Las Vegas is famous around the world for its casinos, nightlife, shopping, dining, and entertainment.
It is a city that is over the top in every way and one where almost anything you can imagine likely exists.
While the Las Vegas Strip gets most of the attention, visitors who venture beyond its glitz and glam will be surprised by the diversity of attractions the region has to offer.
Even if you think Las Vegas isn’t for you, you are bound to find something worth visiting.
But before setting off to Las Vegas, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about traveling to Las Vegas, including:
- What are the costs for travelers?
- Things to know about culture and etiquette
- What are the top attractions?
- How safe is it?
- Local food and drinks
- How good is the WiFi?
- Best times to visit
Ready? Here are the top 7 things you need to know before visiting Las Vegas:
Did you know… More than 42 million people visit Las Vegas each year. The city has over 150,000 hotel rooms to accommodate all those visitors and is home to 12 of the 20 largest hotels in the world. The Venetian is the largest in Las Vegas with 7,092 rooms.
1) Las Vegas Affordability
Accommodation
- Average hotel price: The current average rate for one night at a 3-star hotel in Las Vegas is $312, while an average 4-star hotel is about $380.
- Luxury 5-star hotels: On average, a 5-star hotel costs $495 per night. However, there are pricier options if you are looking to splurge. The Four Seasons Las Vegas is one of the most expensive hotels in the area – basic rooms start at $1,185, while the Penthouse Suite is available for just over $6,000 per night.
- If you’re on a budget: If you are willing to stay away from the strip, there are more budget-friendly options. For instance, several hotels along Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas have rooms for less than $150/per night.
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Food
Despite Las Vegas’s reputation for all-you-can-eat buffets, there are plenty of great dining options.
- A 3-course meal at a mid-range restaurant for two costs around $65.
- For a cheap meal at an inexpensive restaurant, expect to pay around $18.
- A beer costs between $5-$8, depending on where you are drinking, while a cappuccino is about $5.
Transportation
- The Las Vegas strip is connected by a monorail that makes seven stops along the strip. You can buy a day pass for $13 or pay per journey at $5 per trip.
- City Buses are another option and are particularly good for traveling between the Strip and downtown. Two-hour passes are $6, or you can pay $8 for a 24-hour pass.
- The Downtown Loop is a free shuttle that stops at several attractions downtown, including the Arts District, Fremont Street, and Symphony Park. It operates Sunday – Thursday from 11 am to 6 pm and Friday and Saturday from 3 pm – 10 pm.
- Taxi fares start at $3.50 plus an additional $2.76 per mile traveled. Uber and Lyft both operate in Las Vegas and are typically cheaper options.
2) Culture And Etiquette In Las Vegas
Las Vegas is not a city known for its etiquette, but that being said, there are some things to be aware of when visiting the famous Sin City.
Check this list before your trip! Here are some of the major Dos and Don’ts in Las Vegas.
- DO book ahead: restaurants and venues fill up fast, especially on weekends and during peak travel weeks. Make sure to make reservations or buy tickets well in advance to avoid disappointment.
- DON’T forget to tip: A minimum of 20% is expected at restaurants, and tip at least $1 per drink at the bar. If you are gambling, don’t forget to tip the dealer if you win or when you leave the table. Also include tips for hotel staff and pool attendants.
- DO check the dress code: Casual dress is typically fine during the day, but many of the casinos and clubs have dress codes in the evening, so make sure you check ahead.
- DO drink responsibly: It can be easy to go overboard in a city known for its party atmosphere. Keep your drinking in check to avoid unnecessary trouble like getting married to a stranger or blowing all your money at the casino.
- DON’T spend your whole time on the strip: Las Vegas is so much more than the glitz of the strip. Take the time to explore other parts of the city and beyond – you’ll be surprised by what you find.
3) Top Attractions in Las Vegas
While you’ll find all the glamour you’d expect along the strip, there is much more to explore in Las Vegas. Here are a few of the top things to see and do while exploring and around Las Vegas:
- Fremont Street Experience – four pedestrianized blocks covered by a video screen canopy (the world’s largest screen, made with 49 million LED lights) located in downtown Las Vegas. Fremont street is home to a zipline that runs down the entire street, the oldest casino in the city, and the largest solid gold nugget in the world, amongst many other oddities.
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area – 196,000 acres of protected land just 20 minutes from the Strip. It is a popular spot for rock climbing, scenic hikes, and stunning landscapes.
- Las Vegas Arts District – a thriving neighborhood full of galleries, thrift stores, funky bars, and restaurants dotted with street art, performance spaces, and unique attractions
4) How Safe Is It For Tourists?
Las Vegas is generally safe for tourists. However, there are still some things that visitors should keep in mind to stay safe during their visit:
- Beware of thieves: bag snatching, petty crime, and tourist scams are common, so be sure to take extra caution with your valuables. Place wallets in front pockets and wear purses diagonally across your chest.
- Choose your neighborhood wisely: Hotels and casinos along the Strip and Fremont street are typically safe, but if you plan on staying outside of those areas, make sure you check the neighborhood’s reputation and take taxis to get around. The west side of the city and some areas in North Las Vegas are known to have higher crime rates.
- Watch your drink: don’t lose track of your drink at the bar, and never accept a beverage from someone you don’t know. Take a taxi back to your hotel at night if you’ve had too much to drink or if you are traveling alone.
- DO get travel insurance: Travel insurance can help in health emergencies as well as with covering the costs of any travel mishaps during your Las Vegas trip. For 5 great options, read more here.
5) Local Eats And Drinks
Las Vegas goes over the top with everything it does, and food is no exception. Be adventurous, and don’t let yourself leave without trying at least one of the following:
Food
Here are a few dishes to try at some of Las Vegas’s most popular restaurants:
- Belly of the beast burger – a 10-pound burger served on an entire French boule loaf topped with cheese, pork belly, barbecue sauce, tater tots, and jalapenos served up at Truffles N Bacon.
- Trash can nachos – Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen and Bar serves a mountain of loaded nachos in a small metal trash can.
- Beef Wellington – At Hell’s Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay’s signature dish is a tender cut of filet mignon smeared in a mushroom paste and wrapped in puff pastry.
- Spicy Korean BBQ wings – a popular order at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, these spicy wings are served with a creamy buttermilk-dill dip
- #Housedog – a bacon-wrapped hot dog covered in cream cheese and cheddar topped with peppers, onions, and thousand island dressing from the insanely popular Dirt Dog
Drinks
- Bloody Mary- Sometimes a bloody Mary is just what the doctor ordered, and nowhere does it better in Las Vegas than Lavo. Their giant bloody Marys are served in a glass made of ice and are topped with an entire lobster, shrimp, and pork belly skewers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and bacon-wrapped jalapenos.
- Watermelon kiwi lemonade – served with or without vodka at Hash House A Go Go, a must for beating the mid-day heat in Vegas
- Twisted grapefruit – fresh grapefruit juice and vodka served in a hollowed-out grapefruit at Park on Fremont
6) How’s The WiFi?
Using Ookla, an internet speed testing service, the average internet speeds in Las Vegas for February 2023 were 113.14mbps download and 11.60mbps upload.
7) Best Time To Visit
There are two high seasons in Las Vegas – spring and fall. From March – May and September – November, the weather is pleasant, but the crowds and prices are at their peak.
June, July, and August are the cheapest time to visit, but the heat can sometimes be unbearable. Visiting during the winter months is also a good option – the weather isn’t very warm, but there is still plenty to do.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com