Las Vegas, Nevada – Revel in the city of sin

Last updated: 15 July 2023

Well where do you start. Las Vegas can cater for any whim you have and all the dreams you thought you couldn’t turn into a reality.

All the usual suspects of fulfilling your wildest dreams can be done in Vegas.  If it’s sky diving in the desert or abseiling down the side of a casino are all possible in Vegas. Think of The Hangover and stroke the furry wall.  

This site should be your reference point for the majority of things Vegas. Features all the daily show deals and have more information pertaining to Vegas than any other I found.

1. Shopping

Vegas has some great factory outlets that you can scoop up bargains. There are two outlets, one at either end of the strip with all the big brands you could possibly want. Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Disney, Ralph Lauren and 200 more.

Heed some advice from someone that’s done it wrong and then right.  If you’re a shopaholic and plan to spend up, take an empty suitcase.  I didn’t do this on my first trip (even though someone recommended it). It got to the point that I had to stop buying things because my hands got sore and I couldn’t browse with all my bags. The suitcases at the outlets are pricey so if you plan to buy one, buy it beforehand and take it with you. – If you think naaa I wont buy that much stuff, seriously learn from my mistake, take an empty suitcase WITH you to the outlets to put your purchases in.

On my second trip I took a suitcase and I’d buy whatever I wanted and shove it in the suitcase and wheel onto the next shop. Best. Idea. Ever.  It stops you losing bags along the way by putting them down and picking them back up and its so much easier to keep an eye on a giant suitcase rather than lots of little bags.  No sore hands second time around!

You can cab from most hotels on the strip for about $15-$20 (USD)  but its just as easy (and slightly adventurous) to bus it – see further below.

2. Transport options

Bus

There are 2 buses that run up and down  the strip. The “ACE” also known as the Downtown express has limited stops. The “DEUCE” bus stops at all stops. If you’re going to the outlets, try and get the express its just a bit quicker.

It’s $7 for a 24hr pass unlimited use, just hop on hop off. They do check tickets so don’t travel without a ticket. If you plan on staying at the Tropicana or other Casinos at the ends of the strip, then you might be better off buying a ticket to last your trip ($20 for 3 day pass) so you can easily get up and down the strip without hiking it on foot the whole way (its a lot longer than it looks!)… a block isn’t just a block.

Tickets are bought from a vending machine at the stops. There’s usually someone to show you how to do it but its relatively simple. just try and have right notes – no change is given.   Grab a map, they’re usually at the bus stops, especially if you’re on the express. If you miss your stop, you might have to hike it back – (I fell for that!)

Tram

A free tram runs between Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay.

Monorail running until 3am on weekends is handy but hardly cheap.  $12 for 24 hours. It runs from MGM Grand down as far as Sahara.  It doesn’t stop at every casino though.  Paris/Ballys, Flamingo, Harrah’s, Hilton & Sahara.

Shuttle Buses

If you want to go to a  casino that’s off the strip there are usually free shuttle buses to shuffle people from a sister property (IE: The Rio is off the strip and a shuttle runs from Ballys & also from Harrahs  – because they’re all owned by the same company)  Investigate this before shelling out for a taxi.

3. Shows

There are plenty of good shows in Vegas. Make sure you see at least one thing. Singers, magicians, comedians and every Cirque du Soleil they’ve ever made. The choices are endless and prices are varied.

Familiarize yourself with “Tix4Tonight”.  There’s one at nearly every corner.  They sell tickets for shows airing that night at a significant discount. They have screens out the front to show whats playing and how much they are. Line up early (like 9am!). They also do meals at a cheaper rate, it’s worth trying it if you can combine the same casino as the show you’re seeing. You’re likely to eat there anyway!

Notes about shows! 
If you buy a  ticket they will give you a VIP pass so if you go back the next day with that pass and your ticket from the night before, you skip the line and don’t pay a booking fee. If you don’t remember to take it, tough luck and join the back of the queue.

