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Las Vegas Travel Guide
By Kristopher Kane MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Las Vegas is the glittering jewel of the Mojave desert, built on the site of an oasis in a natural basin and surrounded by mountains on all sides. It’s home to some of the most opulent hotels in the world and is unmatched for its variety of restaurants, bars, clubs and, of course, casinos.
Whether you’re looking to try your luck at the slots, take in a lavish stage show or relax poolside in a luxury hotel, Las Vegas has something to offer for almost anyone. Read on for a Las Vegas travel guide with details on the best time to go, where to eat and must-see attractions, along with tips on how to get the most out of a Vegas trip.
Table of contents
- What is Las Vegas most known for?
- Traveling to Las Vegas
- An overview of Las Vegas
- The best time of year to visit Las Vegas
- The best places to visit in Las Vegas
- Las Vegas-specific travel tips
- How much does a trip to Las Vegas cost?
- Is Las Vegas safe to travel to?
What is Las Vegas most known for?
Las Vegas is renowned for gambling and features some of the world’s most extravagant and luxurious casinos. Vegas nightlife is lively and surprisingly diverse, with bars, clubs and lounges catering to a wide range of preferences, from music to magic shows to stand-up comedy.
In addition to the sites and sounds of the Strip, Las Vegas is also a hub for upscale entertainment, featuring Broadway musicals, extravagant Cirque du Soleil performances and top-tier comedy shows.
Traveling to Las Vegas
Most travelers arrive in Las Vegas at Harry Reid International Airport, conveniently located just 10 miles outside of the city, with airlines offering direct flights to and from major cities in Canada, Europe, and the U.S. Many hotels offer free shuttle services for guests with reservations. If your hotel doesn’t offer that, there are paid shuttle options as well as taxi and ride-sharing services.
Driving to Las Vegas is also popular, as it’s a trendy road trip destination for travel-hacking tourists. You may be able to find cheaper flights to a different airport and rent a car to drive to Vegas. Many hotels and casinos offer free parking, making Las Vegas an excellent destination for anyone who likes to break up their indoor excitement with outdoor day trips. The city is within a day’s drive of the breathtaking natural beauty of Sedona, Arizona, the Grand Canyon and Utah’s Zion National Park.
If you make the drive yourself, make sure your vehicle is in good condition, as the desert around Las Vegas can be unforgiving. Though it may only be a little over four hours from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, motorists should be prepared for the kind of extreme temperatures found in Death Valley, which lies midway between the City of Angels and Sin City.
An overview of Las Vegas
Though famous for its casinos, nightlife and storied history, Las Vegas has also been voted one of the best places to live in Nevada for plenty of good reasons.
Las Vegas culture
Las Vegas is a city with a unique culture, offering entertainment by world-famous performers, gambling in every form, fine dining and lavish accommodations. The city is known for its over-the-top style, bright lights, nightlife and flashy entertainers. Visitors can experience everything from world-class stage shows to high-stakes gambling, all while enjoying the luxurious amenities of the city’s many resorts.
It’s a melting pot of people from all over the world — it’s full of diversity. The city is also home to unique art and architecture, with numerous music and art festivals hosted in Vegas each year.
Weather
Las Vegas is within the borders of the Mojave Desert, and its hot, dry climate is also influenced by the Sonoran Desert to the south and the Great Basin Desert to the north. Though the average temperature in Las Vegas is 70 degrees, summertime highs can soar to well above 100. The desert winters are mild but can quickly get chilly after sunset, with overnight lows often below 40 degrees.
Las Vegas’ signature foods
Las Vegas is known for extravagant buffets and trendy, high-end restaurants, but it also has some signature dishes worth trying. Some of the most popular include the iconic shrimp cocktail at the Golden Gate Casino, the Vegas Strip steak at the Golden Steer and the Heart Attack Grill’s “quadruple bypass burger.”
Local restaurants
Las Vegas may have more restaurants per capita than any other city, with over 4,000 dining establishments serving the city’s two million inhabitants and nearly 39 million annual visitors. Dining options in Los Vegas range from world-famous celebrity chef-owned establishments to classic diners and buffets.
If you want to eat where the locals do, some popular favorites include El Dorado Cantina for authentic Mexican fare, Honey Salt for excellent rustic farm-to-table offerings, and the Bardot Brasserie for the closest thing to a Parisian café this side of the half-scale replica Eiffel Tower.
Getting around Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the most populous city in Nevada, and getting around can be challenging. Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available, but renting a car may be more cost-effective if you plan to explore any nearby attractions. Rental car choices are abundant, and Las Vegas also has public transportation options like buses and the Las Vegas Monorail, which are easily accessible.
The best time of year to visit Las Vegas
The best time to visit Las Vegas depends on what you’re looking for. The summer months are the busiest and hottest, with crowded casinos and swimming pools full of visitors seeking respite from the daytime heat.
Spring and fall offer milder temperatures and fewer tourists. March through May or September through November are the best months to visit Las Vegas for those who like to people-watch without the roar of the crowd.
The winter months, while a cheap time to visit Las Vegas, can be chilly and rainy. Though January is typically the most affordable month for Las Vegas travel, the period after the winter holidays through mid-April is best for budget-minded travelers. Many travel booking sites will offer Las Vegas travel deals during these months, as it’s generally the slowest time of year in the entertainment and hospitality industries.
