Las Vegas – What Happens in Vegas…

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM LAS VEGAS

*Stolen Paiute Land* Often referred to as “Sin City,” Las Vegas is an experience unlike any other. The infamous Las Vegas Strip is home to countless casinos, ornate hotels, neon lights, and constant sensory stimulation. Whether you’re here to gamble, party, or just explore, Las Vegas has something for everyone.

Need to Know:

Currency: US Dollar

Language: English

Airports: LAS

Electrical Outlets: 120V supply voltage and 60Hz

Planning Your Trip

Accommodation – There are countless hotels in the Las Vegas area, so there is no shortage of places to stay. There are also options for every budget, from low-cost to extraordinarily lavish. I enjoyed staying at the Mirage, right in the heart of Vegas when I visited last. This is a classic Vegas hotel with a huge casino, restaurants, and entertainment right on the property. This location was fantastic because we were walking distance from the main Vegas attractions. I also visited once as a kid with my family and we stayed at Mandalay Bay. This was a great option for our family because I was completely entertained by the aquarium and hotel pool.

Food – Las Vegas is famous for its restaurant scene where many famous chefs have signature restaurants and offer unique dining experiences. I have not explored the food scene much, so I recommend checking out this guide for more info. My favorite spot in Vegas that I kept going back to was Tacos El Gordo. This is a Mexican fast food restaurant with insanely delicious food. I also enjoyed El Segundo Sol for some nice margaritas on a patio. For brunch I loved Makers and Finders (outside the Strip) and Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris Hotel.

Getting Around – I’ve used a car to get around Vegas, and there is extensive parking in most of the hotels. As for getting around the strip and to different parts of Vegas, I’d recommend walking as much as possible, then ubers and cabs are also good options for longer distances.

My Top Things to see and do in Las Vegas

See a show: Vegas is famous for having an incredible entertainment scene, so there is something for everyone on any given day. From musicians, to magicians, to Cirque de Soleil, check out the event calendar to see what’s playing during your trip.

Fountains of Bellagio: A must-see when in Vegas, this is a beautiful fountain display that performs to music every 30 minutes or so. Check the schedule to see when you can catch this fantastic display.

Fremont Street Experience: Located in downtown Las Vegas, this street is covered by a roof with a colorful animated display, home to restaurants, street performers, shops, and even a massive zipline.

Casino Hop: What most people come to Vegas for is less of a priority for me personally, but it is still a fun experience! As a non-gambler, I usually go in with a set amount I am willing to lose, and view the experience like paying for entertainment. Say I lose $50, then I paid $50 for a couple hours of entertainment. This is my way of embracing the Vegas experience without getting down on myself if I lose some money gambling.

Big Apple Roller Coaster: Even as an adult, riding the roller coaster in the New York New York hotel was one of my highlights of Vegas. Adult tickets are $19 for one ride on the coaster. You can also stop and play some games in the Big Apple Arcade before or after.

More Things to see and do in Las Vegas

LINQ: The LINQ hotel is home to two popular activities in Vegas, the High Roller ($20-$50 per person depending on time and day) and the Fly LINQ Zipline ($30 per person).

The STRAT Skypod and Observation Deck: Make your way up the iconic STRAT for beautiful views of Las Vegas from the sky. Entrance fee for the Sky Pod is $20 and can be reserved ahead of time. If you’re a thrill seeker, you can also check out the three thrill rides on the STRAT.

Welcome to Las Vegas Sign: This is just a photo op, but a damn good one. Swing by the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign and pull over in the designated parking lot to snap this photo to commemorate your trip.

Nature Getaways Outside Vegas

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area A great way to spend half a day outside of Vegas, check out the Red Rock Canyon for some hiking. When I went, we had to buy an entrance permit ahead of time and then show it to enter the park. Make sure you do your research on the current protocol for entry before your visit.

Grand Canyon This is definitely a trek from Vegas, but if you have extra time the Grand Canyon is absolutely breathtaking. From Vegas you can visit the North Rim, which is only a 2.5 hour drive one way, as compared to the South Rim which is a 4.5 hour drive. The famous Sky Walk is located on the north/west side of the park, while much of the best hiking and more popular vistas are on the south side of the park.

Valley of Fire State Park Valley of Fire State Park is located about 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas and is a great option for hiking and exploring. Take some time to getaway from the hustle and bustle and enjoy this beautiful park.