The First-Time Visitor's Guide to Las Vegas
Imagine a place where anything goes - an over-the-top, showoff of a city where you can bet big and win bigger. It's a place where time ceases to exist; a perpetual vacation, where the drinks flow freely and the city expresses itself through neon marquees, dollar signs, and outrageous costumes.
Here, you can dance the night (or day) away to the best DJs in the world, chow down on phenomenal food, and experience unparalleled shows and entertainment. It doesn't feel like real life because it isn't - it's Las Vegas!
Vegas is one of my favorite cities in the whole world, and first-time visitors are in for an absolute treat. Keep reading for all the tips you need for a successful trip.
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The must-see sights:
There's a lot to explore along the Las Vegas Strip. From museums and exhibitions, to street performers and world-class acrobats, to all the extravagantly themed hotels in between, Vegas is truly an entertainment capital.
If you've never been to the city, a great way to explore the chaos and beauty of the Strip is simply by walking up and down it. Explore the pyramids of Luxor, the rollercoaster of New York-New York, the canals and gondolas of the Venetian, and the Eiffel Tower of Paris. A stroll down Las Vegas Boulevard is like a walk across the world.
Here are more musts you won't want to miss during your visit:
Bellagio Conservatory (it changes with the seasons!)
Bellagio Fountains (the show runs every half hour in the afternoons, and every 15 minutes after dark)
Wynn Las Vegas / Encore Las Vegas
Chandelier Bar inside the Cosmopolitan
The High Roller ferris wheel (it's currently the highest in the world!)
'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' sign
A show (whether it's Cirque du Soleil, an artist residency, magic show, or any of the other world-famous entertainment offerings the city puts on!)
When to go:
There's something going on in Vegas literally every month of the year, so I guarantee you won't get bored whenever you decide to go.
That said, if you're looking to indulge in prime time pool season, go between June-August. This is when desert heat is at its peak, the dayclubs are going strong, and poolside frozen drinks are calling to you oh so sweetly.
If you want the summer party vibes but preferably with temperatures in the double digits instead of triple, consider going in mid-September/October or March-May.
To escape the heat as much as you can along with the crowds, opt for January or February.
Where to stay:
In my opinion, one of the most fun parts of a trip to Vegas is where you stay. The city houses some of the most lavish, over-the-top hotels in the world. Many of them adhere to distinct themes, which makes touring them a trip in and of itself.
If you want to be in the heart of things, there's nothing like staying on the Las Vegas Strip - and I highly encourage first-time visitors to do so! My favorites there include the Wynn Las Vegas / Encore, the Palazzo, the Cosmopolitan, and Caesars Palace. (If you'd like a more detailed breakdown and other suggestions for every budget and personality, check out my guide to Strip hotels here.)
Another popular option for people visiting Vegas is to stay on Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. The hotels are generally cheaper, and there's a completely different vibe there - heavy on the nostalgia and old-school Sin City. I've personally never stayed there so I don't have recommendations for that part of town.
The cuisine:
One of my favorite things about Las Vegas is the food. Seriously - some of the best restaurants in the world can be found here. With celebrity chefs, innovative concepts, and downright beautiful atmospheres, dining on the Strip is an event - and it’s worth celebrating!
You can find everything from dollar slice pizza joints to Michelin-starred restaurants; Parisian fine dining to tapas dive bars; seafood to Peruvian/Japanese concept dining; and everything in between. Get prepared to feast! (For specific suggestions, check out my Vegas dining guide here.)
The Nightlife / Daylife:
I mean, Vegas is known for being Sin City. Most people visiting are here to party - and the partying scene is unreal.
Think celebrity DJs, wild pool parties both day and night, multi-story megaclubs, bars inside chandeliers, and opulent high-rise lounges. Let's not forget the minor detail that you can drink freely while wandering the Strip. It’s truly a town unlike anywhere else on earth.
If you're there to hit the clubs, check out my guide on what to know beforehand here. While you're at it, you can read my lowdown of the best clubs in Vegas here.
How to get to Las Vegas from the airport:
McCarran International Airport (LAS) is practically on the Las Vegas Strip. The easiest way to get to your hotel is to catch a cab or rideshare. Depending on traffic and where on the Strip you're headed, the journey will take you between 10-25 minutes.
