If you’re flying into or out of Las Vegas, especially on an international trip, it’s likely that you’ll leave from or land at McCarran International Airport. This airport is the major hub for Las Vegas and the surrounding areas, and it receives tens of millions of passengers every year. Based on passenger traffic, it’s the 30th busiest airport in the world! Such a busy spot is bound to have some hiccups; there is a chance that there will be an unavoidable delay while you’re waiting for a flight at McCarran. Fortunately, McCarran is a destination in itself, with tons of your typical airport attractions, like shops and eateries. There are also lots of activities, so check out our list of the best things to do in an airport in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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1. Dine at Wolfgang Puck Express
If you’re wondering what to do near Vegas while waiting for a flight at the Las Vegas Airport, make sure you fill your stomach at Wolfgang Puck Express! Known for its hospitality and for offering delicious and visually pleasing food, Wolfgang Puck can be enjoyed even in an airport. Enjoy good food served with the best of culinary arts in mind, paired with a good conversation, and time will definitely pass by quicker. Head to Terminal 3 and enjoy a satisfying meal at this restaurant chain’s airport location.
Wolfgang Puck Express
Address: Terminal 3, Las Vegas Airport
Website: Wolfgang Puck Express
2. Send a postcard from Vegas
One fun activity in a Las Vegas Airport is sending a postcard via the post office! Send the postcard to a loved one to remind them you’re thinking of them. Look for the best and most fitting postcard you can find; a generic or a wacky one, and write a fun message! You can even send it to yourself, write all about the most fun things you did, to remember the trip and to remind your future self of the fun you’ve had.
Send a postcard
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89111
Website: Send a postcard
Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily
3. Shop at duty-free shops
If you’ve got time to kill before a flight, one of the best airport options is shopping. The retail options inside of McCarran International Airport rival those out in the city! Pick up gifts or souvenirs from big-time designers like Alex and Ani, Michael Kors, and Victoria’s Secret. Be sure to stop by The Duty-Free Store by Nuance for some discounts on items like designer perfume, spirits, tobacco, fashion, and more!
The Duty-Free Store by Nuance
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Website: The Duty-Free Store by Nuance
Opening hours: 3:30am - 12:30am (daily)
Price: Varies depending on product
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4. Explore the Aviation Museum
Your waiting time at McCarran International Airport can be spent educationally when you peruse the Aviation Museum. This Las Vegas Airport attraction is focused on the history of aviation in Las Vegas, which first came to the city back in 1920. The main exhibit of the museum is on Level 2 above baggage claim at Terminal 1. Because it’s outside of security, whether you’re flying or just picking someone up, you can peruse the interesting pieces. Artifacts include a red 1956 Thunderbird and a 1958 Cessna 172 which set the World Endurance Aloft flying record in 1959 by flying 64 days straight!
Aviation Museum at McCarran
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Website: Aviation Museum at McCarran
Opening hours: 24 hours a day
Price: Free
5. Gamble in the slot machines
Like most places in Las Vegas, there are slot machines at the McCarran International Airport too! This is a great way to win a few more bucks before heading home, or to acclimate yourself to gambling upon arrival. The slot machines are located throughout the airport so you can play a few quick games no matter where your gate is located. There are over 1300 in all, so you don’t have to worry about waiting in line to use them.
Slot machines at McCarran
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Website: Slot machines at McCarran
Opening hours: 24 hours a day
Price: Varies
6. Work out in the Zero Level Fitness Center
You might find yourself restless while traveling because of all the hours sitting on a cramped airplane seat. Work off some of that pent-up energy at the Zero Level Fitness Center in the McCarran Airport! This spacious, state-of-the-art gym has excellent fitness equipment, free weights, and everything else you’ll need for a full workout. They offer showers, changing rooms, even massages! All of this is accessible for airport guests with day passes, though mostly the gym is used by airport employees.
