Days one and two: the Strip and Red Rock
Fly in Thursday night, sleep at a mid-Strip hotel with a car (Park MGM, Paris, or the Venetian all have self-park). Friday morning drive to Red Rock Canyon for the 13-mile scenic loop, back by 1pm for lunch on the Strip. Friday afternoon do the pool if it's May through September, or the Sphere if it's not. Friday night book a real dinner and one show — this is the day to burn on the Vegas fantasy.
Saturday morning sleep in until 9am, then walk the Strip you missed: Wynn, Venetian canals, Bellagio conservatory. Lunch in Chinatown on Spring Mountain Road at Raku or Kaiseki Yuzu — this is where locals actually eat. Saturday afternoon into evening: Arts District wander, dinner at Esther's Kitchen, drinks at Velveteen Rabbit.
Days three and four: Valley of Fire and Boulder City
Sunday morning drive 55 miles northeast to Valley of Fire State Park. Pay the $15 vehicle fee, drive the scenic road to Fire Wave (1.5-mile round trip), Mouse's Tank petroglyphs, and the Rainbow Vista overlook. Eat lunch you packed — there is no restaurant inside the park. Back on the road by 3pm, drive south to Boulder City (about 90 minutes) and sleep at the Boulder Dam Hotel, a 1933 property on the National Register.
Monday morning tour Hoover Dam — the dam tour ($30) goes inside the generator gallery and is worth it over the cheaper powerplant tour. Walk across the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge for the classic view. Lunch in Boulder City at the Coffee Cup Cafe (Guy Fieri came, but it's still good). Drive back to Vegas airport, 30 minutes, and fly home Monday evening.
Good to know
Do I need a rental car for this itinerary?+
Yes. Valley of Fire has no shuttle and no rideshare coverage, and Hoover Dam tours from the Strip cost $80-plus per person and rush you. A three-day economy rental from LAS runs $120 to $180 and gives you the whole loop.
When is the best time to do this loop?+
March, April, October, and November. Summer temperatures at Valley of Fire exceed 110°F and the park closes trails after 10am on extreme heat days. December and January can freeze overnight at Red Rock but daytime hiking is perfect.