United States, North America
The best time to visit Las Vegas
The weather matters more than you think, and the convention calendar matters more than the weather.
- Best months
- Mar to Apr and Oct to Nov
- Think twice
- Jul and Aug
- Quietest
- August
- Cheapest
- July
The straight answer
The best time to visit Las Vegas is March through May or October through November: warm, dry days for the pool and the desert parks, without summer's 105F heat.
Go in spring (March through May) or fall (October and November). Those months bring highs from the 70s to upper 80s F (21 to 31C), pools open, and weather good enough to pair the Strip with Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, or a run to Zion and the Grand Canyon. It is the only time of year when the outdoor side of a Vegas trip is fully on the table.
Summer is the real hazard. From June through August, highs average near or above 100F (38C), and July regularly hits 110F (43C) or more. The casinos and shows are all indoors and pool parties are in full swing, but walking between resorts in the afternoon is genuinely dangerous, and desert hiking is out.
Price is a separate puzzle. Las Vegas hotel rates swing with conventions, fight nights, and holiday weekends more than with the seasons. A Tuesday in a quiet week can be a fraction of a Saturday during a big trade show. Check the convention calendar before you pick dates; that single step often matters more than the month.
Las Vegas, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryQuiet valueCool, highs near 58F (14C), cold nightsCES in early January sends rates soaring for that week. After it, some of the year's best hotel deals. Too cold for pools.CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryQuiet valueMild, highs near 62F (17C)Good value and good hiking weather. Super Bowl weekend and Valentine's Day push prices up.CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchBestWarm, highs near 70F (21C), windy daysIdeal for the desert parks. March Madness weekends pack the sportsbooks, and spring break fills pools late month.Hotels for March →CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilBestWarm, highs near 78F (26C)Pool season starts, desert wildflowers bloom in wet years, and hiking is still comfortable. The sweet spot.Hotels for April →CrowdsPrice
- 05MayGoodHot, highs near 88F (31C)Pool parties in full swing, and EDC fills hotels one weekend mid month. Hike only in the early morning by late May.Hotels for May →CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneTradeoffsVery hot, highs near 99F (37C)Indoor Vegas is fine; outdoor Vegas shrinks to pools and night. Hotel deals appear on weekdays.CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyThink twiceExtreme heat, highs near 105F (41C), 110F-plus daysDangerous afternoon heat. Cheap midweek rooms if all you want is casinos, shows, and air conditioning.CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustThink twiceExtreme heat, highs near 103F (39C), monsoon stormsStill brutal, with occasional flash-flood storms. Lowest weekday rates of the year.CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberTradeoffsHot, highs near 94F (34C)Heat eases late month. Pools stay open and rates are reasonable outside holiday weekends.CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberBestWarm and dry, highs near 81F (27C)Maybe the best month. Perfect desert weather, pools still open early, and a busy convention calendar.Hotels for October →CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberGoodMild, highs near 66F (19C)Good hiking, cooler evenings. The Formula 1 race weekend, held on the Strip in November since 2023, spikes rates and closes roads.Hotels for November →CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberQuiet valueCool, highs near 57F (14C)The National Finals Rodeo fills town in early December. Mid December is quiet; New Year's Eve is among the priciest nights of the year.CrowdsPrice
Book Las Vegas for March.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for March
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Las VegasOpens a hotel search for Las Vegas in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Las VegasWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Las VegasTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Las Vegas for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Las Vegas
Shows and dining at a scale found nowhere else
Residencies, Cirque productions, magic, comedy, and big-name chef restaurants are all within a few blocks. You can see a world-class show every night of a trip.
Desert parks next door
Red Rock Canyon is 30 minutes from the Strip, Valley of Fire about an hour, and Zion roughly two and a half hours. In spring and fall, the outdoor side rivals the casino side.
A base for the Southwest
Las Vegas is the practical airport for Zion, Bryce, Death Valley, and the Grand Canyon's South and West Rims. Many great road trips start here.
Easy, cheap to reach
Nonstops from nearly every US city and frequent fare sales make it one of the easiest weekend trips in the country.
