Las Vegas has rightly earned its reputation for being one of the best travel destinations on the planet, and if you play your cards right, you’ll certainly walk away fully intending to return again in the future. However, while Sin City has been specifically designed to provide visitors with a world-class experience, it’s far from guaranteed. This is a large, sometimes overwhelming city that first-time visitors can find difficult to handle. Since most visitors only spend a few days in Las Vegas, it’s important to be ready for action from the first minute to the last. Here are some tried-and-tested tips that’ll set you up for a successful trip.
Visiting During Peak Summer
Most people plan their vacations for the summer months, but this period typically brings extremely hot temperatures to Las Vegas. Throw in a higher-than-average number of tourists and inflated prices, and you have a recipe for an underwhelming trip. Unless you can handle the heat (or have no other choice), then skip visiting Vegas in July/August. The city is at its best during the shoulder seasons, so try to book your trip for May – June or September – October.
Staying Anywhere Other Than The Strip
Don’t go us wrong — there are plenty of places worth visiting in Las Vegas that aren’t on the Strip. However, if you’re visiting for the first time, then there’s most definitely where you’ll want to stay. While there are advantages to staying in other parts of the city — quieter, cheaper accommodations, for instance — you’ll spend too much of your time shuttling back and forth to the main attraction areas, which are almost exclusively on the Strip. The quality of hotels on the city’s four-mile main artery can vary significantly, so do your research before booking to find the one that’s right for you.
Going into Casinos Unprepared
Even people who never usually place wagers spend time in Las Vegas’ famous casinos. After all, these are the greatest casinos on the planet. However, it’s best to be a little prepared before you venture into one of the famous buildings and sit down at a table. While Sin City’s casinos are open to all, you’ll need to be up to speed with how the games work to get the most from the experience (and to avoid annoying other players). There are online casinos for US players that have all the popular table and slot games, allowing first-time Vegas visitors to brush up on their skills before traveling to the city. It’s also worthwhile packing smart casual clothing if you intend to play at the city’s most luxurious casinos, since there may be a dress code for players wishing to play at certain tables.
Staying Exclusively In The City
Las Vegas has countless attractions that can keep visitors well entertained for the entirety of their trip. But there are also some essential destinations nearby to Vegas that are worthwhile including in your itinerary. Top of that list is Grand Canyon National Park, which is around a four-hour drive from The Strip. Alternatively, you can save time — and in some cases money, if you plan on renting a car — by joining a helicopter tour that’ll take you to the Grand Canyon and back in a matter of hours. You won’t regret it.
Waiting Until You Arrive to Book Tickets to Shows
Las Vegas has some of the best shows in the world, and it’s worthwhile planning to attend at least one. These are residency shows, so unless you’re extremely unlucky and visit during a break, they will be taking place during your trip, often multiple times a day. However, though there are plenty of performances, tickets do still sell out for the biggest acts, so don’t assume that you can pick up a ticket when you’re there. If you know you want to see Penn & Teller, the Blue Man Group, or The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil, book your tickets ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
