Las Vegas, an ever-changing fantasy-land of a city, has seen unbelievable expansion since it emerged from the desert just over 100 years ago. The sights and sounds of Las Vegas are enjoyed by over 39.2 million visitors every year. They stay in some of the most glamorous, unique hotels in the world. They eat at five-star restaurants and expansive buffets. They play at casinos, pools, health spas and golf courses. Sometimes (many times, actually) they even marry each other. You will be dazzled by Vegas, but the sheer number of things to see and do can seem overwhelming. A little advance planning will help you to enjoy your Vegas trip. Continue reading for basic visitor information (what to bring, things to know) and an overview of this special destination.
Basic Info
Electricity: The United States uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles). If visiting from outside of North America, you may require an electrical adapter for any electronics or appliances you want to bring. Las Vegas electrical outlets accept the standard North American plug with two flat parallel pins. Emergencies: For police or medical assistance call 911 (toll-free). Population (2007) 603,093 (City of Las Vegas); 1,960,661 (Clark County). Telephone Area Code: 702. Tax: There is a 7.75 percent sales tax on purchases and a 9 percent tax on hotel rooms in Las Vegas. (An additional 2% is added to the room tax for certain Downtown properties adjacent to and near the Fremont Street Experience.) Time Zone: GMT/UTC -8 (Pacific Time).
Do's & Don'ts
Gaming Etiquette It's best to not bring personal electronic items into the casino, and you can't use a cell phone while seated at a casino game. You cannot bring a cell phone or pager into the sports book section of the casinos. All players must be at least 21 years old - no exceptions.
Health
You are in a desert, and your body will need fluids, especially in the summer months. Carry a bottle of water, and be sure to bring sunscreen.
Safety
The high-concentration areas of Las Vegas are among the safest places for visitors in the world. Security is tight, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take the same precautions that you would at home. Be aware of your surroundings and stay away from threatening situations. If gaming, keep an eye on your purse, change bucket or chips. If there is an incident, police and security personnel are generally highly visible.
Smoking Etiquette
Generally speaking, smoking is permitted on the casino floor at most resorts, in some guest rooms and in bars that don't serve food. It is not permitted in public areas such as restaurants, hotel lobbies, the Las Vegas Convention Center concourse areas, or McCarran International Airport.
Money & Tipping
Credit or charge cards are widely accepted throughout Las Vegas. The most common are Visa, MasterCard and American Express, while Discover, Diners Club and Carte Blanche are also generally accepted. Some vendors may accept international cards like enRoute, EuroCard and JCB. Cash machines, or ATMs, are available at virtually every hotel. If you need to cash a check, some check-cashing businesses will handle out-of-state personal checks, with provision of verification and personal identification. (Check in advance to see what fees may be charged.) In terms of budgeting, it all depends on how high or low you want to go. Las Vegas is a great choice for travelers looking for value; it's possible for two people to eat well and have a great time on around $100 a day, not counting room accommodations. Or, visitors can choose from among myriad world-class restaurants and spend more than that per person for dinner. It's all about choice! Great deals are available on lodging throughout the city, where you can pay from less than $50 for a room to well over $1,000 a night. Prices vary widely depending on the time of year and day of the week.
Tipping Guidelines
In Vegas, 15 to 20 percent of the total bill is a good rule of thumb for tipping. Some additional guidelines follow. Hotel personnel: Generally tip $1 to $2 for each bag of luggage. If you are using concierge services, a $5 tip is appropriate. Dealers and slot attendants: A small bet for the dealer is the usual method of tipping at gaming tables. A small tip is also appropriate for keno runners and slot attendants. Taxi drivers and tour guides: Taxi drivers usually receive $1 to $2 for a direct route, or follow the 15 to 20 percent rule, whichever is greater You should provide $1 to $2 to tour guides for each person at the end of the tour. Valet parking and housekeeping: You should tip $2 to a parking valet, while $2 a day is a good tip for housekeeping services.