Things to do, and when to do them
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
The 13-mile scenic drive and trails like Calico Tanks. A timed-entry reservation is required for the scenic drive in the busy season, so book ahead.
Valley of Fire State Park
Red sandstone, petroglyphs, and the Fire Wave trail. Go early; trails can close in extreme summer heat.
Hoover Dam
About 45 minutes away. The dam tour and the bypass bridge walkway are the highlights.
The Neon Museum
The boneyard of classic Vegas signs. Evening tours when the restored signs are lit are the best.
The Mob Museum
In a former federal courthouse downtown. Strong history, a working speakeasy in the basement.
Sphere
The giant LED venue near the Strip. Even if you skip a show, the exterior is worth seeing at night.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Boating, beaches, and hiking near Boulder City. Best in spring and fall.
Events and seasons worth planning around
CES
Early January
The giant tech trade show. Hotel rates for that week can triple.
March Madness
The first weekend of the NCAA tournament, mid to late March
Sportsbooks and viewing parties overflow. Expensive, lively, and very crowded.
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)
A weekend in May
A huge electronic music festival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Books out hotels citywide.
Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
A November race weekend
A night race on the Strip. Roads close for days before and rates spike.
National Finals Rodeo
Early to mid December, about ten days
Rodeo's biggest event plus cowboy-themed shows and markets across town.
Beat the crowds
- Search the convention calendar before booking. A quiet midweek can cost a fraction of a trade-show week at the same resort.
- Arrive Sunday, leave Thursday. Weekend rates, especially Friday and Saturday, can be double or triple.
- Book Red Rock timed entry early and hike at sunrise. In spring the lots fill by mid morning on weekends.
- Resort fees and parking fees add up. Compare total cost, not headline room rates.
Open or closed
- Casinos, restaurants, and shows run all year. Big resident shows take breaks on some weeknights and for a few weeks a year, so check before you plan around one.
- Pools at many resorts close or reduce hours from roughly late fall to early spring. Heated pools stay open at some, but pool parties are a spring and summer thing.
- Desert parks restrict hiking in extreme heat. Valley of Fire has closed some trails in summer; never hike midday from June through September.
- The F1 race in November closes stretches of the Strip and adds traffic for days around race weekend.
With kids in tow
- Vegas is not built for children, but it can work: the Springs Preserve, the Bellagio Conservatory, Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, and the desert parks are all good with kids.
- Under-21s are not allowed to linger on casino floors. Plan routes through resorts with kids in mind; walks between hotels are long.
- For homeschool families, Hoover Dam, the Mob Museum, and Red Rock's geology make a strong combination, and spring and fall weekdays are calmer.
Getting there
- Harry Reid International (LAS) is a few minutes from the Strip, with nonstops from nearly every US city, including Austin, Dallas, and Houston.
- From Los Angeles, it is about a 4-hour drive on I-15 without traffic. Sunday afternoon traffic back to California can double that.
- You can do the Strip without a car, but rent one for Red Rock, Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam, or Zion.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Las Vegas for the holidays
Holiday and school-break weeks where Las Vegas makes our ranked list.
Las Vegas timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit Las Vegas?
April or October. Warm days in the high 70s to low 80s F (about 26 to 28C), pools open, and weather good enough for Red Rock and Valley of Fire.
What is the cheapest time to visit Las Vegas?
Midweek in July and August, and the weeks between big conventions in December and January. Avoid CES week, big holiday weekends, and major fight or race weekends.
How hot is Las Vegas in summer?
Very hot. Average highs are near 105F (41C) in July, with 110F-plus days common. Nights often stay above 80F (27C). Limit outdoor time to early morning and after dark.
When do pools open in Las Vegas?
Most resort pools open in March and run through September or October. Some keep a heated pool open year-round, but day clubs and pool parties are seasonal.
Is Las Vegas cheaper on weekdays?
Yes, often dramatically. Sunday through Thursday rates can be half or less of Friday and Saturday, unless a convention is in town.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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