident at first sight across the horizon of the Mojave Desert. As you approach, whether by land or air, the sky-piercing towers, giant wheels, and pavilions of the iconic Strip skyline stand against the jagged mountains and scorching skies of the vast surrounding landscape. Although lively all day, the Strip is the pinnacle of the city’s nightlife, known for magic shows, drag performances, and niche entertainment of all kinds.

Head a little north of the Strip, and you can wander around the more spread-out, palm-tree-lined Arts District, where fine art galleries are open to the public and a festival is held the first Friday of each month. The jazz clubs, game lounges, and street performances in Downtown Las Vegas offer a slightly less intense experience than the Strip. This neighborhood is also home to exciting attractions, like a zipline that sends shrieking people soaring over pedestrians’ heads and a museum about the city’s early history of organized crime. A quick journey west of the Strip will bring you to Vegas’s historic Chinatown, now known for its Japanese street food, conveyor-belt restaurants, and Chinese pastries.

Most incoming international flights to Las Vegas will arrive at the McCarran International Airport (LAS), which is only 10 minutes from the heart of downtown and roughly 15 minutes from most vacation rentals in Las Vegas. The city was developed in a walkable grid system, which makes for easy navigation, though the blocks are big and short distances on the map can grow long. You may need a car to get around outside of downtown, but you can travel down the Strip via the Las Vegas Monorail, which services seven stops every four to eight minutes. Other public transport: the free Downtown Loop, with 12 destinations, and the RTC Strip & Downtown Express, which stops in downtown Vegas, the Strip, and the Las Vegas Convention Center.

For those attending conferences, conventions, or trade shows, another high-speed loop connects to the expansive Convention Center. If you’re planning on adventuring outside the city proper, Las Vegas’ bus service, the Deuce, runs multiple routes along the greater Las Vegas area to Paradise, Boulder City, and North Las Vegas.

Though Las Vegas is a city constantly in motion, it is in the middle of the Mojave Desert, which means mild winter days and scorching hot summers. If you’re looking to see the city at its peak, reserve house rentals in Las Vegas during major holidays, sporting events, or conventions. Lively poolside events happen throughout the city from late spring into early summer. The heat slows Vegas down a little from June to September — even moving from one air-conditioned building to the next may make you sweat — but you’ll still find plenty of visitors walking down the Strip in bathing suits and flip flops. Some of the largest professional conventions are held in October and November, but aside from industry professionals, the city is relatively quiet during what is considered the city’s off-season.

The Neon Museum

As Vegas has evolved, so have the signs that line the Strip. One of the many museums unique to Las Vegas, the Neon Museum has taken in and maintained nearly every neon sign since the 1930s that played a role in creating the city’s renown. Though tours are available both day and night, the signs (and photo opportunities with them) are at their best in the dark.

Red Rock Canyon

Roughly 24 kilometres west of the city is Red Rock Canyon, one of the American Southwest’s natural wonders. Over 26 hikes and trails snake through this rust-colored landscape. It’s a particularly hot day, you can stay inside your car and explore the scenery down a one-way, 20-kilometre drive.

Fremont Street Experience

The Fremont Street Experience is located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. Three stages host free concerts each night, and overhead is Viva Vision, a massive LED screen that acts as a canopy for the street while also displaying light shows and recorded performances with concert-quality sound.