Four ticket designs featuring 'my return ticket' text, with three in gold and one in silver.

VERDICT: WE GAVE 4 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!

This guide forms part of our complete USA Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United States.

This article is also part of the Ultimate Guide to Nevada, exploring the Vegas Strip, the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Area 51 and even Getting Married. Read the complete itinerary here.

Why seeing the world’s most famous illusionist became one of our favourite Vegas experiences

When people think of Las Vegas entertainment, they usually picture huge concerts, Cirque du Soleil or headline residencies. For us, one of the biggest surprises came from a magician.

Completely out of the blue, my husband suggested we celebrate our anniversary by seeing David Copperfield at the MGM Grand. I remember thinking… “Why not?”

He’s one of the most famous magicians in history, he’s been performing in Las Vegas for decades and, surely, it would be a fun evening. What we weren’t prepared for was just how entertaining, and completely baffling, the show would be.

Unfortunately, cameras aren’t allowed during the performance, so you’ll simply have to take our word for it. This show was absolutely bananas.

The lights dimmed. Music filled the theatre. Then suddenly… There he was.

David Copperfield appeared inside a giant box that we were convinced had been empty only moments earlier. Not only did he appear out of nowhere… He appeared sitting on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Now that’s how you open a show. After the spectacular entrance, David slowed things right down. He chatted with the audience, cracked jokes and performed what looked like simple sleight-of-hand tricks.

Just when we thought we were getting comfortable… Everything changed. Without giving too much away, a spaceship suddenly became part of the show. There was even a wonderfully strange robotic alien that somehow became part of a surprisingly emotional story about David’s late parents.

It was funny. Touching. And completely unexpected. Just when we thought we’d seen everything…

A giant Tyrannosaurus rex appeared. Seriously.

David explained how his favourite childhood toy had been a T-Rex skeleton named Frank, before building toward one of the biggest illusions of the evening. The ending was astonishing.

One second there was nothing. The next… A massive dinosaur stood in front of the audience. Even though we watched as carefully as possible, we had absolutely no idea how he’d done it.

One of the things we enjoyed most was how much audience participation there was throughout the evening. Rather than relying solely on assistants, David involved audience members in many of the illusions.

At one point he even threw Frisbees into the audience to randomly select participants and answers for an illusion he claimed to have predicted before the show had even begun. The clever part? One of those predictions had actually been emailed to everyone before the performance started.

Of course, none of us knew that because our mobile phones had been locked away in secure wooden pouches for the duration of the show.

When we finally checked our phones afterwards… There it was. Mind blown. Throughout the performance David never came across as someone trying to impress people with his celebrity. Instead, he was funny, relaxed and genuinely engaging. After performing for audiences around the world for decades, he still seemed to enjoy surprising people. That probably explains why the theatre was packed.

As we left the MGM Grand we spent the next hour trying to explain the tricks to each other. Neither of us came close. Would we recommend seeing David Copperfield? Absolutely.

Even if you don’t think you’re interested in magic, this show combines storytelling, humour, technology and impossible illusions into one unforgettable evening.

For us, it became one of the highlights of our Las Vegas trip and another reminder that Vegas really is the entertainment capital of the world.

Top 3 David Copperfield Illusions

The Flying Illusion: His signature routine, where he appears to fly freely across the stage, remains one of the most iconic illusions ever created.
Audience Prediction Illusion: Random audience selections somehow match predictions prepared before the performance begins, leaving audiences wondering how it could possibly have been planned.
Large-Scale Vanishing Illusions: From people to enormous objects, Copperfield’s disappearing acts combine engineering, storytelling and flawless timing to create moments that seem impossible.

Bottom line: David Copperfield’s Vegas show is a polished, high-production experience built around wonder rather than flash, a reliable, family-friendly headline act that continues to earn its place among the Strip’s classic must-see performances.

Top 10 Running Shows in Las Vegas

David Copperfield
Cirque du Soleil (O, Mystère, KA, Michael Jackson ONE, Mad Apple)
Penn & Teller
Carrot Top
Blue Man Group
David Blaine
Shin Lim
Piff the Magic Dragon
Nathan Burton
Tape Face

Top 5 Concert Residencies in Las Vegas

Bruno Mars
Kelly Clarkson
Janet Jackson
Barry Manilow
Rod Stewart

We had the chance to see Céline Dion live in concert. It was quite incredible!

The Three Biggest Shows in Las Vegas History

1. David Copperfield

The world’s highest-grossing magician has entertained millions with groundbreaking illusions and has remained one of the Strip’s longest-running headline acts.

2. Cirque du Soleil

No entertainment company has shaped modern Las Vegas more than Cirque du Soleil, with multiple permanent productions attracting millions of visitors every year.

3. Céline Dion

Her residency redefined what was possible in Las Vegas, proving that superstar artists could perform long-term and still sell out night after night.

Spotlight: Carrot Top

Carrot Top has become one of Las Vegas’ most enduring comedy acts. This was an act we hadn’t planned to see. However it was non stop laughter. So funny! So much so we have seen him twice! Performing for years at the Luxor Hotel, he’s famous for his rapid-fire prop comedy, outrageous inventions and energetic style. His show blends stand-up, visual gags and audience interaction, making it one of the Strip’s most consistently popular comedy experiences. Even visitors who aren’t familiar with his television appearances are often surprised by just how funny, and fast-paced his performances are.

Time Needed 2 Hours

Admission Paid Admission

Best Time to Visit Year Round

Accessibility Excellent

Local Tip

Book early and get to the lineup early for best seats.Easy to watch if you want to relax and take in the incredible magic before you!

Information Verified: 06/15/2022

The Bottom Line

Thumbs up! Great show. Well worth the time and money. Would go again!

Continue Exploring The Grand Canyon and Las Vegas

Kayaking the Colorado River with Desert Adventures USA: Glide through calm stretches of water framed by towering canyon walls. Ideal for first-timers or experienced paddlers.
Antelope Canyon: A spectacular slot canyon famous for its colourful sandstone walls and incredible light beams. Guided tours are required.
Hoover Dam: An engineering marvel spanning the Colorado River, offering guided tours and panoramic views over Lake Mead.
Sedona: Renowned for its striking red rock formations, scenic drives, hiking trails, art galleries and vibrant downtown.
Visit Fremont Street Experience: Enjoy the spectacular LED canopy light show, live entertainment, zipline and classic vintage Vegas atmosphere.
Explore Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: Just 30 minutes from the Strip, this spectacular desert landscape offers scenic drives, hiking, rock climbing and incredible photography opportunities.

Nearby Attractions And Things To Do In Las Vegas

Walk the Las Vegas Strip: Experience the world-famous resorts, themed hotels, dazzling fountains, nightlife and free attractions that make Las Vegas unlike anywhere else.
Visit Fremont Street Experience: Enjoy the spectacular LED canopy light show, live entertainment, zipline and classic vintage Vegas atmosphere.
Stay at the Venetian Hotel: One of the city’s top hotels. It is a little pricier, but the environment, rooms, and the feeling of Venice is steps away. Quite a magical stay!
Try out Nine Fine Irishmen and Gordon Ramsay’s Pub & Grill: There are so many restaurants to choose from. We enjoyed both, great food and fantastic hospitality.
Get Married!: On the Strip you will find numerous opportunities to tie the knot. It all can be arranged in a day. Even get the marriage licence on the day! We did it!

Planning Your Trip?

Before you go, don’t forget to book the essentials:

With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.