Key Points:
- Over 5 million people visited Vegas solo in 2024, or 12% of total visitation. It’s common!
- Visiting Vegas alone has its “cons”, but the “pros” outnumber them handily.
- Solo activity ideas include shows, speakeasies, and quirky attractions that have always been on your radar.
Thinking about taking a solo trip to Vegas, but are wondering what the experience will be like?
First off, you’re not alone. According to a Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority survey, 12% of visitors reported traveling alone in 2024. That means over 5 million people came to Vegas on their own.
In fact, doing Vegas solo has become so popular that there’s an entire ecosystem of resources growing around the trend. Among the most useful is the “Solo Las Vegas” Facebook group, which has amassed 37,000+ members and is chock-full of tips & ideas.
As someone who visits Vegas solo several times per year, I thought it’d be fun to share the pros, cons, and what to do.
The Reality of Visiting Solo – What is it Like?
Although crowded, Vegas is a strangely anonymous destination.
You can float from place to place, and activity to activity, with as much or as little interaction as you want.
I enjoy the anonymity and time to “be in my own head”. Almost like a long drive by yourself. Plenty of time to contemplate life.
If you’re an extrovert cringing at the thought of limited interaction, isolation isn’t mandatory.
New friendships are easy to make at a craps table, in bars, and in clubs, etc. If you’re outgoing and want to be around people, it’s within the realm of possibilities.
The ability to do WHAT you want, WHEN you want, at YOUR own speed, is what makes being on your own special.
That said, doing Vegas by yourself isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. For those who value interaction, not being able to share highs and lows with others in a city with plenty of swings can be a challenge.
An extrovert myself, it’s weird being on vacation, having great times, hitting a big slot win, and not having anyone to share that experience with.
Safety a Concern?
Not really, but it’s something to think about.
Just take the same precautions you would at home or any other travel destination, but there’s a heavy security presence on both the Strip and Fremont Street.
Stick to tourist centers, especially after dark. Exploring the side streets behind Fremont Street after dark isn’t recommended as you” encounter a transient, unpredictable crowd.
Just stick with the crowds, and take typical precautions.
I’ve put together a rundown of common scams in Las Vegas.
Dining Solo – It Can Be Weird
Dining out in Vegas by yourself can feel strange, and you’ll feel it the first time you say “Yep, just me” at the hostess desk, but the sensation passes quickly.
My main concern tends to be how I’m perceived by the staff, as solo diners mean a smaller check and smaller tips. Cognisant of that, I eat quickly and tip well.
I know, I know, it’s not my problem… but I can’t shake the thought.
The worst part about dining at sit-down restaurants solo is that they commonly want to seat you at the bar. That’s fine, and I “go with the flow”, but I detest being crammed between two strangers while gobblin’ up some chicken parm.
Trying to avoid bar seating or judgmental servers, I frequently opt for quick, cheap quick-serve restaurants in food courts (called food halls now. Fancy.), which helps avoid the awkward “dining alone” scenario.
My favorite solo dining option, however, is at higher-end Strip buffets. Grabbing brunch at Wicked Spoon, or dinner at Caesars’ Bacchanal Buffet allows for anonymity, thanks to the self-service format.
Upscale buffets allow me to eat high-quality food at my own pace.
Things To Do By Yourself
Gamble
Seriously. Gambling solo in Vegas is the best. No waiting on others. Nobody is waiting on you. Nobody is looking over your shoulder. Nobody is judging the amount you’re spending.
Jump from machine to machine, play some blackjack, or make friends at the craps table. This is how I spend my solo time in Vegas.
If you’re a slot player, check out my guide to finding the loosest slots in Vegas! You don’t need any permission to Uber over to provably more player friendly casinos like Sam’s Town or Palace Station.
Go For a Hike
I’d be hard-pressed to pull my wife or friends away from the Strip to go for a hike, but exploring nature has quickly become one of my favorite activities in Vegas.
Among my recent outdoor adventures near Las Vegas have been visits to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the St. Thomas Ghost Town site, and the Valley of Fire State Park.
