The Ultimate Las Vegas Travel Guide
Are you planning a trip to Las Vegas soon, or are you interested in learning more about what to expect about this amazing city? If so, you’re in the right place! In this guide, I will provide all the details you need to know, including information on accommodation, dining, bars and nightlife, activities, and important tips to help keep you safe along the way. I’ve also included helpful links in case you’d like to learn more about any topic. I hope you enjoy this guide!
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Where to Stay
Las Vegas is filled with places to stay, ranging from basic hotel room to luxurious penthouse suites and everything in between. I recommend budgeting before you head to the city and doing your best to stick to it! It’s common for hotels on the Vegas Strip to charge a daily resort fee ranging from $35 to over $70 per night, which is added on top of your nightly rate. There truly is a place to stay for every budget, and I’ve highlighted some of my personal favorite hotels to help you narrow down the perfect spot.
OYO - $
Excalibur - $
The Luxor - $
MGM Grand - $
Bellagio - $$
Cosmopolitan - $$
Caesars Palace - $$$
Four Seasons Las Vegas - $$$
Venetian - $$$
Getting Around
Uber/Lyft - Always check Uber and Lyft before using other transportation methods. Typically, you’ll find these are cheaper than standard taxis, and you can see the total price before you even get in the vehicle.
Taxis - It’s pretty easy to hail a taxi anywhere along the main Strip. Many hotels also have designated lanes for taxis waiting to take guests to their destinations. Each hotel has signs directing you to this entrance or exit so it’s easy to find your way.
Monorails - A convenient option that runs parallel to the Las Vegas strip is the main monorail, which goes from the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino up north to the Sahara Hotel & Casino. This monorail is a fast, train-like system that can get you from one place to another quickly.
Skybridges - It’s always a smart idea to familiarize yourself with your hotel property when you first arrive. Many hotels have sky bridges that connect to other nearby hotels, allowing you to navigate the Strip safely and easily.
Walking - You can easily walk along the Strip while in Las Vegas, but be prepared: what looks like a short distance can often turn into a 30-minute walk or more! I’ve made this mistake before (in high heels) and ended up with painful blisters by the time I got back to my hotel.
Dining & Restaurants
In Vegas, it is easy to spend more money than you’d like, but finding affordable and great-tasting meals isn’t as hard as it may seem! Most hotels have restaurants in a range of price points, and you can usually check out the menus posted right outside the entrance. This is very helpful so you know what to expect before you sit down at your table. I typically like to plan to dine at a high-end restaurant one or two nights and then eat at more casual places the rest of the time. You can get a good sense of the restaurants in your hotel by walking around on your first day and planning accordingly. As you explore the Strip, you’ll find places to eat for every budget.
Nightlife & Drinks
There are tons of great bars and lounges that offer happy hour around the Strip. One happy hour I found on my last trip to Vegas was at Margaritaville, which had five-cent beers every day from 5pm to 6pm! Here are some of my favorite places to go for drinks:
Frozen Drink Bars located all around the strip
There are also some incredible nightclubs all around Las Vegas, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. DJs play almost every night, so there’s no shortage of places to have a great time. Some of my favorites are:
Free Things to do
Below, you will find a list of free things to do in Las Vegas because who doesn’t love saving a little money on vacation? These activities won’t cost you a dime!
Snap a pic in front of the famous Las Vegas sign
Take a walk to see the Sphere
Head to Fremont Street for the true Fremont Street Experience
Walk the Strip at night to see the lights
Go on an Instagram photo tour
Visit the Coca-Cola, Hershey’s, and M&M’s stores
Travel ‘around the world’ and see the Eiffel Tower, the pyramids, New York, Italy, and more on the Strip!
Watch the Bellagio fountains show (these go off every 15 minutes and are a must-see attraction in Vegas)
Things to Do (Paid Activities)
Here’s a list of things to do in Las Vegas that have a cost but are popular activities you won’t want to miss. I’m sure you can find something fun for everyone in your group!
