The Raiders are considered one of the “nomads of the NFL” for good reason. The franchise has moved four times and called three different cities home (Oakland, Los Angeles, Oakland again, and now Las Vegas).
The Las Vegas Raiders have spent seven seasons in their new location, which happens to be one of the biggest tourist destinations in the country. Whether it’s Raiders fans from Oakland, Los Angeles, another part of the world, or opposing fans looking to attend an away game, that leads to many circling a date to visit Las Vegas in the fall.
But where should you stay, what is there to do, where should you eat, and how do you get to the game in the “Entertainment Capital of the World”?
Places to stay in Las Vegas
The Strip is the most convenient choice. Allegiant Stadium technically isn’t on The Strip, but it’s right off of it. If you’re the fancy type, Mandalay Bay is a good choice since it’s close to the stadium, while the Luxor and Excalibur are in the same vicinity but are more budget-friendly options.
However, just about any hotel on The Strip is going to get pricey during a game weekend. So, you might want to look into places like the Holiday Inn Express or Staybridge Suites, which are off The Strip to help save some money but still within walking distance to Allegiant.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas, the M Resort in Henderson is actually the official team headquarters hotel for the Raiders. It’s a lot quieter and near the team’s practice facility, though you will need a car to get to the game. The M also has a Raiders-themed restaurant in it.
Another thing to consider: The Strip is considered a “tourist trap”. Most locals stay away from it because everything is marked up, including the table minimums at the casino. There’s a lot more going on there, but you’re going to pay a premium for it.
Things to do in Las Vegas
Well, it’s Vegas, baby!
Of course, there are casinos everywhere you look. Even if you aren’t a gambler typically, there is a “when in Rome” type of vibe to Las Vegas where people put at least a few bucks on the table or in a slot machine with the hopes of paying for their trip and/or bringing home some extra cash. Just remember, those palaces weren’t built on winners!
Also, there are plenty of shows to catch if you’re looking for something on the entertainment side. You can find pretty much any sort of live entertainment that you can think of, ranging from the acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil to comedy and magic.
Additionally, the Sphere is a newer venue that typically has some type of concert, live event or movie going on. It just depends on what they have scheduled during your visit. So, there’s a chance what’s going on at the Sphere during the time of your visit isn’t something you’re interested in. But the venue and experience itself is worth checking out, and it’s more family-friendly than the casino or most shows.
On that note, the Mandalay Bay hotel has an aquarium, and Circus Circus has a theme park in it if you’re traveling with and looking for something to do with your kids. Additionally, there are several different options to tour the Grand Canyon, which is about a two- to two-and-a-half hour drive from Vegas, or the Hoover Dam, a 45-minute to an hour drive.
To be honest, you’d have to try pretty hard to be bored in Las Vegas…
Best places to eat in Las Vegas
If you’re on the Strip, you can find just about any type of restaurant you’re looking for. Not only does it cover every cuisine (sushi, BBQ, Italian, etc.), but it also ranges from recognizable fast food options to local steakhouses. Granted, it might be some of the most expensive fast food you’ll ever pay for, but that’s just the Strip.
If it’s your first time out west, it’s a requirement to stop at In-N-Out for a burger. There’s a location on the Strip, as well as a handful in the surrounding areas. My go-to order is a three-by-three (three patties and three slices of cheese) with grilled onions and extra spread (their 1000 Island-like sauce), fries and a chocolate-strawberry milkshake. I will say In-N-Out’s fries are underwhelming, but the burgers and shakes are top-notch. Sometimes, I’ll skip the fries and just do two burgers. Also, make sure to check out the “not so secret menu” and ask for well-done fries if you like them crispy.
Additionally, there are plenty of buffets. The go-to, in my opinion, is the one at the Bellagio. However, it’s only open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during the week and dinner is only available on the weekend — Saturday Seafood dinner ($69.99) and Sunday ($59.99). A weekday brunch will run you about $45 a person, and it’s about $50 on the weekend. Children under five get in free, and six to 11 are half off. That’s expensive for a buffet, but it isn’t your typical buffet food, and it has cuisine options from all over the world.
In the mood for something fancier? Gallagher’s Steakhouse in the New York New York hotel is my top choice. I’ve also heard good things about TENDER Steakhouse in the Luxor (which is a more affordable option for a steakhouse), and SW Steakhouse in the Wynn (one of the pricier options).
If you want to get away from the Strip (and save some money), Eater has 18 places to eat that are away from the touristy part of town. Two of the more popular options are Esther’s Kitchen and Herbs & Rye.
Allegiant Stadium parking, rideshare, and transit options
It depends on where you’re staying, even if you’re on the Strip, since it’s over four miles long.
Allegiant Stadium is on the very South end of the Strip. So, if you’re at Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, MGM Grand or Aria, it’s an easy walk. Also, there are several pedestrian bridges to make the trek safer and avoid traffic. You can’t miss them either, as the bridges are right in your face.
If you’re staying in the middle or the north end of the Strip, the Las Vegas Monorail is a great option to get to the game. Its final station on the south side is at MGM, where you just have to make that short walk, and there are seven stations where you can catch it along the Strip. Children under five years old can ride for free, and single rides for everyone else start at $5. You can also just buy a full-day pass if you want to use the monorail to explore the city, too.
If you’re not on the Strip at all, check the RTC website for a few options to take a bus to the game. They have pickup and return options throughout the surrounding areas, including at the M Resort mentioned above, North Las Vegas and near Summerlin. It’s only $4 for a round trip and drops you off right at the stadium.
Otherwise, there are always plenty of Ubers, Lyfts or taxis available to get you there. Just be aware of surge pricing.
Tailgating at Allegiant Stadium
To be honest, the Raiders sacrificed a good tailgate scene when the franchise moved from Oakland to Las Vegas. The B Lot barbeques are a thing of the past, and there simply isn’t enough real estate where Allegiant Stadium is located to have an old-school tailgate.
The Raiders do have a ‘Modelo Tailgate Zone’ that’s free to enter and has different activities going on, a variety of food and beer/cocktail options, and NFL RedZone playing if you want to hang out in the stadium parking lot before the game. But it’s not nearly the party Oakland tailgates were back in the day.
To put it in perspective, the Oakland Coliseum has about 10,000 parking spaces while Allegiant has just 2,700. Essentially, the move to Vegas swapped out a traditional tailgate experience for a unique one with the casinos on the Strip.
The Allegiant Stadium Experience
If you’re looking to enhance your experience at the game, Allegiant Stadium has several premium clubs and lounges available. They vary from field-level experiences to 200-level options with table seating. You just have to be willing to open up your wallet pretty wide to have those experiences.
When you get hungry and/or thirsty, Winna.com recently ranked the Raiders and Allegiant as the fourth-best food and beverage option in the NFL. There’s a wide variety of choices too, ranging from typical stadium food like hot dogs or burgers to gourmet and specialty items like chicken and waffles or focaccia and lox sandwiches. Also, it’s the only NFL stadium that has its own Taco Bell Cantina!