Key Takeaways
- While Las Vegas is a city of excess, make sure not to overdo it.
- Only gamble with money you are OK with losing.
- If you are planning to get married, make some preparations beforehand.
- Try to explore some options outside of the Strip.
Elvis preached it. Sinatra lived it. Kenny Rogers advised us when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em.
It’s Vegas, baby! If you’re looking to maximize your stay, stay tuned for some Las Vegas travel tips and tricks.
About the City
Las Vegas (“The Meadows” in Spanish) is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Sunbelt of the US. With some 2.4 million people in the metro area, its growth has been meteoric. It was only founded in 1905, and by the time gambling became legal in Nevada in 1931, the city turned into a hotbed for money. Mob connections saw the founding of The Strip in the 1940s, and the idea of luxury casino hotels was practically invented there.
Today, the city draws 40 million visitors a year. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) pulls in over 58 million passengers annually, with regular flights from as far afield as London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Seoul.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right?
This is one of those Vegas-isms we just had to throw into a blog about Vegas travel tips and tricks. And it does ring true – depending on why you’re in Vegas.
They say all things in moderation, including moderation. Whatever you decide on, just make sure when you’re flying out of Harry Reid International, your health, your dignity, your sanity, and your wallet are all still intact.
Vegas is excess. If that’s why you came, have fun. Just be prepared to live with the consequences- and DON’T FORGET TO HYDRATE!
Make a Budget, and Stick to It
Related to the above Las Vegas travel tip is the big question of money. If you love gambling, America’s answer to Macau and Monte Carlo won’t leave you disappointed. Temptation starts as soon as you clear passport control and customs (or baggage only, if you’re local), so be ready for it.
It was Grissom from CSI Las Vegas, while investigating one of the many crimes committed in Sin City, who noted how happy the machines sound. Stacked with primary chords of tonic, mediant, and dominant (1-3-5 in music parlance), we won’t go into music theory, but to paraphrase Grissom, “The machines are designed to make happy sounds, to ensure people are lulled into a state of relaxation so that they let their guard down.” Remember, the house always wins.
When going to Vegas, some gambling is ok, and even expected! Just make sure you only gamble with an amount of money you are OK with losing.
There are plenty of ATMs on the casino floor (with huge withdrawal fees) to tempt you into pulling out more cash. If you remember one Las Vegas travel tip & trick from this post, remember to leave your wallet in the room to skip this temptation altogether.
Getting Around Las Vegas
Looking at the Vegas Strip on a map doesn’t exactly paint an honest picture. It’s a lot longer than it looks. Sure, you can totally spend the day walking up and down the strip (which is recommended at least once to soak it all in) but it’s not just a simple stroll. Clocking in at around 4 miles long, it can take around 1 to 2 hours to walk the whole thing.
Taking Ubers and Lyfts around is not bad, but those bills add up quickly. Our Las Vegas tip is to avoid the ride-share tricks and rent a van for your group. With plenty of seating and space for luggage, it’ll be worth it if you plan on doing a lot of exploring and sightseeing.
Goin’ to the Chapel and We’re Gonna Get Ma-A-A-Rried
You’ve met THE ONE, and you’re in a hurry to get hitched. Well, Vegas welcomes you and your sweetie pie with open arms. If the idea of eloping sounds idyllic (as opposed to My Big Fat Greek Wedding), you’ve found the best place.
Clark County (where Vegas is based) is open to issue marriage licenses 7 days a week, until late, while chapels in the area do walk-in weddings, drive-thru weddings, or marriages by Elvis.
It’s best to apply for the marriage license online. After that, make sure to go with your spouse to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau (no appointment needed!) and pay the fee, which is around $100. The last thing to do is GET MARRIED! Just bring the marriage license, certificate, and keepsake to the wedding location and say your vows in front of the officiant and at least 1 witness.
Short Stays Are Probably Better, Unless You Go Out of Town
If you came for the glamour of The Strip (where many of the hotels and casinos are), you’re in the right place. And Vegas is fine for a tawdry weekend, but it’s probably not ideal for a 2-week vacay – unless you also intend to take in some of the sights out of town.
Here are some touristy Las Vegas travel tips, if it’s your intention to be touristy (nothing wrong with that):
In Vegas itself:
- The Strip – imbibe the Vegas vibe, luxury hotels, and gambling galore
- The Strat – hotel and casino at the bottom, observation decks, revolving restaurant, and wild rides at the top of America’s tallest tower
- The Fountains of Bellagio – waterworks set to light and music
- The Sphere – a spectacle to see, inside and out; enjoy the visuals on the outside, replete with a big eyeball, planets, an earth map, or a show on the inside
- The Mob Museum – showcases Vegas’ long-standing relationship with organized crime
Outside of Vegas:
- The Grand Canyon – in Arizona, just a few hours’ drive from Vegas to the West Rim, where you can take in the glass-bottomed horseshoe Skywalk
- Hoover Dam/Lake Mead – water sports, an old-style engineering marvel, crosses the border between Nevada and Arizona
- Grab a passenger van and make a day of it
They say that Vegas allows you to be someone you’re not, and will appeal to you if you’re looking for an answer to the question, “What if I stop being careful?” Whatever Vegas tips and tricks you take away from this read, make sure you take care of yourself. Bon Voyage!
