Las Vegas Tips for First Timers | 8 Essential Travel Tips

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If you are someone who is about to visit Las Vegas for the first time, you are not likely to be alone. Vegas is a city that many visit for the first time every year – and every single first-time arrival feels nervous. Is the city going to live up to your dreams? Your expectations?

In truth, almost everyone who comes along here will feel that the city does indeed match their desires. Vegas is a city that makes it easy for you to just get settled in and to have some fun. The city itself is rich in history and in charm, but it can feel hard to get your bearings. Here, then, are some useful Las Vegas tips for first timers to simplify your journey.

Keep these tips in mind, and you can ensure Vegas lives up to your ideal! 

Las Vegas Tips For First Timers

1. Understand the city layout

First things first – Las Vegas is in two parts: Downtown and the Strip. Downtown is the original part of Vegas, before it was expanded and grown into the behemoth that it is. This is a great place to spend your time, but it is different from visiting the Strip.

The Strip, by contrast, is very tourist friendly and it can be where you will find most of the popular and iconic hubs of Vegas travel. The southern side of the strip is nearest the airport, too, so it should be near-impossible to get mixed-up.

2. Vegas is larger than it first seems

One common issue for some people is that they do not understand how large Vegas is. The strip, for example, is larger than four miles in size. This means that it would take you a lot of time – hours – to walk from one end to the other. 

It looks tiny on the map, though, so please remember that Vegas is larger than the maps make it appear. If you want to keep your bearings, look for the Stratosphere Tower, which is to the northern end of the city. If you can see that, then you are heading north!

3. Make sure you understand the Shows 

Looking for advice on how to watch a show every member of your party will enjoy? Then be sure to look into the days that shows are available. Each show tends to run on specific days and/or times, so make sure you are always organised enough to avoid missing the show dates that you really wanted to see. 

4. You do not have to leave the Strip

Most people attending Vegas for the first time can stay on the Strip and not miss a thing. It is typically cheaper, more accessible, and less challenging. All of the major hotels, events, showbiz locations etc. are all on the Strip. Really, you have no reason to visit Downtown if this is your first trip to Las Vegas.

5. Look to off-strip hotels

That being said, you might find that the hotels on the Strip itself are needlessly expensive. That being the case, you should probably look to find a hotel just off the strip. These often come down in price and only add 5-10 minutes of walking time on to your journey each day.

Doing this ensures you do not miss all of the action. It also reduces the risk of overspending simply on your initial accommodation.

6. Speaking of money…

Make sure you get to grips with your budget before you come to Vegas. Having a set plan for how much you are going to be spending each day can make it much easier to keep your finances in check.

The main problem you probably run into is getting carried away with spending on the first days. Build an itinerary so that you do not overspend on trinkets and baubles from the many, many stores of Las Vegas. Always try and set some kind of daily budget that includes food and accommodation, making it easier to manage spending.

7. Avoid the weekend where possible

If this is your first trip to Vegas, then we highly recommend you avoid coming here during the weekend. The weekend turns Vegas into a different place in terms of the atmosphere and the price. You will find that it is often extremely crowded, and things as simple as booking a hotel room or getting a bite to eat can take far longer than they would midweek.

Vegas is not a ghost town during the week; it just becomes extremely packed in the weekend and across holidays. Where possible, then, avoid your first time experience of Vegas being during the weekend as it can create an impression of an overly busy city. 

8. Get to know your location a little better

Before you arrive, we recommend that you read into some of the most popular Las Vegas fun facts. This is highly useful as it can stop you from making a major mistake in terms of social etiquette. If you want to avoid faux pas and making mistakes that might make it harder for you to settle into life in the city, then we highly recommend that you take the time to get to know Vegas and the facts of life here.

This will make it quicker and easier to get settled in, and it will also ensure you can maximise the first-time experience. When you know what to expect in terms of times, accommodation, entertainment, and the history of Las Vegas, it becomes so much easier to just come here and have fun.

So, keep these basics in mind and you should find it much easier to enjoy Vegas for what it is. There will always be challenges, but nothing too major; the above should hopefully make it easier for you to come ready and prepared to have fun.