A Comprehensive Guide for First-Time Visitors to Las Vegas

Read this guide below if you’re going to Las Vegas for the first time. We’re listing the best places to visit with useful tips to help maximize your Sin City visit. 

Best Places To Visit and Things To Do in Vegas

If you’re wondering what to visit first in Vegas, here are some of the best attractions you can start with. 

The Vegas Strip 

The Strip is a long section of Las Vegas Boulevard that runs for two and a half miles from the city’s northeast to the southwest area. This vibrant stretch is where tourists can find most of the city’s best entertainment places, luxury hotels, and eccentric restaurants, offering the ultimate Las Vegas experience. 

Some of the most famous sights on the Strip are the iconic “Welcome to the Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada” sign, the Luxor Hotel and Casino, the Neon Museum, and the recently-opened Las Vegas Sphere. Exploring this iconic stretch is a must-do for first-time travelers.

Fremont Street

Fremont Street is a pedestrian-only area that offers all kinds of unique sites and experiences. Situated in downtown Las Vegas and a few kilometers from the Strip, this five-block site is covered with a giant canopy of LED lights, dazzling the people walking below with different colors and creative designs. It’s also a place where tourists can experience fantastic shows, street performers, and fun indoor activities.

Bellagio 

The Bellagio Resort is a high-end hotel complex that offers various attractions, including the Gallery of Fine Art, the Conservatory, and the Botanical Gardens. It also features some fine restaurants and a relaxing spa and salon for visitors.

However, for many repeat tourists, when they hear Bellagio, they immediately think about the famous fountain show. This fountain, situated along the Strip, offers a beautiful display of dancing water set to music. Many would agree that watching the fountain show is one of the best free attractions in the city.

Luxor Hotel and Casino

The best part about Las Vegas is how diverse every tourist spot looks, offering different feels and experiences to visitors at every turn. One such distinctive place is the Luxor Hotel and Casino. 

Reminiscent of Ancient Egypt, this beautiful destination boasts a gigantic sphinx that gazes over the street. The hotel is a massive glass and concrete pyramid with a beam of light that projects from the structure’s tip into the night sky.

Aside from amazing sights, the Luxor Hotel and Casino provides numerous restaurant and shop options. This place also hosts the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, with over 250 recovered items from the iconic shipwreck. 

Grand Canyon 

The beauty of Las Vegas goes beyond the glamor of the inner city. Just a few hours away from the glittering oasis lies one of the most awe-inspiring natural attractions in the world. 

The iconic Grand Canyon is a massive geological formation known for its immense size, intricate rock formations, and vibrant colors. Aside from basking in the beauty of this iconic attraction, visitors can do all sorts of exciting activities, including hiking, driving, and rafting. The best part is that people can freely access various trails and experiences. 

Las Vegas tourists can go to the Grand Canyon in multiple ways. They can drive there, go on guided tours, or take a helicopter ride. The latter is also a popular option for visitors wanting an overview of the city. 

MGM Grand

The MGM Grand Hotel offers one of the most iconic luxurious experiences for visitors, with unique amenities, numerous restaurants, and many entertainment options. When visiting MGM, try and take a dip in its enormous 6.5-acre pool area that offers various water adventures for people of all ages. The hotel allows non-guests to enjoy these offerings, like their pool area, for a small price. 

Hoover Dam

Nevada boasts various architectural and engineering marvels that visitors must explore. Beyond the many attractions in Las Vegas, tourists can find and bask in the fascinating and enormous Hoover Dam.

Completed in 1936, the iconic Hoover Dam welcomes millions of visitors annually. Tourists can go solo or as part of a guided tour around the spot and enjoy the breathtaking sight that is a testament to man’s ingenuity.

Mob Museum 

Before the Sin City we know and love today, there was Nevada’s Sin City, where underground crime occurred for years. The immersive Mob Museum showcases the history of the power struggle and the long-term battle between organized crime and law enforcement.

The Mob Museum sheds light on the inner workings, criminal activities, sentences, and other notable stories about the mafia in America. It’s one of the many unique museums tourists can visit throughout the city, featuring engaging displays, artifacts, and other exciting features that encapsulate the characters, cultures, and fashions of people at the time.

Caesars Palace

When we think of Las Vegas, one of the places we immediately think of is the iconic Caesars Palace. Caesars Palace offers one of the best experiences on the Strip. Aside from casinos, this ancient Rome-themed haven hosts thousands of luxurious rooms and suites, restaurants owned by celebrity chefs, world-class shows, nightclubs, and indoor malls. 

