Las Vegas Tips: 15 Things to Know Before You Visit Sin City

Welcome to Sin City, a bustling oasis in Nevada’s desert. Las Vegas is a one-of-a-kind city, there truly is nowhere else quite like it in the world. And if you’ve never been before, this is your sign to book a trip!

Known for its huge, elaborate casinos, Vegas is a very fun place to visit even if you don’t want to gamble. But there are some things you should be aware of before you go. After arriving here with no expectations, I learned a few things while exploring the city and I want to let you in on them.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from visiting, I highly recommend visiting Las Vegas. It's such a vibrant city with so much to see and so many fun things to do. So plan to pack your days with the best of Las Vegas, prepare yourself with these tips, and book your stay!

Here are my Las Vegas tips so you’re a little more prepared to experience Sin City! If you’ve never been to a big city, the crowds might be a little overwhelming, but there’s really nothing to be scared of in Vegas, except maybe the prices. But we’ll get into that later.

Welcome to Sin City

Las Vegas is home to over 640,000 people, and it sits at only the 25th largest city in the US. It is, however, the most populated city in Nevada.

In the early 1930s, Las Vegas earned its reputation as “Sin City” when the crime rate skyrocketed and male-focused entertainment boomed. Don’t worry though, it’s quite a different city than it was in the 30s. While entertainers of all kinds are common, it is safe to explore while staying aware of your surroundings.

Because it is in the Mojave Desert, there isn’t much else around Las Vegas other than hiking and other outdoor activities (which are super fun when it’s not over 100°F outside). It quite literally is a desert oasis, with tons of restaurants to dine at, shops to drop big bucks in, enormous casinos to gamble away in, and beautifully designed buildings to explore.

So hit the slot machines, eat all you can, and get your cameras ready. Here are 15 things you should know before visiting Sin City, my very important Las Vegas tips for you to learn.

Las Vegas Tips

It's a bustling city!

1. Navigating the Las Vegas Airport

The Las Vegas airport (LAS) is fairly small, so be prepared for it to be quite crowded. Most people are probably in the same boat as you, making their way to the strip for a fun time! I visited in July and it was pretty busy.

The easiest way to get from LAS airport to the strip (the main downtown area) is to get an Uber or similar rideshare. There is a specific rideshare area to catch an Uber here, and it’s well-signed so you can hopefully find it easily.

Once you’re at the rideshare pickup area, there are multiple numbered lanes and pull-in spots where cars can drive up. Your driver will message you and tell you which lane and spot number they are in so you can easily find them.

It’s a little overwhelming if you’ve never visited Vegas before, but there are generally airport employees on duty to help you find your driver’s spot.

2. “The Strip” is Las Vegas Blvd

The most common area to stay in and explore is known as “The Strip.” You might have heard this term when it comes to Vegas, and this famous area is located on Las Vegas Blvd.

Here you’ll find the most popular hotels and casinos, such as Caesars Palace, the Venetian, New York New York, Treasure Island, and more. This is also where most shows take place. You’ll find the various Cirque du Soleil shows in the big hotels, like the Mirage and the Bellagio.

You can venture off of the strip as there are many other stores, hotels, and restaurants to try outside of Las Vegas Blvd. But there is so much to see and do here, you might not have time or need to leave.

Paris Hotel's Eiffel Tower

3. Everything is Expensive

Las Vegas is not the place to visit if you’re looking for a budget trip. Everything here is so expensive. You can generally find a decent hotel without spending a fortune, but other than that you’ll be spending a pretty penny. To save money on a hotel, visit during a slow season, like January or February, to find deals on rooms.

There are some cheaper quick-service restaurants you can stop in for breakfast or lunch, but even here the prices add up. If you want to visit one of the popular famous chefs’ restaurants, like Hell’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsey, you’re looking at around $100 per person.

But I will say, I think it is well worth it. The food at the high-end restaurants in Vegas is incredible, as well as the cocktails. Look at restaurants and hotels further from the strip, or Las Vegas Blvd, to save money.

Main Street Station Bar

4. The Summer Heat is Intense

If you plan on visiting Las Vegas in the summer, be prepared for temperatures over 100°F. When I visited at the beginning of July, it got over 105°F every day. But this often deters people from going, so you might get lucky and experience smaller crowds and cheaper hotels.

I highly recommend you bring plenty of sunscreen as Vegas is in the desert so you won’t find many trees for shade here. A hat and a pair of sunglasses are a good idea as well! And remember to always stay hydrated.

Read Next: The Best Places to Stay on the Vegas Strip

Desert Heat is Real