What to Pack
Bathing Suit Everyone needs to take the edge off by a pool now and then, and Vegas has some of the best. Camera There are plenty of snapshots to take, and plenty of sunlight to help capture the moment. Dress Clothes For a five-star restaurant or gala show. Golf Clubs If you're a fan of the game, you'll want to check out the Vegas courses. Power Converters/Adapters If you're visiting from outside North America, you may need power converters. Sunglasses There are 320 days of sunshine a year, so chances are you'll need some shades. Sunscreen You'll want to keep this close at hand, especially in the summer months. Walking Shoes You'll cover a lot of ground from the Strip to downtown, so make sure your shoes are comfortable. Warm Clothes If you're visiting any time between late October and early April, Las Vegas could be chillier than you might expect.
Weather
Since most of the Las Vegas Valley is at an elevation over 2,000 feet, the winter months can be more chilly than you might think, particularly in the evenings. Long pants, a sweater and/ or a jacket are recommended if visiting between late October and early April. During spring and summer months, t-shirts, shorts and athletic shoes are a common sight in the hotels and casinos. Average Monthly Weather Conditions in Las Vegas Temperatures Precipitation Month Avg Low Avg High Inches cm Humidity% January 39°F 4°C 58°F 14°C 0.48 1.21 43 February 41°F 5°C 61°F 16°C 0.48 1.21 28 March 49°F 9°C 71°F 22°C 0.42 1.10 22 April 55°F 13°C 77°F 25°C 0.21 0.53 20 May 66°F 19°C 91°F 32°C 0.28 0.71 18 June 74°F 23°C 100°F 38°C 0.12 0.30 21 July 81°F 27°C 105°F 41°C 0.35 0.89 24 August 78°F 26°C 102°F 39°C 0.49 1.24 26 September 71°F 22°C 95°F 35°C 0.28 0.71 27 October 59°F 15°C 82°F 28°C 0.21 0.53 29 November 46°F 8°C 66°F 19°C 0.43 1.10 31 December 39°F 4°C 57°F 14°C 0.38 0.97 44 Source: National Weather Service
Las Vegas, with its arid climate, sees more than 300 days of sunshine per year, with an average annual rainfall of only 4.13 inches (10.5 cm) and an average humidity rate of 29 percent. Visitor Info Centers There are a number of visitor information centers throughout the Las Vegas area that can assist with any number of travel requirements. Las Vegas Visitor Information Center 3150 Paradise Road Las Vegas, NV 89109-9096 (702) 892-7575 877-VISITLV (877-847-4858) Open daily 8am to 5pm Laughlin Visitor Information Center 1555 Casino Dr. Laughlin, NV 89029 (702)-298-3321 800-4LAUGHLIN (800-452-4454) Open daily 8am to 5pm, Sat & Sun 8:30am - 5pm Nevada Welcome Center @ Boulder City US 93 Boulder City, NV (702) 294-1252 Open daily 8am to 4:30pm Nevada Welcome Center @ Mesquite I-15, Exit 122 Mesquite, NV (702)-346-2702 877-MESQUITE (877-637-7848) Open daily 8am to 4:30pm
Getting To Vegas
If traveling by air, you will arrive at Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport. Several shuttle-bus services operate from airport, while taxis are also readily available. There is no train service to Las Vegas, but you can travel via Amtrak to destinations in California and Arizona, then connect to Vegas on a Greyhound bus. Bus service is available between Las Vegas and major centers like Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. To discover the desert region around Las Vegas, driving to the city is always recommended. By Air McCarran International Airport The Las Vegas Airport is ranked among the 12 busiest airports in the world based on the amount of passenger activity, serving over 40 air carriers. With over 1,100 flights arriving and departing daily, McCarran International Airport offers direct flights to more than 125 U.S. cities. For further information please visit the McCarran International Airport Web site. Airport Travel Tips Preparing for the airport security checkpoint will help speed your processing time. Some tips before you travel: Wear shoes with rubber soles. Otherwise, you will have to remove and place your shoes in the bin. Avoid wearing lace-up boots, high-top or platform shoes. It might be best to pack these in carry-on or checked baggage. Remove belts with metal buckles or studs and place in the bin, or pack in your carry-on or checked baggage. Empty pockets of coins, key chains, cell phones, PDAs and any other metal. Remove any heavy metal chains or jewelry. Clothing with excessive metal studs and zippers should be packed, not worn. Laptop computers must be removed from their cases and placed in bins. Remove coats or heavy jackets. Carry-on baggage is limited to one suitcase and one small personal item (purse or tote-bag). Your boarding pass and a valid ID should be kept in your hand or around your neck. Any items prohibited from being carried on the plane should be checked through baggage or, better yet, left at home. Bags should be tagged for identification inside and out. Even loose personal items like cell phones and laptops should be labeled and easy to identify at the other side of the checkpoint.
