Las Vegas

Understand

Compared with other American cities, even those in the western United States, Las Vegas is a relatively recent arrival. It was founded in 1905 and for many years was a fairly small settlement. However, several pivotal events in the early- to mid-20th century catapulted Las Vegas to prominence and set it on the path to grow into what it is today. First was the construction of nearby Hoover Dam from 1931 until 1936, which brought thousands of workers to the area. Second was the legalization of gambling by the state of Nevada in 1931, which led to the establishment of casinos and speakeasies that established Downtown Las Vegas as an entertainment center for the Hoover Dam workers. Amidst rapid growth in the local gambling industry, the luxurious El Rancho Vegas resort opened in 1941 on what would later become the Las Vegas Strip. This was followed up by Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel's Flamingo Hotel in 1946, starting the building boom and one-upmanship that continues today. This would also create a precedent of organized crime involvement in Nevada's gambling industry. While federal regulations and enforcement as well as investments by established corporations have virtually wiped out any mob involvement today, the building bonanza continues with ever-more elaborate resorts and attractions being constructed. The city is laid out as follows: Main Street as well as the numbered streets run north-south, starting with Main Street in the west. The bus station was on Main Street. Downtown has several hotel-casinos, as well as the "Fremont Street Experience", a pedestrian mall lined with casinos, shops, and restaurants near the western end of Fremont Street. A couple miles south of downtown starts the "Strip" (Las Vegas Boulevard South), a north-south street lined with large casino-hotels, shopping malls, and many other attractions. The northern end of the Strip is marked by the tall Stratosphere Tower. Frequent city buses run up and down the Strip and connect the Strip to downtown. The Las Vegas monorail and the convention center sit just east of the Strip, and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) is slightly further east on Maryland Parkway. The airport is at the southern end of the Strip. For a variety of legal and historical reasons, most of the largest casinos are not actually situated in the City of Las Vegas. The Strip and most other Las Vegas attractions actually sit in Paradise — an unincorporated town with just under 200,000 inhabitants. The City of Las Vegas only controls Las Vegas Boulevard as far south as Sahara Avenue. In the United States, most u

Getting there

By car Southern Californians crowd I-15 every weekend going back and forth to Vegas, and from the Bay Area the quickest route comes down Interstate 5 through the Central Valley, takes State Route 58 east from Bakersfield, and joins Interstate 15 at Barstow. If you are traveling the I-15, you are crossing a desert where gas and food occur infrequently, and should carry (and drink) ample amounts of water, especially on hot summer days where temperatures can reach 110°F (43°C). Expect this drive to be crowded and frustrating, unless you can come and go at off-peak hours; you may find air travel to be a better option with service to major California airports and many smaller ones as well. However, many find the 280-mile (450 km) drive along I-15 restful and scenic. Attractions along the I-15 include the California towns of Barstow and Baker (the two biggest watering holes on this route); the Mojave Desert; and small hotel-casinos in Nevada at Primm (at the California border) and Jean, respectively. From east of Las Vegas, travelers typically drive on I-40 through Arizona, and then head north toward Vegas on US 93 in Kingman, before US 93 becomes concurrent with Interstate 11 on the Colorado River bridge just downstream from Hoover Dam. I-11 is now complete from the river to State Route 157 in the far northwest of Las Vegas. In 2024, I-515 was decommissioned and became part of I-11, and I-11 signage was added to US 95 north of downtown Las Vegas. The completion of the I-11 bridge eliminated what was once the biggest traffic chokepoint of an otherwise sparsely populated desert area. The old road through this area still carries traffic to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and directly through Boulder City. Even with long-haul through traffic now routed on the new bridge, the old road is still crowded with tourist traffic to Lake Mead and the dam. As with I-15, there are limited gas and services on the 78 miles between Kingman and Boulder City, except for a station in Dolan Springs. From the north, I-15 meets the Arizona border at the more relaxed town of Mesquite, Nevada and shortly goes into Utah. Most people driving from the east will exit onto I-15 at its junction with I-70, though those from further north may meet I-15 from I-80 in Salt Lake City. Those traveling from the north drive on US-95 from Reno and Tonopah. This is a two-lane highway until it reaches the community of Mercury, where US-95 is a four-lane highway. The route is sparsely populated and travelers should ensure that their fuel tank is full.

