Las Vegas a Top Thanksgiving Destination, Strip Room Rates Remain Affordable

Posted on: November 25, 2024, 01:57h. 

Last updated on: November 25, 2024, 02:14h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

It’s a busy couple of weeks in Southern Nevada. With the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix in the rearview mirror, the Thanksgiving holiday weekend now races into town.

Las Vegas Thanksgiving holiday travel
Las Vegas is among the most popular travel destinations this Thanksgiving. That’s according to AAA, which expects almost 80 million US residents to travel at least 50 miles this week. (Image: Good Morning America)

AAA projects that nearly 80 million people in the United States will travel at least 50 miles this week to gather around the table with family and friends for a harvest feast. For those who don’t have family, don’t wish to spend the holiday amongst relatives, or simply want to celebrate with a trip, AAA says Las Vegas is once again a top destination.

The common theme among the top 10 domestic destinations is warm weather. Four Florida cities are on the list because of their beaches, theme parks, and cruise ports. Other top destinations include New York, California, Hawaii, and Las Vegas,” AAA’s 2024 Thanksgiving Travel Forecast read.

Officials at Hertz add that Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, and Phoenix are the cities with the highest demand for rental cars this week. The busiest car pickup day is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the busiest rental return days are the Monday and Tuesday after the holiday.

Cheap Rooms Remain 

Despite Hertz and AAA reporting strong demand for Las Vegas, room rates remain reasonable.

For a Wednesday through Sunday stay, Aria is available for $172 a night before resort fees and taxes. Resorts World is even cheaper at $105.

Fontainebleau is $225, Park MGM is $111, and Harrah’s is $65. For the most budget-conscious traveler this weekend wishing to stay on the Strip, MGM’s Excalibur is just $71 and Luxor is just $74.

For a five-star experience, The Venetian is $326, Four Seasons is $307, Wynn/Encore is $268, Cosmopolitan is $260, Bellagio is $221, and Caesars Palace is $232.

With resort fees ranging as high as $50 a night or more, it’s important to click through to the end of the booking process to make sure you aren’t paying more than you’d like for a Thanksgiving getaway to Las Vegas.

AAA says the worst time to drive to or from Southern Nevada this holiday will be between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The best travel time is before 10 a.m.

Turkey Day Dining Specials 

Many Las Vegas casino resorts are offering special Thanksgiving-themed buffets and prix-fixe menus.  

Caesars Palace’s Bacchanal Buffet is offering a Thanksgiving smorgasbord for $95, while a plated meal of turkey and seven sides at Carmine’s is $50.

A special prix-fixe Thanksgiving meal at Barry’s Downtown Prime at Circa is $79, while a three-course meal featuring a beet salad, roasted turkey breast and sides, and pumpkin cheesecake at Bugsy & Meyer’s at the Flamingo runs $100.

Diners at Bellagio can enjoy roasted turkey and fixings for $58. MGM Grand is running a $39 special at Crush that includes sliced turkey, sausage, bacon, root vegetable stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.

A three-course meal at The Venetian’s Bouchon that includes a choice of turkey, short ribs, or scallops, plus traditional sides, is $120. Wynn’s La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway is offering a $74 Thanksgiving spread that includes turkey, sides, and a selection of pies.