Vegas is the city of lights, and it is a place full of fun, excitement and a little bit of trouble. There are thousands of people who dream of one day visiting this city and exploring everything it has to offer.

People plan and plan for these trips, they think about when they will go, how much it will cost and how they will get there. They rarely think about the little things that can make a big difference between a wonderful trip or a huge waste of money.

They come back from their vacation thinking that they didn’t get the most out of their trip. That there was so much that they missed out on because they were not fully prepared. Even worse, they think their trip was ruined because they were missing some key pieces of information.

We have found the 20 things that are guaranteed to ruin your first-time trip to Vegas. From wasting money to the possibility of getting arrested, we are going to cover it all.

20 Wait For The Cocktail Waitress For One Reason (And It's Not For The Outfit)

The biggest issue with going to Vegas is that it can cost a lot. It's important to find ways to save money when you can.

According to wheretraveler.com, it is important to not ever buy beverages while you are in the casino. The casinos do offer free beverages, you just may have to wait a little longer for service.

19 Not Mapping Your Trip

A lot of people like to travel and be spontaneous, but they are missing out on a lot by living on the edge.

According to wheretravel.com, when going to Vegas it is extremely important to plan out your visit. Once you arrive at your hotel, map out where everything is. Also, take a look at a map of the strip and figure out exactly where you want to go.

18 Failing To Be All Stocked Up

Nothing ruins a trip faster than not being prepared. Wheretraveler.com has advice for you on that subject.

You always want to have a light jacket, water, and sunscreen. The summers are extremely hot in Vegas, and even though it is hot outside, the casinos and buildings blast the air conditioner to compensate.

17 Blisters On Your Feet Is Never A Good Thing

There is a common misconception about Las Vegas, and that is that everything is walkable. Pictures and movies have us believing that you can walk everywhere and see everything; this is not true.

According to wheretraveler.com, the strip is about 4 miles long, and the buildings are very close together. This can give the illusion that things are closer than they are.

16 Not Paying Is Not Exactly Stealing

You don't want to come home having spent all of your money and be near bankruptcy.

So, according to wheretraveler.com, it is always a good idea to sign up for the Player’s Club. Even if you have no intention of gambling, this is a great way to receive coupons and discounts throughout your stay.

15 Go Back To School

A lot of the draw with Vegas is the casinos. However, if you are not skilled in that area, you aren’t going to have a good vacation.

According to wheretraveler.com, if you are planning on gambling in Vegas, you should be taking lessons. There are a lot of casinos right in Vegas that offer free classes on the most popular games.

14 It's A Gamble: Will You Eat Or Starve?

If you want to eat in Vegas, and of course you do, then you need to plan it out. Unless you like spending all of your vacation time waiting for a table.

According to wheretraveler.com, it is always best to plan your hunger around non-peak times. That means you should try and have dinner between 5-5:30 or 8:30-9.

13 Taxi Service Is The Worst

Even though you are on vacation, your time is still precious. Even more so because you want to fit in as many activities as possible.

According to wheretraveler.com, a lot of vacationers were late for shows, dinners and events because they did not take into consideration the amount of time it took for a taxi to come.

12 NOT Ride Sharing

Taxis are not the only way to get around the city. There are a number of different rideshare programs that you can take advantage of in Vegas.

According to wheretraveler.com, it is a huge mistake to not take advantage of rideshare programs. They are convenient and a lot quicker than waiting for a taxi all day.

11 There's A Certain Code Of Conduct

You are bound to run into people on the strip in different costumes.

Their aim is to get you to stop and take a picture with them. Most tourists do but they make one big mistake; they don’t tip them. According to wheretraveler.com, if you don't, you could run into an altercation while on your trip.

10 Leaving Your Camera In The Hotel Room

Nothing would be worse than getting home from vacation and having no memories of your stay because you kept leaving your camera in the hotel room.

According to wheretraveler.com, this happens often, and it is a sure way to ruin your vacation. There are so many things to see and capture that it is a shame to not be prepared.

9 Be Closed Minded

Now, we are not saying that people who go to Vegas are prudes, but you have to go to the city of sin with an open mind.

According to wheretraveler.com, Vegas is a place of experience and excitement. It would be a real shame to miss out on any of the experiences because you were too afraid to participate.

8 Keep Your Mind On The Laws

There is nothing that would ruin a vacation more than getting arrested. It is probably the worst-case scenario.

Travelers must pay attention to the laws of where they are. According to theculturetrip.com, even jaywalking can get you in big trouble. There are bicycle cops everywhere in Vegas just waiting to grab you.

7 Will History Repeat Itself?

Whenever someone comes back from a vacation, curious people will want to know about your trip. How disappointing it would be to have very little to say other than it was bright and loud.

According to theculturetrip.com, not appreciating or learning the history of where you are can ruin your trip. Take some time to learn about the city!

6 Not Stepping Out Of The Strip...Or Off A Cliff

No one can lie, the main reason why people go to Vegas is to explore the strip. So few people actually leave the strip while they are on vacation and this is a waste.

According to theculturetrip.com, there are mountains, deserts and museums to explore and it is a wonderful day trip that is not to be missed.

5 Do NOT Bend Any Cards

According to theculturetrip.com, when playing card games in the casino you should never bend your cards back.

Security is watching you from the moment you walk in, they are on the lookout for cheaters. Even if your intentions are good, bending cards is a sure-fire way of catching a cheater.

4 Dress To Impress ... Or Else!

This is something not a lot of people know about Vegas: there is a dress code. According to theculturetrip.com, it is a big mistake to not learn about the dress code while you are there.

This could get you kicked out of clubs and establishments, which is sure to ruin vacation memories.

3 Getting Trapped By ATM’s

Vegas is extremely expensive, and going broke is one way to ruin your vacation. There are so many ways people are wasting money when they go to Vegas.

According to theculturetrip.com, ATM’s in Vegas have one of the highest mark-ups. That means it is going to cost you to take out cash, so be prepared!

2 A Vacation Is No Good If You're Homeless After

Going to the first hotel or resort they see is the biggest rookie mistake vacationers can make.

With all the options available, including staying just outside of the strip, there is no reason not to shop around for a good deal. According to thetravel.com, picking the first resort deal that pops up is the easiest way to waste money.

1 Checking Out A Show … At Full Price

Vegas is known for its world-class entertainment. Some of the best and most iconic performers have had a residency there.

According to thetravel.com, no one should be paying the full price to attend one of these shows. You can often find tickets for a cheaper price if you put a little effort and research into it.

Sources: wheretraveler.com, theculturetrip.com, thetravel.com