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The first Las Vegas trip is formative. Done right, it creates a desire to return that many people never lose. Done wrong, it produces a story about how expensive and overwhelming it was. Here are the 20 things that make the difference.
Booking and Pre-Trip
- 1. Always include the resort fee in your hotel budget calculation — adds $30–55/night to every Strip hotel
- 2. Book your hotel directly through the casino's website for best loyalty point accrual
- 3. Pre-book at least one restaurant reservation — walk-ins to good Strip restaurants wait 45–90 minutes
- 4. Check what concerts/residencies are running during your visit
On The Ground
- 5. Strip walking distances are much longer than Google Maps indicates
- 6. Carry water at all times in summer
- 7. Sign up for the casino players club card on arrival
- 8. Free drinks only come when actively gambling
- 9. Set gambling limits before you start, in cash, and honor them
- 10. Tix4Tonight kiosks for same-day show tickets at 50% off
- 11. In-N-Out at Tropicana is the best cheap meal adjacent to the Strip
- 12. ATM fees inside casinos are $7–10 — use your bank's ATM or bring cash
- 13. The Bellagio fountain show and conservatory are genuinely worth seeing
Common Mistakes
- 14. Don't try to see everything in one trip
- 15. Don't gamble money you can't afford to lose
- 16. Don't stand in line at nightclubs — guest list or pre-booked table only
- 17. Don't take taxis — Uber is always cheaper
- 18. Don't eat every meal on the Strip
- 19. Don't stay up until 4am every night if you want to do daytime activities
- 20. Don't forget to check out the view from the STRAT or a rooftop bar