Las Vegas is a city renowned for its assault on your senses. As soon as you arrive you can’t help but be swept up in the atmosphere that spills out from the casinos and clubs that line the famous Vegas Strip. With endless activities on offer Las Vegas has something for everyone whether it’s an all night gambling session or a first class relaxation experience. With other major attractions like the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead easily accessible for day trips either by car or air, Las Vegas is a truly unique city offering some of the world’s most stunning human and natural wonders. First timers will be forgiven for feeling a little intimidated about their first visit but Las Vegas can be easily tamed with some simple knowledge.
What you need to know...
Accommodation – Prices in Las Vegas vary widely depending on what facilities you want, the location and time of year. An entry level apartment off the strip with basic amenities starts around $80 per night, whereas a typical double room in a hotel on the strip starts around $130 and can go up to however much you want to pay. Knowing what you want to get out of your visit is important to understand where you want your accommodation as if gambling is not high on your priority then staying away from the strip in a smaller hotel without a casino could save you big $$$.
Food – Food is one thing Vegas is not short of, there is everything you could think of from simple street vendors, to high end a la Carte menus and not forgetting the 50inch pizza!! All options are not exactly cheap but you’ll definitely find something within your budget. Remember that when you’re gambling in the casinos the waitresses will come round and offer you free drinks but they do expect tips. We found tipping $5-$10 for your first drink and then $1 per drink after that, ensured the waitress kept coming back every 10-15 minutes.
Transportation costs – Nothing quite beats walking up and down The Main Strip to get the full Vegas experience, especially at night when everything seems to come alive. The 24 hours Deuce bus services runs from the Mandalay Bay to Downtown stopping regularly along the way. With a 24 hour pass costing $8 this is a cheap and versatile way to see all the major sites.
Safety – Las Vegas is generally speaking a fairly safe city but with the mix of so many people and free alcohol there will be some isolated altercations. There have also been some high profile incidences which are an unfortunately reality in many major North American cities but they are rare.