Ride the High Roller Ferris Wheel
Ride the New York-New York rollercoaster
Visit the Neon Museum
Dine at In-N-Out
Attend a Vegas Golden Knights hockey game
Attend a Raiders NFL game
Head to the Venetian and take a gondola ride
Ride the zip line on Fremont Street
See a show like Cirque de Soleil, Blue Man Group, Thunder Down Under, etc.
Go to a concert! Many resorts hosts artists with residencies throughout the year
Visit the Pinball Hall of Fame
Tips for Gambling
Casinos are everywhere you go in Las Vegas. I love gambling and throwing down a few parlays but trust me, it’s hard not to put another $20 or $100 when you lose what you started with, hoping to win it back. One thing I always do is pull out a set amount of cash before I head to the casino floor, and once I’m out, I’m out. This is a great way to monitor your money and stay aware of what you’re spending. Here are a few tips I want to share with you:
Gamble early in the day since table minimums are usually lower.
Search for the $1 or $5 blackjack tables first.
Table minimums increase to $10-$25+ in the afternoons and evenings.
You can get free drinks while gambling, just be careful not to overdo it and always tip your cocktail waitress!
Dealers want you to win, so accept their help and advice.
If you start to win big, throw a couple chips to your dealer. They’ll appreciate it!
Withdraw cash ahead of time because ATMs on casino floors usually charge a transaction fee of $5-$15.
Practice card games with friends ahead of time if you want to feel more confident at the tables. It’s a fun way to learn without risking real money. It also makes for a great pregame activity!
When your gut tells you it’s time to stop, trust your instincts!
For the Adventure Lover
If gambling and walking around the strip aren’t your thing, that’s okay! There are some beautiful attractions not far from Las Vegas, including:
Stratosphere’s amusement park (located on the roof)
Zip line on Fremont Street
Day trip to Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, Zion National Park, or the Grand Canyon.
See the Seven Magic Mountains
Things to Be Aware Of
Vegas is a great time, but there are a few things to note so that you’re fully prepared for your trip.
Smoking is allowed in many places, especially casinos. It can be irritating, so make sure to step outside for some fresh air every once in a while.
Drinking is allowed on the Strip - just make sure your drink is not in a glass container.
Showgirls, male strippers, street performers, and costumed characters are there for entertainment and photos. They’re doing their job, so many will ask for money if you take a picture with them. If you choose to do this, be sure to tip a few bucks.
Men handing out stripper cards are everywhere. They’ll hand these out whether you’re with friends, siblings, or grandparents (lol).
There are many homeless people on the Strip asking for money. I only mention this because if you’re not used to seeing this, it can be a surprise.
You’ll see people selling beers and water bottles on the walkways and skybridges for extra cash. This is often the best deal on drinks you will find, so take advantage of it!
Other Useful Tips
Always carry cash and keep it in a safe place.
Make sure to drink plenty of water, especially in the summer months. Dehydration is a real danger.
Renting a car can be helpful if you plan to travel downtown or visit places off the Strip.
Be aware of parking fees and traffic.
Places often look closer than they are, so always double-check distances on Google Maps.
Packing List
Packing is always tough, but hopefully this list helps you narrow down your options:
Shoes: Comfortable shoes for walking, sandals for pool parties, and heels for going out.
Casual clothing: Pants, t-shirts, tank tops, pullovers, a light jacket, etc.
High-end restaurant attire: Nice dresses, slacks, button-downs, etc. Some restaurants have a dress code.
Club clothing: Dresses, two-piece sets, LBDs (little black dresses), etc. Definitely check each club’s attire requirements beforehand!
Cozy departure outfit: Trust me on this!
Pool party attire: Bikinis, cover-ups, body jewelry, cute sunglasses.
Sun protection: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen.
Purse: I recommend one that secures to your body or even a fanny pack.
Jewelry: Inexpensive jewelry, since there’s always a chance you could lose it.
Makeup, hair products, and nail glue
Ibuprofen and hangover cure kits: Trust me on this one too!
Water bottle
Portable phone charger
ID, cash and a credit card
Camera/smartphone
Overall, I hope this helps give you a better idea of what to expect when visiting the iconic city of Las Vegas. Please let me know in the comments how your trip went and what you did!
As always, thank you for reading and sharing this post.