Zero Level Fitness
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Website: Zero Level Fitness
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 24 hours; Sat - Sun: 8am - 6pm
Price: 25 USD
7. Get a spa service from XpresSpa
Hours of traveling can leave you feeling grimy. What better way to relax on a Las Vegas Airport layover than a spa service? Treat yourself to a much-needed pampering at XpresSpa. This chain of airport spas has a great location at McCarran International Airport. You can get a mani-pedi, hair cut or blow dry, massage, or facial! Whether you want to get perked up before your flight or want to feel your best for your first day in a new place, a treatment at XpresSpa is a great use of your waiting time at the airport.
XpresSpa
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Website: XpresSpa
Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Varies depending on service
8. Take your kids to the play area near Concourse D
Traveling with kids can be tiring for everyone. Little legs do get restless when they have to sit on a plane or wait at a gate for hours! Take them to have a fun break in the middle of a long day at the play area in McCarran. The play area is located on level two, near the D gates. It is fittingly aviation-themed, so kids can be inspired by their travels to play in the mini control tower and the jet engine.
Kids Play Area at McCarran
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Website: Kids Play Area at McCarran
Opening hours: 24 hours a day
Price: Free
9. Try cocktails at the bars
One surefire way to pass the time at the airport is to have a few drinks! There are dozens of places to eat in McCarran and many of them are full-service bars. Have a sangria or margarita at Chili’s while you nosh on chips and dip. Head to Corcoran’s Irish Pub for a pint and enjoy the fun atmosphere. For unique cocktails and an extensive beer and wine list, you can’t beat Crafted, a full-service bar in Terminal 1.
Crafted
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Website: Crafted
Opening hours: 6:30am - 10pm (daily)
Price: Varies
10. Admire the public art
Many airports can seem bland and uninviting, especially if you’ve been stuck waiting for a delayed flight for hours. McCarran International contains vibrant artworks around the airport, and visiting all the different pieces is one of the best things to do while passing the time. At the D gates, see if you can find 12 large scale paper airplanes above the food court. These colorful pieces were made by local schoolchildren. To catch a glimpse of one of Nevada’s favorite animals, look for the Bighorn Sheep painting by Robert Beckmann near gate D3. In Terminal 3, a huge installation called Cloud 9 is an abstract interpretation of the clouds that form over Vegas, rendered in dichroic glass and brilliant colors. These are just a few of the artworks you’ll see around the terminals!
Art at McCarran International Airport
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Website: Art at McCarran International Airport
Opening hours: 24 hours a day
Price: Free
11. Explore healthy options at Rachel’s Kitchen
Traveling can lead to one unhealthy meal after another. Whether you’re saving your indulgences for your destination, or trying to eat better after a week of dining out, head to Rachel’s Kitchen for a fresh meal that’s good for you. Rachel’s Kitchen serves up a variety of salads, as well as sandwiches and wraps which you can bring on the plane. Breakfast options are also available for early arrivals and departures. If you’re just in the mood for something small, try one of their fresh squeezed juices or a smoothie, which can be made more filling with the addition of protein powder.
Rachel's Kitchen
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Website: Rachel’s Kitchen
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 4:30am - 7:30pm; Sat - Sun: 5am - 7:30pm
Price: Varies
12. Relax and unwind in the lounge area
If you do even just a few things on this list while you’re waiting for a flight, you’ll end up so tired that you need a breather before boarding the flight! Head to one of the airport lounges for some quiet relaxation before you board. There are three main lounges at McCarran, and two are limited to members only: the Centurion Lounge is for American Express members and the United Club is for United members. However, anyone can relax at The Club lounge as long as you purchase a day pass! Enjoy free snacks and beverages, including alcohol. For entertainment, pick up a newspaper or magazine or watch television. If you need to get work done, log onto the complimentary wifi. This peaceful location will get you in a relaxed mood before you board your flight.
The Club at LAS
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Website: The Club at LAS
Opening hours: 24 hours
Price: 40 USD
An airport just as exciting as the city where it's located
Whether you’re waiting for a delayed flight, killing time on a layover, or picking someone up at the airport, there are lots of things to do at McCarran. For those needing to feel like themselves, hit the gym or the spa. If you need to relax, check into the lounge. Have antsy kids? Take them to the play area or tour the art installations. With all there is to do at McCarran, you’ll be able to pass the time with ease!
Before you go, be sure to check out the best dive bars and farm-to-table restaurants in Las Vegas.