I had been dreaming about going to Las Vegas for years. The bright lights, the famous casinos, the over-the-top energy, it all sounded like a playground for people like us who love to travel and gamble. So, when we finally booked a quick getaway, I decided not to research a thing. I wanted to be surprised, to experience Vegas with fresh eyes. And wow… I was surprised all right, just not always in the way I expected.
Vegas delivered on the glitz, the glamour, and the sheer scale of everything, but it also taught me a few hard lessons. So, if you’re planning your first trip to Sin City, here’s everything I wish I’d known before I showed up with wide eyes and zero prep. Trust me, these tips will help you make the most of your time and skip the rookie mistakes.
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Trip Preparedness: Tips you want to know
You need a plan
As I mentioned earlier, we didn’t really have a plan for our first trip and although we did get to see a lot, I definitely wish we would have planned better to make better use of the short amount of time we had. Because every casino wants your money, they have created all sorts of attractions, many of which are free, to get you into their building hoping you’ll stay and spend money. This is where the plan comes in handy. Be sure to check schedules for things such as when the Bellagio fountain show runs, so you can schedule your day to not miss the things you want to see.
What it means to visit a city in the desert
If you didn’t know already, Las Vegas is in the desert. The Mojave Desert to be precise. Known for its arid climate and unique landscapes, the Mojave Desert is one of the largest and driest deserts in North America. So, you really need to be prepared for Las Vegas weather. No matter when you are here, it is very dry, so be sure to stay hydrated with plenty of water on top of any other beverage you choose. Sunscreen is highly recommended all year as even in winter the sun can fool you. Summer is obviously the hottest with temperatures reaching into the 100’s, but it can also get quite hot in spring and fall. Be sure to check the weather before you visit and pack appropriately. If you happen to be visiting in winter, days are generally pretty mild and pleasant, but you might need a jacket at night. Again, check the weather before you pack for your trip. I lived in Tucson for many years and I still wasn’t prepared for how dry my mouth constantly was.
Wear comfortable shoes
Odds are, you’ll walk more in Las Vegas than you’ve walked in a long time. Even if you don’t leave your resort, just getting through the casino to your hotel room can be quite a trek. And that’s just when you arrive at your hotel. This is why having comfortable shoes is one of the most important tips I can give you. Make sure that these are trusted comfortable shoes, not new ones that you think will be comfortable. Besides the fact that there is a lot of space to transverse, you will also come to some areas, such as the Cobblestone streets in Paris that make walking a little more uneven and can wear on your feet after a while especially in uncomfortable shoes.
You don’t have to Dress Up
Overall, Las Vegas is a casual place. People walk through the casinos in all sorts of attire from shorts and tank tops to sparkling evening wear, so whatever you choose to wear, make sure you are comfortable. Having said that, some of the higher end restaurants do require at least business casual attire, as do most clubs. Again, if you plan where you want to go before you come and check dress codes for some of the fancier places you want to hit, then you’ll feel comfortable with your attire. Don’t forget your bathing suit as all hotels have pools. We’ll talk more about this later.
Everything is Huge
Everything in Las Vegas is large. The casinos need plenty of space to accommodate a hotel, casino, restaurants and in some cases large venues. Then there is shopping and décor. Even the parking garages are big. This adds up to needing lots of room, but also lots of walking to not only get around the resort you are staying at, but to get around from casino to casino. When you need to be somewhere for a dinner reservation, or a show, take into account that it takes a bit of time to get from place to place and give yourself plenty of time. If possible, choose your hotel nearest to most things you plan to do to save yourself some walking and time. When you are booking show tickets or event tickets ahead of your trip, keep in mind that it may take a while to get there from your hotel so leave room in your schedule for travel time.
Las Vegas Strip is much longer than it looks
From Mandalay Bay to The Strat, the strip is 4.2 miles. Now if you walk a lot, this may not seem like much, probably about an hour and half without any stops. And honestly, it’s a pretty easy walk. It’s relatively flat, with sidewalks. However, you must take into account that it is very dry and usually hot in Las Vegas so walking the equivalent of about 70 football fields may make you reconsider doing that jaunt. And more importantly, if you’re there to see all the great attractions in Las Vegas you will probably stop quite often. So, when you make your plans, take all of these into account. If you really want to walk the whole strip on your visit, I would plan for at least 2 days to be able to see everything.
It’s more than just the Strip
People visiting Las Vegas for the first time want to see everything, but most consider Las Vegas Strip to be everything and there is so much more! First there’s Fremont Street which is really where Las Vegas and gambling started. Even Fremont Street is so much more than just casinos. There are museums, the arts district, live shows and entertainment.
