The Las Vegas Explorer Pass (a brand new product!) and the Las Vegas PowerPass are two of the leading multi-attraction products in the Vegas market. They both provide admission to top Las Vegas attractions on the Strip, but further consideration reveals some pretty substantial differences between these two products. Taking into consideration ease of use, flexibility, and how you save, it seems clear that the Las Vegas Explorer Pass is a clear winner.

How You Save 

The Las Vegas Explorer Pass advertises a savings of up to 55% on combined admission prices, and comes at a pretty low price point (only $65/adult for a 3-Choice Pass).

One of the most valuable things about this product is the flexibility you have in choosing attractions and visiting them at your own pace. No need to cram things into a limited number of days – you’ve got 30 days to use the pass after your first visit.

There are also multiple ways to save with this product – you can visit a variety of attraction combinations to maximize your savings without worrying about seeing only the most expensive sites. In fact, even the most inexpensive attractions will still have you coming out on top.

The Las Vegas PowerPass doesn’t advertise a specific savings percentage, but they do give you an example of how much you save when visiting 10 attractions (about $100 dollars on admission costs). That sounds great, but the problem? You have to fit all 10 visits into just three days!

While this product does give you the option of choosing a card that’s valid for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days, that’s a bit restrictive when it comes to time management. To make the most of your savings, you have to be visiting attractions all day long – no time to break for a visit to one of Vegas’ famed buffets or some casino play.

That also basically rules out their Grand Canyon West Legacy Tour – a 2.5-hour drive away from downtown Las Vegas (not the mention the $8 impact fee that isn’t covered by your pass). So there are some attractions you realistically won’t be able to visit if you want to make the most of the product.

Because of this product’s pricing scheme (around $85 for a 1 Day Pass), you have to visit at minimum three attractions per day – something that can be tricky to do if you want to take a long tour, for example. It also may make you feel rushed.

How Do I Use Them?

The Las Vegas PowerPass is purchased for the number of card days you want to visit attractions. You purchase the cards online and then pick them up in a specified location once you get to Vegas.

The Las Vegas Explorer Pass is purchased by the number of attractions (3 or 5). This pass is delivered instantly to your e-mail, and you can use it on a smartphone or print it out for admission. No need to pick anything up at a separate location, which is a big stress reduction when in town. You have 30 full days to use the product after the first attraction visit, so you can use it all on one vacation or spread it out over multiple visits if you live in the area.

What’s the Real Difference?

The most substantial difference between these two products has to do with your style of travel. If you prefer the flexibility and freedom of seeing what you want on your schedule – no time crunch, no pressure to see it all – then the Las Vegas Explorer Pass is a good option for you.

If you want to spend your entire Vegas visit running around between attractions – without pausing to spend a day at the casino – then the Las Vegas PowerPass may be a good choice. Keep in mind, however, that it requires some serious dedication to touring and exploring in order to get your money’s worth out of the product.

Extra Details

The Las Vegas Explorer Pass is available for convenient, eco-friendly instant delivery. No need to pick anything up or wait for the mail.

Both products offer basic information like maps and contact information (although for some reason the Las Vegas PowerPass asks you to download it separately).

The Las Vegas Explorer Pass comes with a free, full-color guidebook that not only includes maps and directions, but also includes important info about each neighborhood, hours of operation, and other valuable attraction details.

Last Thoughts

If you’re trying to decide between a Las Vegas Explorer Pass and a Las Vegas PowerPass, the biggest thing you need to take into consideration is your style of travel.  How much flexibility do you want in your attraction visits, and how much do you realistically want to visit attractions (possibly at the cost of some of Vegas’s other great pleasures)? How much do you want to spend before you see any real savings? In the final deliberation, it seems like the Las Vegas Explorer Pass is the best deal for your money.

Las Vegas: a trip to this desert oasis is a once-in-a-lifetime dream for people around the world. Las Vegas offers as many activities as it does slot machines leaving most tourists with far too much to do and too little time in which to do it. Among the most important of these choices, however is simply seeing Vegas. The history of this town, blended with its ever-changing hot spots is a lesson in American opulence throughout the 20^th and 21^st centuries. Both by day and by night and from many different vantage points, Vegas allows visitors the ability to “see” it warts and all. Each of these perspectives will shed new light onto the wonders, dangers, and sin of this famous city.

“See” Vegas from on High: The Stratosphere Observation Deck

On April 30, 1996 the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower opened and still stands as the 5^th tallest building in all of the United States. It is one of the most anticipated destinations on any Vegas tour, and for good reason.

Standing a towering 1,149 feet above the ground, Stratosphere is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the US. Stratosphere represents one of the most daring and awesome views of Las Vegas day and night. Admission to the tower is $16 for adults and $10 for children, but it is also included in many tour passes such as the Vegas Power Pass. It offers panoramic windows for a 360° view of the City of Lights, as well as some of the most thrilling rides in town, including the world’s tallest controlled free fall in Sky Jump Las Vegas.

“See” Vegas as a Bird”: Nighttime Helicopter Tours

Another great aerial view of Las Vegas will gives a far different perspective on the majesty of the city’s lights by allowing tourists to take a bird’s eye tour of Sin City via helicopter. Nighttime helicopter tours of Las Vegas are not always cheap, but the 15-20 minute ride aboard these luxury aircraft is far worth the splurge. Many people who have taken them call these tours the highlight of their trip, offering a view of Vegas straight out of CSI.

There are several reputable helicopter companies who offer varying tours from the Vegas strip and surrounding areas. HeliUSA Airways offers discounted tickets to Power Pass holders and several other tour companies hold specials online and in Vegas. Since helicopter tours rely on good weather, plan ahead if this element of your trip is a priority. However, last minute seats are usually sold at a discount as well.

“See” Vegas as a Gangster: The Mob Museum

Located at 300 Stewart Ave, the Las Vegas Mob Museum is formally called The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement. Overseen by the City of Las Vegas, the museum is dedicated to telling the story of both organized crime as well as law enforcement officials who fought them throughout Las Vegas and the world. Its exhibits include a timeline of Las Vegas and its intricate relationship with organized crime, profiles of famous mobsters such as Al Capone, John Gotti, and Bugsy Siegel, as well as descriptions and recounts of the law enforcement officers who worked to bring these mobsters down.

For fans of the Godfather and the Sopranos alike, taking a look at Sin City’s original sins can be enlightening and entertaining. Admission to the museum is $18 for adults and $12 for children and students; it is open 7 days a week at 10 am.

“See” Vegas Naked: The Erotic Heritage Museum

If the Mob Museum isn’t sin enough, the Erotic Heritage Museum, located at 3275 Industrial Road, will fill in the rest of the gaps. Open only to those 18 years and older, the 24,000 square foot space was formerly known as the Déjà vu Love Boutique. Through the museum’s more than 300,000 pieces of art and memorabilia, the concept of sex is explored not as that of sin and debauchery, but as art and an important cornerstone to all socio-cultural experiences across time. Though not for the prudish at heart, the Erotic Heritage Museum is sure to offer information and intrigue to all who are interested.

The museum is closed on Mondays. General admission is $15, with 1 discount given to seniors and military personnel.