It is most important to "plan ahead" for the best accommodations as well as for the best values. In most cases you'll get what you pay for.
Las Vegas is ideal for spending a 2-to 3-day getaway holiday, although you certainly can find enough to do, both scenic-wise as well as man-made excitement, to keep you busy for weeks. Las Vegas is also a great gateway to the West and all the scenery the West has to offer.
Well, you've certainly heard a lot about Las Vegas and now you're on your way. There are different opinions on what is and what is not recommended and most of those opinions are displayed right here in the Travel Forum. Remember that the opinions expressed are those of individuals, and the meaning of the saying "What is good for the goose, might not be good for the gander" should be taken into consideration. Here are some facts that may interest you.
Las Vegas is a major tourist destination, borne out by the more than 90 percent annual room occupancy at all major hotels any time of the year. Las Vegas is the only tourist destination in the world with that kind of occupancy. It's also a primary convention city and at almost any time there are more than 5000 people in attendance. But don't worry, other than the "mega" conventions (Comdex and The Consumers' Electronic Show) there are plenty of rooms available if you plan ahead.
If your only purpose is to gamble, then you might as well stay in your hometown; many new gambling establishments have opened on sites as diverse as Native American reservations or ships that never leave the dock.
Las Vegas is much more than just gambling. It is an overwhelming EXPERIENCE, with gambling thrown in.
Very few new visitors realize that great scenic areas, both natural and man-made, are accessible from the Las Vegas area. Many are less then an hour away from the hustle & bustle of the "Strip" such as the Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam that created Lake Meade, the world's largest man-made body of water, a popular boating, swimming and fishing resource. You can even snow ski at nearby resorts during the winter months.
Weather
Now here's something you'll talk about when you get home. During the summer (June through August) the temperatures are remarkably high reaching up to 130 degrees F (that's the highest I've ever seen in my 37+ years here). There are plenty of summer days when it is ONLY about 110 degrees or slightly less. But, with the extreme high temperature comes very low humidity, sometimes well below 10 percent. There are also a couple of weeks of "dog days" in summer during the "monsoon" period. During these brief rain showers, humidity percentages reach into the upper teens and 20's.
An interesting phenomenon takes place when you go swimming during those hot summer days: when you come out of the water and hit the dry hot air, you will actually feel cold. That's the effect of the low humidity.
Some of the best Las Vegas weather is from mid-October to mid-December, and from early-April to mid-May, when the temperatures in Las Vegas are the best in the world. You'll find warm afternoons and cool evenings. You may want to take light outerwear for the cool evenings.
From around mid-December through mid-March, it can get quite chilly during the daytime, but it usually warms up around noon for a few hours -- mid 50's to mid 60's. But the weather is also a bit fickle during those months. You might encounter a cold snap of the low 30's, even during midday. Then again, you can get a real warm day with temperatures in the high 70's. During those months you'll also find the evenings can get cold, and heavy outerwear may be needed.
Dress Code
Outside of being shoeless or shirtless, you can go almost anywhere.
Dress to meet YOUR comfort code, however I would suggest a sport coat (with or without a tie) if you're planning to eat in a gourmet restaurant. It isn't a formal dress code, but you may feel more comfortable. For the ladies, anything is acceptable for evening wear, but I wouldn't recommend wearing shorts.
Remember, Las Vegas is still designed to entice the gambler. If you are what they call a "high roller" then any apparel is acceptable. You will not be considered conspicuous even with a full dress tux or a long train dress with furs-- though you might find yourself throwing the dice, or playing blackjack next to a bearded cowboy looking like he just came off a cattle drive.
Also, remember the gambler always comes first in Las Vegas (as they should; the gamblers make the low priced rooms, buffets and FREE entertainment possible for the non-gamblers).
Casino bosses cannot tell one millionaire from another by their clothing -- that cowboy might be the owner of the biggest ranch in the West -- so dress the way you feel the most comfortable. This is one of the remarkable features of Las Vegas; take advantage of it.
As in any service industry (and Las Vegas is big on service) you'll find the usual hands out for a gratuity. Give what is comfortable for you. If you've received a little bit of extra courtesy or service, then you can reward that person as you see fit. Forget about those lists of suggested gratuities; if you didn't receive special service, don't reward.
Don't be shy asking how to participate in games you're interested in. Many of the casinos have free demonstrations/lessons. Take advantage of them.
Back to the Las Vegas experience. If you're going to try your luck on the gaming tables or slots, you're going to receive gratuities from the casino. Even if you play those nickel slots, you'll be approached by a cocktail waitress/waiter offering you free drinks as you play the machines. Those drinks can be any kind you desire; a cocktail, beer, soda, coffee, or tea. The higher amount slot machine you play, the more frequently free drinks are offered. It may be a good idea to tip the server if you want to see them more often. The bigger the tip, the more often they may come.
If you are among those table gamblers then the FREE drink offers come every few minutes. If you are a big enough gambler ($+ slots and big bets on those tables) then casino gratuities can also include meals and possibly your room. Las Vegas is designed for gamblers and the casinos will do almost anything to keep you playing.
When you first arrive at the reception desk of your hotel/motel, you should find a selection of "What's going on in Las Vegas" magazines. If you cannot find them, ask the bell captain. Check the guides for current shows. There are often discount coupons in the guides.
One of the most important things to be aware of while in Las Vegas is the traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular. Las Vegas can be so overwhelming you may tend to be preoccupied with the sights while walking or driving. Remember that many of the drivers on the strip or downtown are just as new to the area as you are and are also awestruck and less attentive to their driving. Don't become a casualty, stay alert.
One more important point. As with any major tourist area, beware of pickpockets. There are as many of them in Las Vegas as there are in NYC, Honolulu, Orlando, London, Paris or Rome.
There is a public bus transportation system called CAT, run by the county. Up until two years ago, Las Vegas had a very poor bus system. The situation is now greatly improved, but it's still in its growing stages. Being a new system, there might be delays in catching the bus to particular destinations. Check with the consierge or bell captain at your hotel for a CAT bus schedule.
There is also reasonably priced airport bus service that has set fares for going to the strip and downtown hotel locations.
It's all up to you to enjoy yourself and take advantage of the Las Vegas experience. It isn't a vacation place to just relax. It's a place to do things every minute that you're there. It's by far the best value-priced vacation you'll find in the world. You get more for your money there than anywhere else. You can also get some of the highest quality accommodations any tourist destination offers. But remember, Las Vegas is a town where you are not going to be spending much time in your room. So come and enjoy. You're always welcome.
