Las Vegas Guide for First Time Non-Gamblers
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Las Vegas is a high energy kaleidoscope of color, neon, concrete, and humanity. It’s known for gambling, but there is much more to do than table games and slots. Our Las Vegas Guide for First-Time-Non-Gamblers will help you hit all of the city’s highlights and choose the right hotel for you.
First time travelers to Las Vegas need a game plan. The 4-mile “Strip” from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere is lined with huge casino – hotel complexes. To attract customers, the complexes offer extravagant attractions, pool areas, and public spaces. Some are beautiful, some are luxurious, and some are just plain tacky. The one commonality is everything is over the top!
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LAS VEGAS WEATHER/WHEN TO GO
Temperatures in the winter average in the 50s and 60s. Spring and fall temperatures hover in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Summer (June, July, and August) average temperatures in the 100s (and there is little shade). This time of year, outdoor activities can feel unbearable.
LENGTH OF STAY
Plan for three days to see the highlights of the Las Vegas strip and surrounding area. Add extra days for planned day trips to round out your vacation.
LAS VEGAS GUIDE PACKING TIPS
Day
Summer casual clothing – mostly anything goes. Bring comfortable shoes, you will be doing a lot of walking. Have a light sweater available for blasting air conditioners.
Night
If you love to dress up, this is your place. In Vegas you can sparkle. Or just wear jeans. Like daytime, anything goes for public venues. Nicer restaurant and nightclubs often have dress codes so check ahead.
WHERE TO STAY
There are three main areas to choose from:
Las Vegas Strip
The hotels between Mandalay Bay and the Stratosphere (roughly Sunset to Sahara Ave). This is where the bulk of the action is with a great concentration of casinos, hotels, attractions, eateries, shopping, and shows all within walking distance (or a short cab ride). This is generally the most expensive area.
Downtown/Freemont Street
The city of Las Vegas has restored this section of the city into a fun, pedestrian friendly “experience.” The Freemont Street area offers all that the Strip does, generally on a more intimate scale (and cheaper). There are nightly free concerts, and tons of hotels and attractions.
Surrounding Areas
There are hotels, motels, condos, and Air bnbs in the neighborhoods behind the Strip and Downtown immediate areas. These are generally the least expensive accommodations. Many require that you negotiate transportation to the entertainment centers.
Recommendation: Pay the extra expense and stay on Las Vegas Boulevard for your first trip to Vegas. A large part of the experience is walking the Strip day and night. Everything is close, easy to navigate, and safer until you learn the lay of the land.
LAS VEGAS HOTELS
In Vegas, your hotel room is your oasis from the crowds. Make sure it suits you. The hotels are generally themed. Many of the resorts are owned by the same entertainment groups offering higher and lower priced resorts up and down the strip. Here is a description of 10 hotels we like on the strip:
Bellagio
The Bellagio is elegant by any measure. Modeled after an Italian city, the lobby features a gorgeous ceiling of glass flowers. Its public spaces include a Conservatory, botanical gardens, and lake with dancing fountains. The hotel offers spectacular restaurants, shopping, pools, and is home to the "O" Cirque du Soleil show. The Bellagio manages to pull you in and remove you somewhat from the strip. This exclusivity comes with a price tag.
Caesars Palace
Themed with replicas of Greek and Roman statues, Caesars Palace has it all. The Forum Shops are extensive. There is a three-level nightclub and tons of trendy restaurants. The adult circus show Absinthe is based here as well as the 4000 seat Colosseum theatre. There a 7 Romanesque style pools with popular bars and add-ons. This is Vegas on the slightly upscale, but attainable side.
Circus Circus
Welcome to the world’s largest permanent circus. At the main entrance of the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, there is a big tent. Acrobats and other acts perform throughout the grounds. There is an indoor amusement park with a giant roller coaster, mini-golf, arcades, and clown shows.
