Four days of neon, desert, live music & unforgettable dining — January 2026
About This Trip
This Las Vegas trip balances the iconic with the unexpected — a Styx concert at the Venetian Theater, immersive art at Meow Wolf's Omega Mart, the jaw-dropping red rock landscape of Valley of Fire, steakhouse dinners, ice bars, and the best free spectacles on the Strip. Four days, three nights, one rental car, and a lot of ground to cover.
The Venetian is the perfect home base — Grand Canal Shoppes, Grand Lux Café, and Rosina Cocktail Lounge are all steps from your room, and the Strip in both directions is walkable from the front entrance.
Before You Leave Home
Pick up your Alamo rental after landing at Harry Reid (LAS) via the hotel shuttle. You'll need the car for Valley of Fire (Sunday), Seven Magic Mountains (Monday), and Jean Dry Lake Bed. Park free at the Venetian self-park garage — it's connected to the property.
Friday · January 30, 2026
Parking booked for Terminal A. Give yourself plenty of time — EWR traffic can be unpredictable in the late afternoon. Have your confirmation ready.
JetBlue flight from Newark to Harry Reid International. Once you land, head to baggage claim and then the rental car shuttle for Alamo.
Take the hotel/car rental shuttle from the terminal to the Alamo counter. Booking is through Costco Travel. Once you have the car, you're set for all three day trips — Valley of Fire, Seven Magic Mountains, and Jean Dry Lake Bed.
Check into The Venetian. Drop your bags and take a short walk through the Grand Canal Shoppes or along the Strip — even a 20-minute stroll will set the tone for the weekend. Get to bed at a reasonable hour; Saturday is a full day.
Saturday · January 31, 2026
Right in your hotel — no Ubering required. Grand Lux is the Cheesecake Factory's upscale sibling with an extensive all-day menu. A proper sit-down start before a packed day.
10-minute drive to Area 15 (3215 S Rancho Dr). You have the 2nd slot timed tickets — be there a few minutes before 10 AM. Omega Mart is a fully immersive art experience hidden inside a surreal supermarket that breaks into a sprawling narrative world. Give yourself at least 90 minutes to explore properly. Follow the story, open every door, and don't rush.
Your Level 0 passes give you access to the broader Area 15 grounds after Omega Mart. There are additional immersive installations, an axe throwing venue, VR experiences, and more. See how you feel after Omega Mart — it can be its own extended afternoon if you're into it.
Stop for water and snacks — both for the hotel room and for Valley of Fire tomorrow if you didn't stop at Walgreens yet. Return to the hotel, freshen up, and check the forecast for Monday's pool plans.
Walk south along the Strip. The route: through the Palazzo shops → across to the Wynn Conservatory (free, seasonal floral display — especially worth seeing in January) → coffee at Urth Caffé → enter Caesars via the Forum Shops (Trevi Fountain replica inside, animated Roman statues) → end at the Flamingo Casino and Flamingo Wildlife Habitat. The wildlife habitat behind the casino has live flamingos, penguins, and koi — and it's completely free.
Gordon Ramsay Burger is casual but excellent — the Hell's Kitchen burger and truffle fries are the standouts. Perfect pre-concert meal: satisfying but not too heavy.
Walk or Uber back toward the Venetian. Use this window to see the Bellagio Fountains if you haven't yet — they run every 15 minutes after 8 PM. Ryan and Josh can roam independently during the concert window.
Section 9, Row NN, Seats 60–61–62. Tickets are in Apple Wallet. Note: Ryan's seat couldn't be booked nearby — he and Josh can explore the casino or Strip during the 2-hour show. Meet up after at a designated spot in the Venetian lobby.
Meet the group after the concert. A round on the Venetian casino floor or a drink at Rosina Cocktail Lounge (classic cocktails, relaxed upscale vibe — perfect for a birthday toast) before calling it a night. Early departure tomorrow for Valley of Fire.
Sunday · February 1, 2026
Quick Starbucks run before departure. Pack all your water and snacks — Valley of Fire has limited facilities. The drive is about an hour northeast of the Strip on I-15. Desert light in the morning is extraordinary; the earlier you arrive the better the photos.