Mandalay Bay and Shark Reef Aquarium

The Mandalay Bay Resort at the end of the Strip is another iconic attraction in the city. What makes it stand out from the rest, however, is its Shark Reef Aquarium. Tourists can take their families to view various aquatic and reptile species, including sharks, sea turtles, and crocodiles.

Fun fact: the Mandalay Bay Resort’s Shark Reef actively works with wildlife biologists to preserve endangered lake and marine life and rehabilitate injured animals. 

Tips To Consider When Touring Vegas

Visiting Las Vegas for the first time can be overwhelming. The good news is that you can maximize your Vegas experience seamlessly with the right guide and practice. Below are some of the best tips to consider.

Wear comfortable shoes

When arriving in Vegas for the first time, you’ll likely walk around the Strip longer since many tourist spots are available there. However, while these locations are situated within or near the Strip, it’s vital to know that they still have a considerable distance that may require a lot of walking. That’s why wearing comfortable footwear is rule number one for visiting the city.

Set a budget for games

Trying your luck in casinos is a must when you go to Vegas. You can play slots, poker, or any games different casinos offer. 

Unfortunately, many beginner tourists make the mistake of exhausting their budget when playing. To prevent that, you must set a limit and stick with it when you visit these casinos. That way, you avoid jeopardizing your vacation fund and have fun in these places. 

Ideally, when you win big in these games early, cash out and enjoy your winnings by trying out more experiences that the city offers.

You must also steer clear from using the ATMs in casinos. They may have high fees for every transaction, meaning you could lose a chunk of your budget when you withdraw from them. You can, however, look for ATMs with cheap transaction fees outside the casinos and in banks along the Strip. 

Book directly from hotels

One mistake that many rookies make in Vegas is booking accommodations through third-party agencies. Although there’s nothing wrong with such service providers, it’s just that most hotels in the city provide various deals or perks when booking directly through them. 

For instance, some companies have loyalty programs that offer unique amenities, waived resort fees, and other convenient offerings. 

Make early dinner reservations

Aside from the glamorous nightlife, memorable shows, and exciting casino experiences, the city’s diverse culinary scene is something you should include in your itinerary. 

Las Vegas boasts various options offering different flavors worldwide, and trying one or two restaurants is a must-do. 

Sadly, while many restaurants are available, remember that these spots fill up quickly, meaning waiting times could take too long, especially during peak times. Getting dinner reservations is ideal to avoid such a long line. Booking it earlier is better because you might still have to wait even though there’s an option to reserve a table. 

Explore beyond the Strip

There’s no doubt that the Strip is the pinnacle of the whole Las Vegas experience. However, focusing on the Strip for your entire vacation is a significant disservice to all tourists. 

Nevada is known for various exciting tourist spots outside the Strip. As discussed above, there are many iconic landscapes you can go to and have a memorable experience. Aside from casinos, you can go to museums, watch live performances, and visit some places within the city with fun activities, from indoor skydiving to racing.

Think twice about renting a car

For tourists, renting a car is a viable option to go around their destination. However, that may be different for Las Vegas.

In the city, renting a car may be unnecessary. Since most destinations are within a couple of miles of each other, walking or booking a ride are the best options to access these tourist spots. 

It’s also worth noting that parking and going to your rental car is a time-consuming task that will hinder your Vegas experience. Plus, there’s the added parking cost at hotels. 

Meanwhile, renting a car is ideal if you plan to go on self-guided day trips outside the city.

Bring smaller bills

When you arrive in Vegas, always remember that ATM fees can be outrageous. So, bringing enough cash is best to avoid these added costs. 

Plus, while most places in the city accept card payments, having cash on hand is also ideal for handing out tips, which you’ll be doing a lot in the city. You must tip the cab drivers, bartenders, dealers, and everyone who provides service in Vegas to show appreciation for their work.

Carry these essentials

The sun in Las Vegas can be harsh, considering it’s situated in a desert. So, when visiting the city, always bring sun protection like sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Packing a reusable water bottle is also ideal, especially when walking around the Strip. 

Meanwhile, prepare for the cold temperature inside various Vegas establishments. Casinos, restaurants, and shops will have a significant temperature difference. That’s why you must carry a light sweater or a shawl to cover up when visiting these places. 

Explore The Wonders of Sin City

Whether you’re going for the games, glamor, or other incredible experiences, going to Las Vegas is a must for travelers everywhere. We hope this guide helps you as you explore every fantastic thing that Sin City has to offer.  

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