Fall 2022
Las Vegas
The Ultimate Guide to Las Vegas Without Gambling
The Ultimate Las Vegas Travel Guide with a detailed itinerary to visit Nevada City, and with so many non-gambling options for entertainment, food, shows, and activities at the crazy, once-in-a-lifetime destination.
A trip to Las Vegas is one of the quintessential American experiences with bright lights and non-stop entertainment and fun. The iconic casinos, clubs and bars, nightlife, dancing fountains, free shows, animal habitats, and more in the 4-mile-long Las Vegas Strip. Having said that, you should go to Las Vegas at least once.
Being in Las Vegas is a great adventure of illusions and lights, shopping, people, drinks, and bets. This city can be overwhelming for the first-time visitor when it comes to planning what to do and what to eat in Las Vegas. But our visit was filled with fun and entertainment without spending too much out of budget.
If you are visiting Las Vegas for the first time, then this Las Vegas Travel Guide will tell you all you need to know to plan your trip to Las Vegas. We didn’t spend too much money when navigating all the attractions but still had a great time in the city. Just follow this travel guide and search for interesting landmarks to see the better chunk of Las Vegas effectively and efficiently.
Ready to hit the highlights of Las Vegas! Let’s start exploring Las Vegas, including where to stay, what to do, how to get there, and money saving tips and more!!
Most people think of the Las Vegas strip. Officially known as Las Vegas Boulevard, the Las Vegas Strip (The Strip) is the most iconic and most visited street in the world. On the 4-mile-long street you can find a variety of hotels and casinos, dining, shopping, outdoor events, and entertainment. It is the home of the world’s largest and most famous casinos in the city.
Just north of Vegas is downtown Las Vegas is the Home of Fremont Street. Where the original casinos started, and it is the historic area before the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Many famous, or once famous casinos remain on Fremont Street. Once famous hotel, The Golden Nugget is located in this lively downtown area. Featuring with great bars, nice restaurants, casinos, street vendors, actors, and ziplining. The street remains the classic Las Vegas charm with neon lighting, light shows above and without being over bright. It has a great atmosphere and lots of character. But beware of the occasional drunker and homeless population that make you consider your safety.
When To Visit Las Vegas
Las Vegas never sleeps, it is open 24 hours a day. The sin city as people call it, is busy all year round regardless of the season. The best time to visit is Spring and Fall. The two seasons are a pleasant time of year. The weather is wonderful because it’s not to hot and not to cold. While the summer season is a scorcher and is often at time over 100 degrees. It can be very hot during the daytime, but you can get into a casino fairly quickly to cool off.
There are countless hotels and resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. But for a first timer we recommend staying somewhere in the center of the strip. Staying in these areas are easy for you to access most of the casinos, and attractions which will save you on travel time. You can’t really go wrong by staying in the below hotels.
Where to Stay In Las Vegas
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas- is definitely a first-class property if you are looking for where to stay in Las Vegas. It is one of the most highly rated luxury hotel and casino with the ultimate five-star experience. From their accommodations, amenities, pools, boutiques, private terraces, and casino. The location is outstandingly convenient for everything. The view from the hotel room of the Bellagio fountain was phenomenal.
Other great options for higher end hotels: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas and Bellagio Las Vegas.
For more mid budget options, we would recommend staying at the Flamingo Hotel, Excalibur, Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. The location is located in the center of the Strip and are reasonably priced.
Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino – one of the most popular picks for travelers looking for a slightly cheaper accommodation. The property is a little outdated, but the prices are reasonable. However, parking is $18 a day. Rooms are spacious and very suitable for families. Staff are very welcoming. They were very knowledgeable about the area and very helpful.
Getting Around the City
The nearest airport is McCarran Airport, and it normally costs you around $25 to get from the airport to downtown Las Vegas. You can also book a rental car for getting around Las Vegas and nearby locations. The rental car price can go as low as $35 a day. While taxis in Las Vegas are $3.50 starting out with normal tariff being $3.25 per additional mile. Nearly every hotel will have a taxi stand and there is usually a taxi waiting to serve you. Ridesharing is also an option and are cheaper than taxis.
Once you’re on the strip, there is only one way to live the full experience in Las Vegas and that is put on some comfortable shoes and get to walking. The traffic here can be a pain at times and its best to just skip the driving if you can. In general, walking is probably the best option and faster than having to drive to the strip. But if you’re planning to get to some location, you’ll still need the transport for getting around Las Vegas.
You can also save your feet by using the public transportation system that’s nearby. The bus system in Vegas has two types. The double decker buses which are known as “The Deuce”, and the articulated buses known as "Strip and Downtown Express (SDX)”. The all-day pass is $8, and you can use it to get around downtown.