By bus Intercity bus companies have

Getting around

By foot If traveling along the Strip, walking is a reasonable option as the hotel-casinos are close to each other. However, what may look to be a short walk of only a couple hotel-casinos away may be farther than you expected as the resorts often look closer than they are due to their large size. In most cases, hotels are connected to each other either by bridge or underground or in the case of Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay, by a complimentary rail shuttle. During the summer, the oppressive heat during the daylight hours may make walking a very uncomfortable activity. Take extra precautions when imbibing alcohol and walking outside as heat-stroke and severe dehydration are common health risks. Walking any significant distance outside of the built up core of Downtown, or the pedestrian areas of the strip is not advised.

By monorail 9 Las Vegas Monorail (RTC Transit), ☏ +1 702 699-8200, [email protected]. Runs along the east side of the Strip with stops behind several of the hotels and at the Las Vegas Convention Center. It costs $5 one-way and $12 for a one-day pass, with 2-7 day passes also available. Do the math before boarding; it could be cheaper for a small group to take a taxi. Because the monorail stops at the back entrance of the hotels, it takes a long time to wind through the maze of casinos, often taking 20 minutes to an hour to get from one point to another on the Strip - if you're in a hurry, take a taxi. The monorail's carrying capacity of 4,000 people per hour is woefully insufficient to handle the evening exodus from the larger conventions which have as many as 150,000 attendees. If you are visiting with a friend from Nevada and want to ride the monorail, consider asking them to buy your fare because by showing a Nevada State ID or Clark County Work Permit Card (issued to all hotel employees) they qualify for the locals' fare of $1. The discounted fare can be purchased from the customer service booths located at each station. $5. Due to high prices, inconvenient station locations, low passenger ridership, and the lack of any connection to downtown or the airport, the Monorail is widely regarded as a failure. It operated under the supervision of a federal bankruptcy court from January 2010 to May 2012 before being acquired by RTC Transit.

By resort trams The resort trams serve the west side of the Strip (the monorail serves the east side) and are all people movers / automated guideway transit on elevated tracks with free fares.

10 Aria Express (CityCenter Tram). Connects the Bellagio to the Park MGM via the A

See

Individual listings can be found in Las Vegas's district articles Set in the middle of the desert of Nevada, Las Vegas can seem unreal at first sight. The skyline of the Strip features many unusual buildings side by side, and once you've come closer and get to travel along the Strip you'll to see replicas of buildings from around the world like the Eiffel Tower, the Great Sphinx of Giza, the Statue of Liberty or St Mark's Campanile. The buildings that aren't copies also look striking, and there are things happening along the street like the dancing fountains of Bellagio, not to mention the colorful signs, of which there however are even more in the old town of Las Vegas; Downtown. Inside hotels and casinos (the terms are interchangeable), expect to see myriads of slot machines, and gambling from card games to craps and roulette to sports betting. Hotel casinos often have a certain theme, and is decorated and sometimes features attractions to that theme, like the flamingo garden in Flamingo. A combination pass, the Las Vegas Power Pass, gives holders free admission to many of the attractions listed in the districts, including the Stratosphere Tower Observation Deck, Madame Tussauds, Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, Springs Preserve, the National Atomic Testing Museum, and plenty of others, as well as numerous activities and tours.

Do

Individual listings can be found in Las Vegas's district articles There's a great deal to do in Las Vegas; in addition to the gambling, the city is most famous for, you can for instance see a show, ride amusement park rides, watch and do sports or try to escape from an escape room. For mountain activities such as hiking, climbing, and skiing close to Las Vegas, see Go next.

