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Las Vegas is the gambling and vice capital of the United States, and it has an interesting history. There is plenty to see and do in this city (and plenty to know about visiting in advance). Las Vegas is nicknamed "Sin City" for good reason and its catchphrase "What Happens In Vegas, Stays In Vegas" epitomizes what Vegas is all about (or at least how it markets itself), although it has changed over the years.

Vegas is also one of those destinations that can be very affordable — and even family-friendly — or as expensive as one can imagine. It all comes down to what visitors want to do, what their expectations are when they go, and how well they plan.

What To Know When Visiting Las Vegas

Las Vegas can be a family-friendly destination, but that is not its primary focus. Vegas is a top destination for bachelorette parties and for the ultimate nightlife and vice. There are many adult advertisements that parents may not want their children to see.

Vegas gets expensive if one visits at the wrong times, but is affordable during the week (especially in the off-season).

The High Roller observation wheel, Las Vegas, Nevada
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The High Roller observation wheel, Las Vegas, Nevada

Vegas is not all about Vegas and The Strip. Vegas is also about visiting the Hoover Dam, The Grand Canyon, and the Mojave Desert.

That being said, the main attractions are gambling, shows, nightlife, and adult-related attractions.

Best Time To Visit Las Vegas

Las Vegas is situated in a hot desert, and so during the summer, it can be sweltering hot, although it can be visited throughout the year.

The best time to visit Vegas is before and after the sweltering heat of summer — March to May and from September to November.

  • Best Time To Visit: March to May & September to November
  • Busiest Times: Around New Year's Eve, the Super Bowl, and Valentine's Day

Related: See Las Vegas In A Unique Way On These Thrilling Tours

By going in the shoulder seasons of the year, visitors get to enjoy some of the most moderate weather. The winter months are also a great time to visit weather-wise, but it also receives large influxes of visitors (especially around New Year's Eve, the Super Bowl, and Valentine's Day).

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA skyline over the strip
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Las Vegas, Nevada, USA skyline over the strip

Summer doesn't need to be off the books either; visitors are just likely to spend more time in their casino hotels and the swimming pools and less time on an excursion in the desert.

Best Ways To Get Around Sin City

As with all American cities (apart from perhaps New York City), the best way to get around the wider city is by car, especially for jaunts over to (relatively) nearby Reno. However, parking can be a problem on The Strip.

The major hotels offer shuttle services — they may be for an extra fee or complimentary.

If one is planning to just stay in The Strip for a few days and if one is flying into Sin City, it may not be worth hiring a car.

Helicopter flight over Las Vegas at night
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Helicopter flight over Las Vegas at night

Vegas also has plenty of public transportation options to get around. It boasts a monorail, trams (they are free in Las Vegas), and a bus transportation network.

Las Vegas monorail train, Las Vegas, Nevada

Monorail Fees:

  • One-Ride: $5
  • 1-Day Pass: $13

Without a car, perhaps the most convenient way to get around is with ride-sharing; Uber and Lyft work really well, and often the cost of a trip will be only around $10.00.

Related: Is Las Vegas Really Overrated? Here's What First-Time Visitors Shouldn't Waste Their Time On

Where To Stay On The Strip

The Venetian, Las Vegas with christmas lights
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The Venetian, Las Vegas with christmas lights

The Strip is full of some of the most famous casinos in the world, like The Venetian Las Vegas, The Palazzo at the Venetian, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Resorts World, Paris Las Vegas, and many more. These are all on — or near — the famous Strip.

Staying on the Strip means that people can enjoy being right in the heart of the neon-light attractions of Vegas. Many things are also within walking distance, and so visitors don't need to worry about getting taxis or public transportation.

All of these casinos are great options offering some excellent deals. Some hotels offer up to 30% off for longer stays when booking three or more nights.

Musical fountains at Bellagio Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

There are plenty of excellent accommodation options as well off the Strip in quieter places in Las Vegas.

One great option is the Las Vegas Pool and Lazy River Complex (part of the stunning Tahiti Village) — it is arguably worth booking just for its lazy river.

Where To Eat In Las Vegas

Vegas has just about every type of restaurant and dining option (including themed restaurants) one can think of - there are far too many great dining options to list out in detail here.

Perhaps the most unusual (and cringe) place to eat is at the Heart Attack Grill — not recommended for those on a diet.

heart attack grill in las vegas
Kit Leong / Shutterstock.com
heart attack grill in las vegas

Some of the top places to eat in Vegas are:

  • Primal Steakhouse
  • Edge Steakhouse
  • Fresco Italiano
  • Benihana
  • Mr. Mamas
  • Weera Thai Restaurant
  • Omelet House
  • Esther's Kitchen
  • Italian American Club
  • Arawan Thai Bistro and Dessert

Vegas also has plenty of great places to grab an adult beverage.

