Whether you will be heading to Vegas soon with a group of friends, your family, or your significant other, there are many things to see and do in “Sin City.” Of course, you do not have to limit your activities to gambling or watching others try their luck at the casinos. Vegas is filled with great activities that will spark your interest and motivate you to visit the city again to discover more attractions.
A trip to Vegas, like many places, also takes careful planning. Since there are so many hotels, live shows and buffets to enjoy, you may not know where to start. Here are some helpful tips for making the most of your Vegas vacation.
Familiarize Yourself with Your Surroundings
Once you get to your hotel, look around the venue to get familiar with the area. Pay attention to where the vending machines, restrooms, and restaurants are. This can keep you from getting lost during your stay. Of course, you will likely want to check out the on-site casino. While you are there, you can ask about live shows, shopping centers, and restaurant recommendations. After setting in your hotel, you may want to go to the Strip. Before you do this, talk to the concierge or the front desk attendant at your hotel to get information on sites and attractions that will interest you.
If you want to learn more about the history of Vegas and see the sites on a guided tour, just hop on a Big Bus. It is best to stay on the bus for the whole tour, so that you can note the places you want to visit during your vacation. However, if you have to get off the bus early, you will be able to get back on another Big Bus with 24 or 48 hours, depending on the length of the tour you have selected.
Be Sure to Map out All of Your Trip
Remember that the Las Vegas Strip is 4 miles long, which means that you’ll be doing a lot of walking to see all the attractions if you want to do so on foot. Plan your trip accordingly so that you will not be exhausted once you get to your next attraction. If you want to go a block or two so you can see the sights in between that’s fine, but be sure to bring your walking shoes so that your short commutes are comfortable. Of course, this is also a great way to get a casual workout in or make sure you do not put on any extra pounds in the four-star restaurants you will visit while in Vegas.
Keep in mind that there are also walkways both outside and inside the casinos. You can also take the tram or the Las Vegas Monorail to get to shopping centers, casinos, restaurants, and hotels in the city. For instance, you can walk from Bally’s to Paris or Excalibur to Luxor in the comfort of air conditioning. You can also take the tram between Excalibur to Luxor to Mandalay Bay or use to the Monorail to get to seven locations on the Strip.
Do not pay for Cocktails at the Casino
If you are heading to the casino for a night of gambling, do not buy your drinks before you get to the gaming table. Wait for a server to approach you and ask for your cocktail order. In most cases, you will get free drinks as long as you are gambling. It is the casino’s way of keeping you at the gaming tables and slot machines for as long as possible. It may take a little longer for you to get your drinks, but at least the cocktails will be free. If you are heading to a club or live show, hit the casinos first so you can get free drinks before heading out to additional attractions. At party venues and shows, you will have to pay an entertainment tax in addition to the price of drinks, which could get expensive.
Keep a Jacket, Water, and Sunscreen On Hand
Even if you are visiting Vegas during the warmest months of the year, make sure you carry a light jacket or cardigan with you everywhere you go. The sweltering temperatures outside are often a contrast to the cool air you will feel when you enter casinos and some restaurants. These facilities often keep their venues cold to provide some relief from the heat. However, after spending a few minutes inside, you are likely to get a little chilly.
Carry a bottle of water with you so that you can stay hydrated throughout the day or night. Chances are you will be doing some walking –and perhaps even more drinking – so you want to make sure that you have enough water in your system. Sunscreen is also necessary when you are vacationing in Las Vegas. Even if you are visiting during the winter season, the sun still shines brightly, so you will need your sunscreen with you so you can reapply every 60 minutes or so.
Get Some Lessons in Gambling
Even if you did not come to Vegas primarily to gamble or you are not confident about trying your luck at the casino, take a few gambling lessons. The lessons will teach you the basics of casino games and give you a little practice before you play an actual game. You will also get insider tips like where you should sit at the gaming table and how to interpret what a dealer means when he/she uses certain phrases. You can also get some sports betting tips. These will definitely come in handy if you are watching a sporting event in Vegas and want to place a wager.
Join Players Clubs
Becoming a player’s club member is a great idea whether you want to save on your current Vegas vacation or are planning to visit the city again in the future. Once you get your player’s club card, be sure to swipe it anywhere you are on the premises. Doing so could get you discounts on casino games, meals at restaurants and other hotel amenities. You may also be able to get a discount on tickets to live shows. These benefits can make your trip to Vegas worthwhile even if you do not want to spend the majority of your time gambling.
Have an Early or Late Dinner
If possible, do not go to dinner in Las Vegas during peak hours, which are between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Instead, try to have dinner around 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. if you prefer to eat early or around 9 p.m. if you do not mind a late meal. This rule of thumb is especially true for the many buffet-style restaurants in the city. It could take hours for you to get your food, and those hours could have been spent taking in another Vegas attraction. You can also check with your hotel to see if ordering from the hotel’s restaurant and having the food delivered to your room can count towards earning more players’ club points.
It is also important to note that ridesharing may be your best bet when you are getting to and from your dinner location. You will have to wait at least 30 minutes for a cab, and that is during non-peak hours. So, if you are meeting up with friends or family for dinner before a show or event, ridesharing is likely the most reliable way to get to the dining venue on time so you can enjoy the rest of your evening according to schedule.
Disclaimer: All images are copyright to their respective owners and are used by USA Online Casino for informational purposes only.