How to get around:
There are quite a few ways to navigate Las Vegas.
Walk
Walking is a great way to explore everything Las Vegas Boulevard has to offer.
Keep in mind that it stretches for over 4 miles, so depending on where you're staying, you won't want to rely entirely on walking. The Strip's sidewalks are not a straight-shot - they're frequently interrupted by bridges, tunnels, and shopping centers, so it's a little more complicated to navigate than may first appear.
That said, walking the Strip is awesome for working off some of the food and drink you're undoubtedly going to consume. (Or just an excuse to keep drinking...there are no open container laws, after all!)
Take a rideshare
Rideshares are fairly inexpensive between properties, so I definitely recommend taking advantage of this!
Bear in mind that Vegas hotels have very specific spots for rideshare pick-up. You can't necessarily wait outside the lobby doors and have your Uber swing by to grab you. Your app should direct you to where the pick-up locations are, and the hotels have clear signage as well.
Hop on one of the free trams
There are three free trams that take you around the western side of the Strip.
The first one starts at Mandalay Bay, stops at Luxor, and ends at Excalibur. The second one starts at the Park MGM, stops at ARIA's Crystals Shopping Center, and ends at Bellagio. The third tram starts at Mirage and ends at Treasure Island.
Take the monorail
In addition to the free trams, there is an official Las Vegas Monorail that stretches almost the entire length of the Strip's eastern side. It features seven stations, starting at MGM Grand and ending at SAHARA Las Vegas (formerly known as the SLS.) A one-ride pass costs $5, while a 24-hour pass costs $13. You can purchase tickets ahead of time here.
Rent a car
If you're planning to take excursions to nearby sites such as the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, Seven Magic Mountains,Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock Canyon, or Zion National Park, you will definitely need a car.
Typical Pricing:
If there’s one thing Las Vegas is not, it’s cheap.
Accommodations
On a normal weekend (if such a thing exists in Vegas), 3-star hotels on the Strip charge around $150-200 per night. 4- and 5-star properties charge anywhere from $200-500.
If something's going on in Vegas that weekend (like a big convention, a sporting event, a music festival like EDC, or an awards show), these prices will easily double. The same can be said for popular holiday weekends - the top ones being Memorial Day, Labor Day, and New Year's Eve.
All this being said, there are ways around the exorbitant pricing. The easiest is to visit the city on weeknights during the off-season - or even just in the middle of summer, when the city hits triple digits. Some of the hotels charge as low as $29 (seriously.) Even the fancier 5-star brands offer decent deals throughout the year.
Keep in mind that most properties charge parking fees, in addition to daily resort fees (which range from $30-45 per night, plus tax.) In classic bait-and-switch fashion, these fees will not usually be advertised in the room rate.
Getting around
Rideshares are honestly pretty cheap in Vegas. To go from one end of the Strip (the STRAT) to the other (Mandalay Bay) during off-peak hours, it will cost around $11-15. Hopping between mid-Strip hotels (say, the Cosmo to the Venetian) on a Friday night when everyone in town is hitting the club will set you back between $8-15.
Getting from McCarran International Airport to most of the Strip hotels is also pretty inexpensive, given their proximity to one another. An Uber from LAS to the Bellagio (which is located in the middle of the Strip) will usually cost between $15-25.
Food and drink
If you're mainly sticking to the Strip, expect to spend around $15-25 on breakfast and lunch entrees. Dinner will cost around $20-40 for an entree, depending on where you’re going. Cocktails average $12-19, while beer runs from $8-10.
How to drink for free
One word: gamble!
Head to any of the casinos and start playing the slots or table games. They want you to keep spending your money on the machines; as a result, cocktail servers will roam the floor and offer you free drinks when they see you playing.
If you're a group of girls, it's also extremely easy to get free alcohol in Vegas. Club promoters are always looking to bring girls in for free, and oftentimes this comes with free drink tickets, an open bar, or even free bottle service. Score!
Other useful tips:
Currency
Las Vegas uses the U.S. Dollar ($)
Don't forget to pack
Sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, comfortable heels for nights out
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Looking to plan an unforgettable trip to Sin City? Get in touch and I can make it happen!
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