Considered one of the country’s most convenient airports, Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is just 20 minutes from downtown at I-29’s exit number 13. The airport is serviced by a number of public transportation options, including the metro, taxi and shuttle.

Flights from MCI to McCarran International Airport (LAS) are around three hours nonstop, but one stop will bring it up to five or six hours. You’ll arrive at the main commercial hub of Las Vegas Valley and can take advantage of the convenient inter-city shuttles and public bus routes, both of which serve LAS and connect to communities in and around Las Vegas.

Attractions and tips

Free Vegas attractions such as the Aquarium at the Silverton, the Bellagio Conservatory, the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and the CBS Television Research Center entertain while keeping more money in your wallet.

Not free, but still fun, you can ride the roller coasters at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino and The Stratosphere and zip-line during The Fremont Experience light show.

Vegas is a great place to visit any time of year, but if you’re hoping to skip the summer heat, plan your trip from March to May or from September to November when temperature averages are between 70 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Crowds flock to this desert oasis between December and February, so try to avoid the peak winter season.