By Wendy Rose Gould
Tips on Traveling to Vegas
is one of the top tourist destinations in the
United States. The city has a wide selection of retailers, restaurants and sleeping arrangements. Whether you're stopping by with the family, with some friends or a significant other, Sin City is sure to show you a good time. Before packing your bags and heading out the door, consider these insider tips for Las Vegas travel.
Choose the Right Hotel
When choosing a hotel consider location, atmosphere and price. Obviously you need to choose a hotel that is within your price range, and Vegas offers a wide variety of hotels, from luxury to budget. Next, consider the atmosphere you're looking for. For example, a family with young children may not be appropriate for a risque casino complete with showgirls. Or couples looking for a romantic weekend may want so consider the room options available at each hotel. Lastly, consider the location. Las Vegas has a plethora of excursions and sights to see, but they can be a bit spread out. For example, if you're looking to gamble, opt for a location on Paradise Road, where many casinos are located. Among them is the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel. Non-gamblers should steer clear of these sometimes out-of-control areas and stay at a non-gaming hotel like the Ritz-Carlton.
Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel
3400 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 733-6533
www.renaissancelasvegas.com
Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas
1610 Lake Las Vegas Parkway
Henderson, Nevada 89011
(702) 567-4700
www.ritzcarlton.com
Prepare for Hot Weather
Even in the winter months of November through February, Las Vegas remains a hot place. After all, it's a desert. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, especially if you're spending time outdoors. Also bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and any other gear (including sun umbrellas and special UV-ray protected clothing) in order to protect your skin from the sun.
Public Transportation
Use public transportation if you're not familiar with the area or don't want to mess with stressful traffic. The Las Vegas Monorail is open seven days a week and runs from the MGM Grand Hotel to Sahara Avenue. A one-ride pass is $5; you can purchase day passes and three-day passes for $8 and $40, respectively. Trolleys are also available and are essentially like public buses. They travel from the Stratosphere to the South Strip Area (but not Fremont Street). Fares are $1.50. Another alternative is the city bus. Fares are $2 and exact change is required.
What to See and Do
When Las Vegas visitors aren't getting hitched or gambling the night away, you can find them at the shows and productions offered throughout the city. One option includes the Cirque du Soleil's Mystere at Treasure Island, a quirky circuslike show that's great for people of all ages. If you want to experience a classic showgirl production, visit The Jubilee!. Other options include the famous celebrity wax museum at Madame Tussaud's Las Vegas and Festival Fountain shows at Caesars Palace.
Cirque Du Soleil
980 Kelly Johnson Drive # 2
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
(702) 352-0026
www.cirquedusoleil.com
Jubilee!
3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(800) 237-7469
www.jubileetickets.biz
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
3377 Las Vegas Boulevard South # 2001
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 862-7800
www.madametussauds.com
Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 731-7110
www.harrahs.com
About the Author:
Wendy Rose Gould is a professional journalist who has contributed to "Glamour" magazine and the Huffington Post, among other publications. After internships at the "Indianapolis Business Journal," "Kiwanis International" and "NUVO Newsweekly," she earned B.A. degrees in journalism and philosophy from Franklin College in 2008. Gould specializes in health, beauty and fashion topics.
Photo Credits:
rmontiel85, morguefile.com