Another option is the monorail and tram. The monorail is located on the East Side of the Strip. And it runs behind the MGM Hotel all the way to the Sahara Hotel with 7 stops in between. The price is reasonably $5 one way, and $13 for a day pass. Multiple days pass are also available.
While the tram is located on the West Side of The Strip and is free. The only downside to that is its segmented meaning you will have to find your way to get on and off between each stop.
Things To Do
Here are some of the things that you can do in Las Vegas as first-time visitors:
- You can visit the Hoover Dam which is located about 40 miles from the Strip. It’s a quick drive from Las Vegas and I highly recommend taking the time to visit it while your there. The engineering marvel is truly amazing and with a spectacular view of the Dam and the Colorado River. Us is the second highest bridge in the United States and very breathtaking when looking down on the river below. A visit to the Dam is free if you are self-driving with lots of parking available. The visitor center will cost you about $10.00. Guided tours are also available from Las Vegas to the Hoover Dam at a reasonable price. Besides you can couple the Hoover Dam with a trip to The Grand Canyon. We recommend staying at least one night at the Grand Canyon as the journey can take up to 14 hours. If possible, get a rental car and spend a few days in Arizona.
- Visit the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign. One of the best stops to have while visiting. Its an iconic landmark in Las Vegas and is definitely a quick must do while in town. The sign is located just south of the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort. But it is a short walking distance, so you are advisable to drive. You can take unlimited selfies but are advised to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon if you want pictures without the big crowd and without the long wait time. The queue can get very long, most people take about 20 minutes for a photoshoot and then go. The spot does have about 20 spots for parking while fill up quickly.
- See a Show. While visiting we recommend seeing the Cirque du Soleil The Beatles LOVE show. It is located at the Mirage Hotel and Casino. It is set to an iconic soundtrack. The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil is a multi-sensory journey. The three-time Grammy award winning soundscape sets the backdrop for thrilling aerial acrobatics, daring trampoline, and roller skate acts, and much more. Discover the psychedelic, captivating, immersive, and technological wonder that has excited and delighted more than 10 million guests. This theatre in the round spectacle continues to be one of the most celebrated shows in the world.
You can also visit Lost Spirits Distillery, Cirque Show, and Cocktail Party at Area 15. Instead of watching the show passively from your seat, you and your companions will wader a maze of stages, lounges, and magical sets. Like an amusement park for adults. The performances happen all around you. At times you will find yourself, literally a few feet away from some of the best world’s best performers. Money simply cannot buy a more exciting view. Often described as “Disneyland for adults” by the press, it is as though you and your friends are truly walking through a dream…. with a drink in your hand from the on-sight distillery. The format allows you socialize in a way no other Las Vegas show can.
There is also FlyOver Las Vegas Simulated Ride. Located right next to the Hard Rock Café and across the street from the Park MGM. The ride consist of you hanging suspended, feet dangling, before a 52.5-foot-wide spherical screen while our film whisks you away on an exhilarating journey across land, sea and sky — all set to a captivating musical score. Featuring wind and mist, wrap around screen, and even the scent of nature!
You can’t really go wrong when choosing a show to see, with the incredibly diverse array of theatrical shows that will keep you busy. You can also find live concerts by famous singers. There are also plenty of free shows as you stroll down the strip. Among them, The Pirate Show at Treasure Island, Volcano Eruption Show with its fireball-shooters and waterfalls outside the Mirage, and the Water Fountain Show at the Bellagio, with its dancing and musical water show are a couple of the bigger strip attractions.
Where To Eat
Las Vegas has many different bars, restaurants, and fast food to go in and out of. With all that money flowing in, Las Vegas has some of the best food in the world. But everything is really expensive so be prepared for overpriced food and drinks no matter where you go.
While visiting we decided to make reservations at the famous Gordon Ramseys Hell’s Kitchen. Located on the strip in front of Caesars Palace. The restaurant boasts floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Strip.
We ordered an appetizer of Caesar Salad that had homemade croutons and delicious parmesan crisps. For our main course we ordered the infamous Beef Wellington, it melted in my mouth like butter. For dessert we ordered in the Sticky Toffee Pudding which was divine!
For other dining options we recommend the Yellowtail (Bellagio), Lemongrass (Aria), The Peppermill, and Firefly. Those are the popular picks for travelers when looking for the best food. With most are the restaurants are reservation only or if they allow walk-ins, please allow at least 30 minutes to one hour for wait time.
If you’re on a budget, choose wisely although there are tons of cheap eating places. There are many places where you can get relatively inexpensive food. The places out of the hotels and restaurants on the backstreet will be almost half compared to those eats in the hotels.
Doing a buffet is another great option for saving a few bucks for your expenses in Las Vegas. The buffet at the Las Vegas cost you about $50-$100 depending on the hotel.
Depending on if your hotel room has a kitchen, you also do a grocery pickup as well. IT will save you a couple bucks.
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