Viva Las Vegas
- LaShai H
- Jun 4, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 1, 2023
All the Insider Tips to Make Your Vegas Trip Great
Let's get A-W-A-Y to Las Vegas. I’ve lived in California for most of my life and it’s inevitable that someone comes to town for a visit and wants to do a quick drive to Las Vegas and see it while they are here. While I may not agree that a 5-hour drive is quick, I totally support adding it to your itinerary if you have two or three extra days on the West Coast.
It’s important to mention that three days in Vegas can give you A LOT of Vegas, especially if you don’t have or aren’t bringing the kids. The City truly never sleeps and there is something going on 24 hours a day. Unless relaxation is the goal Vegas is typically a place where you will need a vacation from your vacation because there’s so much to see and do. Don’t fret, whether your trip is 2 days or 24 hours, I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to have a great time. Sign up here for your free 24 hours in Vegas guide.
The information below is geared more towards the 21+ audience, if you’re heading to Vegas with the kiddos, be sure to check out Making the Most of Vegas- Kid’s Edition
This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. I independently evaluate all recommended products and services.
ACTIVITIES
Don’t Miss Any of the Action on Your Trip to Vegas
One of my favorite things about Vegas is the huge variety of things to do. You can relax by the pool or party at the pool depending on your preference. There are gondola rides at Venetian, day tours to the Grand Canyon and TONS of shopping available at the Fashion Show, The Shops at Crystals, or Grand Canal Shoppes. As many options as there are during the day, there are twice as many at night. Just people-watching all the glitz and glam is an experience. I personally love to play roulette, so if I’m in Vegas and it’s not to show around first-timers, you will find me at the roulette table. When I’m not there, these are my favorite things to do in Vegas and they are on my must-do list for visitors:
1. Walk Strip and Tour Casinos
Most people navigate the Las Vegas Strip via hotel locations. This starts at the Mandalay Bay. Paris Las Vegas is generally considered the middle and the strip ends at the Strat. From start to finish is roughly 4 miles or an hour and a half of sightseeing by foot. You can easily spend the entire day going from one end to the other. I highly recommend checking out the Bar at Times Square in New York New York Hotel, the Conservatory & Botanical Garden at the Bellagio and get the ultimate viewing experience at the Observation Deck at the Strat.
2. See a Show
If you haven’t seen a show in Vegas, have you really been to Vegas? There are so many options it can be hard to know which to pick. For starters, you don’t need to break the bank. Check out resources like Tix4Tonight and be open to seeing a show during the week so you can save. My all-time favorites are Cirque du Soleils. You can’t go wrong with a classic like the Blue Man Group and by all means, if your favorite artist does a stop or residency in Vegas, that is your sign to take a trip!
3. Check out Downtown Las Vegas
The first casinos in Las Vegas were actually built in Downtown Las Vegas, which is now home to the Fremont Experience. The Fremont Experience is a 5 block 24-hour mall featuring a huge LED Light show, street performers, and free concerts. This is also the best place to come and gamble especially if you are new or want to learn how to play. More on this in how to make Las Vegas Affordable.
WHERE
Where to Stay on Your Trip to Las Vegas
There are hundreds of hotels and accommodations available in Las Vegas. As a first-time visitor, it can be really easy to get overwhelmed by deciding where to stay. I’ve narrowed it down by location and budget.
Staying Off the Strip
If you’re looking for a really affordable option, I highly recommend staying off the strip. Most hotels offer a free shuttle and it’s not like you’re going to spend a ton of time in your room in the first place. When I want to be near the strip but save the most possible, I stay at the Oyo Hotel and Casino. The location is super convenient, and the pricing is frequently less than $100 a night.
On the Strip
For those wanting the more traditional Vegas experience including the luxury stay and amenities, l recommend staying at the Cosmopolitan. The Cosmo offers guests a modern, luxurious stay with best-in-class service, dining, and three different pool options. The location is hard to beat and really in the middle of all the action.
Downtown
To get a great balance of budget-friendly and close to some vintage Vegas action, Downtown has some great options. Most of the hotels downtown are on or really close to the Fremont Experience. The strip is a short 15-minute uber or a 30-minute bus ride. My personal favorite hotel is the Golden Nugget. This hotel has so many great amenities and dining options, you almost don’t have to leave. They also have one of the best pools in Vegas so don’t forget to leave room for some pool time and check out their shark tank aquarium.
Affordable
How to Save Big on Your Trip to Vegas
The cost to visit Vegas has certainly been on the rise in recent years. You can easily spend thousands going all out with pool passes, club entry, and fine dining. That said, you can also take advantage of opportunities to save big in areas that really count. To visit Vegas without breaking the bank, I recommend the following:
1. Take a Tour in Exchange for Free Accommodations
There are a ton of Vacation Clubs (also known as timeshares) in Las Vegas. One major plus side of this surplus is you can frequently take advantage of tours in exchange for free accommodations. Typically, the reward is given after your tour, but you can also negotiate the stay in order to take the tour. Places like Tahiti Village offer a 4-day/3 night stay for free in exchange for your participation in a timeshare presentation. Word to the wise if you’ve never done a timeshare presentation, head on over to What to Expect During a Vacation Club Presentation to get the rundown on how that all works.
2. Visit During the Week
While it will cost you a few more of your PTO days, traveling to Vegas during the week can save you significantly on accommodations. Many hotels will offer rates that are a fraction of what it costs to stay over the weekend. Take for example the Bellagio Hotel. Average rates during the summer from Friday to Sunday are $450 per night. That same hotel from Monday to Wednesday: $165 per night. That’s $570 in savings for a two-night stay!
3. Gamble Off the Strip
This recommendation is less about the activity and more about saving you money. Please don’t mistake this as an endorsement of gambling. Whether or not you should gamble while in Vegas is a personal decision. What I will share is gambling can be pretty expensive on the strip, (if you lose it's expensive period) but specifically the minimum bets which is how much you have to pay at minimum to play.
Take Blackjack for example, on the strip you’ll have a hard time finding a $10 blackjack table and, on the weekend, the lowest will likely be $25 a hand. However, off the strip and specifically downtown you can often find $5.00 minimums which allows you to spend less to play. Remember if you are going to gamble, I do suggest doing so only with money you can afford to lose.
Your Packing List
Heading to Vegas? Don’t forget these items:
Adidas Cloudfoam Shoe- This is my official travel shoe. They are super lightweight and comfortable. I own them in four different colors.
Furtalk Sun Visor- I am obsessed with this sunhat. I own it in multiple colors and take it everywhere. It's perfect for the pool and walking the strip.
Rockport Women's Wedge Sandal - This shoe is great because you can dress it up or down AND they are super comfortable. Whenever I'll be in warm weather and need a cute sandal - I reach for these.
Neutrogena Sunscreen Stick - The sun shines very bright in Las Vegas and sunscreen is a must. This stick is super convenient and doesn't count as a liquid at the airport.
Nefeeko Collapsible Water Bottle- With all the walking you'll do, this travel water bottle is super convenient and can clip onto any bag. I use it at the airport to save on those overpriced water bottles. Moneybag
Venture Travel Money Belt - If you do plan on gambling, this is a great item to have with you. It's sleek, comfortable, lightweight and secure.
Hope these tips and recommendations have motivated you to kick-start your Las Vegas trip planning. For family-friendly options, head on over to Vegas Kids Edition and sign up to get a free 24 hours in Vegas guide.
Happy Exploring!
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