The Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix returns for the third straight year, taking over nearly four miles of city streets, including parts of the Strip, for the race Nov. 22 and its qualifying laps Nov. 20-21. The excitement, however, extends beyond the competition itself.
"This event offers three days of on-track action, world-class hospitality, incredible nightlife, and trackside concerts featuring headline talent like T-Pain, MGK and Zedd," according to Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Vice President of Marketing Austin Brown. "The entire resort corridor comes alive with F1-themed experiences, exclusive celebrity chef dinners and more, all just steps away from the circuit. It's a fantastic time to visit Las Vegas and experience F1 like never before."
The intrigue lasts throughout the year—and it's never too soon to get into the F1 spirit.
Grand Prix Plaza
The arrival of Formula 1 in Vegas brought the construction of the Grand Prix Plaza on the corner of Harmon Avenue and Koval Lane. The 40-acre facility is integral to the race itself, containing stands that overlook part of the track as well as the Paddock, which headquarters for the cars and their respective operations teams. Yet the plaza is also much more.
"Grand Prix Plaza has allowed Formula 1 to maintain a year-round presence in Las Vegas, providing a great way to engage with both visiting and local fans," Brown says. "Grand Prix Plaza isn’t just home to the race; it provides a consistent touchpoint with the sport through educational and interactive experiences when we aren't racing. This has helped to build excitement and expand the presence of Formula 1 in Las Vegas and the broader U.S. market. The interactive attractions at the plaza are key to this."
F1X is like a pop-up museum where guests can check out race cars on display, see exhibits dedicated to the sport, and even design their own vehicle before wrapping up the tour in a 4D theater that simulates a drive on the Las Vegas Grand Prix track. Fuel and Fork is a bar and restaurant overlooking the track (try the lasagna bites), and simulator machines are available for free if you don't mind a short wait in line. The F1 Drive go-karts are the most fun, zipping around a route that includes part of the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit.
McLaren Experience and Concours at Wynn Las Vegas
The McLaren Experience at Wynn was originally marketed as a pop-up attraction, but has stuck around for a few years with no sign of going away anytime soon. Located near the Wynn's shops and theaters, this free mini-museum and gift shop showcases the high-performance vehicles by McLaren Automotive, the British luxury automaker with a legacy of worldwide racing victories. There's a rotating exhibit of three race cars, plus opportunities to shop for hats, shirts and even luggage with the McLaren seal of approval.
The resort is also home to the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, an outdoor exhibit of more than 250 vintage vehicles on the green grass of the Wynn Golf Club. The event returns Oct. 31-Nov. 2 with cars competing in four categories to earn the judges' approval. There are also receptions (including a hosted bar at sunset on the rooftop of the Wynn parking garage), an auction, Tour d’Elegance parade down Las Vegas Boulevard, and a partnership with SpeedVegas to zip around a 1.3-miles track south of the Strip in luxury sport vehicles.
"Every detail is thoughtfully chosen," Vice President of Launch Strategy and Communication Liz Norris says. "There are neon chandeliers created bespoke for us that emulate racetracks, we have a helmet display wall and our DJ booth is an incredible LED light fixture, so the interior design should knock your socks off, even for Vegas."
F1 Arcade
The October arrival of the F1 Arcade is further evidence of international race culture integrating itself into the fabric of Las Vegas. The new attraction takes over the former Planet Hollywood restaurant space inside the Forum Shops at Caesars—with its own private entrance and elevator to boot. Visitors can take a seat in one of 87 full-motion simulators, similar to model cars that recreate the experience of taking a practice lap on an official Formula 1 track. The machines have five skill levels, from rookie to expert.
F1 Arcade is also a full-blown restaurant with a menu of cocktails, champagne and an elevated take on sports bar favorites, including ahi tuna and Wagyu beef burgers.
"It's a full social experience," Norris says. "You can go on a date, go out with your colleagues from work or celebrate a family birthday party. It's perfect for the Strip."
Las Vegas will be home to the seventh F1 Arcade in the United States—and the first for a city that actually has a Grand Prix race of its own. "This really is for everyone," Norris adds. "No one should be intimidated."
Shelby American Heritage Center
Shelby American is the only automobile manufacturer in Nevada, operating quietly near Town Square where it produces an updated version of the AC Cobra, an iconic sports car that helped inspire the 2019 Academy Award winning film Ford v Ferrari. Founded by racing visionary Carroll Shelby, the factory operates alongside the 15,000-square-foot Shelby Heritage Center with more than 30 cars on display. Take a free self-guided tour at your leisure or sign up for a guided version (beginning at $49 per person) with behind-the-scenes access to cars being assembled, painted and perfected. A gift shop sells shirts, model cars and other merchandise.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the top spot in Southern Nevada for competitive racing events throughout the year, including two "NASCAR Weekends"—one in spring and another coming up this fall (the South Point 400, Oct. 10-12). The races are tied to numerous celebrations and autograph sessions, while the track itself can accommodate up to 80,000 race fans.
Located in the far end of the valley beyond North Las Vegas, the speedway has year-round attractions, including track tours, a NASCAR racing experience and Dream Racing, which allows fans to get behind the wheel of a high-performance sports car and take a spin on the track