Is Las Vegas worth visiting? And everything else you have wanted to know

Are you planning a trip to Sin City and want to know if it is worth the hype? In this guide we answer the question is Las Vegas worth visiting as well as all the other important things like is Las Vegas expensive, and what is there to do in Las Vegas. And hopefully by the end of this guide you will be able to decide if Vegas is indeed worth visiting.

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Before we answer the question ‘Is Las Vegas worth visiting’ here is some background

Las Vegas, otherwise known as Sin City is the 25th most populated city in the US. Located in the state of Nevada, the city sits in the Mojave Dessert and is surrounded by rugged mountain ranges.

Over 41 million people visit Vegas every year and a whopping 22,000 conventions are also held here. So it is pretty safe to say it is a popular tourist destination. It’s also one of the brightest places on earth, which isn’t surprising if you have spent any time on the Vegas Strip.

Las Vegas was founded in 1905 when a group of developers wanted to build a railroad stop between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. Fremont Street was the original site where hotels started to spring up which is now referred to as Old Las Vegas. It wasn’t until 1946 when the first hotel sprung up on the now famous Vegas Strip, and the rest is history.

Is Las Vegas expensive?

Las Vegas can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it. There are so many hotel options making it easy to find budget accommodation. Just make sure you book well in advance, and try to avoid peak tourist seasons. Even food ranges from super cheap fast food to luxury restaurants.

For a mid range kind of break you probably want to budget around $200- $250 per person per day. That isn’t including accommodation.

Do I need cash in Las Vegas ?

You won’t have any issues paying on your credit card is Las Vegas. That being said you may need to bring some cash with you for things like tipping or gambling. Tipping is customary in the US and you need to tip wait staff, bellhops, taxi drivers, tour guides and more. The easiest and sometimes only way to do this is with cash, so make sure you have some on you in Vegas. You will find ATMs all around Vegas but just be careful as some may charge you hefty fees to withdraw funds.

What language do they speak in Las Vegas?

Like the rest of the USA English is spoken in Las Vegas. You may get some people who speak other languages like Spanish for instance, but unlike Europe the vast majority of people here only speak 1 language which is English.

Is Las Vegas easy to get to?

Las Vegas has one main airport which is McCarran International Airport. A lot of international and domestic flights arrive and depart from here, so finding a flight won’t be an issue. If you are travelling to Las Vegas from places such as Australia, or Ireland, you may need to transfer from another US airport like San Francisco or New York as direct flights can be expensive or limited.

The airport is really close to the Vegas strip so you are best off either getting a shuttle bus to your hotel or a taxi. Both options can be booked at the airport once you arrive. And depending on which hotel you are staying at drop offs can take as little as 15 minutes.

How long should I spend in Las Vegas?

We think that you need a minimum of 2 days in Las Vegas to make your most of the trip. Obviously it depends on what you plan to do when you get here, and if you are planning lots of day trips, or a lot of drinking adventures then you will need a bit longer.

Las Vegas is a good spot to visit if you are doing a trip around the USA or even just a trip around the West Coast.

Is Las Vegas safe?

There are parts of Vegas that can be a bit sketchy which is something to keep in mind when visiting. You also have people drinking lots of alcohol as it is a party city so again it’s worth keeping your wits about you. There is a lot of money that moves around Vegas too, so financial crimes are also common.

That being said, if you are hanging around the main tourist areas you should be ok, particularly around The Strip. Although, Theft is common so be mindful of your belongings and if you are travelling at night get a taxi and take precautions.

Is Las Vegas worth visiting compared to other US cities?

When you visit different US cities it can feel like you are visiting a completely different country. Las Vegas can go one step further and make you feel like you are visiting a different planet. It’s completely different to anywhere else we have visited in the US. If you want to let your hair down, have a fun weekend, and just escape Vegas is for you.

Can I use public transport in Las Vegas ?

You can use public transport if you are visiting Las Vegas, and the bus network is not only cheap but incredibly reliable. You will be surprised at just how large Vegas is, particularly the Vegas strip so you will want to think of alternatives to walking.

Another way to get around the Strip is via monorail. You can purchase different ticket types depending on how often you want to travel throughout the day. Just keep in mind that the monorail will only stop at certain hotels.

The best way to get around Vegas is to just get an Uber. You can do ride shares with other travellers if you want to save money, but even without doing this taxis are relatively cheap in the city. One thing that you should know is that you cannot hail a taxi off the Strip in Vegas. A taxi needs to collect you at an actual address like a hotel taxi queue.

What is there to do in Las Vegas?

Wondering if Las Vegas is worth visiting for the tourist attractions alone? Here are some of the best things to do in Las Vegas to help you decide.

And if you need some Las Vegas bucket list suggestions this post might be for you.

Go Hotel Hopping and explore the Strip

Have breakfast in Paris, then spend lunch in Venice before visiting New York for dinner. It’s all possible because it’s Vegas. The hotels on The Strip are incredible and you have to explore when visiting Vegas.

Gamble

Obviously a bit part of Vegas is gambling. Just do it responsibly if you are going to do it.

Ride a Gondola at the Venetian

Take a relaxing gondola ride in the middle of a shopping mall at the Venetian Hotel. It’s a complete novelty experience and a lot of fun.

See the sights from the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower isn’t just for France! Located in the Paris Hotel is Vegas own version of the French attraction. You get some awesome views of Vegas from here for about $16.

Watch the Bellagio Fountains

Every 15-30 minutes (depending on the time of day) the fountains at the Bellagio do their thing. The shows are pretty spectacular but make sure you get in a good 10 minutes before the start so you can see.

