Las Vegas News and Advice
When to Go: Las Vegas is always on. No matter what season, no matter what the weather, Vegas is always a good choice. While there is no particular “season,” some times of year are better than others. Summer tends to be cheaper, since the desert sun keeps some of the fainter of heart away. However, unless you plan to spend lots of time exploring things outside, don’t let the desert heat deter you.
Long weekends and holidays are always popular, crowded, and more expensive. “Grown-up,” non-family holidays tend to be when the crowds are at their peak, so New Year’s Eve, Halloween, July 4th, and the summer bookends of Memorial Day and Labor Day are the times you should book farthest ahead and expect to spend the most. Considering the preponderance of wedding chapels in Sin City, Valentine’s Day is a sure bet to be teeming with couples, which will make restaurant reservations scarcer, too.
The primary business of Las Vegas, besides gambling, is conventions. All year long, trade associations and other groups gather in Sin City. It’s useful to call the hotels you are considering booking to see if some large convention you’d rather avoid will be in residence during your stay. There are multiple online calendars of conventions, the number of attendees they expect, and which hotels they are occupying. Some expos are so large, they seem to take over the whole of the Strip, such as the Consumer Electronics Show in early January. CES is one of the largest—if not the largest—gadget fest in the world, and draws crowds of up to 150,000, including a lot of press. You might also want to ensure that you aren’t planning a family getaway in the midst of the Adult Entertainment Expo (also in early January), while that might be an ideal time for a bachelor weekend.
Things to Know and Remember: There is no better, more affordable way to get around the Strip than the Las Vegas Monorail. Running along the backs of the hotels along the Strip’s east side, the monorail runs from 7 am to 2 am on weekdays and until 3 am on weekends. A one-ride ticket is $5, but you can buy one- or three-day passes for deep discounts and travel whenever you want. It is fast, convenient, safe and costs much less than renting (and parking) a car.
Cash is king in Las Vegas, but you will be charged for the privilege of accessing it. Casino ATMs routinely charge $5 per withdrawal. Casinos also offer credit card machines that charge you for your cash. They are cheaper than taking a cash advance on your credit card, but more expensive than using a regular ATM. The best option for having ready access to cash without having to pay even more for it is to take traveler’s checks to the casino cage/cashier, where they will turn them into cash or chips for you with no fee.
Even if you visit Las Vegas when it isn’t scorching hot outside, it is always dry. The desert air, coupled with arid casino climate control systems, will dehydrate you. Dehydration can make you cranky, dizzy and cause headaches. It is wise to make a pit stop at a grocery or convenience store off of the strip to stock up on bottled water. You will need to drink far more water than you anticipate, and casino gift shops are extremely expensive. Don’t forget to keep your skin hydrated, too. Pack body lotion, lip balm, and facial moisturizer to keep from feeling dessicated.
Know your games and set your limits. Gambling can be great fun. It’s always more fun to win, of course. If table games intrigue you, but you don’t know how to play, check with the concierge or one of the cashiers to see if the casino offers lessons. Most casinos offer free blackjack, poker, craps, or other game lessons. If you think you don’t need a full lesson, but could use some help as you play, ask the dealer. They are very helpful and are usually happy to tell you what to do. If you’d like less of a crowd while you’re learning, the middle of the night is usually less crowded. Also, the smaller casinos on the Strip and the older ones downtown have smaller table minimums so you won’t lose your shirt while you’re learning.
Las Vegas is made to be the most visitor-friendly city on the planet, and information is available everywhere you look. While you may not win big at the tables or the slot machines, you are sure to have a fantastic time. Viva Las Vegas!