All about Las Vegas
When to visit
Mild weather and desert wildflowers from March through May mean spring is ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking, as well as for all-night dancing during the renowned Electric Daisy Carnival in May. After a few months of sweltering summer weather, crowds and moderate temperatures return in September, fueling the outdoor pool party scene. Budget-savvy travelers can save by avoiding traveling here during major conventions, which drive up hotel prices.
Getting around
Most visitors arrive at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport, located 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from Las Vegas Boulevard. If you’re staying within the city limits, it’s easy to get around without a car. The Las Vegas Monorail links destinations along the Las Vegas Strip and the free Downtown Loop shuttle bus circles between downtown, the Arts District, and the Fremont Street Experience. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful.
Traveler tips
If you’re coming to Vegas as a novice gambler—or you want to brush up your game—you can get help from the pros. Some gambling tours of the city feature lessons in games like poker and blackjack, which mean personalized attention and tips. Some casinos, including Mandalay Bay, Circus Circus, and MGM Grand, also offer gambling classes, pairing groups of newbies with experienced players. They’re popular, so plan to arrive early if you want to participate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Vegas called Sin City?
Before the Strip became the center of Las Vegas, in the early 1900s, Fremont Street was where it was at—gambling, prostitution, and liquor sales were easily accessible within a 2-block area. It’s here where the city gained its famous nickname: Sin City. After World War II, mob bosses came to town to form casino empires, further cementing the moniker.
What is the best month to go to Vegas?
March through May and October to November are the best months to go to Las Vegas. This is when travelers will experience the best weather for walking the Strip and participating in outdoor activities like hikes. During the summer, daytime temps regularly climb into the triple digits, with August being the hottest month. Also, keep in mind that some resort swimming pools are closed from October through February.
What kind of activities do they have in Las Vegas?
Of course, most Vegas visitors will want to try their luck at the city’s countless casinos packed with table games and slot machines. Beyond that, Las Vegas and the surrounding area offer a unique mix of nightlife and entertainment including top-name acts and natural attractions like the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
What should I do on my first trip to Vegas?
Since the city’s architecture can trick the eye like a desert mirage, get your bearings along the Strip and in the Fremont Street area by exploring the resorts on your own or via a hop-on hop-off bus tour. And be sure to attend a show—whether you’re into acrobatics, show tunes, or adult-only revues, there’s something for everyone. Plus, located just south of Mandalay Bay, you’ll find “The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign—a first-timer’s must-snap photo.
What is there to do in Las Vegas Nevada besides gamble?
If gambling’s not your thing, there are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas outside the casinos, including spas, shopping, dining, cultural attractions like the Neon Museum, and even rides such as the High Roller Observation Wheel. Also, the nearby Grand Canyon is a popular day trip option for those visiting Vegas, and the neighboring Hoover Dam is also a must-see.
What can you not miss on the Las Vegas Strip?
The Fountains of Bellagio, located in front of the Bellagio Hotel on the Strip, are like many Vegas sights: over-the-top but in a good way. Among all the glitz and glam, the elegant waterworks attract visitors and locals alike who marvel at the synchronized show that’s choreographed to music, making it one of the most popular things to do in Las Vegas. The show changes every 15 minutes.
What is the best thing to do in Vegas for couples?
Besides getting married in one of Las Vegas’ 50-odd wedding chapels, couples can take a romantic ride in an authentic gondola at the Venetian hotel. A gondolier steers the boat along an indoor/outdoor waterway as they serenade you in Italian. Or dine atop the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel and Casino.
What do locals do in Vegas?
Unless they work at one of the casinos, hotels, or resorts, locals aren’t likely to hang out on the Strip. You might find them at Fremont Street, though, where there are dozens of watering holes. Other fave local neighborhoods include the Arts District and Chinatown. And outside Vegas, the Red Rock Canyon is where outdoorsy locals go.