You haven’t lived until you turn a corner in the middle of the desert by yourself and find that you’re face to face with 3 bighorn sheep.
While the Hoover Dam is a man-made wonder, it’s also something I recently explored on my own, and found to be amazing.
High-End Shopping
If your normal Vegas crew doesn’t share your desire to shop, add it to your itinerary! I suggest checking out the North & South Premium Outlet Malls, Plaza Shops at Wynn, Crystals, and the Bellagio Shops.
All offer luxury brands in a visually appealing setting.
Explore the Arts District
Tucked between STRAT and Fremont Street, the Arts District offers 18 blocks of shopping, art, breweries, bars, and restaurants.
The brewery & bar scene is my #1 use case for the Arts District. This is the Las Vegas Brewing Company taproom, but there are more breweries and (legit cool) bars within walking distance than you could possibly hit in a day.
I’m not a shopper, but shops in the Arts District were genuinely fun to explore, ranging from art galleries to antique shops.
As a Vegas history nerd, I was thrilled to find an abundance of vintage casino memorabilia, matchbooks, ashtrays, chips, etc.
The Arts District can be reached inexpensively from the Strip via the Deuce Bus, and for free from Fremont Street via the Downtown Loop Shuttle.
See The Show YOU’VE Wanted to See
With others, you need to compromise on a show that everyone will enjoy. When solo, you’re in control.
See the male revue, burlesque show, comedy, or Cirque du Soleil show you have always craved.
Word of warning though… Do a little research before booking.
I LOVE anything Spiegelworld produces, and decided to check out “Atomic Saloon” in the Grand Canal Shoppes. I booked a seat up behind the stage, pictured below.
Only… my seat was ON THE STAGE. I felt so awkward, basically being on display for the whole theater on the stage, at a show by myself. But it was pretty freaking cool 🙂
One of the biggest cons of visiting Vegas solo are the people around you at shows, attractions, bars, etc. that ask “Are you here by yourself?”. It happens to me all the time.
Oddly, I always lie and say “Ah, no, but my wife is out with friends…” or something like that. Not sure why I feel self-conscious about it. But I do.
Explore a Museum that Interests YOU
Often overlooked, Las Vegas is home to numerous museums that are a blast to explore if your interests align with the content.
I’ve enjoyed exploring the following niche museums in Las Vegas:
- The Mob Museum on Fremont Street.
- The Neon Museum
- The Atomic Testing Museum
- Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum.
- Clark County Museum (Just $2!)
- Old Mormon Fort (Near Fremont Street – Just $3!)
- Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Luxor
- Bodies… The Exhibition at Luxor and Real Bodies at Horseshoe (Real human cadaver specimens)
Out of the Ordinary Activities
This is your chance to experience something unique, without having to convince anyone.
A few ideas include:
- Visit the trippy Area15 entertainment complex.
- Go to the top of STRAT’s SkyPod and see the city from the observation deck.
- Zip down Fremont Street on the SlotZilla Zipline.
- Fly above the Strip on the FlyLINQ Zipline.
- Take a helicopter tour of the Strip.
- Grab a cocktail with a view at Resorts World’s Alle Lounge on 66.
- Visit one of these speakeasies in Las Vegas.
Be Social
Find a bar, club, pool party, or lively table game to meet and converse with others. You’ll be surprised at how often you’ll “attach” to a group for the night.
Relax by the Pool
If you’re a pool person, spend your day wasting away beneath the Nevada sun. Nobody bugging you to leave.
Spa Day
Spending time at a Las Vegas spa could pull you away from your group if you’re traveling with others. Splurge on a spa day – You deserve it.
No matter why you’re coming to Vegas alone, rest assured that 12% of the people you encounter are doing the same thing. There are certainly drawbacks, but it’s also amazing.
See Also: Check out my ideal 3-day Las Vegas itinerary – Packed full of non-gambling suggestions.
Featured Image: ©f11photo/123RF.COM
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.