Some cities you can visit unprepared and still expect to have a great time. Las Vegas is not like that. This is a big, sometimes overwhelming, tourist destination and it’s best to go into the trip with a plan of action in order to get the most from it.
Planning on visiting for the first time in the not-too-distant future? Follow our top tips to avoid the common mistakes that first-time visitors frequently make.
Visiting in Peak Summer
Many people look at taking their holidays during the summer months, especially if they’re from the UK where it can still be windy and rainy even as August approaches. In Las Vegas, the problem with the weather during summer isn’t that it’s cold and grey, but that it’s too hot. Temperatures in Sin City can be uncomfortably warm during late July and August. Plus, since this is when most travellers visit, you’ll usually have to contend with large crowds and pay more for accommodation and flights.
If you can, try to visit during the shoulder seasons. The weather from May – June and September – October is just about perfect, allowing you to soak up all that Vegas has to offer without having to battle against the sun’s intense rays.
Staying Off the Strip
Las Vegas can seem small from a distance, but get up close and you’ll find that it’s pretty darn large. As such, it’s always recommended that first-time visitors stay on the famous Las Vegas Strip, which is where all the city’s main activities take place. Staying off the strip may save you some money — though not that much — but you’ll end up having to take taxis everywhere. Accommodation in Las Vegas is cheaper than it is in other major cities, so you should have no problem finding reasonably priced accommodation, provided you book ahead of time.
If, for whatever reason, you do end up staying away from the main area, then look at renting a car for the duration of your visit. It’ll save a lot of time.
Unprepared Visits to World-Class Casinos
Las Vegas is home to some of the best casinos in the world, so it’s little wonder that spending some time at the tables is an appealing proposition even to those who don’t normally visit such establishments. Yet, while Las Vegas casinos are open to everyone, they can be a little intimidating to newcomers, especially for those looking to play more complex table games like poker. Visitors should take the time to fully understand the poker rules (or other games they intend to play) before travelling; not only will it make gameplay more straightforward, but it’ll also show respect to other players, who will expect the person sitting next to them to know how to play. Though poker is more complicated than, say, blackjack, getting up to speed with the game is relatively straightforward — it just takes a bit of practice. Alternatively, you could look at sticking to slot games, which are played individually at your own pace if you don’t feel ready to play a table game.
Staying Exclusively in the City
If you’re visiting Las Vegas just for a couple of days, then you’ll probably want to spend all of your time in the city. But if you’re visiting for longer than that, then it’s best to plan a trip out of the city. Why? Because there are so many incredible attractions that can easily be reached with a vehicle. Red Rock Canyon is just 25 minutes from Las Vegas, while the Valley of Fire is under an hour away. If you have time, then make a trip to Grand Canyon National Park, which is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. That’ll take around 2.5 hours in a car, but it’s a relatively straightforward drive. Alternatively, you can always join one of the many helicopter tours that take you to/from Vegas to the Grand Canyon; they’re much more affordable than you might think.
