# Licensing Expo: what to do between sessions in Las Vegas

Source: https://eventweekends.com/trade-show/licensing-expo/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 18 to 20 May 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, United States, about 3 km from the centre
- **Free time:** The show floor takes the day, so the evenings, a companion day and the day after are free.
- **Best base:** Center Strip (Flamingo Road): Walk to most venues, many resort fees.
- **Getting there:** Harry Reid International (LAS) is 10 minutes from the Strip.
- **Weather:** In May, Las Vegas averages highs of about 32°C and lows of 16°C, with roughly 3 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 14 h 09 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Grand Canyon West with Skywalk; Grand Canyon helicopter flight; Hoover Dam tour

## Weather and what to pack

In May, Las Vegas averages highs of about 32°C and lows of 16°C, with roughly 3 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 14 h 09 min of daylight.
- Sun hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle.
- Rain is unlikely: this is one of the driest months.
- Comfortable shoes: a day on the show floor easily means 15,000 steps.

## Airport to venue

Harry Reid International (LAS) is 10 minutes from the Strip. Rideshare is about $25 to $35; taxis use zone fares.

South end of the Strip.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Downtown and Fremont Street. Cheapest rooms, 15 minutes from the Strip by the Deuce bus.
- **mid:** Center Strip (Flamingo Road). Walk to most venues, many resort fees.
- **luxury:** Wynn, Bellagio and the Cosmopolitan. The top resorts.
- Hotels we would book: The LINQ Hotel (budget), Park MGM (mid), Wynn Las Vegas (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Evening one (Tuesday 18 May)

After the show floor closes: dinner and a short evening outing.
- Evening: Food tour on the Strip. Tastings at resort restaurants.
- Eat: Eataly, At Park MGM

### Evening two (Wednesday 19 May)

Team dinner night. Book early: every group in town wants the same tables.
- Eat: Esther's Kitchen, Italian in the Arts District
- After dark: Rooftop bars and clubs on the Strip.

### Companion day (Wednesday 19 May)

For partners who came along and do not have a badge.
- Full day: Grand Canyon West with Skywalk. 2.5 hours each way by coach.

### The day after the show (Friday 21 May)

Push the flight back a day. A full free day costs little and the city empties out.
- Half-day: Indoor skydiving. Wind tunnel.
- Eat: Lotus of Siam, Northern Thai, off-Strip
- Free: Fremont Street light show.

### Team outing

For corporate groups of 10 to 40: private tours and tastings book out first.
- Eat: Bacchanal Buffet, Caesars Palace buffet
- Evening: Cirque du Soleil show. O, Mystère or KÀ.

## Tours worth booking

- [Grand Canyon West with Skywalk](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Grand%20Canyon%20West%20day%20trip%20from%20Las%20Vegas&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-licensing-expo): 2.5 hours each way by coach.
- [Grand Canyon helicopter flight](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Grand%20Canyon%20helicopter%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-licensing-expo): Fly over Hoover Dam and land in the canyon.
- [Hoover Dam tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Hoover%20Dam%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-licensing-expo): Dam and Lake Mead, 45 minutes away.
- [Red Rock Canyon hike or e-bike](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Red%20Rock%20Canyon%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-licensing-expo): Desert scenery 30 minutes west.
- [Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Antelope%20Canyon%20day%20trip%20from%20Las%20Vegas&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-licensing-expo): Long day to Arizona.
- [Cirque du Soleil show](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Cirque%20du%20Soleil%20Las%20Vegas%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-licensing-expo): O, Mystère or KÀ.
- [Las Vegas helicopter night flight](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Las%20Vegas%20helicopter%20night&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-licensing-expo): The Strip lit up.
- [Valley of Fire tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Valley%20of%20Fire%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-licensing-expo): Red sandstone 1 hour north.
- [Food tour on the Strip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Las%20Vegas%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-licensing-expo): Tastings at resort restaurants.
- [Indoor skydiving](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Vegas%20indoor%20skydiving&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-licensing-expo): Wind tunnel.

## Where to eat

- Lotus of Siam: Northern Thai, off-Strip
- Bacchanal Buffet: Caesars Palace buffet
- Raku: Japanese robata in Chinatown
- In-N-Out Burger: Next to the LINQ
- Eataly: At Park MGM
- Esther's Kitchen: Italian in the Arts District

## With kids

- Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.
- Adventuredome at Circus Circus.
- Springs Preserve.

## Rainy-day backups

- Neon Museum.
- Mob Museum.
- AREA15 and Meow Wolf.

## Getting around

- The Monorail runs along the east side of the Strip; the Deuce bus runs 24 hours.
- Walking the Strip takes longer than it looks: resorts are huge.

## Questions people ask

### When is Licensing Expo 2027?

The next edition is 18 to 20 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Licensing Expo?

In May, Las Vegas averages highs of about 32°C and lows of 16°C, with roughly 3 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 14 h 09 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Mandalay Bay Convention Center?

Harry Reid International (LAS) is 10 minutes from the Strip. Rideshare is about $25 to $35; taxis use zone fares. South end of the Strip.

### Where should I stay for Licensing Expo?

For most visitors the best base is Center Strip (Flamingo Road): Walk to most venues, many resort fees.

### What can we do between sessions at Licensing Expo?

Good short outings in Las Vegas include Grand Canyon helicopter flight, Hoover Dam tour, Red Rock Canyon hike or e-bike. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Licensing Expo?

Family-friendly picks: Grand Canyon West with Skywalk, Hoover Dam tour, Red Rock Canyon hike or e-bike. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.

### How far is Mandalay Bay Convention Center from Las Vegas centre?

About 3 km in a straight line. South end of the Strip.

More in Las Vegas: https://eventweekends.com/city/las-vegas/