Las Vegas City Guide   Renowned as the number one sin city in the world, Las Vegas was built to satisfy every guilty pleasure known to man. Established in 1905 as a settlement in the desert, the City of Las Vegas quickly formed into an ent...

Las Vegas City Guide

Renowned as the number one sin city in the world, Las Vegas was built to satisfy every guilty pleasure known to man. Established in 1905 as a settlement in the desert, the City of Las Vegas quickly formed into an entertainment center for local dam workers. This became especially exciting in 1931 when the bill was passed making gambling legal in the state of Nevada. Today Las Vegas is overflowing with mega casino hotels and is a mecca for gamblers, shoppers, and nightlife lovers, affirming its status as the entertainment capital of the world.

Things to Do

Casino Culture

Gambling is bordering on inevitable in Las Vegas. There are slot machines waiting for you at arrivals, as well as video poker machines at convenience stores and gas stations throughout the city. If you feel ready to join the high rollers, then head over to any casino on the strip to play your hand at blackjack, craps, and roulette. If you’re new to this forbidden world, have no fear: many casinos offer free gambling lessons to beginners on weekdays and occasionally on weekends. This is a great way to place a few small bets before attempting to win big. Chances of this happening are however very slim.

A word of warning: it’s illegal for anyone below 21 to gamble in Nevada. So think twice before placing a bet if you’re under 21, or prepare to face a lawsuit. If you’re not a US citizen and you do happen to have a stroke of luck and win big, then your winnings will be subject to a 30% tax withholding from the IRS. So don’t go spending all your winnings at once!.

Family Fun

While Las Vegas is a sin city, there are still plenty of attractions for the entire family to enjoy. The ultimate sin would be to leave without taking in a show. It is entertainment capital after all! You can have your pick of impersonator, tribute and magic shows, as well as seven shows from the Cirque du Soleil team. But don’t expect to rock up and there be empty seats waiting for you. Many popular shows and restaurants in town require advance booking. So it’s a good idea to plan your itinerary well ahead of your trip to make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

You can skip the glitz and glamour of the city by spending a day relaxing at a bay resort. Other attractions include a visit to the Aquarium at The Mirage or see the infamous dancing fountains outside the Bellagio. Once night falls, these fountains sway to music at fifteen-minute intervals, as seen in the Hollywood blockbuster Ocean’s Eleven. Not to be missed!

Live on the Edge

For adrenaline junkies, there’s a thrilling range of activities to get the blood pumping. Many hotels offer indoor rides to excite you, while several companies offer everything from helicopter tours of the city to zip lining and skydiving. If all else fails, you can always head over to the machine gun shooting range and shoot off a few rounds.

Finally, contrary to popular belief, not everything you do in Vegas stays in Vegas. Here you can legitimately get married as long as you are over 18. Simply apply for a marriage license and choose whether you want to have it done at a wedding chapel with an officiant or by an Elvis impersonator. Drunk or not, these marriages are real and legally binding. So think long and hard before downing all those cocktails and shots, or else you’ll have a hangover more or less like the one from the movie.

Weather and Getting Around

Las Vegas is situated in a desert, so when it gets hot, it gets scorchingly hot! The best time to visit is between November and February when there’s less traffic and the weather is tolerable. The strip is a concrete jungle, and for this reason July and August can be torture. If you do have to go during these months, then be sure to protect your skin well and wear appropriate clothing.

Getting around in the heat can also be a struggle. While the Mono Rail along the strip can be a convenient way of getting around, the $5 one-way fares can mount up. Buses are for this reason a cheaper and more importantly, an air-conditioned way of getting around. If money's no object and you favor luxury over convenience, then hop into a taxi. Only drawback is you may get stuck in traffic and as an out-of-towner you are prone to getting scammed.

Sleep

While Las Vegas is overrun with mega casinos lining the strip, there are many affordable and comfortable places in the city to rest your head at night. This is especially true if you venture further away from the strip. Book your accommodation for your trip here and rest assured this decision will not be a gamble.