If you’ve found yourself with a layover at Harry Reid International Airport, you may be wondering about the best things to do at Las Vegas Airport while you wait for your next flight. Formerly known as McCarran, LAS is a busy but manageable airport serving mostly domestic routes. While it doesn’t offer endless entertainment, it does provide enough food, walking space, light sightseeing, and nearby city access to help pass a short or moderate layover without too much stress. Whether you want to eat, stretch your legs, explore a little, or simply wait it out comfortably, there are a few realistic ways to make the most of your time here.
1. Enjoy a meal
Food at Las Vegas Airport is a mix of familiar chains and a few options that reflect the city’s dining scene. While this isn’t a foodie destination airport, there are some spots travellers often enjoy as a small taste of Vegas. Las Vegas Chophouse & Brewery offers sit-down meals and house-brewed beer, making it a decent option if you want something more substantial than fast food. Wolfgang Puck Express is another popular choice for reliable comfort dishes with a slightly upscale feel.
For quicker snacks or treats, you’ll find plenty of coffee shops, bakeries, and grab-and-go counters throughout the terminals. Sweet cravings can be satisfied with cinnamon rolls, frozen yogurt, or classic airport desserts, while bars throughout the airport serve cocktails if you want to kick off (or end) your Vegas trip early. Keep in mind that while Las Vegas is known for late-night dining, not all airport restaurants stay open overnight, so options may be limited during late or very early hours.
2. Relax in a lounge
If you’d rather settle into one place with seating, snacks, and a quieter atmosphere, an airport lounge can be a welcome break from the terminal. A small number of lounges at LAS allow entry regardless of airline or ticket class, either through membership programs or paid access when space is available. Availability, locations, and access rules can change, so it’s best to check the current details in our Las Vegas Airport Guide before relying on lounge access.
3. Go shopping
Shopping at LAS is best described as practical with a Vegas twist. Alongside the usual airport stores selling books, electronics, travel essentials, and beauty products, you’ll find a handful of shops focused on souvenirs and gifts tied to the city’s casino culture. Poker-themed items like custom playing cards, poker chips, dice, and Vegas-branded keepsakes make easy last-minute gifts.
There are also duty-free shops for international travellers and a scattering of apparel and accessory stores, though this is not the place for luxury shopping or browsing designer boutiques. Prices generally reflect airport convenience, but walking through the shops is an easy way to pass time and pick up something small and distinctly Vegas before you fly out.
4. Stroll the walking paths
If you’ve been sitting for hours, the Fly Fit! walking paths offer a simple way to stretch your legs without leaving the airport. Marked routes in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 guide you through designated loops that let you track steps and keep moving while staying airside. These paths are especially useful during longer layovers, helping reduce stiffness and fatigue before your next flight.
While the walks won’t feel scenic, they do provide a structured reason to move around the terminal rather than pacing aimlessly or staying seated the entire time. Comfortable shoes make this option much more enjoyable, especially if the terminal is busy.
5. Visit the Aviation Museum
For a quieter break from the terminal atmosphere, stop by the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum. The exhibits focus on the history of aviation in southern Nevada, with aircraft memorabilia, photographs, and displays spread throughout the airport. The main exhibit area is located in Terminal 1, landside, with smaller displays elsewhere.
6. Try your luck
The slot machines throughout the airport are a constant reminder that you’re in Las Vegas – as if you could forget. If you’re 21 or older, feel free to try your luck between flights – you may get some surprise winnings! Machines are available 24/7.
7. Pamper yourself
Two locations of XpresSpa offer relaxation services like massage, manicures and pedicures, facials, and reflexology — perfect for feeling pampered and tranquil before the next flight.
8. Explore Las Vegas
One advantage of LAS is its proximity to the city, but exploring during a layover requires careful planning and realistic expectations. If you have at least four hours, you may be able to leave the airport briefly, factoring in security re-screening and possible traffic delays. A short taxi or rideshare trip can get you to the Las Vegas Strip for a quick look at the casinos, hotels, and iconic sights.
The Strip is visually impressive but spread out, and walking distances are longer than they appear, especially in hot weather. It’s best to focus on one or two nearby locations rather than trying to see everything. Popular quick stops include snapping photos outside Bellagio Fountains or stepping into a themed casino for a short wander.
For longer layovers, downtown Las Vegas and Fremont Street offer a more compact experience with historic casinos and a covered pedestrian area, though it’s farther from the airport. Outdoor excursions like Red Rock Canyon require even more time and usually a rental car, making them suitable only for long layovers with checked luggage. There is no luggage storage at the airport, so travelling light is essential if you plan to leave the terminal. For more ideas, check out our Las Vegas Airport Layover Sightseeing article or visit Tripadvisor for more things to do in Las Vegas.
9. Get Connected
Stay connected to friends and family, update your social media accounts or surf the internet using the airport’s free WiFi.
10. Sleep
Sleeping at LAS is possible, but comfort is limited. Seating throughout the terminals generally has armrests, making it difficult to lie down fully, and the environment can be noisy and cold overnight. Travellers report that landside areas in Terminal 1 tend to be slightly quieter than airside gates, but true rest can be hard to come by.
For better sleep, several nearby hotels offer free airport shuttles and are only a few minutes away. For details on locations and amenities, take a look at our Las Vegas Airport Guide.
Updated 09 January 2026
These are just a few things to do on a layover at Las Vegas Airport. Visit our Las Vegas Airport Guide for more information about services and facilities, such as food, WiFi, mobile charging, luggage storage, nearby airport hotels, and much more.