Las Vegas Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know

Las Vegas will forever be one of my favorite cities. Where else can you find 50+ Elvis impersonators, that many casinos, and a Taco Bell that serves alcohol!? However, there is so much more to do here than just gamble and drink (though that’s definitely fun here as well!) and it’s definitely worth exploring more than just the Las Vegas strip. These are the best Las Vegas travel tips to make sure your trip to Sin City is the trip of a lifetime!

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Getting Around Las Vegas

One thing to keep in mind when traveling to Las Vegas: it’s much bigger than it may seem. The sidewalks on the strip were quite literally built with pedestrians in mind which makes it easily walkable. However, you could be walking for ten minutes and still be in front of the same building! The strip is miles long and if you’re heading from one end of the strip to the other, you’ll definitely want a taxi.

You Can’t Hail a Taxi on the Street

In Las Vegas, there are lines in front of the casinos and hotels for taxis. The lines may be long but they typically move pretty quickly. You can’t hail a cab right on the street like you can in New York as it is illegal for them to stop on the road so you will have to find one of the taxi lines. If you’re taking an Uber or Lyft, you will have to meet at the designated ride-share area which is typically in front of or behind the casinos or hotels. A taxi may be the easiest way to get a ride but taking an Uber or a Lyft will definitely save you some money.

Always Wear Comfortable Shoes

My first time in Vegas I made the mistake of thinking it would be okay to wear heels. It was my most comfortable pair of heels, so it should be fine, right? Wrong! After walking from just one casino to the next, my feet were done. We ended up having to go back to the hotel just so I could change into more comfortable shoes! If you’re determined to wear cute heels out to a restaurant or club, consider stashing a pair of comfortable flats in your bag for later, trust me on this one. Your feet will thank you.

Take the Public Transportation

Quite possibly the easiest way to get from place to place on the strip would be to take ‘The Deuce’ which is the name of the 24-hour Las Vegas bus system. The Deuce stops at all of the main attractions and hotels on the strip as well as multiple places in downtown Las Vegas. Tickets can be purchased once you get on the bus so there’s no need to worry about having a ticket in advance. You have the options to purchase a 2-hour pass, a 24-hour pass, or a 3-day pass. Tickets are actually very affordable and there are discounted tickets available for veterans, senior citizens, and children.

Food and Drinks in Las Vegas

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If you’re drinking at the casinos, don’t buy drinks from the casino bar. Drinks are free for gamblers. You can just put a few dollars into one of the penny slot machines and wait for a cocktail waitress to come by and take your order. However, even though drinks are free, it’s still best to at least give a tip for every drink. Also keep in mind that in Las Vegas it is totally legal to walk down the street with an open container (as long as it’s not glass).

One of the most popular food options in Las Vegas would be all of the buffets. If you come at the right time they’re actually pretty affordable. Just make sure you check the prices before you come as they can vary drastically based on the time of day and day of the week. One of the most popular buffets in Las Vegas is The Buffet at Bellagio.

Some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas:

• Top of the World Restaurant
• Wahlburgers
• Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen
• Hash House A Go Go
• Lago by Julian Serrano

Unique restaurants/bars in Las Vegas:

• The Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan
• Heart Attack Grill
• BLACKOUT Dining in the Dark
• Hi Scores Bar-Arcade
• The Eiffel Tower Restaurant
• Dick’s Last Resort
• minus 5° Ice Experience
• The Rainforest Cafe

Bonus: Check out Peridot Sweets for some of the best desserts in Las Vegas. Cupcakes, cookies, candies.. they have it all!

Things to Do in Las Vegas

Bellagio Fountain Shows

The Bellagio fountain shows take place every 30 minutes after 3PM and every 15 minutes from 7PM until midnight (hours vary on the weekends). There are lights, music, and of course the water dances in the fountains for an amazing display. One of the best forms of free entertainment in Las Vegas for sure!

One of the Many Shows

There is definitely no shortage of options when it comes to shows in Las Vegas. You’ll find everything here: comedians, musicians, magicians, and more! Two of the most popular shows in Las Vegas would be Cirque du Soleil and the Blue Man Group.

Explore Off the Strip

There is so much more to do and see in Las Vegas than just the strip. I love going out to some of the desert spots like Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire. There are also quite a few day trips from Las Vegas worth doing like the Grand Canyon.

Best places to see off the Las Vegas Strip:

• Red Rock Canyon
• Dry Lake
• El Dorado Ghost Town
• The Neon Boneyard Museum
• Valley of Fire
• The Hoover Dam
• Fremont Street Experience

The Linq High Roller

The Linq High Roller is the tallest observation wheel in the world at 550 feet high. It takes a full 30 minutes for the wheel to go all the way around just once. You can host special events here (hello bachelorette party!) or you can even purchase a ticket to a cabin with an open bar! The High Roller is definitely one of the best ways to enjoy views of the strip from above and you can even purchase souvenir photos at the end of your ride.

Where to Stay in Las Vegas

For the Best Views: The Cosmopolitan

The rooms at the Cosmopolitan have some of the best views in all of Las Vegas. You can basically see the entire strip from here. You get great views of the Bellagio fountains, the Eiffel Tower, and all of the city lights at night. And, the Cosmopolitan is home to some of the best restaurants and bars in Vegas (the Chandelier Bar is my fave).

For more info or to book a room, click here.

Best Location: The Flamingo

The Flamingo (home to Jimmy Buffet’s Bar & Grill) is located pretty much right in the middle of the Vegas strip. We loved staying here as it was in such a great location and just about everything we wanted to see was within walking distance.

For more info or to book a room, click here.

For Luxury: The Venetian

The Venetian is designed to make you feel like you’re in Italy and they definitely got it right on this one. You can even take a gondola ride just like if you were in Venice!

For more info or to book a room, click here.

On a Budget: Circus Circus

Circus Circus is not only one of the most affordable hotels on the strip but it also has it’s own theme park! Complete with thrill rides, carnival games, a giant arcade, and a casino inside a huge circus tent.

For more info or to book a room, click here.

Bonus Las Vegas Travel Tips

1. Prices in Las Vegas can skyrocket during times of high demand like holidays or major events. This applies to everything: hotels, transportation, and even attraction tickets.
2. Hotel nightly rates can be very misleading. Your room may be $30/night but taxes and fees can more than double that at times.
3. When walking the strip, be prepared to have strangers try to sell you drugs. It’s honestly just inevitable. I can’t even tell you how many times we had people asking if we wanted to buy some coke. Just ignore it. Ya know.. unless you don’t want to, haha!
4. Keep in mind that many places in Las Vegas are not kid friendly. If you’re traveling as a family, you’ll want to check ahead of time if you can bring the kids wherever you’re going. This includes certain hotels!
5. You can take gambling lessons. If you’re wanting to gamble but sitting down at a blackjack table is intimidating for you, some casinos actually offer free classes which teach you all about the game. Check with your hotel to see what’s available.

What are some of your best Las Vegas travel tips? Share in a comment below!

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Don’t forget to check out these other posts:

• Road Trip Essentials and Tips
• Five Great Places to See in Arizona
• Traveling As a Couple