Enjoying the outdoors is a highlight of the Las Vegas area and worth checking out if you have time. There is Red Rock Canyon, Sloan Canyon, Lake Mead and Hoover Dam all within an hour of the Las Vegas Strip. There are even more places close enough to do day trips if you want to get off the strip awhile.
It can be Overwhelming
Because it is so large and provides so much entertainment, you may feel a bit overwhelmed at trying to get as much done as possible. You will also deal with lots of lights flashing, many different noises (think loud music with slot machines in the background), crowds and people trying to sell you everything from show tickets to products in their stores. If you’re not used to this sensory invoking environment, it may get to be too much for you. If you start getting frustrated, take a break and recharge. You can go to the pool, get a spa treatment or just head to your room for a little bit of quiet for a while. Then go back to your plan and don’t let yourself get sidetracked by all that is Las Vegas.
You don’t have to have a car
If you planning to stay on the strip and Fremont Street then a car really isn’t necessary. Las Vegas has excellent public transportation options. The city offers public buses, double decker tour buses that stop at most casinos and a convenient monorail system that will get you around the strip and down to Fremont St. There are also plenty of taxis, Uber and Lyft. If you do plan some trips away from the city, then rent a car for a day or two. We made the mistake of renting a car for the whole week and found out that we only used it a couple of days. It’s wise to make your plans for when you need a car and only get one for when you need it. Many resorts conveniently have car rental agencies onsite and if yours doesn’t, there are stand-alone rental companies on Las Vegas Boulevard. You will need to return the car where you rent it, not the airport. Unless you like long lines, I advise not to rent a car at the airport. It’s not convenient as you must take a shuttle to the car rental building and as you can imagine many planes are coming in at once, so there are always a lot of people looking for a car.
Parking isn’t free
One of the reasons you might decide to skip the car is that sadly, parking is no longer free at most hotels in Las Vegas. Having said that, some resorts do still offer free parking to reward members (sometimes only higher level) and locals. There are also a few that do offer guests (and locals) a discount but it’s not much. So, if you are staying on the strip and opt to rent a car, factor in the daily parking fee.
Discount Show tickets are available
You may have to pay parking and resort fees, but you can usually find discounted tickets for many activities including shows and events. There are plenty of resources for finding tickets. Consult your hotel concierge, go to the discount ticket booths around town or check online resources. Be aware that people on the streets offering free or discount tickets probably are for time shares or just total rip-offs. If you are trying to get tickets to a particular show, I advise getting tickets ahead of time as the show may be sold-out when you’re in town. However, if you’re just looking to go to a show, not a particular show, then you should be able to find tickets to something that interests you. Be aware that most shows do not run on Mondays.
Smoking is allowed in most casinos
Smoking is allowed on most casino floors. Having said that, smoking isn’t allowed in restaurants and bars. Most of the casinos have gone to all non-smoking rooms too. All have systems to eliminate odor and smoke. The only time we have ever noticed an odor was in one of the off-strip budget friendly casinos. However, if you do have allergies or have asthma, you should be aware that there is smoking in the casinos. Park MGM is the only non-smoking casino on the strip. Some casinos, such as The Plaza on Fremont Street, do have non-smoking rooms separate from the main casino floor.
Getting from the airport to your hotel
The best options are taxis or ride share. Taxis in Las Vegas have gone to straight rates for each hotel, so even if they detour a little because of traffic or you get stuck in traffic your price won’t go up. Quite honestly, I recommend taxis versus ride shares because not only do most of the taxi drivers know the city better and the shortcuts to miss heavy traffic but you can get one much quicker at the airport. We have seen really long lines for rideshares and actually talked to one woman who had to wait an hour to get a car. But either way these are the two best ways to get from the airport.
During your visit: Useful Tips
Casino Rewards Cards are Worth it
Loyalty programs allow guests to accumulate points while spending money on accommodation, dining, shopping and entertainment within their properties. Once you accumulate enough credits or points you can use those for lots of other benefits and exclusive perks including paying for food or comp rooms on a future visit. One thing you need to know is that almost every hotel charges a resort fee and you still have to pay the resort fees even if you get a “free” room. You don’t have to gamble to sign up for the card, it’s free to join and points will also accumulate if you use it when dining and shopping.
You will see people in Costume or Almost Naked
Expect to see scantily clad men and women or people in costume on the streets trying to get you to take a picture with them. Be aware that they charge for these pictures so if you aren’t that interested don’t let them talk you into it. Sometimes they get a little pushy. You will also be approached by people who appear to work for the casinos, asking you how your trip is going, can they help you with anything, etc. These are people trying to get you to get a timeshare. Just tell them you’re fine and continue walking.
