Friend,
I finally got a chance to visit Las Vegas, which has been on my travel bucket list for so long! Vegas…..was……LITTTTTTTT!!! It was so much to take in. I literally felt like I needed another week to be able to experience more. Although it was a good time, I wasn’t able to let my guard down because….hello, it’s Vegas!! Regardless if it was Vegas or France, I had to be aware of my surroundings and keep my belongings close. While I was at the airport, I sat next to a lady that was telling me that her phone was stolen right in front of her while she was playing the slot machine! She was distracted by the person that came up to her and started talking to her and WHAM…..there went her phone…and her good time. Since Vegas was so much to take in, I decided to break down some tips.
BEWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
The first thing I was told (from the airport shuttle driver) was to beware of my surroundings. He said, “People will come up and talk to you and spark conversation with you to distract you, and before you know it, your wallet is gone.” I recommend putting your important things inside of a zipped pocket, inside of your bag, inside your bra, or in your hand. Never sit your belongings down, or unattended. If traveling with a backpack or purse, have your travel companion walk on the same side as your purse or backpack so that a set of eyes is always on it.
TRAVEL LIGHT
Don’t take your whole life with you when you are going anywhere in Vegas. Nine times out of ten, you will be walking a lot, and the most annoying thing is having to tote a bag around that is 10lbs while walking a mile down the strip. Just bring your essentials: money (cash and a debit/credit card), sunglasses, phone, camera, and a water bottle. Less is more, my friend.
STAY HYDRATED
Depending on what time of the year you visit, Vegas can be just plain hot. It has it’s own tier of heat in my eyes. It is a dry heat and when the wind blows it feels like heat is blowing. It’s rough my friend lol. Bring a water bottle with you on your excursions. When you go out to eat, get a large to-go water with lots of ice and just refill it with your water bottle as it needs replenishing.
TALK TO YOUR CONCIERGE NOT THE EMPLOYEES
The concierge at your resort/hotel is there to work for YOU! They will give you the valid information you need to know. Tell them what you want to do, and they will tell you how to accomplish it, what to expect, and anything else you need to know about. For example, my friend and I wanted to go to see Tee Grizzley perform, and also go to a day party, eat like locals (cheaply), and zipline. So, our concierge Katie at the SLS made that happen for us. She was able to get us on the guest list for the performance even after it had been sold out (we got to skip line and got 3 drinks free/person). She also got us on the guest list for another day party (with a poolside table included), and she gave us the 411 on where to go to eat. NEVER talk to promoters or employees on the streets. They don’t work for you, they work for themselves. They are hustling and know you are not from there. They will be out to get your money because they know you don’t know any better. Promoters will promise to get you into clubs and will try to get you to get a packaged deal and when you get to the event they will be nowhere to be found. Your concierge 9 times out of 10 works directly with the clubs and venues and can talk to the people to get you on the correct lists. When we were put on lists we got texts from the people that worked at the actual events and could confirm our valid entrance. When we got there they would pull us to the front of the line and the rest was history. Promoters disappear once they take your money, just because they have a company name on their shirt does not make them legit…STAY AWAY!
USE GROUPON
If you want to save money, Groupon is the first place to search. Just search nearby and there will be a ton of places nearby that will hopefully get you to into what you want to do for an affordable price.
USE THE BUS TO COMMUTE CLOSER
The “Deuce” bus is what we used. It is $8 for 24 hours and it stops almost everywhere on the strip you will need to be. My suggestion would be to look on the board of the stops it is taking, and make sure it is going the direction you will need to go. My friend and I learned that part the hard way. We wasted so much time by getting on the wrong Deuce because it took us the opposite direction than where we needed to be. We literally wasted hours when the places we needed to be were like 3 miles away from us. Ask someone operating the bus if necessary, or ask your concierge how it works. I found the Deuce was cheaper than Ubering because $8 lasted 24 hours and you get on it as much as you need to with the ticket you get. With Uber, you have to pay for drop off and pick up. Taxis are a big no-no per they are the most expensive!
TRY NEW THINGS
Eat like locals instead of what you can have at home. Do things that you can only do in Vegas and no where else. Ask your concierge about free shows and events. Plan ahead and have a good time on a budget. The worst thing is to get back home and realize you regret not doing something that was available to experience. My friend and I told each other what we absolutely had to experience Vegas life, and we made it happen.
DON’T SLEEP
Obviously I don’t mean don’t sleep at all. But sacrifice sleeping in, and also try to go to sleep as late as possible. You can catch up on your sleep when you get home, Friend. You only have a limited time, so go live it up!
BE COMFY
There is a lot to see and you will be walking a lot! Wear comfy clothes and shoes. It is hot year-round so dress accordingly. My friend and I regretted wearing heels to the pool party because when we got there hardly many other people did, and as soon as we sat down we took our heels straight off from all the walking we did walking into the venue. Everyone is different, use your own judgement.
ITEMS TO BRING
•Sunblock
•Case of water
•Camera or cell phone
•Comfortable clothes and shoes
SHOP SMART
Get bottled waters to bring out with you, and have a reusable cup to refill it as necessary. Don’t overdo your shopping, there are souvenir shops that are $10 and below, so shop there first.
PARTY!!!!
There’s no party like a Vegas party. The highlight of the trip for me was definitely the Tee Grizzley pool party we went to. Vegas is always lit so there is always going to be a celebrity making an appearance or performing where you are going. Eventbrite is really good for being in-the-know (or ask your concierge). Go to a day party, or just bar hop. Even if you are going to Vegas through the week there is always going to be a party to go to (ask around which ones to go to and which nights).
I hope this helps you, Friend. I can’t wait to plan my next trip to Vegas! Have fun and stay safe!!