The best places to visit in Las Vegas
No visit to Las Vegas would be complete without a visit to the Vegas Strip, home to many of the city’s most well-known resorts and casinos. Those looking for shopping can visit the Fremont Street Experience, a pedestrian mall on the site of the original Las Vegas Strip with live music, light shows and some “old school cool” casinos like the Golden Nugget, the California and the Fremont Hotel and Casino.
The Bellagio maintains a 14,000-square-foot Conservatory and Botanical Gardens featuring seasonally-themed displays that change year-round. Admission is free, making this an excellent option for families.
The Neon Museum preserves and displays the vintage neon signs that became iconic of the early Strip. However, reservations are recommended as tickets often sell out in advance.
Though it may sound gruesome, The Mob Museum features an on-premises distillery and speakeasy, and a crime lab experience to see how forensic evidence is handled. The museum is maintained by a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the impact organized crime has had on Las Vegas and American society.
Top sights in Las Vegas
- The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas: Located at the intersection of the Strip and Flamingo Road and operated by Caesar’s Palace, this half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower features stunning views of Vegas from the 46th-floor observation deck.
- The Fountains of Bellagio: Dotted throughout an 8.5-acre artificial lake, thousands of fountains erupt in pre-timed and choreographed displays with lights and musical accompaniment. This free attraction is a favorite of families with small children.
- The Stratosphere Tower: Part of the larger STRAT Hotel, Casino & Skypod, the Stratosphere Tower is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States. While there, adventurous guests may wish to check out thrill rides like the Big Shot, which catapults riders 160 feet straight up at 45 miles per hour, or the X-Scream rollercoaster, which dangles riders over the Vegas Strip from a launching point 866 feet above.
Natural attractions and parks
While Las Vegas is known more for artificial attractions — like the synchronized music and lights of the Bellagio fountains — visitors can still enjoy more outdoorsy endeavors. Within Las Vegas, visitors can take leisurely nature walks through the 180-acre trails of the Springs Preserve, created to protect the natural spring that gave the desert city life.
Further afield, nearby Red Rock Canyon is a popular destination known for its 13-mile scenic drive and camping, hiking and rock climbing areas. Though it’s a 45-minute bus ride away, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead offer opportunities for boating and other water activities. If you do plan to rent a boat or other watercraft, consider the best travel insurance options for adequate coverage before your trip.
Las Vegas-specific travel tips
When planning a trip to Las Vegas, consider your preferences and budget when deciding the best time to visit. If you’re not a fan of heat or large crowds, you can save by opting for the off-season. No matter the time of year, wear comfortable shoes, as Vegas is a very pedestrian-centric city and there’s always a lot of walking.
Research hotels and casinos to find the one that best suits your needs and interests. Look for credit card offers or reward cards that you can use for discounts or deals on Las Vegas travel packages.
Bear in mind that Vegas can be expensive, so budget wisely, take advantage of free attractions, use public transportation whenever possible and be aware of resort fees, which are sometimes hidden fees you may not be made aware of until you check out.
Even if you don’t brave the desert heat, Las Vegas is an arid environment, so drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and pack moisturizer and lip balm. If you venture out into the desert sun, take protection from the elements seriously, wear plenty of sunscreen and pace yourself.
How much does a trip to Las Vegas cost?
Expenses for a trip to Las Vegas can range widely depending on your planned activities and preferences. Airfare and accommodation costs will vary based on the time of year you plan to visit and whether you opt for a five-star luxury hotel or a more affordable option.
Dining in Las Vegas can be done on a budget, with numerous inexpensive options available, but (as with most things in Vegas) the sky’s the limit with plenty of high-end restaurants featuring lavish, multi-course meals.
Though there are affordable entertainment options, bigger acts or in-demand Broadway-style musicals are more expensive, with high-profile performers commonly commanding triple-digit ticket prices. There are various other activities, like nature hikes and sightseeing trips ranging from free to inexpensive. Conversely, activities like chartered helicopter rides or private limousine “happy hours” will cost revelers anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
Lastly, of course, there’s gambling. Most visitors to Las Vegas report spending more on gambling than intended, and it’s no secret that some people end up in serious debt over a few bad calls at the gaming table. Always remember you can spend as little as you wish, and it’s best to determine a budget ahead of time and stick to it.
Is Las Vegas safe to travel to?
Many travelers wonder whether it’s safe to travel to Las Vegas. Though crime does exist in Vegas, it’s not the seedy world of organized crime, pickpockets and other unsavory activities that is sometimes depicted in popular culture. Las Vegas is a haven for tourists, so it’s in the city’s best interest to keep crime low and ensure visitors are safe. Though there are currently no mask mandates, no Las Vegas travel restrictions and no required travel vaccines, many of the casinos, resorts and hotels are still implementing policies to keep guests healthy.
Have a fantastic time in Las Vegas
Have fun, but remember that it’s essential to stay safe by being aware of your surroundings, which extends to protecting your valuables and any winnings. Travel insurance is a good idea, even for domestic trips. Many people are unaware of this kind of coverage, so this guide to what travel insurance is may prove helpful.
No matter how you choose to spend your time in Las Vegas, there is no shortage of activities or sites for even veteran travelers, and no two vacations are alike. Make the most of your trip by planning what you want to do in advance, creating a budget and sticking to it, and looking for free or more affordable entertainment options.