Driving to Vegas
Interstate 15 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles encompasses breathtaking expanses of ruggedly beautiful Mojave Desert; the drive normally takes about four hours. The road can get very busy, especially on holiday weekends. Keep in mind that driving times can increase significantly in extreme cases. That said, driving through the southern deserts of the U.S. is an interesting experience, and if you're with a group, the excitement of a road trip can be half the fun. To help ensure a safe trip, you should check road condition reports before departing. Weather conditions and road construction information is available through the Nevada Department of Transportation. Always carry a spare tire in good condition, and remember to bring extra drinking water during the summer;pay close attention to your fuel level and engine temperature. On some stretches of road, you might not see a gas station for up to an hour. The principal highway connecting Las Vegas to Southern California and Utah is I-15. Also, U.S. 93 meanders from Las Vegas southeast to Arizona, where it merges with I-40 From Los Angeles Los Angeles to Las Vegas is approximately 270 miles (430 km). Leaving Los Angeles, take I-15 North into Nevada. Once in Las Vegas, exit on East Tropicana Avenue or East Flamingo Road if your destination is the Strip. You can plan on completing the drive in four to five hours, depending on stops. Construction delays can occur on this route (the state of California is in the process of expanding I-15), so be sure to check for holdups ahead of time. From Phoenix Phoenix to Las Vegas is about 290 miles (300 km). Take U.S. 93 North out of Phoenix, and follow it right into Las Vegas. From San Francisco San Francisco to Las Vegas is about 580 miles (930 km). Take I-80 East to Reno, and then follow U.S. 95 South to Las Vegas.
Getting Around Vegas
Las Vegas is a compact city with many attractions available in the central area around the Strip and downtown. Transportation options are numerous and varied, from renting a vintage Cadillac Eldorado or new Corvette, to hopping on a city bus, taking a cab or riding the Las Vegas Monorail, one of the most modern transportation systems in the world. Airport Shuttle If you're flying into Vegas, the most economical way to get to your hotel is probably on an airport shuttle. The shuttles gather just outside the terminal in the same area as the taxis. Shuttle service to the Strip or downtown costs less than $10, and buses run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Check with your hotel to arrange the return trip to McCarran. Car Rentals The average price for renting an economy car in Vegas is around $25 to $30 per day, but the sky's the limit if you want to cruise the Strip in something a little more extravagant. Rates will rise on holiday weekends or when there's a large convention in town. (Use Advanced Search to find convention schedules.) As for driving, the city is laid out in a grid format, and easy to navigate. Be sure to keep a map handy, though. Search for Car Rental Companies Buses and Charters There are several private companies that operate buses and charters that travel to attractions in and around Las Vegas. Search for Buses and Charters Limousine Services There's certainly something to be said for seeing Las Vegas in style, and you can do so for as low as $35 an hour. Options and pricing vary widely depending on the vehicle and services you desire. Parking The good news is that free parking is abundant. Virtually every major hotel offers free valet parking (it's customary to tip valets $2 when they retrieve your car; this is still a great deal compared to virtually every other major U.S. city.) Parking is not allowed on the Strip itself, and several blocks of Fremont Street form a pedestrian mall, the Fremont Street Experience, and are closed to vehicular traffic. Your best bet to park on the Strip or downtown is in one of the hotel lots or parking garages. Be sure to take note on where you leave your