Go to a show

If you want to experince the razzle-dazzle of Vegas make sure you head to a show There are so many different ones to choose from and will depend on the season. You do have your staples like Cirque du Soleil.

See the Vegas sign

Located at the top of the strip close to Mandalay Bay you will find the Vegas sign. Just get here super early if you want a photo without the crowds of people.

Visit Downtown

Downtown is the original Las Vegas. It’s far more authentic and outlandish than the Vegas Strip and arguably a lot more fun too. There is a lot to do like explore the old school hotels, and visit the Fremont Street experience, which in case you were wondering is a 12 story high zip-line that whizzes you across the street.

Go to the Mob Museum

When in Downtown Las Vegas you have to visit the Mob Museum. Located in a historic US Federal Courthouse this is where many of the mobsters in the museum actually had court hearings. Here you can learn all about the mobs connection to Vegas.

Get married

Obviously this isn’t for everyone but it is a bucket list thing to do in Las Vegas.

Is Las Vegas worth visiting for solo travellers?

As weird as it sounds Las Vegas is actually a pretty cool place to visit for solo travellers. I know that it has this reputation of being party central, but there is a lot more to the city than that. There are so many cool museums you can go to, as well as visiting the hotels and generally exploring. When I travelled alone to Las Vegas many moons ago, I really enjoyed it. I booked a couple of tours and met people on these which was great.

Is Las Vegas worth visiting for couples?

On my most recent trip to Vegas I went with Dave, and we ended up getting married here. So yes Las Vegas is a pretty cool place to visit as a couple. Aside from the getting married there are so many other fun activities you can do as a couple. From lounging by the pool sipping cocktails to floating around on a gondola at the Venetian Hotel, you will find something romantic to do that’s for sure.

If you are visiting as a couple here is a guide to the most romantic things to do in Vegas to give you a little inspiration.

Is Las Vegas worth visiting for families?

Again I know Las Vegas has this reputation for being party central, but it is a great place to go for families too. There are a lot of fun museums like Madam Tussauds or the Mob Museum that you can enjoy as a family. On top of that you have some cool hotels like New York New York to visit. And if it all gets a bit much, visiting the Grand Canyon makes for a great family day out.

Is Las Vegas worth visiting for foodies?

We found Vegas to be an absolute culinary melting pot. There are so many awesome places to eat including a number of celebrity chef restaurants. When it comes to food whatever you want in Vegas chances are you will find it. And the good thing too is that there is great food to suit every budget.

Is Las Vegas worth visiting for the nightlife?

Is Las Vegas worth visiting for the nightlife? Seriously do you need to ask it’s Vegas. You have your choice between over the top nightclubs, sports bars, cocktail lounges, and so much more.

Is Las Vegas worth visiting for nature lovers?

It might surprise you to learn that Las Vegas is actual a pretty good place to go if you enjoy nature. If you leave the city itself you will find yourself in the middle of the Mohave Desert. Hikers will love Red Rock Canyon where you will find 26 hiking trails ranging in difficulty. If you don’t want to go too far from the Strip you also have places like The Springs Preserve which is about 3.5 miles of preserved desert landscape waiting to be explored.

If you love nature you should book yourself a day trip and explore the unique desert surroundings of Las Vegas. Don’t forget you also have the Grand Canyon which is totally doable in a day.

Is Las Vegas worth visiting for history buffs?

You might not immediately think history when you think Las Vegas, but there are actually some pretty cool places to go if you are a history buff. The Nevada State Museum gives you some insight into the history of the area including some exhibits looking back millions of years ago.

For more modern history you also have places like the Mob Museum which will provide you with a lot of information on Vegas in it’s heyday.

Is Las Vegas worth visiting in the summer?

Don’t forget that Vegas is in the middle of the desert. So if you are wondering is Las Vegas worth visiting in the summer we would only recommend it if you enjoy the heat. The temperature can get to 40 degrees Celsius or over 100 Fahrenheit. It’s fair to say that you probably don’t want to be spending long periods of time outside. Luckily the hotels particularly on the Strip are air conditioned so you can spend the majority of time indoors.

If you want to enjoy time by the pool sipping cocktails, summer isn’t a bad time to visit as long as you keep your pool time to the cooler parts of the day.

Is Las Vegas worth visiting in the winter?

It is surprisingly cool in Vegas during the winter months. Evenings can get below freezing, whilst days remain at a mild 10 – 20 degrees Celsius (50 – 68 Fahrenheit). It’s still a popular place to visit, particularly as it is warmer than other cities in the US at this time of year. Christmas in Las Vegas is also incredible with lights, glitz and glamour.

What to pack when visiting Las Vegas?

Apart from your standard packing list here are some suggestions on things to pack when visiting Vegas.

• Your best outfit for those crazy nights out
• Comfy walking shoes to travel between hotels in the day
• Swimming costume
• Sunglasses, sun cream and general items for sun protection
• A light cardigan or jacket as it does get cool inside the hotels with all that air con

What should I know before visiting Las Vegas?

Here are some of our top tips for visiting Las Vegas. Make sure you pin this guide for later so that you can refer back.

• Vegas is bigger than it seems. When you book your accommodation particularly on The Strip try and book in the middle so you can get around easier.
• If you are gambling take advantage of the free drinks on offer.
• Don’t take photos of those people dressed up on the strip unless you want to pay.
• Resort Fees are not included in hotel bookings but you will need to pay them on checkout so keep this in mind.

So Is Las Vegas worth visiting?

Obviously the whole point of this article is to answer the question is Las Vegas worth visiting? In our honest opinion we think Vegas is worth it. It’s a fun place to visit and a great place to just escape from everyday life. There is so much to do here, and things to suit every kind of traveller. Las Vegas is definitely worth visiting at least once in your life.