Mandalay Bay
The Four Seasons and Delano hotels sit next to the Mandalay Bay Casino. The Delano Hotel features a spectacular lounging area with connecting pools and a lazy river (can get very crowded). The Four Seasons (a non-gambling property) has a much smaller, but very nice pool area. The Mandalay Bay Casino offers the Shark Tunnel at the Shark Reef Aquarium, Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE show, wedding chapels, and the House of Blues Music Show. Many large conventions are held here.
MGM Grand
The MGM Grand is busy, crowded, and happening. In keeping with its entertainment theme, the resort is known for having big name performers in first class venues. Here you will find the CFI experience, Cirque du Soleil “KA” show, and golfing attractions. There are many great restaurants and 6-acre pool area with lazy river.
The Mirage
The Mirage Hotel and Casino sits behind a massive volcano which regularly erupts. Attractions include the Cirque du Soleil Beatle’s LOVE show, Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat where you can view large white cats and bottlenose dolphins. The Mirage exudes a feeling of old world Vegas.
New York New York
This New York New York Hotel and Casino was modeled after the skyline and other iconic locations in New York City (complete with the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty). There are pizzerias, bars, and Hershey’s Chocolate World. “Zumanity” by Cirque du Soleil is based here.
Paris Las Vegas
Behind a reproduction of the Eiffel Tower, sits the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. You can visit Paris landmarks and get a 360’ view from the Tower’s observation deck. There a number of French themed boutiques, restaurants, lounges, and a rooftop nightclub.
Venetian & Palazzo
Built reminiscent of famous Venetian landmarks the Venetian Hotel and resort complex feature replicas of the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, and the Grand Canal (with gondolas rides). The effect is amazing. The indoor public piazzas and enormous shopping malls make you feel far away from the Vegas strip. There is a nice mix of high and mid-range shops and specialty restaurants. There is also a large, luxurious spa onsite.
Wynn & Encore
The Wynn Las Vegas hotel and casino complex is exclusive, expensive, and sophisticated. Security is tight. It is beautifully landscaped throughout. There are lagoons, a large waterfall, and nightly shows with music and puppetry. There is luxury shopping and first class eateries. The nightclubs, pools, and lounge areas rock day and night.
PROMOTIONS & DISCOUNTS
Many vendors will try to sell you discounted tickets to attractions and shows. Beware. Depending on the activities and attractions you plan to visit there are legit discounts.
SAFETY/CULTURE
Vegas is real and raw. Be prepared to see people from all walks of life. There are folks with different races, ethnicities, income status, and religions. You will see wild get-ups, scantily clothed performers, aggressive vendors, homeless people, and panhandlers along the strip. There are beautiful people; shocking people; and shady-looking people. Keep your valuables secure, stay on the strip in public places, and enjoy!
FIRST TIME THINGS TO DO IN LAS VEGAS
Stroll the Vegas Strip – You’ll never forget it. By far the most interesting thing to do
See the “Old Vegas” at Freemont Street
Discover the spectacular Bellagio, Venetian, and Caesars Palace hotels – Walk the lobbies, public spaces, attractions, and shopping malls
See a show
Spend an afternoon at a spectacular pool oasis
Treat yourself to a spa day
Do a bar/night club crawl
Pick your top 3 casino/hotel attractions and complete
Splurge on a specialty eatery
Shop till you drop
LAS VEGAS DAY TRIPS
Take a day trip to any of these nearby locations:
Red Rock Canyon
Grand Canyon
Zion National Park
Hoover Dam
Biking at Lake Meade
Four Wheeling at the Las Vegas Dunes
Take a helicopter tour over any of the above
TRANSPORTATION
The best way to get around on the Las Vegas Strip and Freemont Street is to walk. Taxis and ride share vehicles are plentiful if you tire. There is a hop on hop off bus tour that can be both economical and fun. There is a bus system that runs between the Strip and Downtown areas as well as an elevated monorail that runs along the Strip (between the Sahara and MGM Grand). Limousine and rental car offices are found at every large hotel.
For more information on Las Vegas travel see our Working Joe Travel posts on:
May all your Vegas dreams come true, Laura and Randy