Head northeast on I-15, then Route 169 into the park. Stop to pick up any remaining snacks if you haven't yet. Entry fee required at the gate — have cash or card ready.
Your first stop in the park. These sandstone formations showcase remarkable geologic cross-bedding — grooves that shift direction as you look at them. Follow the short scenic path through rocky dunes. Excellent photography subject at any time of day.
One of the most significant stops in the park — petroglyphs etched into red sandstone between 2,000 and 4,000 years ago. Climb the metal staircase for a closer look at the carvings. An extraordinary window into the lives of the people who lived here long before anyone imagined a city nearby.
A scenic outdoor lunch spot nestled among towering sandstone formations. This is your designated picnic stop — break out the snacks you packed and take 40 minutes to eat, rest, and absorb the landscape. No rush here.
A panoramic wonder — vibrant, swirling rock formations that look painted. The family-friendly loop trail leads to a Fire Canyon overlook. Don't skip this one: on a sunny winter morning the colors are extraordinary.
Pull into the overlook parking area for panoramic views of the red-and-white sandstone formations. Silica Dome is visible in the distance. Quick stop but visually very strong.
A sandstone formation that unmistakably resembles an elephant — trunk, body, and all. Short hike to the best vantage point. One of the park's most photogenic landmarks and a crowd favorite for a reason.
Save your legs for this one — it's the highlight of the park. The Fire Wave is a sweeping striped sandstone formation resembling an ocean wave in red, white, and pink. Easy-to-moderate hike (about 1.5 miles round trip). Arrive, hike, take your time at the formation — this is the shot you came for.
Head back to the Strip. With an early dinner at 4:30 you have just enough time to shower and change. Stop at the Grand Canal Shoppes after checking in — Smith & Wollensky's is located right there.
Booked via OpenTable. Note: 4:30 PM is the lunch menu — the full dinner menu starts at 5 PM. You may want to time your arrival closer to 5 PM or ask the host about menu availability when you check in. Classic American steakhouse, excellent cuts, and an impressive wine list.
America's Got Talent winner Mat Franco performs an intimate and genuinely impressive magic show. Book tickets in advance — this show sells out regularly. The LINQ is a short walk or quick Uber from the Venetian.
The ice bar at The LINQ keeps everything — walls, glasses, sculptures — at -5°C (23°F). You're provided with a thermal coat and gloves. It's a 45-minute experience and genuinely fun, but if you're not feeling the cold, the Speakeasy experience next door is a warm, fun alternative. Book the 8–10 PM slot if going.
The world's tallest observation wheel at 550 feet. Each cabin holds up to 40 people and the rotation takes 30 minutes — plenty of time to take in the full panorama of the Strip lit up at night. This is the best view of Las Vegas you'll get at eye level. Book tickets at the LINQ ahead of time.
End the night at the Bellagio — fountains run every 15 minutes at night, and the Conservatory inside is open 24/7 and free. January's theme is Lunar New Year — the floral installations for this display are particularly elaborate and colorful. The perfect late-night wind-down.
Monday · February 2, 2026
Quick Starbucks before departing — the earlier you get to Seven Magic Mountains the fewer people are there and the better the light for photos.
A striking public art installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone — seven neon-painted boulder towers rising up to 35 feet from the Mojave Desert floor along I-15, south of Vegas. Best in the soft morning light. Take your time composing shots — wide angle against the sky, portraits in front of the colors, and detail shots of the stacked boulders. Free and open 24 hours.
A short drive from Seven Magic Mountains. The vast white playa of Jean Dry Lake Bed offers an otherworldly flat expanse perfect for creative photography — long shadows in the morning, mirror-flat reflections after rain, and a surreal sense of scale. Take some wide open desert shots before heading back toward the Strip.
If parking is available at the dedicated lot on the south end of the Strip, stop for the classic photo. If the lot is full, the Pinball Hall of Fame is nearby — walk here from the sign if parking allows.
Pinball Hall of Fame (free to enter, pay per game) has an enormous collection of vintage and modern pinball machines — a genuinely fun hour. PlayPlayground at Luxor is a multi-story interactive entertainment venue — buy tickets online in advance. Choose based on energy and group interest.
