In February I took a trip to Las Vegas. I had no idea what to expect because everyone’s Vegas experience seemed different. By the end of the trip, I gathered a few handy tips for anyone visiting Sin City for the first time!
Do:
- Get a hotel room on the strip
- I stayed at The Palms, not far from the famous Las Vegas strip. The room was cheaper than similar alternatives and absolutely stunning. We had a fantastic view, shower with multiple heads, and even a kitchenette. At the end of the day, those amazing amenities largely went to waste. The money we saved on the hotel room was spent Ubering to and from the strip. On top of that, the rides were so long! Despite being less than a mile away from the strip, it would take us almost 20 minutes to get there due to traffic.
- Wear comfy shoes
- There are vending machines all around Vegas that are not full of snacks or even electronics… they are full of FLATS (ladies). We all think this is the perfect place to wear our tallest heels and shortest dresses. I’m here to tell you that I felt hotter than ever when all of the girls around me were limping around with sore feet while I was bustin’ a move on the dance floor in my flats.
- Get a party bus!!
- We spent less than $40 per person for a party bus. This included entrance into five clubs, a DJ in the bus, and free drinks during the ride! Most of us didn’t have to buy drinks at the expensive clubs due to the free drinks on the bus. The cost pays itself off just in entrance fees for the clubs! Also, if you fall in love with a certain club’s environment, you can stay there. The bus travels to new places with or without you, giving you liberty to hop off whenever you want.
- Take the coupons from the people on the street
- Most people ignore the workers who try to talk to you as you walk down the street. Las Vegas is NOT the place to do that! A lot of these workers have coupons for free drinks, free entry, or even VIP access to venues. Some of them have a lot to offer. Take that extra thirty seconds to figure out what they are trying to give you!
- Check Groupon
- Most of the main attractions can be found on Groupon for a fraction of the price. There is a huge selection of restaurants, too! We used a Groupon for Pampas Brazilian Grille in Las Vegas and it was absolutely phenomenal. It included endless meat, sides, and alcoholic beverages for an amazing price!
- Watch a show
- The shows in Vegas are honestly amazing. Take the time to do this. It is absolutely worth splurging on. It has the theatrics of NYC sprinkled with the risqué vibes of Las Vegas.
- Go to the Bellagio for a water show
- I’m not joking when I say that this was my favorite part of Vegas. The water shows were extremely powerful. At night, they add lights, which make the presentation even more beautiful. If you’re with a partner, this can be extremely romantic to watch. Sometimes the songs are more modern but most of them were slow and artistic. The show is every 30 minutes from 3pm to 8pm Monday through Friday and every 15 minutes from 8pm to midnight.
Don’t:
- Buy drinks at the club
- If you’re like me, you are from a place where it is illegal to walk around drinking. Rest easy knowing that Las Vegas generally does not have open container laws, allowing you to walk along the street with your road soda in hand (road soda (noun)- alcoholic beverage consumed on the way to a party intended to pregame with). Drinks are unbelievably expensive (up to $25/drink at some places!!) so save yourself a few bucks and be nice to your liver in the clubs/restaurants. Let’s be honest, you probably didn’t need that tequila shot anyway.
- Get money from the ATM at the casino
- Most of the casinos had insane ATM fees (I think one was over $30???). If you intend on gambling at all, get out the amount you plan on spending at an ATM off of the strip, then stick to that amount. Grabbing another $20 isn’t convenient or cheap.
- Bring your friend who drinks too much
- If you have that friend that blacks out on a random Tuesday night at a Mexican restaurant, you probably shouldn’t bring them to Sin City with you. You will probably end up babysitting them all night. There is endless access to alcohol. When we went out for breakfast there were people already drinking beer and taking shots. We weren’t quite sure if they started early or were finishing up the night late, but either way it seemed a little extreme. Don’t ruin your experience with a friend that parties a little too hard.
- Shop at expensive stores after a few drinks
- Just take my word on this one. Tiffany & Co., Louboutin, and Rolex are all at your fingertips… It’s dangerous territory.
Have fun in Vegas!!
XOXO,
Kay
