Welcome to the city that never sleeps - Las Vegas, Nevada. As soon as you leave the airport, you are greeted with a desert breeze, hypnotic neon lights and the sound of slot machines ringing in the distance. The showgirls are getting ready for the evening; the roulette tables are beginning to attract crowds of first-timers and experienced gamblers and you are getting ready to explore the Strip!
Vegas is a city with its own unique identity, where glittering casinos, world-renowned shows and gourmet restaurants are part of the vibrant fabric. The Strip, a 4.2-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard where many of the city's most famous attractions can be found, is a feast for the senses, with towering hotels, dancing fountains and an endless stream of entertainers – and not all experiences involve your cold hard cash! In Las Vegas, the excitement and energy never stop, no matter what time of day or night.
To maximize your days in Las Vegas, we compiled a list of authentic tips and experiences for the perfect adventure in the desert.
Bring comfortable shoes for walking
If it’s your first visit to Las Vegas, the Strip becomes your concrete red carpet for shows, dining and conveniently located accommodations. Starting from the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign in the south and stretching to Sahara Las Vegas in the north, there is a lot of ground to cover - comfortable shoes are a necessity!
Consider booking a Las Vegas Strip Walking Tour with a knowledgeable guide to get the inside scoop on the town's vibrant history.
Stay hydrated - the desert climate can be arid
Las Vegas has a desert climate which means it’s super dry. Don’t let the heat sneak up on you by packing a water bottle and regularly refilling between stops at the grab n’ go cocktail and wine bars!
Take advantage of free attractions
Visual experiences like the Bellagio Fountain show and the Mirage Volcano are timed, so you’re bound to witness their over-the-top spectacles at some point! These stops make quintessential Vegas photo ops and are the perfect place to soak up free entertainment.
Start your trip on a Sunday
Booking a trip to Las Vegas that starts on a Sunday can be a smart move for several reasons. Many people tend to leave Las Vegas on Sundays, meaning lower booking rates and significant additional savings for budget-conscious travelers.
Additionally, Sunday nights in Las Vegas often offer some of the best entertainment options of the week, as hotels and nightlife venues try to entice people to stay an extra night!
Get the best of all worlds and book a food tour
Las Vegas is a culinary delight for those who believe an excellent vacation starts and ends with the best meals. This is the town where renowned chefs and aspiring new creators come to leave their mark, meaning you’ll find both the finest dining and the most creative casual eats along the Strip and beyond.
Do yourself a favor, skip the reservations and lines and book a Las Vegas Food Tasting Tour, where you’ll be introduced to winners from the Food Network’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” among other foodie celebrities.
Always cash out before leaving the casino
A tip from the wise – cash out your winnings before running to make the show! You've probably heard the phrase "cash out." Simply put, it means exchanging your chips for cash before leaving the casino.
While holding onto your chips and gambling more may be tempting, cashing out before leaving is a smart move. Once you leave the casino, finding another one that will accept chips from a different establishment may be difficult.
Purchase experience tickets ahead to save money
Using AAA’s Trip Canvas to book experiences is a great way to save money, skip the lines and get VIP experiences. You’ll get lower ticket prices and extras for attractions such as the High Roller Observation Wheel, the Eiffel Tower Experience and Madame Tussauds.
You can also access guided tours of the city, private transfers in luxury vehicles and day trips to nearby attractions.
Parking can be limited and expensive - use the Las Vegas Monorail
Nothing breaks the Las Vegas mood like circling the parking garage or putting down a hefty sum on a parking spot only to have to walk a ways to your final destination. Keep the party spirit alive by utilizing the convenient Las Vegas Monorail.
The monorail runs along a 4-mile route, covering seven stops from MGM Grand to the SAHARA Las Vegas. It operates seven days a week from 7 a.m. to well into the night and is the perfect way to rest your feet while taking in the neon cityscape.
Plan your show schedule
Las Vegas is a rotating schedule of both resident and visiting music, comedy, cabernets and variety shows. Some are more sought after than others. While some can be purchased on demand, others, like Magic Mike Live’s 360-degree spectacle at the Sahara, is one you will want to book ahead!
Adjust your bedtime
Most locals will tell you that the best part of the day starts in Vegas in the late afternoon and goes well into the night! Shifting your schedule will give you a feel for what this city was built on; its buzzing nightlife, electric facades and bigger-than-life entertainment offerings.
Skip the lines and explore the Vegas nightlife by party bus with VIP access and complimentary drinks with a Las Vegas Nightlife Tour.
Join the over one million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Las Vegas today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.