(by 12 people)
First Time in Las Vegas?
Keep your virgin Las Vegas vacation simple.
Focus on the 20% that delivers 80% of the WOW !! So you can save time. Reduce your stress. And have more fun.
Here's how I'd do my virgin Las Vegas vacation.
Also: my comments on How to Find 'the Bests' in Sin City: Best Discounts, Best Time to Visit, Best Place to Stay and Best Places to Eat.
And How to Get VIP Service in Sin City.
PHOTO: Vegas Vicki, courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau / Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
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STRATEGY #1 - Live Life as an Adventure
Find the Zone!! Pump up the Adrenaline !! ...WOW !!!
Sound right? Get yourself to town. Cruise down The Las Vegas Strip. And book a room at the first hotel that grabs you.
Then pick up one or more of these to find out what's going on the days you're here.
- a) Las Vegas Weekly
- The local weekly alternative news tabloid. Has the most complete listings for events throughout the valley, not just on The Las Vegas Strip. Check out the Comprehensive Nightclub Guide. FREE. Comes out every Thursday.
- b) Las Vegas CityLife
- Alternative to the 'alternative.' Where Las Vegas Weekly caters to tourists with slick and gloss, CityLife screams: "Let's find the local dirt!" Usually pretty decent in-depth reporting on Las Vegas politics and scandals. FREE. Comes out every Thursday.
- c) What's On
- A glossy mag highlighting the hottest Las Vegas entertainment. Subscribe online or pick up a FREE copy in town. Comes out on Tuesday, every two weeks.
- d) Las Vegas Magazine
- Should be in your hotel room. Or ask at check-in about finding a copy. Then scan the ads for coupons. FREE. Comes out every Sunday.
- e) Robin Leach's "Vegas Luxe Life" Blog
- On-going reporting by Robin 'Lives of the Rich & Famous' Leach. He seems to know everybody. Keep up-to-date via his daily blog posts. (Las Vegas Life magazine)
- f) 944
- Fashion - Entertainment - Lifestyle. Kind of a grown-up high-school yearbook for the beautiful club-scene people. Lots of posing & mugging for the camera. First-class photography, layout, printing and paper stock. Definitely something Las-Vegas-y worth taking home to show friends and family. FREE. Published monthly.
ALSO publishes: SpyOnVegas.com, which features upcoming nightclub events, photo gallery, member profiles & more.
A Guidebook to Match your Personality
Different ways to see the same city...
I think the book titles and the reviews on Amazon can help you zero in on the one that best matches who you are.
Fodor's Las Vegas 2007 (Fodor's Gold Guides)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 10/15/2008)
List Price: $16.95
The Underground Guide To Las Vegas (Underground Guide to Las Vegas)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $14.35 (as of 10/15/2008)
List Price: $15.95
Sinning in the City: A Girls Guide to Las Vegas
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 10/15/2008)
List Price: $9.95
Las Vegas Little Black Book: A Guy's Guide to the Perfect Vegas Getaway
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $9.56 (as of 10/15/2008)
List Price: $11.95
STRATEGY #2 - Plan. Plan. Plan.
When happiness is a "9 o'clock reservation" made 2 months in advance
You might prefer this five-step strategy that locks in the goodies before you lock your front door.
Step 1: What do you want to do in Las Vegas?
Identify your passions.
First of all, crummy entertainment gets canned pretty fast.
Secondly, you're here to create fantastic and lasting memories. I say: Pick out what TURNS YOU ON, and do it. Forget the cost.
Here's two simple ways to zero in on the stuff that will make your day(s).
- Use the websites below to make a list of about 10-20 things you want to do. Put your MUST SEEs on top; WANT TO SEEs underneath. Then top down, start calling for reservations.
- Leave about half of your schedule -- and most of your mind -- open, so you can discover stuff. Once you get caught up in this high-energy environment, you're gonna feel different about what turns you on. Give yourself a chance to go for it!
- VisitLasVegas.com
- Official website of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Their job is to know everything that's going on here. Great website! Here's a direct link to their up-to-date listings of Shows, Activities, Golf Courses, Gaming, Spas & More And contact them for a FREE Official Visitors Guide.
- AllVegasTV.com
- More than 100 on-demand streaming videos previewing the hottest shows, hotels, tours, clubs & lounges, attractions & events, restaurants, golf options, wedding chapels, and more. Broadband connection recommended.
- Shows Directory
- Comprehensive list of current shows, with most including show details & tips, a review, and promotional video clip. (Vegas.com)
- Hottest Vegas Tickets Now
- February 8, 2008 -- Summary and online slideshow (photos + descriptions) put together by ForbesTraveler.com highlighting the current crop of blockbuster shows in Vegas.
Step 2: Find your selections on the maps.
Location. Location. Location.
Print them out. Scribble some notes. Mark 'em up like John Madden. And Doodle, doodle, doodle.
Then print a second set as your travel copy. And add your final notations. Believe me, you'll use them a lot.
- MAPS -- from Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA)
- PAGE TOP: Six 3D Interactive Maps -- cursor over the six buttons on the left to preview the maps, and choose a part of town. Then click the appropriate button on the right to highlight all Hotels, Shows, Dining, etc.
- PAGE BOTTOM: Standard 2D Maps -- according to the LVCVA, these are the most up-to-date maps of downtown, the Strip properties, golf courses and more. Ready to print out. Or download a hi-res .JPG version.