Shows There are places on the Strip where you can buy half-price show tickets, but generally not for the really popular shows on the same day of the performance. Cash or credit card accepted. Shows include circus shows, musicals, production shows, comedy, magic, tribute shows, adult shows, Las Vegas hosts 8 popular Cirque du Soleil shows. To secure the best seats, reservations well in advance are recommended.

Production shows Reserve your tickets well in advance for the best available seating. The most popular shows are sold out on the weekends. Make sure to always book your seats directly from the official hotel website.

Comedy shows There are always different comedians coming to Las Vegas. Always a great way to get a laugh and end the night.

Gamble

Opportunities to gamble are found in most places in the Las Vegas metro area, even at Harry Reid Airport and small supermarkets.

Age restrictions It is state law that all gamblers must be at least 21 years of age and state law also prohibits anybody under the age of 21 from loitering in any area where gaming is present. Even if you are at least 21 years old, you are required to bring to the casino a valid, government-issued ID that shows your current age or complete date of birth (e.g. driver's license, passport) as proof of your age. Photocopies of valid IDs are usually not considered valid and temporary paper documents (i.e. the documents issued while the actual ID is being mailed to you) are not generally accepted unless accompanied by the corresponding ID. Non-US drivers licenses and identification cards (aside from passports) can be accepted at the casino's discretion but do not count on it. In-house security makes rounds of inspections to check compliance. If you are under-age or without a valid ID to prove your age and found in the gambling premises, hotel staff will ask you to leave, and could ask the metro police to issue you a citation. Moreover, under-age gamblers cannot collect any jackpot; such bets are void and the casino will at best return your wager before asking you to leave the premises. There is a curfew for those under the age of 18 (unless accompanied by an adult) for Strip and Downtown areas of 9PM;

Buy

Individual listings can be found in Las Vegas's district articles

Sales tax

The combined state and local sales tax in all of Clark County (meaning the entire Las Vegas metro area) is 8.375%. Only groceries and prescription drugs are exempt. Like most U.S. states, Nevada has not implemented a tax refund mechanism for international travelers. The only retailers that can sell tax-free items to international travelers are the duty-free shops at Harry Reid International Airport.

Basics Most hotel/casino resort complexes in Las Vegas have a gift shop open 24/7 that offers basic traveler supplies and sundries. Hotel gift shops are outrageously expensive and should be avoided except for emergencies. If you are planning to not rent a car and to simply go up and down the Strip on foot or bus, the pharmacies are your best bet for basic supplies. They are all open 24/7 and accustomed to dealing with tourists from all over the world. Like most U.S. pharmacies, they carry a very large variety of products besides pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements, including snacks, soft drinks, bottled water, cosmetics, toiletries, hats, sunscreen, maps, postcards, and so on. CVS Pharmacy has three branches on the Strip, one located on South Strip between CityCenter and Park MGM, one between Paris and Horseshoe, and one located on North Strip between Circus Circus and Sahara Avenue. Walgreens has one branch on Central Strip at Palazzo, another on South Strip in front of Planet Hollywood, and a third in the Showcase Mall in front of MGM Grand. The Hawaiian convenience store chain ABC Stores has four stores serving the Las Vegas Strip. There are also 7-Eleven convenience stores open 24/7 throughout the Strip, but their prices tend to be higher than the pharmacies and their product selection is not as broad. Souvenirs, drinks and snacks are also available at small stores along the strip; there is a cluster of them between MGM and Planet Hollywood as well as north of the Wynn. These are usually the cheapest places to shop, even if the selection is quite limited. Target has opened a store in Showcase Mall to the south of the Walgreens, and while it is smaller than typical Targets (which can be found in other parts of Las Vegas), the store is still very comprehensive and provides a selection of the most important supermarket essentials. Importantly, there are no major supermarkets on the Las Vegas Strip near the resorts. The closest one that sits on Las Vegas Boulevard is the Whole Foods Market at Town Square (see below). Other than that, one has to travel as far west as

Eat

Individual listings can be found in Las Vegas's district articles Large casinos will invariably offer a variety of dining options, ranging from the omnipresent buffet to simple cafes to gourmet restaurants to Michelin-star winning restaurants. While there are a few spots along The Strip where you can find a deal, expect to pay a premium even for a simple meal unless you venture to another part of town.

