Las Vegas
Discover Las Vegas
Situated in the midst of the southern Nevada desert, Las Vegas is the largest city in the state of Nevada. Nicknamed Sin City, Las Vegas and its surrounding communities are famed for their mega-casino resorts, often lavishly decorated with names and themes meant to evoke romance, mystery, and exotic destinations. Along the brightly-lit Strip through the center of the city, visitors will find all manner of amusements and entertainment: circuses, stage shows, thrill rides, erotica, exotic animals, fine dining restaurants, nightclubs, shopping, and elaborate fountain displays, to say nothing of the age-old allure of gambling and drinking. Compared with other American cities, even those in the western United States, Las Vegas is a relatively recent arrival. It was founded in 1905 and for many years was a fairly small settlement. However, several pivotal events in the early- to mid-20th century catapulted Las Vegas to prominence and set it on the path to grow into what it is today. First was the construction of nearby Hoover Dam from 1931 until 1936, which brought thousands of workers to the area. Second was the legalization of gambling by the state of Nevada in 1931, which led to the establishment of casinos and speakeasies that established Downtown Las Vegas as an entertainment center for the Hoover Dam workers.
Taste of Las Vegas...
Large casinos will invariably offer a variety of dining options, ranging from the omnipresent buffet to simple cafes to gourmet restaurants to Michelin-star winning restaurants. While there are a few spots along The Strip where you can find a deal, expect to pay a premium even for a simple meal unless you venture to another part of town. As of 2026, there are seven buffets at Las Vegas resorts, the most famous of which are at the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Cosmopolitan, and Wynn. The best buffets typically cost about $80 a person for a weekend dinner. Lunch is your best value at most buffets when they are around half price, breakfasts are cheapest and often have a great spread too. Do not forget that tipping your buffet waiter at least $1 per person/drink is customary. You can leave cash on the table at the end of your meal or tip the cashier at the counter on a credit card. Some buffets give "early bird" discounts, which means that if you arrive early the price is a few dollars lower. In Las Vegas, free drinks are often offered to gamblers, even those playing 5-cent slot machines. You should tip the waitress at least $1 per drink; failure to do so will likely cost you free drink privileges. Although it is officially NOT allowed per the lawbooks, drinking on public sidewalks and other areas on the Strip and Downtown is rarely if ever enforced.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Las Vegas.
Las Vegas continues to grow with annual events and festivals held throughout the city. Given the very high temperatures during the summer it may be a surprise that ice skating is popular, but it is inside. Seasonal rinks pop up at major Strip hotels like the Venetian and Cosmopolitan. Downtown Summerlin Mall also has one during winter. The combined state and local sales tax in all of Clark County (meaning the entire Las Vegas metro area) is 8.375%. Only groceries and prescription drugs are exempt. Like most U.S. states, Nevada has not implemented a tax refund mechanism for international travelers. The only retailers that can sell tax-free items to international travelers are the duty-free shops at Harry Reid International Airport. Most hotel/casino resort complexes in Las Vegas have a gift shop open 24/7 that offers basic traveler supplies and sundries. Hotel gift shops are outrageously expensive and should be avoided except for emergencies.
Climate
Las Vegas has a subtropical hot desert climate with short winters with mild days and cool nights; and long, extremely hot summers. July has the hottest temperatures with an average daytime high of 104.5 °F (40.3 °C). On average, 78 days each year reach or exceed 100 °F (38 °C) and 10 days reach 110 °F (43 °C). The days of the year with the highest temperatures have a daytime high at or above 115 °F (46 °C). During the peak intensity of summer, overnight lows frequently remain above 80 °F (27 °C), and occasionally above 87 °F (31 °C). Snowfall is rare, and typically occurs only once every few years. Southern Californians crowd I-15 every weekend going back and forth to Vegas, and from the Bay Area the quickest route comes down Interstate 5 through the Central Valley, takes State Route 58 east from Bakersfield, and joins Interstate 15 at Barstow.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsSouthern Californians crowd I-15 every weekend going back and forth to Vegas, and from the Bay Area the quickest route comes down Interstate 5 through the Central Valley, takes State Route 58 east from Bakersfield, and joins Interstate 15 at Barstow. Expect this drive to be crowded and frustrating, unless you can come and go at off-peak hours; you may find air travel to be a better option with service to major California airports and many smaller ones as well. However, many find the 280-mile (450 km) drive along I-15 restful and scenic. Attractions along the I-15 include the California towns of Barstow and Baker; the Mojave Desert; and small hotel-casinos in Nevada at Primm (at the California border) and Jean, respectively. If you are traveling the I-15, you are crossing a desert, and should carry (and drink) ample amounts of water, especially on hot summer days where temperatures can reach 110°F (43°C)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
If traveling along the Strip, walking is a reasonable option as the hotel-casinos are close to each other. However, what may look to be a short walk of only a couple hotel-casinos away may be farther than you expected as the resorts often look closer than they are due to their large size. In most cases, hotels are connected to each other either by bridge or underground or in the case of Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay, by a complimentary rail shuttle. During the summer, the oppressive heat during the daylight hours may make walking a very uncomfortable activity. Take extra precautions when imbibing alcohol and walking outside as heat-stroke and severe dehydration are common health risks. Walking any significant distance outside of the built up core of Downtown, or the pedestrian areas of the strip is not advised.
Where to Stay
Las Vegas is a very peculiar destination - and hotels in Las Vegas have a lot of peculiarities that you won't find in other cities. The vast majority of visitors to Las Vegas arrive on Friday or Saturday nights and stay for the weekend. As such, room rates can seem ridiculously cheap from Sunday-Thursday night but zoom upwards on weekends. Travelers can plan a trip to their advantage: by staying, say, Sunday through to Thursday, you can save a bundle on hotel rates, and take advantage of package deals that may include a show, meals, and gambling coupons—occasionally worth more than the cost of the hotel room. With some exceptions, hotels and other sleeping establishments will not allow anyone under age 21 to reserve a room due to on-site gambling. For those of age 18-20, it is strongly recommended to research and reserve in advance of arrival. A bad surprise at check-in are "resort fees".
Money & Budget
The combined state and local sales tax in all of Clark County (meaning the entire Las Vegas metro area) is 8.375%. Only groceries and prescription drugs are exempt. Like most U.S. states, Nevada has not implemented a tax refund mechanism for international travelers. The only retailers that can sell tax-free items to international travelers are the duty-free shops at Harry Reid International Airport. Most hotel/casino resort complexes in Las Vegas have a gift shop open 24/7 that offers basic traveler supplies and sundries. Hotel gift shops are outrageously expensive and should be avoided except for emergencies. If you are planning to not rent a car and to simply go up and down the Strip on foot or bus, the pharmacies are your best bet for basic supplies.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Be vigilant and do not leave any valuables visible in your car. If you are lucky enough to win a large jackpot, you can ask the casino to hold your winnings in its safe or to pay you with a check so that you are not walking out the door with a large amount of cash. If you insist on receiving all your winnings in cash, all casinos have security personnel available to escort you to your car or room upon request. Like most large tourism destinations, the Strip has its share of pickpockets, so keep your wallet in a front pocket or hold onto your purse. Major casinos are generally very safe. Casinos take security very seriously and have cameras recording almost every square inch of their property, as well as uniformed and plainclothes security personnel patrolling at all times. Make sure your hotel door is closed safely at night and use the deadbolt if one is provided.