Las Vegas is a town unlike any other in the world – from the people to the culture to the law. If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas, especially if it’s your first time, preparation goes a long way in making a smooth transition from your home to Sin City. Here are just a few tips that should help you prepare more easily, and thus, enjoy your time there a bit more.
1. Finding a Flight
Image via flickr by Aero Icarus
Everyone has a different idea for the best time to book a flight. However, a new study suggests that booking your flight 54 days in advance is the ideal amount of time to get the cheapest flight. Many factors play into this number. Depending on where you live, different airlines can be a bargain. You should also be somewhat flexible on your dates of arrival and departure (typically +/- 3 days), and be willing to get connecting flights.
2. Smoking
Whether or not you are a smoker is irrelevant in Las Vegas – you will undoubtedly come into contact with it at some point. Most hotels, restaurants, and elevators are smoke-free, but if you want to gamble, nearly all gaming floors are smoker-friendly. If you don’t smoke, you may want to consider bringing extra clothes for these areas so you don’t smell like a chimney for the entire trip.
3. Accommodations
You don’t have to spend a fortune to find good accommodations in Las Vegas, but you don’t want to be a cheapskate either. Former poker player Cory Albertson, who spent tons of time in Vegas, writes on his blog that Vegas hotels can be broken down into 3 categories – high-end, adequate, and dump. Usually adequate will suffice for about $200 a night. If you need help breaking down prices and amenities, compare a few Vegas hotels online to help you find the right hotel.
4. Slow Your Party Pace
Las Vegas didn’t get its reputation as a party town for no reason. It features bars, clubs, casinos, and pretty much anything else you could want 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For this very reason, it’s integral to the success of your trip to take it easy on the booze – at least for a little while, so that you can enjoy the wonderful night-life (and people watching) that makes Las Vegas so unique.
5. Watch Out for Jaywalking
While jaywalking is seldom enforced in most of the country, beware of the law in Las Vegas, especially if you’re on the strip. Some cops may let you off with a warning because you’re a tourist, but many others will issue a citation if it puts someone in danger. The average ticket for jaywalking is $198, so you may want to think about walking that bit extra to a crosswalk.
No matter what you want to do in Las Vegas, they have you covered. By following the aforementioned steps, you can seamlessly make the jump from reality to fantasy. Then, all you have to do is enjoy the ride.