For most shows, you will need to take the tickets/vouchers your bought at Tix and go to the venue to secure your seat. Obviously the quicker the better. I booked David Copperfield and ran to MGM to secure a good seat, they were fabulous seats. Spent the rest of the day around that area having dinner in MGM and checking out the Lions habitat.

4. Free shows

Treasure Island has a pirate/sirens show, get there early to get a good spot. If you can, secure a spot on the walkway into the casino or very close to that. (NB: you may get wet).

Mirage has a volcano that erupts. Check with the hotel for times, think there is a sign out the front on the lawn.

Bellagio water fountain is a definite must. Runs hourly. If you can, try and time it from the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Its a good vantage spot.

MGM Grand  has a lion habitat is very cool to watch them lounge about.

Circus Circus has circus acts.

Flamingo has a walk through Flamingo wildlife habitat.

5. Gambling

Depending on what your preferred game is and how much you have to spend, depends on where you should go. Bills Gambling Hall is a bit run down but it has cheaper tables and is quite entertaining.  Bellagio has high stakes tables and only one $5 blackjack table – and not on weekends.  MGM seems to be more pro comping so, that’s one thing to remember, if you’re gambling, 9 times out of 10, your drinks will be free.  Don’t forget to tip otherwise the wait staff won’t comeback.

6. Drinking

As I said, you will get comp’d when gambling but if you do want to buy booze, you can buy beer from the convenience stores, but not spirits.  It is cheaper to get some beer and chuck them in the ice in your room, unless you’re lucky enough to have a in-room fridge – (most don’t have them or they will slug you its about $10 a day).

Acquire one of the popular drinks, frozen slushie places.  They’ll chuck it in a yard glass and off you go to wonder the Strip. Technically street drinking is illegal but I never saw anyone get arrested!

7. Money

Cash is king but there are other ways to pay.  Accepting all major credit cards just know what your bank will charge you for conversion and international withdrawals etc.

I used a travel card to convert AUD into USD at a set exchange rate. They’re handy and they’re just as good as cash. You will get slugged fees to withdraw cash so make it worth your while by withdrawing $500+ at a time.  I used ATM’s in the casinos, I figured they were a bit safer than the ones on the street

8. The flick-flick snap-snap card guys

There is a massive influx (more so at night) of people on the street in fluro shirts handing out cards for escorts. They flick the cards between their fingers which makes like a snapping noise and shove them in your face, you can’t really get around them. They line up of about 8+ so if you make it through without a card in your hand then you’re doing well. Either make a game of it and collect as many as you can, or just throw them out. It’s annoying and irritating but try and deal with it.

9. Out & About – Off the Strip

Grand Canyon 

I recommend spending the extra money and flying. Otherwise it’s a 12 hr bus trip.  

Regardless of the time of year you go, check the weather for the rim of the canyon.  Take a jacket because you’ll need it! In May I was rugged up with a big coat and a scarf while on the Strip I’d wander around in shorts and a singlet!

Otherwise car hire is definitely available in Vegas and make a roady out of it.  Drive through the desert and visit the Canyon and Hoover Dam.

Freemont Street

If you want to venture out of the Strip, Freemont St is the “old Vegas”.  The original Vegas before Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo in 1946. Take the bus and check it out. It has a great light show if you stay after dark. However there isn’t much else out there, some of the old run down casinos will still take your money.  I don’t know if it’s worth the trek, I wouldn’t go back.

The Essentials

• Be prepared to spend money you don’t have.
• Vegas is not for children, find a sitter or wait til their 21.
• The legal drinking/gambling age in Nevada is 21.  If you look under 25 you’ll likely get carded. Under 21, I wouldn’t bother trying.
• Shop til you drop. If you need help with this, just ask, I’m officially a pro.
• Don’t be shy, ask for an upgrade when checking in.  If you’re not staying over a weekend, there is usually plenty of rooms available. Just ask! Imagine getting a Bellagio fountain view or one looking down the Strip free!

Insider tip:

• I’ve heard of people folding a $20 note between their credit card and ID but I never needed to.  Worse case scenario they hand your $20 back and say there’s nothing available.
• Take a nanna nap and venture out at 4am. It feels the same, only everyone’s hammered.