Las Vegas Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus Tour

Las Vegas Boulevard and its spectacular architecture

Las Vegas Boulevard is the city's main artery, a stretch of several kilometres lined with some of the most extravagant architecture in the world. From the open top deck, you pass glittering towers, themed facades, landscaped plazas and vast pedestrian bridges, all set against the bare mountains of the Mojave Desert that ring the valley. Your recorded commentary explains how a small railway stop in the desert became one of the most visited cities on Earth.

A Las Vegas bus tour is the easiest way to cover the length of the boulevard, as distances that look short on a map can take a long time on foot in the desert heat. Hop off wherever something catches your eye, from shopping centres and observation wheels to free outdoor attractions, and simply board the next bus when you are ready to continue.

The dancing fountains and the boulevard lights

One of the most loved free sights in the city is the show of dancing fountains on a large lake beside the boulevard, where jets of water rise high into the air in time to music. Shows run every 15 to 30 minutes from the afternoon until late at night, and the view from the bus or from the pavement is equally impressive. Along the route you also see replicas of world-famous monuments, illuminated towers and giant LED screens.

Just east of the boulevard, a huge sphere covered entirely in LED panels has become the newest icon of the skyline, its exterior changing from a giant eye to a planet or a moon as the evening goes on. Your commentary shares the stories behind these sights and suggests the best places to hop off for photos, especially in the late afternoon when the light softens over the desert.

The observation tower at the north end of the boulevard

At the northern end of the boulevard rises a slender observation tower of about 350 metres, the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States. Its indoor and outdoor decks offer sweeping views across the city, the desert valley and the mountains that ring Las Vegas, and on clear days you can see for dozens of kilometres. Thrill rides at the very top add a dose of adrenaline for the brave.

The hop-on hop-off route stops close to the tower, so it is easy to visit and then rejoin the bus. Entrance to the tower and other attractions is not included in your ticket and is paid separately. Is the view worth it? At sunset, when the desert turns pink and the city lights flicker on below you, it is one of the best panoramas in Las Vegas.

The Arts District

Between the boulevard and downtown lies the Arts District, a creative neighbourhood of converted warehouses, colourful murals, independent galleries, vintage shops and cafés. It shows a very different side of Las Vegas, where local artists, designers and musicians have built a community far from the resort towers. Many buildings are covered with large-scale street art that changes regularly.

Hop off here to browse the galleries and antique stores or to enjoy a relaxed lunch in one of the neighbourhood's small restaurants. On the first Friday of each month, the district hosts a popular evening arts festival with food stalls, live music and open studios. Your commentary on the bus introduces the history of the area and its transformation over recent decades.

Downtown Las Vegas and the LED canopy

Downtown Las Vegas is where the city began in 1905, when a railway town was laid out in the desert. Today its historic main street is a covered pedestrian promenade under a vast LED canopy, where light-and-sound shows play every evening on one of the largest video screens in the world. Vintage neon signs, street performers and old facades give the area a nostalgic atmosphere.

Nearby, a museum of restored vintage neon signs preserves the glowing art of old Las Vegas, and a container park offers small shops and play areas for children. The included two-hour night tour at 19:00 brings you here and along the boulevard when the lights are at their brightest, a perfect way to end your sightseeing and one of the best things to do in Las Vegas at night.