“The Strip,” as we know it, stretches 4.2 miles along Las Vegas Boulevard roughly between Russell Road in the south and Sahara Avenue in the north. (Really, it’s from the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign south of Mandalay Bay to the archway outside The Strat in the north.) But Las Vegas is much more than just this single stretch of road. While most tourists come and never venture too far off The Strip, some of the best restaurants and attractions in town are a bit more off the beaten path. Be sure to get out and explore.

Nowadays, big casino resorts nickel and dime guests for just about everything. Most resorts started charging for parking over the last five years. Many properties now also charge blanket “resort fees” that include use of WiFi, on-site pools and fitness centers, and more. It’s possible to wiggle out of some of these fees if you join the parent company’s loyalty program. Make time to inquire at check-in to see how negotiable your fees are.

Unless you like walking long distances—which we don’t recommend doing in summer—the easiest way to get around Las Vegas is to take rideshares from services such as Lyft and Uber. Yes, there are taxis. Yes, there are limos. And, yes, there is public transportation. While rideshares aren’t the cheapest option in this quartet, they are the most plentiful, which means they usually are the fastest. Note that many resorts have dedicated and designated pick-up and drop-off spots for rideshares; often these are not where you think they should be.

Las Vegas waited decades to become a professional sports town. Now, with franchises in the NHL (Golden Knights), NFL (Raiders), and WNBA (Aces), the city is leaning into its new identity. This means the experience of seeing a game in Las Vegas is second to none. Even if you aren’t a fan of either team. Arrive extra early to soak up the atmosphere and vibe. Before Golden Knights games, for instance, a marching band parades through The Park between Park MGM and New York-New York, creating a college tailgate feel. Even if you can’t get a ticket for one of the main events, sports books are usually hopping during local games, and are a great spot to witness the action.

Many of the most expensive restaurants in Las Vegas are inside the big resorts that line The Strip. This means many of the most affordable restaurants in town are farther afield. If budget is an issue, take the time to explore restaurants in neighborhoods such as the Arts District (part of Downtown), Chinatown (to the immediate west), Summerlin (to the distant west), and Henderson (to the east). Another up-and-coming neighborhood is in and around the new Durango Casino Resort to the southwest. All of these areas are reachable by rideshare, though in some cases a rental car may be more economical (depending on the rest of your plans).