Esther's is one of the most acclaimed non-casino restaurants in Las Vegas: wood-fired Italian-influenced dishes, excellent pasta, and a genuinely lively atmosphere in the Arts District. It's off-Strip (around 1405 S Main St) so drive or Uber.
Esther's is already in the Arts District — worth a stroll after lunch. Container Park (nearby open-air shopping with food trucks, local boutiques, and a treehouse play structure) and Ferguson's Motel (Etsy-style eclectic shopping at a converted roadside motel) are both within a short walk or drive.
Is the pool heated and open? If so, this is your window to relax poolside. Alternatively: last-minute Sphere tickets for the Wizard of Oz at 5 PM — check availability at the Sphere box office.
Emeril Lagasse's flagship steakhouse inside the Venetian — steps from your room. Excellent aged beef, signature Creole-influenced sides, and a warm, richly designed dining room. If last night's dinner at Smith & Wollensky's was exceptional and you want a cheaper alternative, scout the Strip for options — but Delmonico is a strong finish to the trip.
Uber downtown for the night. The Fremont Street LED canopy light shows run on the hour after dark and are free. Explore: Don't Tell Mama (piano bar, fun and unpretentious), Vegas Vickie's Cocktail Lounge, a photo with $1 million at Binion's, the Silver Strike machine at The Plaza for a souvenir coin, Pink Box Donuts inside The Plaza, and the large gold nugget on display at the Golden Nugget. End the night here before the Uber back.
My Life Happens Travel · Dining Guide
The Cheesecake Factory's upscale concept with an extensive all-day menu. Convenient — it's right inside your hotel. Ideal for a proper breakfast before a full day.
Walk InCasual, satisfying, and exactly right before a 2-hour concert. The Hell's Kitchen burger and truffle fries are the go-to order.
Walk In FriendlyClassic American steakhouse inside your hotel. Note: booked at 4:30 PM but dinner menu starts at 5 PM — aim to arrive closer to 5 or confirm menu timing with the host.
OpenTable ReservationOne of Las Vegas's most acclaimed non-casino restaurants. Wood-fired Italian-influenced cooking, excellent pasta, and a lively atmosphere. Off-Strip — drive or Uber.
Reservation RecommendedEmeril Lagasse's flagship steakhouse — aged beef, Creole-influenced sides, and a beautifully designed room. Inside the Venetian, which makes it a no-Uber-needed final dinner.
OpenTable ReservationFamous for Cereal Milk soft serve ice cream. Open late, inexpensive, and genuinely delicious. A fun late-night dessert stop after the Bellagio fountains or a Strip walk.
Walk InSteps from your room. Classic cocktails, relaxed but upscale atmosphere — ideal for a birthday toast or a wind-down drink. Not a club; not a dive. Exactly the right vibe after a long day.
No Reservation NeededA stunning three-story lounge suspended inside a massive chandelier installation at The Cosmopolitan. Craft cocktails, beautiful design, and a grown-up energy that isn't a nightclub. One of the best bars in Las Vegas.
Walk InIf You Have Extra Time
A nonprofit sanctuary home to over 40 African lions. Get up-close access to lions and cubs in an intimate non-zoo setting. Unique and genuinely memorable — especially for wildlife lovers.
Book in AdvancePrivate escape room experiences — Declassified, Enchantment, or Survive are the three options. A great group activity for a night when you want something hands-on and interactive. Book at reddoorescape.com.
Book Online in AdvanceChicago-style deep dish pizza — perfect if you're craving something hearty and familiar. A good option for a casual group dinner when nobody wants another steakhouse.
Walk In FriendlyHot pressed sandwiches, fast service, low prices. A reliable grab-and-go option inside Planet Hollywood for when you need something quick between activities on the Strip.
Walk In64th floor lounge at the Delano with some of the best panoramic Strip views available from a bar. Calm, grown-up energy — not a club. Ideal for a sunset cocktail or a quiet late-night drink.
Walk InCreative donut flavors inside The Plaza during the Fremont Street evening. A fun and inexpensive stop during the Monday night Fremont exploration — also check out the Silver Strike souvenir coin machine here.
Walk In