Top Vegas Attractions

Vegas is full of attractions; it has some of the world's premier shopping destinations, many of the world's most famous casinos, innumerable excursions in the desert around Vegas, and Neon lights galore.

But must-dos in Vegas include the Vegas shows and a day trip to the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park, West Rim, Arizona

Top Attractions In And Around Vegas:

  • The Strip: Walk the strip at night (but be aware of the surroundings) — adults only
  • Recommended Tour: Las Vegas Strip by Limo with Personal Photographer
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Cost: From $499.99 USD per group ( Up to 8)

Book this tour

  • Helicopter Rides Over Las Vegas & The Grand Canyon: Great day tour option
  • Recommended Tour: Las Vegas Helicopter Night Flight with Optional VIP Transportation
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Cost: From $89.99 USD per adult

Book this tour

  • The High Roller Observation Wheel: One of the largest Ferris wheels in the world
  • Recommended Tour: The High Roller at The LINQ Ticket
  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • Cost: From $28.12 USD per adult

Book this tour

  • The Mob Museum: Learn about the history of crime in the US
  • Recommended Tour: Las Vegas Mob Museum Admission Ticket
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Cost: From $32.5 USD per adult

Book this tour

Additionally, many casinos have their own iconic attractions. The Venetian Hotel has its gondola rides, the Paris hotel has a reconstruction of the Eiffel Tower, and the Bellagio Resort has the (free to watch) Fountain Show.

Related: Learn America's Gangster History At This Vegas Mob Museum

Costs In Las Vegas To Know About

Vegas is almost unique in how affordable (or even cheap) some of the accommodations can be. Great rooms in some massive casino hotels can be found for $50.00 or less a night for two.

To enjoy the great deals, look on the hotel's websites for upcoming deals (as well as various Vegas-dedicated websites).

Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
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Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas

The casinos can offer rooms at great rates because they are planning to make more money through their casinos, restaurants, and in-house shopping malls.

Related: From Family-Friendly To Adult Entertainment, Vegas Has It All

One of the key things to plan around is to try to visit Vegas during the midweek. Vegas is a very popular destination for Americans over the weekend, so prices shoot up on the weekend.

If possible, plan to visit Las Vegas between Tuesday and Thursday.

Tips For Visiting Vegas

The best thing one can do in Vegas is to plan ahead and look for great hotel deals.

View of the strip in Las Vegas

But there are also exceptions for planning ahead. If one is traveling with an eye on the budget and is happy to be flexible with what show to watch, then book show tickets at the last minute.

  • Car Hire: Don't bother
  • Download: Lyft & Uber
  • Stay Hydrated: It gets super hot in Las Vegas; drink plenty of water!

Vegas is a city that never sleeps, with some of its businesses not closing through the night. Learn more about current events and offerings at Las Vegas' dedicated tourism website.

FAQ

Q: How much does it cost to visit Las Vegas?

How much a Las Vegas trip is going to cost depends on a range of factors. It depends on when one goes (some seasons are much more expensive as are the weekends). Gambling is a large variable for folks visiting Las Vegas as well.

As a rough guide, reckon on spending around $2,700 for a week for a couple or $1,500 for a solo traveler. Hotels range from as low as around $30 per night to well into the hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Q: How long should a trip to Las Vegas be?

How much time a first-timer needs to visit Las Vegas really depends on the person and what they want to get out of their trip to Sin City.

A single night is enough time to walk The Strip, visit a few casinos, go to a show, and perhaps do a little gambling on the side.

It is very common to spend a long weekend there, but the best to spend around five days — that's enough time for multiple shows, day tours of the Grand Canyon, and to get the feel of the city much more.

Q: What is the best month to travel to Las Vegas?

The best months to visit Las Vegas are the more affordable shoulder seasons — March, April, October, and November (the summer is very hot).

But really the "best" month really depends on what the "best" means for each individual person (some like it hot, some like it cold, some like it...).

For most folks, spring and autumn are perhaps the best months to visit.

Q: Is it worth it to visit Las Vegas?

A trip to Las Vegas is a must for almost every traveler, whether they're interested in gambling, the lights and sounds of the Strip, or simply want to get out and enjoy the nightlife and great food.

In terms of comparisons, there are none; even Atlantic City can't stack up to what Vegas offers.