Step 3: How are you going to get around?
Car? Limo? Monorail? Tram? Bus? Taxi? Walk?
Plenty of FREE parking. But huge construction projects on and around The Strip usually gridlock I-15, The Strip and side streets. Also: beware on-going road work in other parts of the valley, especially during rush hour.
Check out my Las Vegas Real-Time Traffic Page: current road conditions (accidents & incidents), on-going construction projects, local gas prices and more
Bottom Line: Plan to use local transportation options around The Strip.
- VisitLasVegas.com
- A really good summary of solid information about transportation options from VisitLasVegas.com. Covers: Airport Shuttle, Car Rental, Buses and Charters, Limos, Parking, Public Transportation, Taxis, Las Vegas Monorail and Walking. PLUS: links to related sites.
- GoToVegas.com
- More advice on your transportation options, but this is more from the viewpoint of: "This is how it really works." Topics covered: Airport Shuttles, Free Trams, Free Shuttles, Trolley Buses, Strip Monorail, Fremont Street, and CAT Transit.
- Smaller Trams
- Map and info about smaller trams between...
1) Mirage <=> Treasure Island
2) Mandalay Bay <=> Luxor <=> Excalibur - The Deuce
- The RTC runs Double-Decker Buses up and down Las Vegas Blvd 24/7. Interactive Tour and Route Info tell you all you need. Ride upstairs; cool way to see the Strip. But can be very slow going in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
- Las Vegas Monorail
- Route Map, FAQ (hours of service, prices, etc.), News and more on website.
Route: MGM Grand (SE Strip) <=> Harrahs <=> Convention Ctr <=> Sahara with station stops in between.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you see different Monorail ticket prices quoted on other sites, ignore them. These prices are the right prices. - Exploring Las Vegas transportation alternatives
- September 16, 2007 -- Staff writer Beverly Beyette explores some of the less-familiar options for getting around The Strip: 3-wheel mobility scooters, 2-wheel Vespa scooters and party buses. (Los Angeles Times)
Step 4: Book your Travel with Orbitz
More...Location. Location. Location.
Now that you know what you'll be doing, where you need to be, and how to get around, booking a room is the easiest part.
REMEMBER...
1. Room rates can vary a lot depending on the time of year, weekday/weekend, number of conventions in town, etc.
2. Check the LVCVA's Convention Calendar to see what's gonna be in town when you plan to be here.
Step 5: Odds and Ends
Get your head into the Las Vegas lifestyle.
Check out our infamous commercials. Download a visitors guide. Tune into the real stories behind the glitter. Or just see what the weather's going to be.
- Raw Vegas TV
- 'Vegas Online 24/7' -- reporters covering celebrities, parties and other events on The Strip. Check it out!
- Raw Vegas News -- a video roundup of today's news.
- R&R Partners
- The "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas" TV commercials.
- Create a Las Vegas Identity
- Select a name, a place of origin, and different qualities (smoothness, bravery, attitude, creativity, etc.) you want to have. The system calculates your new identify (a bio, background, how to dress, a company website, etc.), generates a business card for you and a certificate of achievement. Everything you need to...
- Las Vegas Basics
- LVCVA's official guide tells you about simple but important topics like tipping, what to pack, do's and don'ts, getting around, getting married, gay/lesbian, children, special needs and more.
- Las Vegas Newspapers
- My blog post about the 2 local newspapers:The Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Las Vegas Sun. Both have been around quite a while. I prefer the Las Vegas Sun -- great website design.
- Las Vegas Weather
- My blog post about local weather and links to Weather Underground and seasonal charts for temperature, rainfall and snowfall.
Behind-the-Scenes Stories -- the Real Las Vegas
Super Casino: Inside the "New" Las Vegas
Las Vegas has changed. Significantly. When you're standing on Las Vegas Blvd wondering, "How the heck did this all happen?," this book can help make it all make a little more sense.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 10/15/2008)
List Price: $7.99
Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions
Great story. But don't get any ideas. Casinos have a lot of money and they learn fast. I'd be very surprised, if anything like this could ever happen again.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 10/15/2008)
List Price: $15.00
A Stripper's Tail: Confessions of a Las Vegas Stripper
If you wander off The Strip to a gentleman's club, or you're just in the mood for some 'on-the-fringe' stories...
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $11.65 (as of 10/15/2008)
List Price: $12.95
Anything Goes in Vegas?
Not Quite.
But no casino will risk their licenses -- and there's a lot of licenses -- just so someone can be a jerk. And the locals have no sense of humor when it comes to reckless driving, rude behavior and scams.
Considering all the stuff you CAN do here, expect to have the best time of your life !!!
Your Turn
Got any tips for first-time visitors?
(All posts are reviewed prior to posting.)
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EntrepreneurDevelopmentCenter
Thanks for joining my world travel group! World Travel Group Posted February 15, 2008 |
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GypsyPirate
Great lens - glad you joined us in the Squidoo City Guide! Posted September 24, 2007 |
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BigJim
Very informative city lens. Thanks for joining the Squidoo City Guide. Posted August 10, 2007 |
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fefe
Helpful lens--will save this for when I'm able to go to Vegas! They seem to have a lot of new stuff--I last visited Vegas over 10 years ago. Posted July 04, 2007 |
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Saints11
Great Lens, thanks for the info. Posted July 04, 2007 |
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A Few Closing Remarks...
I provide the information on these pages for educational purposes only. Read more.
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