Formula 1 and Las Vegas feel like a natural pairing. A city built on spectacle, neon and high-stakes excitement is the perfect home for one of Formula 1’s most dramatic night races. When F1 rolls into town each November, the Strip shifts into something entirely different. As the sun goes down, hotels brighten, crowds surge, and the city comes alive with racing energy.
The buzz starts early in the week and only intensifies as Thursday, Friday and Saturday approach. Engines echo through the resort corridor, LED screens blaze with team colours, and fans spill in and out of casinos, terraces and open-air bars.
Whether you are walking past the Bellagio Fountains, checking out the Sphere or taking in the skyline from a rooftop, the atmosphere feels unmistakably electric. This week, Las Vegas turns into a motorsport playground, and here is how to make the most of it.
Chill before the thrill
Before the night sessions begin, Las Vegas offers endless ways to fill your mornings and afternoons. With relaxed strolls, standout lunches and iconic attractions, the city is the perfect warm-up to an evening at the track.
Walk the Strip at sunrise: Start the day with a peaceful walk along Las Vegas Boulevard. The Strip is washed in soft desert light at sunrise as fountains shimmer quietly, and famous landmarks like Paris Las Vegas feel completely different from the late-night rush.
Explore the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden: This indoor garden is one of the most beautiful spaces in the city. Seasonal floral displays, sculptures and immersive designs create a calm pocket of colour that contrasts perfectly with the high-speed weekend ahead.
Brunch in the Arts District: A short drive from the Strip, the Arts District is full of cafes, bakeries and brunch spots that are favourites among locals. Enjoy good coffee, creative dishes and a mix of murals, thrift stores and galleries.
Discover the flavours of Las Vegas Chinatown: Chinatown is one of the city’s best food neighbourhoods. It is ideal for a lunchtime stop with everything from dim sum and ramen to Hawaiian barbecue and modern Asian fusion.
Visit the Neon Museum: Take a daytime tour through restored neon signs from old Vegas casinos and theatres. It is bright, bold and a great snapshot of the city’s history.
Getting there: your route to the Las Vegas Strip Circuit
The Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place right in the middle of the resort corridor, with cars racing through some of the most famous streets in America. With evening sessions, heavy foot traffic and multiple road closures, planning your trip to the circuit will make your race weekend much smoother.
Walking: If you are staying on or near the Strip, walking is often the quickest option. Pedestrian bridges and casino-to-casino walkways connect most major resorts, giving you easy and direct access to several entry points around the circuit.
Monorail: The Las Vegas Monorail runs extended hours during race week to support night sessions. The MGM Grand, Horseshoe/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah’s/The LINQ, Boingo and Westgate stations put you close to the circuit perimeter and help you avoid vehicle traffic.
Rideshare and taxi: Designated drop-off zones operate around the Strip during the Grand Prix. Each area has their own zone, but expect slower travel on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons while roads are closed or rerouted. Follow event signage and allow extra time to reach your gate.
Driving and parking: Driving is not recommended during race week. Large sections of the Strip and surrounding streets close for the event, and public parking is extremely limited. It is best to leave your car at your hotel and move around using walkways or the monorail.
Leaving the circuit: Crowds are busiest immediately after each night session, especially after Saturday’s race. Consider stopping inside a nearby resort for a drink or snack to let the foot traffic ease. Once the rush settles, the monorail is often the most reliable way to leave the area.
Inside the circuit and photo spots
The Las Vegas Strip Circuit mixes long straights, sweeping corners and a skyline full of glowing landmarks. It is one of the fastest street layouts in Formula 1 with cars flying past iconic resorts. Under the lights, the entire track feels like a neon tunnel of speed.
Must-see corners and views
The lap begins near The Sphere, where cars launch into a flowing opening sequence before heading toward the brightly lit resorts on Sands Avenue. Drivers sweep past casinos before attacking the long straight down Las Vegas Boulevard.
This section produces some of the highest speeds of the season and creates dramatic moments as the cars race under LED billboards and hotel facades.
The final sector near the paddock is tight and technical, with heavy braking and plenty of chances for bold moves. It is one of the best places on the track to watch daring overtakes – just like Charles Leclerc’s last-lap lunge on Sergio Perez in 2023.
