Las Vegas is such an iconic place to travel to. With bustling streets, resorts and casinos galore, tons of activities and shows, what’s not to love? Basically, there’s so much to see and do in Las Vegas. However, having the right set of tips will help you with your visit to Las Vegas.

Back in July of 2021, my friend Steph and I took a 4 day trip to Las Vegas and had a great time! You can check out our 4 Day Itinerary to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon here. Based on the activities, shows and tours we did, this is a compiled list of tips you’ll need for visiting Las Vegas.

Go for Accommodations with Free Shuttles

The cool thing about most of the hotels and resorts in the Las Vegas area is that they have free shuttle services which take you from your accommodation to the strip. At our resort, they had daily scheduled shuttle rides to certain areas of Vegas. Some accommodations have shuttles that can pick you up at certain areas to take you back to the resort or hotel as well.

This is great because it can really cut down on the amount of money you’ll spend using Ubers. Steph and I saved a bit of money using the shuttles throughout our resort.

Bring More Money

Las Vegas is very expensive. While you can see and do certain things at a cheaper price point, especially when you take recommendations from locals, the dollars can still add up. Little things which aren’t normally expensive seem to have high prices. Take extra money or have more money on hand when you visit Las Vegas.

Bring Comfy Clothing and Shoes

The wonderful thing about Las Vegas is that most of everything is within walking distance (depending on where you are in the city). You can literally walk the whole Vegas strip, walk from activity to activity, without really utilizing Ubers or shuttles.

With that being said, be sure to wear light, comfy clothing and shoes. You want to make sure you’re comfortable while walking out and about, especially if you’re visiting during those hot summer months.

Have Lots of Water on Hand

This is something you’ll see throughout the post about Las Vegas; it’s a very hot place, especially during the summer months. It’s important to have water on hand when you’re out and about. Please stay hydrated and drink often throughout the day.

Eat Throughout the Day

When you’re in Las Vegas, it’s best practice to eat throughout the day. It doesn’t have to be big meals. Little snacks here and there throughout the day will do you good. Or, you can stop in the many restaurants or bars to eat something small. Trust me, walking around the strip for hours in the heat will do a number on you. Your body needs energy to fuel and cool itself, especially in the heat.

Bring Sunglasses and a Hat

It is very hot in Las Vegas. It’s a city that’s literally located in the middle of the desert with mountains on all sides. During the summer months, when me and Steph went there, it can get well over 100℉. To protect your head and eyes from the sun and heat, bring sunglasses and a hat with you.

Bathrooms are Very Accessible

If you are in need of a bathroom, you’re in luck. You can easily walk into most of the hotels, casinos, and shopping centers and find a restroom, no questions asked. It’s great when you’ve been walking around all day, staying hydrated, and need to use the bathroom.

Essentially, you don’t have to go into a restaurant or a place where it says “restrooms are for paying customers”. That’s the worst when you just want to use the bathroom but don’t want to buy anything. In Vegas, just walk into a casino, locate the bathroom, and you’re good to go.

Don’t Drink Too Much Alcohol

It is legal in Las Vegas to have alcohol with you out in public, as long as it’s in a plastic up or bottle. However, if you’re walking about for most of the day, in the heat (especially during the summer months), it’s best not to drink too much alcohol.

This is not to ruin your fun. You want to make sure you’re alert and staying safe but also not dehydrating yourself. When it’s boiling hot (like 116℉), you don’t want to just drink alcohol for the whole day.

Be Safe and Stay Alert

A rule of thumb when you’re traveling anywhere, and especially in a city, is to be alert and safe. Exercise caution, good judgement, and common sense. Don’t let your guard down and walk with others if you’re out in the city at night.

Keep your Personal Belongings Close to You

Just remember that when you’re in Vegas, you’re in a pretty big and bustling city. Kind of like Times Square in New York City busy. So, be sure to keep all of your personal belongings close to you. Keep them within your eyesight and don’t display expensive items. You don’t want to risk having them lost or stolen.

Buy Tickets for Activities Ahead of Time

Depending on the activity, event, tour or show, you may want to purchase those tickets ahead of time. Some things may not sell out completely but there are other activities which will sell out quickly. I’d recommend buying your ticket(s) at least a day or two in advance.

Go on Walking Tours

A great way to see more of Las Vegas, whether you’re on the strip or in the downtown area, is to go on a walking tour!

Steph and I went on a walking ghost tour in the downtown area. It was great because we saw a bit more of the downtown area and learned some of its history. But you don’t necessarily have to go on a ghost tour. There’s tons of walking tours you can go on. Anything to get your bearings of the city and to explore more of an area in one setting.

Be Careful on Side Streets Away from Busy Streets

If you are in the downtown area of Las Vegas or on the strip, do be careful on the streets that are further out from the popular street. Some areas can seem a bit sketchy, especially at night.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go and explore. We found a cool street full of wall art that was blocks away from Fremont St. But be sure to exercise caution when wandering around, even more so when you’re by yourself.

Take Out Cash Beforehand

I recommend you take out ample cash before you come to Las Vegas. If you’re unable to do that, then find an ATM with real cheap fees that aren’t on the strip. The reason being is because Las Vegas is very expensive and taking cash out of the ATMs in casinos and resorts are pricey. They can range from $5 to $9 and possibly more.

When my friend Steph tried to take out money from an ATM in a casino on Fremont St., the ATM fee was $9. She tried from another ATM and the fee was $7, it was so expensive! So, definitely take out cash before hand and have it with you when you’re in Vegas.

Allow Ample Time to Find Your Activity

Depending on where your activity, show or tour is, allow at least 30 minutes or more to get to that area. The activity can be located in a casino, down a street, on the other side of the Vegas strip, or in a completely different area altogether.

Basically, you have to allot some time for traffic and overall trying to find the location when there’s tons of people, confusing casinos and resorts, and confusing directions (depending on who you ask).

When my friend Steph and I went to Las Vegas, we gave ourselves plenty of time to spare when we has to go to the Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N, The Hunger Games Exhibition, and the comedy show. Since those activities were located in resorts and casinos, which can be MASSIVE, we had to allow extra time for us to get our bearings and find the area.

Just remember to be safe and have fun while in Vegas! Although it is very important to be careful and aware of your surroundings, don’t forget to have a great time and get out of your comfort zone. As long as you do that, and follow these tips, you’re sure to have the best trip ever in Vegas!