vehicle, or even better, take advantage of valet parking whenever you can. Public Transportation Public bus transportation in Las Vegas is operated by Citizens Area Transit (CAT). There are numerous bus routes throughout the area; a one-way fare on the Strip costs $2, and slightly less in the rest of the city. Buses on the Strip run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For the latest information and scheduling, call CAT-RIDE at (702) 228-7433, or visit the CAT Web site. There is also a trolley that runs the length of the Strip. Reasonable fares and day passes are available, and the trolley runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Search for Local Transportation Taxis You shouldn't have any trouble finding a cab in town. Fares start with $3.30 on the meter, and $2.20 is then added for every additional mile. Search for Taxi Companies The Las Vegas Monorail The Las Vegas Monorail travels along the east side of The Strip behind the resorts. Runs 7 days a week from 7 a.m. - 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday and until 3 a.m. Friday through Sunday from the Sahara Hotel to the MGM Grand with the following stops in between - Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas Convention Center, Harrah's/Imperial Palace, the Flamingo/Caesar's Palace and Bally's/Paris.
Vegas on Foot
With all of these transportation options, you will still cover a lot of the city on foot. That said, the length of the Strip can be deceptive... it takes more time than you would think to walk from one end to the other. But parts of the Strip must be experienced on foot: where else in the world can you marvel at dancing fountains (the Bellagio), see an erupting volcano (the Mirage), or watch pirates and sirens entertain on ships nightly? (Treasure Island, or T.I.) Not to mention downtown's Fremont Street Experience, which is a haven for pedestrians. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and carry a bottle of water, especially during summer months.
Events & Holidays
Note that Las Vegas will be busier than normal on these dates, so advance planning might be required in order to secure accommodations and event tickets. If a large convention is in town, accommodation prices may also be higher. New Year's Day January 1 Labor Day First Monday in September
Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday Third Monday of January Nevada Day Fourth Friday in October
Valentine's Day February 14 Halloween October 31
President's Day (Washington's Birthday) Third Monday in February Veteran's Day November 11
Memorial Day Last Monday in May Thanksgiving Day and Family Day Fourth Thursday and Friday in November
Independence Day July 4 Christmas Day December 25
If January 1, July 4, November 11 or December 25 falls upon a: Sunday, the Monday following will be observed as a legal holiday. Saturday, the Friday preceding will be observed as a legal holiday.
Getting Married
From formal black-tie affairs to renewing vows in front of a rhinestone-studded Elvis impersonator, more than 122,000 couples obtain marriage licenses each year in Las Vegas, making it the marriage capital of the world. Neither blood tests nor waiting periods are required if you want to tie the knot. The legal age is 18 for both men and women (proof of age is required) and licensing fees are $55. Civil ceremonies can be performed at the Marriage Commissioner's Office at 309 S. 3rd St. Chapel fees vary depending on the services provided. For marriage license information call the Clark County Marriage License Bureau ((702) 671-0600), 201 Clark Avenue (located on the northwest corner of Clark Avenue and Third Street). Marriage License Bureau hours are 8 a.m. to midnight, including holidays. You can get married in Vegas even if you're not a U.S. resident. Most countries require a certified copy of your marriage certificate ($10) and an apostille from the Nevada Secretary of State ($20). Contact home country's Consulate office located in the U.S., to inquire if additional certifications are required.
