Bring an Extra Suitcase: Where To Shop, Stroll and Splurge in Vegas
Byline: Lissa Rodgers
Key Takeaways
- Las Vegas offers plenty of shopping options, from outlet malls to luxury boutiques to quirky, one-of-a-kind shops.
- Make an afternoon of shopping or dip into stores while sightseeing or before a meal.
- Shop designer boutiques including Gucci, Chloe, Burberry, Fendi, Prada, Valentino and Tom Ford.
The best shopping in Las Vegas can be found in luxury casino boutiques, bustling outlet malls, eccentric downtown shops and all over the Strip. The key to getting the most out of your Las Vegas shopping experience is to choose your approach. Drop in to the boutiques as part of an afternoon’s/evening’s activities or make a whole day of it? Are you seeking something specific or just browsing until that special something catches your eye?
Make a Day of It
One of the things that makes shopping in Sin City fun is the way stores, restaurants and other venues can be found in the same spot, allowing you to build in breaks. The Forum Shops are peak luxury shopping in Las Vegas: not just because of the elegant, marble-pillared setting, but because of Balenciaga, Balmain, Valentino, Versace and more filling their boutique windows with bags, boots and dresses, dresses, dresses. Beyond clothing, you can also explore accessories from the likes of Tiffany and Chrome Hearts or home goods from Baccarat and Diptyque.
If you’re making an afternoon of shopping, make sure to stop and refuel with coffee and a pastry at Café Lola or a light lunch at True Food Kitchen. For shoppers seeking to spend more time over a meal as they celebrate their retail victories or consider their next plan of attack, there are options like Sushi Roku’s modern take on Japanese or Jose Andres’ elegant new Mediterranean spot, Zatinya.
Another one of Las Vegas' big shopping destinations is the Miracle Mile Shops, with over a mile of stores interspersed with restaurants, bars and theaters. Shoppers can put together outfits at H&M, Steve Madden or White House/Black Market, while those who binge on beauty products can fill their baskets at Sephora, Lush or MAC. Hit an art gallery or jewelry store, get a blowout or mini massage and then have a martini at Flights, gelato at Cocolini or burrito at Rosa Mexicano. Still lingering? The V Theater & Saxe Theater offer afternoon and evening shows.
The Fashion Show mall is another of the city’s major destinations, with over 200 stores and two dozen restaurants. Anchored by Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, the mall also features fashion faves like Free People and SAVAGE X FENTY and fun boutiques like POP MART and Reiwatakiya.
Las Vegas’ outlet malls are another shopping option. There are large outlets with an expansive selection of stores located at the far south end of the Strip and just west of downtown near the Smith Center.
Shopping as Side Quest
While some people enjoy building an afternoon or a day around browsing the stores, others prefer to dip into shopping as part of sightseeing in a particular location or neighborhood. The Arts District is home to murals, galleries and antique shops, as well as Las Vegas’ high-end thrift stores and funkier shops with more affordable pieces. There are more than a dozen boutiques along Commonwealth and Main Streets, interspersed with cocktail lounges and taco shops should you need a break.
Another fun-to-explore Las Vegas neighborhood that also has unique shopping is the Chinatown area centered on Spring Mountain Road. Chinatown Plaza and Shanghai Plaza are both collections of stores featuring Japanese toys, Korean beauty products, Chinese gadgets and more alongside bakeries, boba shops, sushi joints, dim sum palaces and other restaurants.
The LINQ Promenade also offers a mix of places to experience, sip, dine and buy. Before enjoying the thrills of the High Roller Observation Wheel and the Fly LINQ Zipline, you can eat at iconic restaurants like In-N-Out Burger or Virgil’s Real Barbecue and do a little browsing in between. You can clothe your outer layer with jackets from Harley-Davidson and your inner layer with socks and underwear from Socks & Bottoms. Score candy and novelties at I Love Sugar and get a game with your toys at the Claw Planet claw machine arcade.
Of course, there are also those who are looking to score something specific. If you’re thinking of buying a watch in Las Vegas (or are impulse buying after a big win at the tables) The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace is home to brands including Rolex, Hublot, Breitling and TAG Heuer. Linger and compare, perhaps pause for a thoughtful highball at Caspian's before making a final decision
There’s also plenty of sneaker shopping in Sin City. The Forum Shops is home to streetwear brand Culture Kings as well as purveyors of rare and vintage kicks Urban Necessities. JD Sports at Miracle Mile Shops carries fresh drops by classic brands from adidas to Converse to Nike. Local sneakerheads are fond of the curated collection at CRSVR on the west side.
If you’d like to bring a souvenir of Sin CIty home for yourself or someone else, there are plenty of options along the Strip. The Mob Museum and the Neon Museum both offer intensive, interactive experiences that show the city’s unique history, and both have well-stocked gift shops with plenty of T-shirts, books, glassware and other tchotchkes. After all, souvenirs are better when they come with a story.
Having Your Haul Moment
If shopping is part of a girls’ trip, trying on together is likely to be one of the highlights. Hotel rooms offer plenty of mirrors and variable lighting, so you can check out your purchase from every angle. And if your purchase doesn’t quite deliver what it promised in store, it’s a short trip to make a return.
Another way to make your trip more fun and your luggage lighter (at least on the way to Vegas) is to make buying the looks for your trip part of your adventure. There are plenty of places to score cute suits and sunnies for lounging poolside and boutiques to score the perfect night-out ensemble, whatever your style or price range.
Maybe you want to make a 10-bag haul or perhaps just find that one coveted object. Perhaps you're out to spend a day touring the stores or just want to hit a few boutiques as part of a busy schedule. Whatever your style, leave some extra room in your bag because shopping in Las Vegas is unlike anywhere else.
FAQs
What’s the best way to plan a luxury shopping day in Las Vegas without feeling rushed?
It depends on your shopping goals. If you’re looking to browse, planning a leisurely day at The Forum Shops with pauses for coffee and lunch can keep things relaxed. If you’re looking for a specific item, like purses or watches, consider which stores or brands suit your taste and plan from there.
How walkable are Las Vegas shopping areas?
Many Strip resorts feature easily walkable shopping areas within or directly adjacent to their properties. The Miracle Mile Shops are connected to Planet Hollywood and The Forum Shops can be accessed from Caesars Palace and the Nobu Hotel without going outside.
Is Vegas a good destination for a girls’ shopping trip?
Shopping can be one of the most festive parts of a Las Vegas girls’ trip. There are a number of malls and boutiques right on the Strip, with plenty of bars and restaurants to take a mid-splurge break. Buying outfits for a night out and having an in-room try-on party are also part of the fun.
