Travel experts suggest that the ideal length of stay is three days and two nights. Try to avoid the usual three day weekends that most people take off. Those are the days when everything is far more expensive and more crowded.
Las Vegas is one of the most exciting and undoubtedly quirky places to enjoy your next vacation. If there are any dining, entertainment, or shopping experiences you want to have, you are all but guaranteed to find it while you’re there.
Planning your Las Vegas trip
Start planning your Las Vegas vacation as soon as you think you might like to go. The number of choices of hotels in Las Vegas is overwhelming. Whether you want to spend your vacation in a themed hotel or a legendary one, pick a property where you really want to stay.
Travel experts suggest that the ideal length of stay is three days and two nights. Try to avoid the usual three day weekends that most people take off. Those are the days when everything is far more expensive and more crowded. If you can schedule your trip mid-week following a holiday, it’s a great time to get the best deals. Airlines, hotels, car rental agencies and restaurants may also offer special discounts. Going on Mondays through Thursdays can be ideal as opposed to Fridays through Sundays when the town is filled with tourists and convention-goers.
Have a budget
Before booking your trip, have a set budget in mind. Food and drink can be expensive, not to mention gambling. Even if you aren’t gambling on the casino floor and instead opt to play slots online from the comfort of your hotel room, it’s a good idea to be constantly aware of what you are spending.
Also, before booking your room, don’t take the advertised room price for granted. Ask what is included with that price and keep in mind that most will charge you a resort fee, which can cost as much as $40 – $50 per night.
Another thing to remember when you’re in Las Vegas is that you tip everyone for everything, so be sure to have plenty of dollar bills on hand in your wallet.
What to wear
Pack comfortable shoes and clothing. Temperatures can reach well over 100 degrees in the summer, and in the winter, daytime temps can still reach 80 degrees or more. You'll need a sweater or light jacket for evenings and the extremely air-conditioned spaces inside the casinos. If you are planning to go to a show, a fancy restaurant or dancing the night away, you’ll want to dress up. Men will want to pack slacks, a jacket and maybe even a tie, while women should consider a dress, pantsuit and heels to get in the door.
What to do while you’re there
There are lots of gourmet restaurants, five-star hotels, and star-studded shows in town and a trip to just one of them can set you back a pretty penny. There are still lots of great deals and plenty of sights and experiences that are sure to keep you entertained. In addition to exploring the several miles of the Las Vegas Strip, here are just a few of the quirky spots to check out while you’re in town.
Exclusive Shopping
Las Vegas is a fabulous shopping destination. Check out the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace and the Grande Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. No matter what your style, there are shops to cater to your tastes and budget.
The Bellagio Fountains
The Bellagio puts on a five-minute show for free every 15 -30 minutes every day. One of the best places to view this water and light show is from the bridge that crosses the Las Vegas Strip at Bally’s.
The Freemont Street Experience
Once open to traffic, Freemont Street has become an enormous pedestrian mall packed with entertainment. Among the casinos and the laser light show above, you can find art exhibits, live entertainment, or try a zip line to get a bird’s eye view of the sights below.
Neon Museum
If you’re itching to see some of the signs that were all a part of Las Vegas’ history, be sure to check out the Neon Museum. You can find the neon lights that adorned the exteriors of so many long-gone hotels and casinos.
Pinball Hall of Fame
The Pinball Hall of Fame is the place where you can play and experience the fun and history of gaming before game consoles. Machines are set between 25 and 50 cents to make it fun and affordable.
Hershey’s Chocolate World
Chocolate lovers will delight in this display, which features a chocolate bakery filled with tasty treats and has an 800-pound replica of the Statue of Liberty made entirely of chocolate!
