10 Reasons to Keep It
Floaty in Laughlin

Laughlin has its own pace, and so do you. If you've been here before, you already know: Plans loosen up quickly. That’s part of the fun.

If you’ve never experienced what this riverfront destination has to offer, we’ve got you covered. Because Keep It Floaty isn’t about tubing the Colorado River, though you can do that, too. It’s a Laughlin state of mind. It’s less about seeing everything and more about settling into wherever you are. A little curiosity, a little optimism and a healthy disregard for the itinerary. Here are 10 ways to live that out on your next visit.

1. Start With a Spa Day at Jean Jeffrey the Salon & Day Spa 

The best way to set the tone? Clear the whole first afternoon. Jean Jeffrey The Salon & Day Spa at Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino offers massages, facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, and a full range of hair and beauty services, many using vegan and organic products. Once you’ve built your schedule around a 2 p.m. massage, the rest of the trip tends to fall into place at a much more manageable pace. 

2. Take the Water Taxi Instead of Driving

Laughlin’s casino resorts line up along the river so neatly that it almost seems designed for this: Skip the parking lot and let the water handle the commute. River Passage Water Taxis cruise from dock to dock along the Colorado River on comfortable pontoon boats, with single tickets and all-day passes available right at the casino docks. It’s one of Laughlin’s simplest pleasures, and one of the easiest ways to see the scenic riverfront from a different angle. 

3. Cruise the Colorado on the Grand Celebration

If you want a longer time on the water, Laughlin River Tours operates the Grand Celebration, a 150-passenger yacht with narrated 90-minute scenic cruises and an evening dinner cruise option. Choose the climate-controlled lower deck or head topside for open desert air and wide-open river views. Either way, you’re moving at exactly the right speed.

4. Play a Round (and Don’t Keep Score Too Closely)

There are five golf courses near Laughlin with more than 300 sunny days a year to play them. Laughlin Ranch Golf Club, Huukan Golf Club, Los Lagos Golf Club, El Rio Golf Club and Mojave Resort Golf Club each brings its own character, from dramatic elevation changes to forgiving desert fairways. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or just here for the cart ride and the views, there’s a course that matches your game. 

5. Pull Up a Stool and See Where the Night Goes

Some of the best evenings in Laughlin start with nothing more than finding a comfortable seat. Tango’s Lounge at Tropicana Laughlin and The Cove Bar and Lounge at Aquarius Casino Resort both offer that unhurried, neighborhood-bar feel where the hours pass easily. Check out the full lineup of Laughlin bars and nightlife and pick whichever sounds right for the mood. Then let the night figure out the rest. 

6. Catch a Live Show

From headliner concerts at the 9,300-seat outdoor Laughlin Event Center to more intimate performances at Don’s Celebrity Theatre and the Edge Pavilion at Edgewater Casino Resort, live entertainment here runs the range from country and classic rock to comedy and tribute acts. Scan the calendar, grab tickets if something clicks, and if nothing’s calling your name this trip, something will next time.

7. Book a Riverfront Room and Actually Use the Balcony

Laughlin’s casino resorts and hotels sit right along the water, and riverfront rooms are more the norm than the exception. Properties like Harrah’s Laughlin Beach Resort & Casino, Aquarius Casino Resort and Tropicana Laughlin all offer Colorado River views, resort pools and the kind of low-key comfort that makes it easy to not leave until well after checkout. Don’t forget to check the packages and deals page before you book. 

8. Explore the Trails, Labyrinths and Desert Beyond

Laughlin’s outdoor offerings go a lot further than the riverwalk. The Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park and North Reach Trails follow the water for miles, while the Laughlin Labyrinths offer something more contemplative: a quiet, winding walk through a desert landscape that doesn’t ask much of you. When you’re ready to venture further, day trips to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the old Route 66 town of Oatman are all within easy reach. 

9. Eat Well Without Making a Reservation Three Weeks Out

Laughlin keeps it relaxed on the dining front, too. Beach Café at Harrah’s, Carnegie’s Café at Tropicana Laughlin, River Rock Pizza and Pasta, and The Brew Brothers Tap House all bring solid food without the fuss. Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho handles the fun end of things, while Saltgrass Steak House and Outback Steakhouse are there when something heartier sounds right. For a slow afternoon, Duet Coffee & Wine at Aquarius is worth knowing about. Browse the full Laughlin dining guide and go wherever sounds good. 

10. Let the Vacation Find You

Laughlin sits at the corner of Nevada, Arizona and California, which makes it a natural starting point for a Southwest road trip, but it’s just as good as a destination on its own. The trip ideas and itineraries on VisitLaughlin.com offer useful starting points for those who want loose structure, but the best Laughlin trips tend to drift off script anyway. Arrive with a general direction and see where the river takes you. That’s the whole idea. 

No strict plan required. Just a willingness to loosen your grip a little and let the vacation find you.