Free Drinks is not a Myth
Yes, it’s true that Vegas casinos often provide complimentary drinks to guests who are engaging in gambling activities. This practice is a well-known tradition in many of the casinos in the Las Vegas Valley. You’ll see cocktail servers circulate the gaming floors, offering a variety of beverages, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, to players. When you get your drink, be polite to the server and give a nice tip.
Las Vegas has some of the best Pools
Although Las Vegas is known for its scorching summers, some of the city’s renowned pools are open year-round and offer the opportunity to enjoy a swim regardless of how cold it is. Several hotels and resorts offer heated pools and amenities even during the cooler months. Mandalay Bay has one of the best pools in Las Vegas and they are open year-round, MGM Grand keeps one of its pools open, as do Bellagio, Caesars and The Venetian. Check your hotel website to find out more about their pool including hours.
Everything isn’t open 24 hours
While the casino floors themselves are open all day and you can get cocktails, coffee and water, most other places close at night. Depending on what you’re looking to do will depend on what time it may close. Fine dining restaurants tend to close before midnight, where some others will stay open until 2 or 3 AM. Nightclubs and bars tend to stay open until the wee hours of the morning. Most other things such as shops, shows, etc. close around 10 or 11 PM. Be sure to check operating times for restaurants you want to visit and make reservations ahead of time. Some get really busy and only seat with reservations.
You can carry alcohol on The Strip
Maybe one of the more surprising things to know about Las Vegas is that you can carry alcohol on Las Vegas Boulevard. Las Vegas is one of only a handful of other U.S. cities like New Orleans where you can legally drink on the street. This is a good thing when you’re trying to save some money because you can buy alcohol at convenience and drug stores on the Strip and save a few bucks by mixing drinks in your room.
General Tips for visiting Las Vegas
Stick to your budget
You can’t get around the fact that Las Vegas is an expensive city to visit, but there are ways to save some money. Many activities are free, such as Bellagio Fountains, and if you like window shopping you can spend a lot of time doing this. When making your plans, look for discount tickets for the things you want to do. Many times, the hotels will offer discounts. If you’re not looking to eat at the higher end restaurants, there are many restaurants that are reasonable. Buy drinks for your room at CVS or Walgreens and not in the hotel gift shop. The list goes on. Do your research ahead of time.
Tips can go a long way
Be sure to tip your bellhop, server on the casino floor, pool attendants, etc. They will appreciate it and remember you when you ask them for something. Many of them know secrets for getting into shows or the best inexpensive restaurants. If you treat them well, they can be great resources.
Don’t forget to check for Las Vegas events
If you can choose when to take your vacation in Las Vegas, make sure you check to see what is happening in town before booking your stay. Las Vegas is always crowded, but at certain times it’s just impossible to get around without waiting in long lines. An example is when the Consumer Electronics Show is in town. This brings in over 300,000 people to town. Check for big shows at the convention center, sporting events (like F1) and any other event that will draw thousands here. Another downside to coming when there is a big event is that hotels tend to raise prices then. You’ll also save money if you can visit during the week versus weekends.
Use Online Check In
Most Las Vegas hotels have an online check-in option, allowing you to check into your room before arriving at the hotel. When you get to the hotel, simply pick up your room keys at a dedicated desk and avoid standing in a long check-in line. Some hotels even have a mobile room key that you can scan from your smartphone, eliminating the need to pick up keys. Lines can be long to check-in, so if you can do it online, you’ll save lots of time.
Avoid ATMs at the casinos
ATMs on the casino floor always have hefty withdrawal fees – sometimes upwards of $20. If you do need extra money, go to a bank, hopefully you can find a branch of your bank, or go to CVS or Walgreens and get cash back from a purchase.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Wing It in Vegas
Las Vegas is wild, exciting, over-the-top and completely overwhelming if you’re not prepared. Trust me, showing up without a plan might sound spontaneous, but it can leave you missing out on some truly unforgettable experiences (or stuck in the world’s longest Uber line).
If I could go back and tell first time me one thing, it’d be: know what you want to do, map it out, and leave room for surprises. Vegas rewards planners, and with a little strategy, you can save money, skip lines, and still soak up all that neon-glow magic.
Whether you’re here for the slots, the shows, the pools, or just to people watch with a giant cocktail in hand, do it your way but do it smart. We always want to give you tips we’ve learned to help make your trip the best it can be. If you ever need help planning a trip, try this website: trip.com. There are lots of ideas to help you. We hope to encourage you to find your adventure, have fun and make lots of wonderful memories!