Buffets As of 2026, there are seven buffets at Las Vegas resorts, the most famous of which are at the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Cosmopolitan, and Wynn. The best buffets typically cost about $80 a person for a weekend dinner. Lunch is your best value at most buffets when they are around half price, breakfasts are cheapest and often have a great spread too. Do not forget that tipping your buffet waiter at least $1 per person/drink is customary. You can leave cash on the table at the end of your meal or tip the cashier at the counter on a credit card. Some buffets give "early bird" discounts, which means that if you arrive early the price is a few dollars lower.

Drink & nightlife

Individual listings can be found in Las Vegas's district articles In Las Vegas, free drinks are often offered to gamblers, even those playing 5-cent slot machines. You should tip the waitress at least $1 per drink; failure to do so will likely cost you free drink privileges. Although it is officially NOT allowed per the lawbooks, drinking on public sidewalks and other areas on the Strip and Downtown is rarely if ever enforced. Thus it is entirely common to consume alcohol in public areas, including the public sidewalks within the Las Vegas city limits which includes all of Downtown, The Strip and close-by areas. Again, as previously mentioned, over-intoxication and disorderly conduct is frowned upon, so stay within your own limits. On special occasions (New Year's Eve and Independence Day for example) there may be bans on glass bottles and/or aluminum cans for the Strip and the Downtown area. Plastic cups and sports bottles are allowed at these times and either provided at purchase or often available at hotel/casino exit doors. When inside a casino or hotel there is seldom any restrictions on carrying drinks from one bar, restaurant or playing location to another with the exception of some showrooms and theaters where it will be clearly posted. Individual shops may also have rules about carrying in food and drink of any kind. The towns of North Las Vegas, Henderson and other outlying areas have very different regulations forbidding removal of alcohol from bars, etc. so check with your host or doorman if in doubt. Many bars and liquor stores are open 24 hours a day. There are also posted laws for convenience stores, grocery stores and other retail liquor outlets restricting consumption in the immediate vicinity. Most of all, always drink responsibly and realize that the hot, dry desert air in the summer months can have very adverse health effects on people consuming alcohol such as rapid dehydration and deadly heat stroke, even after dark. Drink plenty of water as well!

Nightclubs/dancing There is a club or lounge in nearly every hotel and casino. Most clubs remain open until 4AM, with various after-hour clubs available for the truly hard-core partiers. Drink prices can range anywhere from $4–8 for a domestic bottle of beer, $8–10 for well drinks made with cheap generic liquor, and $200 or more for a bottle of spirits. Clubs are always busy on weekends, and may also be packed during weekdays at places that have Service Industry Night (SIN), usually Tuesday to Thursday, when locals working in the service industry have their night off. A good way to fin

Sleep

Individual listings can be found in Las Vegas's district articles Las Vegas is a very peculiar destination - and hotels in Las Vegas have a lot of peculiarities that you won't find in other cities.

