More than 40 million people visit Las Vegas every year. This former outpost in the Nevada desert has grown into a giant playground for adults, offering just about every form of entertainment you could ever imagine (and a few you probably couldn’t).
Beyond this, Las Vegas has also positioned itself as a place for business, boasting some of the biggest conference and exhibition spaces in the world.
Whatever your reason for visiting, here’s a guide on what you can do to get prepared.
Pack a Varied Wardrobe
Las Vegas is a city in the middle of a desert. While, in the day, temperatures can soar, they can also plummet at night.
Make sure to plan your wardrobe accordingly, just like you would when visiting somewhere like Egypt. Check the forecast ahead of time, paying attention to both the highs and lows.
Plan Some Great Places to Eat
Las Vegas caters to every type of visitor on every budget. Looking for something cheap and cheerful? You’ll find plenty of diners, cafes, and restaurants that fit the bill. At the other end of the spectrum, dozens of world-renowned Michelin-stared chefs reside in the city, serving up one-of-a-kind dishes you won’t experience anywhere else.
You don’t have to plan your entire eating itinerary ahead of your visit, but you may find scoping out a few options helps you sample all of the local culinary delights.Â
Brush Up On Your Card Skills
Very few people travel to Las Vegas and avoid the casino floor entirely. Even if they’re there to do other things as well, having a little flutter at legendary venues like New York-New York or The Bellagio remains a popular choice for many guests.
For anyone who has never been to a casino before, it may seem a little daunting, but you have nothing to worry about. Dealers and other casino staff are there to help you, explain the rules, and guide you through the process of placing a bet.
You can, of course, do some preparation before you travel if you want to focus on playing when you get there. Thankfully, it has never been easier to do this, even if you don’t have any poker-playing buddies.
Online card rooms like PokerStars have created in-depth content to support beginners to learn how to play poker and more experienced players to develop and practice advanced techniques and strategies.
How to Prepare for Your Trip to Las Vegas
Check What Events Are On
Las Vegas might have been built around casinos, but the city offers much more than this to its guests today.
It has diversified into offering almost every possible form of entertainment, including nightclubs, boutique shopping, thrill rides, roller coasters, golf, swimming, live sporting events, exhibitions, concerts, and excursions.
Some of these activities can be enjoyed year-round. For example, the roller coasters and other rides at New York-New York are open permanently, as are the gondola rides along the replica Venetian canals at Caesars Palace.
However, some are only available at certain times of the year or even as one-offs.
For example, since 2023, Formula 1 has visited Las Vegas in the fall to host its Las Vegas Grand Prix, a night race around the famous strip. Similarly, the city’s Las Vegas Raiders NFL team only plays games during the American football season.
Vegas also has a revolving door of resident entertainers. Legendary singers and performers take to the city’s stages for prolonged periods to wow and amaze crowds of visitors. These residencies may last years, but many are much shorter, running for just months or even weeks.
If there is a particular event, show, or attraction you’d like to see or do while you’re in Las Vegas, make sure to plan your trip to coincide with it. Most sporting events are planned well in advance, and residencies are often scheduled months or even years of notice.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to visit at a particular time, check out what is happening while you’re there. You’ll be surprised at just how much is going on.
This article is for informational purposes only. While Las Vegas offers a variety of entertainment options, we encourage responsible enjoyment of casinos. If you choose to gamble, please do so responsibly.