Top photo spots
- Stand along the Las Vegas Boulevard straight for full-speed shots framed by neon reflections and hotel lights
- Head to The Sphere zone for futuristic photos with colour, movement and sweeping long-exposure effects
- Watch from the final chicane for close battles and intense braking duels
Fanzones
Las Vegas features several Fanzones spread across the circuit precinct, each offering its own mix of entertainment, food and nightlife. These zones sit alongside major resorts and viewing areas, creating a festival atmosphere that stretches across the Strip. Expect live music, pop-up bars, themed food stalls, driver appearances, racing simulators, merchandise stands and interactive displays illuminated by the city’s neon glow.
Your ticket decides which Fanzones you can unlock, from open-access zones to exclusive areas linked to premium seats and hospitality.
Top fan hack
Download the official Las Vegas Grand Prix app before you head out so you have all the track information, session details and maps at your fingertips.
After the chequered flag – Vegas nights
When the race finishes on Saturday night, Las Vegas turns into one of the biggest after-parties in the world. Music spills onto the Strip, crowds move between resorts, and the city’s nightlife kicks into overdrive until sunrise.
Cosmopolitan and City Center for sleek cocktails: Terraces and lounges at these resorts offer skyline views and premium cocktails in stylish settings – ideal if you want something elevated after the race.
Fremont East for retro nightlife: A short ride from the Strip, this district delivers live music, neon lights and classic Vegas bars that feel authentic and energetic well into the early morning.
The Arts District for laid-back nights: Craft breweries, wine bars and outdoor patios create a cool, creative atmosphere for fans wanting a more relaxed way to wind down after the race.
Resort lounges for late-night bites and drinks: Most hotels feature 24-hour lounges, casino bars and late-night restaurants, which means you can grab food, enjoy live entertainment or keep the night going without ever leaving your hotel.
Foodie fuel – what to eat and drink
Las Vegas is never short on world-class food, and there are options for every taste and budget.
Tacos and street food: Food trucks, promenade stalls and walk-up counters across the Strip offer fast and flavourful tacos, quesadillas and midnight snacks that hit perfectly between sessions.
Noodles and dim sum in Chinatown: Just minutes from the Strip, Chinatown offers some of the best ramen, dumplings and noodle dishes in the city. It is ideal for a daytime meal or a nighttime meal once the city lights come on.
Casino food halls: Resorts feature food halls with pizza, burgers, sushi, noodles and comfort favourites that stay open late. Easy, reliable and fast when you have sessions to get to.
Buffets: A classic Las Vegas experience. Buffets offer a huge range of dishes and work well for brunch or lunch before the night sessions begin.
Desserts and sweet treats: Stands with gelato, iced coffee, pastries and oversized milkshakes are scattered throughout the Strip. Perfect for an afternoon sugar hit or a twilight treat.
Cocktails and frozen drinks: Resort terraces, rooftop bars and walk-up drink spots serve cocktails and frozen drinks throughout the day. A refreshing way to cool off before you head toward the circuit.
Travel hacks and tips
Weather and what to pack: November in Las Vegas is mild during the day and cooler at night, with temperatures around 10–20C. Light layers work best, along with comfortable shoes for walking between resorts and circuit access points.
Local time and rhythm: Vegas runs on Pacific Time and the city naturally leans into late nights. Restaurants, bars and entertainment stay open well past midnight, which fits perfectly with the evening sessions of race weekend.
Safety and etiquette: Stick to well-lit areas on the Strip, use pedestrian bridges when crossing busy roads, and rely on licensed taxis or rideshare apps for longer trips. The resort corridor is busy but safe, and staying aware of your surroundings keeps everything smooth.
Money and payments: Cards are accepted everywhere, especially in the resort corridor. Carry small notes for tips, snacks and taxis if needed.
Power and charging: The States use type A and B outlets, so you may need an adapter. Bring a portable charger since you will need your phone for maps, tickets, photos and the event app.
Local phrases and basics: Vegas has its own rhythm and vocabulary, especially around the Strip. Here are a few simple terms and references that will help you move around with confidence:
- The Strip is Las Vegas Boulevard, the main resort corridor where most of the action happens
- The Sphere is the glowing arena beside the paddock and one of the key landmarks of the circuit
- The resort corridor refers to the long stretch of hotels, casinos and walkways that connect the major resorts
- The Las Vegas Monorail is the elevated train running along the east side of the Strip and often the fastest way to move between resorts during race week
