When to go
Once the playground of the rich and famous, Las Vegas, Nevada, is now a popular destination for travelers of every variety looking for great travel deals. From couples looking for quick nuptials to families in search of cheap hotels and fun, affordable vacations, Las Vegas offers world-renowned entertainment, shopping, dining and family attractions that simply cannot be matched. Las Vegas is a particularly popular destination for those looking for exceptional travel deals, cheap hotels and cheap flights to Las Vegas any time of the year. Because most travelers find their way into casinos during their trip, discount airfares and cheap hotel rates are used to draw folks in to this glitzy city, which means that you can find cheap flights to Las Vegas and great travel deals for every month of the year.
Of course, anyone who has checked out a Las Vegas travel guide knows that there is much more to this desert oasis than casinos and stage shows. Nearby Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston are just a few examples of off-Strip attractions that can be enjoyed by families, couples and groups of friends. Great travel deals on cheap hotels make it more affordable to spend a few extra nights in Las Vegas, allowing folks to grab a travel guide and check out some the natural and cultural attractions the area has to offer between nights in the casinos.
Whether you are drawn by the affordability of cheap flights to Las Vegas and unbeatable Las Vegas hotel deals, the unlimited family attractions, or the chance to see and be seen at a trendy Las Vegas club on the Strip, Las Vegas vacations are an ideal choice for individuals, couples and families looking for exceptional travel deals and discount airline tickets.
For folks looking for warm winter vacations Las Vegas is among the most popular destinations and enjoys a thriving peak season throughout the fall and winter months. Even during the hot months of summer the Strip is lined with tourists, but if you can stand the heat, this is the ideal time for off-season travel and some of the best deals Las Vegas has to offer.
Las Vegas weather is notoriously hot, reaching well over 100ºF during the summer months and dipping down to a more comfortable clime in the winter when temperatures hover around 60-70ºF. Like most deserts, nights can be considerably cooler, so a light jacket might be in order for walking down the Strip after taking in a Las Vegas show or going between casinos.
Snow and significant rainfall are rare in Las Vegas, but not unheard of, which means winter visitors may want to be prepared just in case.
How to get there
McCarran International Airport (LAS) is located just one mile south of the Las Vegas Strip and offers domestic and international Las Vegas flights daily. Overall, the Las Vegas airport is well-designed and easy to navigate and offers readily available ground transportation options to carry visitors to the Strip, the convention center or their Las Vegas hotel. Travelers with disabilities will appreciate accessible restrooms, visual paging services and other features to enhance their arrival in Las Vegas.
Visitors arriving on flights to Las Vegas will receive an immediate Vegas-style welcome as they step off of the airplane and into one of two terminals complete with slot machines and gift shops with kitsch, garish novelties. Discount flights to Las Vegas are available year-round and are often included in Las Vegas packages that offer exceptional deals on flights and hotels.
Las Vegas visitors will find that getting around is easy and affordable. Low cost shuttles provide service between the airport and major hotels throughout the day and many of the hotels on the Strip offer free shuttle service for guests arriving on flights to Las Vegas. Once you arrive on the Strip, all of the major hotels and casinos Las Vegas is famous for are within walking distance, but when its oppressively hot or you just don't feel like walking, there are many transportation options available.
Taxis are readily available at every hotel, anywhere along the Strip, and at the airport, which allows for convenient travel between casinos or attractions at any time of the day or night. There is also the four-mile Las Vegas Monorail that runs between the Sahara and the MGM Grand with additional stops at popular hotels. This is not the cheapest way to get around, but hotels sometimes provide free vouchers to guests as part of Las Vegas packages.
Budget minded travelers will appreciate the 24-hour bus service along the Strip and should consider purchasing an inexpensive one-day pass that will cover all of their transportation needs for gambling, shopping, dining and entertainment offered on the Strip and within walking distance from the bus route.
For travelers who prefer to rent a car, several car rental agencies are located at McCarran International Airport (LAS). This is a great option for Las Vegas visitors who want to explore the surrounding area and take in non-Strip attractions, such as Red Rock Canyon or Hoover Dam.
What to do
What do you do in Vegas? Gamble, of course. But, if you can pull yourself away from the slot machines and roulette tables, you will find that this desert oasis has much more to offer than high stakes poker and scantily clad showgirls. Las Vegas is bathed in bright lights and is quite proud of its Sin City moniker, but don't let the garish displays of opulence and neon dissuade you – Las Vegas is a tourist mecca with world-class resorts, luxurious spas, designer boutiques, amusement parks, fine dining experiences with internationally-acclaimed chefs, and attractions that visitors of all ages will enjoy.
Visitors will naturally find themselves trying their luck in a casino, taking in one of the shows Las Vegas is so famous for, or partaking in a wide variety of cuisine at any number of high quality restaurants. Adventurous travelers wont want to miss roller coasters and other amusement park rides offered at many hotels, while families will undoubtedly enjoy the free Lion Habitat exhibit at the MGM Las Vegas or taking a gondola ride through Venetian canals.
There is truly no end to the sights and attractions in and around Las Vegas. From the Gallery of Fine Art at the Bellagio or the wax figures at Madame Tussauds, to the view from the top of the Stratosphere, Las Vegas travel offers expansive sightseeing opportunities for any type of traveler.
Although you may never want to leave your luxurious, air-conditioned hotel or the casinos, Las Vegas is surrounded by cultural and historical attractions within easy driving distance. Hoover Dam is perhaps the most noted nearby attraction and offers visitors the opportunity to walk across the dam, take a dam tour, or shop or dine in the Hoover Dam gift shop and restaurant. Another popular stop for visitors is beautiful Red Rock Canyon, which has a 13-mile scenic drive dotted with ancient rock art, stunning rock formations and the chance to see wild horses up close.