I have visited Las Vegas twice, once under age and once over and I was surprised how much I loved both visits! Though there is more to Las Vegas than the energetic casino scene, this is the heartbeat of the city and hard to avoid if you dislike the gambling scene.
The ‘main strip’ pumps all day long with a frenzied energy I haven’t felt in many cities. The sidewalks strategically cross in and out of the casinos and there is no end of people watching to do in this eager to please city.
HOW LONG DO I NEED?
A handful of days is all I need, the weekends get very busy so if you can get there mid-week you have more options with hotel rooms and show tickets.
ESSENTIAL SIGHTSEEING AND TIPS?
Exploring the strip
It is impossible to visit Las Vegas and not meander down the famous strip. This 6.8km (4.2 miles) long stretch along Las Vegas Boulevard is the epicentre of hotels and their internal casinos. Each hotel complex has its own theme and each building is worth exploring.
Caesar’s Palace is full of beautiful fountains and a dreamy painted roof of fluffy clouds and blue sky. The Luxor hotel is a 30 story Egyptian pyramid, the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Resort is a huge hit with kids with a waterslide that winds through a shark tank.
The Venetian Hotel transports you to Venice with romantic gondola rides through the life-size canals, then there’s Planet Hollywood, New York-New York Hotel, MGM Grand and of course the famous Bellagio – I can’t list them all!!!
The Bellagio fountain show
Featured in the Hollywood blockbuster Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Thirteen, the Bellagio fountain show takes place every night, every half hour from 3pm-8pm and every 15 minutes from 8pm-midnight.
If you have the big bucks or hit the jackpot whilst in Las Vegas, book a room in the Bellagio Hotel with a view over the fountain, otherwise simply join the amassing crowd on the street. Another great view of the fountain show is from the Eiffel Tower viewing platforms directly across the street!
Take the iconic ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ selfie
Erected in 1959 on the southern end of the strip, you can’t leave the city without this cheesy photo.
Do not expect to have this sign to yourself unless you visit at the crack of dawn, I have never seen it empty but there is a line-up system so you usually get the sign to yourself for a few moments.
See a stage show
I am a huge fan of Cirque de Soleil and this was my first choice on both my visits to Las Vegas. ‘O’ by Cirque de Soleil is a permanent circus show in the Bellagio complex which is performed in and over a 1.5 million-US-gallon water pool!
I also saw Kà, a Kung-fu influence Cirque de Soleil at the MGM Grand Complex but there are six to seven permanent Cirque de Soleil shows to choose from in Las Vegas!
There is no limit to the choice of stage show in Las Vegas, huge name acts like Britney Spears, David Copperfield and Mariah Carey have permanent shows and there are many travelling concerts.
You can buy cheaper on-the-day-tickets if you are happy to make last minute plans, look out for red and yellow booths with Tix4Tonight signs. The seats aren’t always great but they are definitely cheaper.
Discount malls
Las Vegas has two large discount malls, Las Vegas North Premium outlets and South Premium outlets, located north and south of the strip. They are worth a visit if you are looking for some bargains!
If you happen to be there during sale times you will hit the fashion jackpot, I was there during the frenzy of Black Friday and bought a second pair of Converse shoes for $12!
Looking youthful?
If you are blessed with a youthful face it can get pretty tiresome being asked for ID every 20 minutes!
I was told by one casino that I could get a wristband that proved I was overage. I didn’t end up getting one so I am not 100% sure if these do exist but I have read that it is dependent on the casino and if you move from between casinos they do not always recognise other casino wristbands.
Have you had this wristband before? Did it work? Leave a comment below.
ESSENTIAL SIGHTSEEING AND TIPS?
It is impossible to visit Las Vegas and not meander down the famous strip. This 6.8km (4.2 miles) long stretch along Las Vegas Boulevard is the epicentre of hotels and their internal casinos. Each hotel complex has its own theme and each building is worth exploring.
Caesar’s Palace is full of beautiful fountains and a dreamy painted roof of fluffy clouds and blue sky. The Luxor hotel is a 30 story Egyptian pyramid, the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Resort is a huge hit with kids with a waterslide that winds through a shark tank.
The Venetian Hotel transports you to Venice with romantic gondola rides through the life-size canals, then there’s Planet Hollywood, New York-New York Hotel, MGM Grand and of course the famous Bellagio – I can’t list them all!!!
Featured in the Hollywood blockbuster Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Thirteen, the Bellagio fountain show takes place every night, every half hour from 3pm-8pm and every 15 minutes from 8pm-midnight.
If you have the big bucks or hit the jackpot whilst in Las Vegas, book a room in the Bellagio Hotel with a view over the fountain, otherwise simply join the amassing crowd on the street. Another great view of the fountain show is from the Eiffel Tower viewing platforms directly across the street!
Erected in 1959 on the southern end of the strip, you can’t leave the city without this cheesy photo.
Do not expect to have this sign to yourself unless you visit at the crack of dawn, I have never seen it empty but there is a line-up system so you usually get the sign to yourself for a few moments.
I am a huge fan of Cirque de Soleil and this was my first choice on both my visits to Las Vegas. ‘O’ by Cirque de Soleil is a permanent circus show in the Bellagio complex which is performed in and over a 1.5 million-US-gallon water pool!
I also saw Kà, a Kung-fu influence Cirque de Soleil at the MGM Grand Complex but there are six to seven permanent Cirque de Soleil shows to choose from in Las Vegas!
There is no limit to the choice of stage show in Las Vegas, huge name acts like Britney Spears, David Copperfield and Mariah Carey have permanent shows and there are many travelling concerts.
You can buy cheaper on-the-day-tickets if you are happy to make last minute plans, look out for red and yellow booths with Tix4Tonight signs. The seats aren’t always great but they are definitely cheaper.
Las Vegas has two large discount malls, Las Vegas North Premium outlets and South Premium outlets, located north and south of the strip. They are worth a visit if you are looking for some bargains!
If you happen to be there during sale times you will hit the fashion jackpot, I was there during the frenzy of Black Friday and bought a second pair of Converse shoes for $12!
If you are blessed with a youthful face it can get pretty tiresome being asked for ID every 20 minutes!
I was told by one casino that I could get a wristband that proved I was overage. I didn’t end up getting one so I am not 100% sure if these do exist but I have read that it is dependent on the casino and if you move from between casinos they do not always recognise other casino wristbands.
Have you had this wristband before? Did it work? Leave a comment below.
NEED MORE ADVICE? Keep reading…
HEY ADVENTURER!
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So who am I…? Hi! My name is India.
I am a nomadic Australian who has wandered the world full time exploring over 60 countries and 5/7 continents.
After ten years on the road, I have launched my own website – Travelling Notebook – to share the knowledge I have gained on the road and the images I have collected over the years with fellow adventurers. Keep reading…
I am a freelance travel writer, photography and videographer, based in London. If you need specific travel advice or would like to collaborate please send an email my way!
Always say yes to adventure!
x India
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