The vast majority of visitors to Las Vegas arrive on Friday or Saturday nights and stay for the weekend. As such, room rates can seem ridiculously cheap from Sunday-Thursday night but zoom upwards on weekends. Travelers can plan a trip to their advantage: by staying, say, Sunday through to Thursday, you can save a bundle on hotel rates, and take advantage of package deals that may include a show, meals, and gambling coupons—occasionally worth more than the cost of the hotel room. With some exceptions, hotels and other sleeping establishments will not allow anyone under age 21 to reserve a room due to on-site gambling. For those of age 18-20, it is strongly recommended to research and reserve in advance of arrival. A bad surprise at check-in are "resort fees". Many hotels in Las Vegas collect this fee on top of the room charge (typically between $10 and $20 per night, but can sometimes be more like $50) when you check in. You won't get around paying it, even if you claim that your hotel booking website had indicated the total price as final. The resort fee is apparently an attempt at introducing low-cost airline-style pricing to hotels: splitting up the price into an attractively cheap basic fee, and charging the customer for almost everything separately. Thusly, in Las Vegas, the resort fee typically "covers" the use of the swimming pool and of the fitness center. Some hotels do not collect resort fees. It may be worth it to ask the front desk to remove this fee, especially if you had a bad experience with your stay. However, keep your expectations low but be polite and reasonable. In Las Vegas hotels, even the resort fee does not always cover hotel amenities that are included for free in hotels in the rest of the world. These charges may be eye-poppingly expensive. Most Las Vegas hotels charge separately for use of the fitness center with rates, around $20 to $40 per visit. Local calls are usually billed, and wireless internet is generally at least $12 per day. Unless the service is clearly marked as free, it is better to use your own cell phone or mobile router. In-room coffee may cost more than twice as much as the coffee shop down the street. The mini-bar, which you might think is a convenient in-room refrigerator, but which they think of as an electronically monitored, vibration-sensitive, highly profitable vending machine that will charge you the m

Go next

Though you might not expect it, Las Vegas is somewhat of an outdoor hotbed. In a days drive you can reach numerous national parks, state parks, preserves and wilderness areas. There are boundless opportunities for hiking, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, 4x4 trails, watersports, dark sky gazing, etc. It continues to be a great home base for outdoor enthusiasts. Renting and traveling in a campervan has become more popular. As always, be sure to come prepared for the weather, follow fire restrictions, bring extra water and respect the rules of the land you are on.

Hoover Dam (east, ¾ hour car): is nearby, east of Boulder City.

Rock climbing and hiking Spring Mountains, North of Red Rock Canyon. Five peaks over 11,000' which is Bristlecone Pine County. At 11,918 ft (3,633 m), Mt. Charleston reaches the treeless alpine zone and is Nevada's fourth highest peak. The geology is mainly limestone which soaks up rainfall and snowmelt up high and releases it in lower canyons. Carry plenty of water for hikes along the crest. Expect snow at higher elevations October to May or June. Lake Mead National Recreation Area (northeast, 1½ hour by car): hot springs. Grand Canyon (southeast, 4 hours by car via the Hoover Dam): it's quite easy to make a day trip from Vegas to Grand Canyon as there are a lot of tour companies advertising their services at almost every corner on the Strip. A typical bus tour takes includes transport to and from your hotel as well as lunch and costs $100–300/person depending on the tour company. There are also helicopter tours which are more expensive. Death Valley (west in California, 2 hours by car): lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and one of the hottest places in the world. Mount Whitney (west in California, 4 hours by car): highest point in the lower 48 states. About four hours west: two hours to Death Valley, a further two hours beyond Death Valley. Zion National Park (northeast in Utah, 3 hours by car): offers stunning scenery in a red-walled canyon.

Skiing 5 Lee Canyon (Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort), 6725 Lee Canyon Rd, ☏ +1 702 385-2754. Winter: daily 9AM-4PM; summer: F-Su 10AM-6PM. Surprisingly, Southern Nevada does have a ski resort! With 26 trails, 3 lifts and a summit of 11,289 feet, it's an exhilarating changeup from the slot machines. In the winter, plan on arriving at least 15 minutes before lifts open to avoid traffic, earlier if there is fresh snowfall. As of 2022, you need to purchase a parking pass online. Purchase lift tickets in advance online for discounts. During off season, it features sc