Las Vegas is a dream vacation for many folks, and more and more families are venturing to "Sin City" - which has surprisingly become more family-friendly in the past decade than ever before. If you have chosen Las Vegas for your vacation spot this year, you are in for a real treat. The action is non-stop and whether you're traveling alone, with your special someone or a buddy, or with the entire family - you'll be amazed at the many attractions, venues, and events that are waiting for you in the Mojave Desert's most sparkling city. These pointers and tips will help you get the most out of your time in Las Vegas, Nevada, no matter what you have planned.
Because Las Vegas is bustling year round, you will want to book your hotel accommodations before you book your Las Vegas flight. Ninety percent of all rooms in Vegas are booked up well in advance, so you can save yourself some hassle by planning ahead, booking your lodging, and then finding your Vegas flight. You will have a huge number of hotels to choose from, but you should definitely consider staying on the Las Vegas Strip (officially, Las Vegas Boulevard) because that's where you'll find the most activity, attractions and events. Of course, Vegas hotels that are located on the Strip will be more expensive, but you'll spend less on transportation costs because you can walk to many attractions. Keep in mind, however, that walking the entire length of the strip, from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere would be about a three hour walk, so book your hotel as close to the things that you want to do and see as possible. You can drive the entire length of the strip in fifteen minutes if traffic is light.
When you touch down at the airport, you will find that there is taxi service available, but if you are arriving with the afternoon crowd, you may have a much longer wait. Cab fare from the airport to the Strip is around $15 dollars, or if you're going to downtown Las Vegas, plan to be out about $25. You can also rent a car at the airport, which may be the least expensive route if you plan to be visiting places other than the Strip - or if you don't envision yourself walking much on vacation. Some of the places you'd like to see on the Strip are spread a good distance apart, and some folks might not enjoy the walk, or may have health problems that prevent them from walking greater distances. Having a rental car for your Vegas trip is also great for day trips to area attractions, like the Grand Canyon. And keep in mind that most hotels offer free valet parking, so you won't need to circle your rental car around the block looking for a spot. Most hotels are located on the Strip, or a few blocks from the Strip, or in downtown Vegas. Having a rental car keeps you from paying cab fare, and gives you a greater freedom when choosing where you'll stay during your trip. There are also other options for getting around Las Vegas, including public transportation and two monorail lines. The 301 bus for the city of Las Vegas goes the entire length of Las Vegas Boulevard and downtown Vegas.
Another great pointer for first-timers to Las Vegas is to take in some free entertainment. The Bellagio, which is located in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard, has a beautiful fountain and light show that is free to watch, and the Mirage, just north of the Bellagio, offers free performances of Circus, Circus. Tourists also enjoy the free lion exhibit at the MGM Grand.
And finally, if you are planning a vacation in Las Vegas, be mindful of the hot climate - and that it can turn cold in Vegas quickly at night, because it is located in the desert. You want to make sure that you are hydrated, but you also don't want to pay the $3 a bottle for the hotel and casino branded water that is being hocked all over Vegas. You can find cheaper water at area drugstores, if you know where these are. On the Strip, you'll find a drugstore located just across from the Stardust Hotel, and another around the vicinity of the MGM Grand.
These tips and pointers should help you better know what to expect when you get to Vegas, and hopefully will make your Las Vegas vacation one for the memory books.
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