Gay & Lesbian Travelers
The gay and lesbian scene in Las Vegas has grown of late, with local pride parades breaking attendance records each year. Unlike other major cities, there is no centralized gay and lesbian quarter to Las Vegas, but the nightlife is well established. You can pick up copies of the local gay-oriented publications (Q Vegas or Out Las Vegas) at one of the bars, or at Get Booked, the local gay and lesbian community bookstore (4640 Paradise Rd., (702) 737-7780). The local weekly alternative publications, such as City Life and Las Vegas Weekly, are also good sources of information about the gay and lesbian scene in Las Vegas. The local Gay and Lesbian Center (953 E. Sahara Rd., Ste. B-31, (702) 733-9800) also provides helpful information.
Travelers with Children
Las Vegas may not be the first destination that comes to mind when thinking of a family-friendly vacation, but there are plenty of activities for children in the city. Most importantly, look for accommodations with a pool. Many Vegas hotels feature huge video arcades and diversions like roller coasters and other rides. The choices for shows and events have also diversified, and it is easy enough to find entertainment suitable for families. In addition, children under 12 can often stay free in their parents' rooms, and well-priced buffets are ideal for families. Many hotels provide programs for children and teenagers, while babysitters and childcare facilities are also sometimes available. Inquire with your hotel. Visitors under the age of 21 are prohibited from loitering in casinos, and the Strip has a curfew. (Hotel security officers keep a keen eye out for anyone underage near any slot machines or table games.) Children under 18 are not allowed to be out after 9 p.m. unless accompanied by an adult. It may also be a good idea to rent a car for your stay. Distances on the Strip can be deceiving, and a lot of walking is required to see everything.
Travelers with Special Needs
Hotels Las Vegas has more accessible guest rooms than any other city in the country. Hotels offer rooms with roll-in showers, transfer showers, and tubs with built-in or portable seats. For swimming pools, many Las Vegas hotels have lifts to assist you getting in and out. You may also find a beach entrance. Take time to talk to the reservation operator about your specific requirements, or if you need additional details, ask for the hotel's ADA Coordinator. Showrooms, Lounges and Restaurants Most of the larger hotels have assistive listening devices for the hearing-impaired available at the showroom or lounge entrance. Wheelchair seating is also available in most restaurants, lounges and showrooms, but please call ahead for details. Gaming All hotels have accessible slot machines and many have sit-down table games and room for wheelchair users. Gaming personnel are generally trained in assisting vision and hearing-impaired persons to play the table games. If you need a sign language interpreter for the gaming schools offered at many of the casinos, please ask in advance. Most bingo rooms have Braille cards and large-print cards. A few larger rooms have electronic bingo for blind players or those with hand dexterity problems. Airport Phone access - McCarran International Airport has text telephones (TDDs) throughout the terminals. Lift equipped shuttles and Limousine services are available at McCarran International Airport. Pick-up areas are located on the north and west sides of baggage claim outside exit doors 8-14. Please note that there are both group shuttle and "for-hire" stretch limousine services. Taxis All taxi companies in Las Vegas have lift-equipped vans accommodating one wheelchair. Ask in advance for an accessible taxi van. Strip Trolley The trolley operates on the Strip and pulls up to the entrance of each hotel on its route. Most are lift-equipped. For details call (702) 382-1404. CAT (Citizens Area Transit) Bus service is fully accessible, including buses that are lift-equipped. Reduced fares are available for persons with disabilities. Call (702) 228-7433. Paratransit If you are certified to ride paratransit, bring your certification and you will be allowed to ride for up to 21 days without a Nevada certification. Call (702) 228-4800 one to three days in advance to schedule rides. Parking Bring along your hometown dashboard parking permit or your personal vehicle or if you plan to rent a vehicle in Las Vegas. Out-of-state permits are recognized. Temporary disabled parking permits are available through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. Contact them in advance for an application at DMV Special Plates 775-684-4750 in Carson City or visit www.dmvnv.com. A physician's statement will be required. Alternatively, valet parking is available at most hotels.
