Las Vegas

The city that never sleeps! You won't find a clock because you don't need one. Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas. Sleeping is optional, but you will need a hotel room for costume changes.

Vegas Basics

Las Vegas, an ever-changing fantasy-land of a city, has seen unbelievable expansion since it emerged from the desert just over 100 years ago.

The sights and sounds of Las Vegas are enjoyed by millions of visitors every year. They stay in some of the most glamorous, unique hotels in the world. They eat at five-star restaurants and expansive buffets. They play at casinos, pools, health spas and golf courses. Sometimes (many times, actually) they even marry each other.

You will be dazzled by Vegas, but the sheer number of things to see and do can seem overwhelming. A little advance planning will help you to enjoy your Vegas trip.

Basic Info

Electricity: The United States uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles). If visiting from outside of North America, you may require an electrical adapter for any electronics or appliances you want to bring. Las Vegas electrical outlets accept the standard North American plug with two flat parallel pins.

Telephone Area Code: 702.

Tax: There is an 8.1% sales tax on purchases and a 12% tax on hotel rooms in Las Vegas. Properties near Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas incur a 13% tax on hotel rooms.

Vegas First-Timers

So you've never been to Vegas. What's kept you? Never mind - no use wasting any more time trying to explain.  The important thing is that you are ready for the time of your life, and there's no better place to celebrate than here. First up - people watching. It may sound mundane, but with the cross-section of visitors and celebrities who come to Vegas, it's usually primetime entertainment. And there's no better spot to partake than Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas, a French bistro right on the Strip with the bonus of being directly across the street from the famous Bellagio fountains.  A word to the wise - don't feed the street performers. Another great spot to just grab a bite and observe your surroundings is PBR Rock Bar & Grill at Planet Hollywood, where you can scan CityCenter, the Bellagio and the Strip all at once.

Cruising the Strip is required for any first-timer, by car or by foot, and since we're on the Strip, now's a good time to start.  As you cruise, check out the signs for the Cirque du Soleil shows. There are seven permanent shows on the Strip, including the heralded "O" at Bellagio and KÀ at MGM Grand, and the people back home will expect you to see at least one of them.

There's so much to do in Vegas besides gaming, but if this is your first time in town, you almost have to play a little. Many hotels offer free lessons for novices - the Golden Nugget among them.
Hungry yet? Used to be Las Vegas was famous for buffets. Nowadays, it's more about celebrity chefs; but as a first-timer, a buffet is in order. The Buffet at the Bellagio will satisfy your palate with international selections, while Cravings Buffet at the Mirage offers 11 live cooking stations. But don't eat too much! Part of any first trip to Vegas should include staying out all night and eating breakfast before you head back to the room.

Looking for adventure? We've got you covered, whether you like thrills by air, land of sea. Start with the SkyJump at the Stratosphere. At 108 stories, it's the longest controlled free fall of its kind. Then, experience Fremont Street Flightlinez, where you get hooked to a harness and zip line right over the crowds on Fremont Street and under the giant video canopy. Not daring enough? How about swimming with the sharks at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.

Speaking of the room, a first-timer should consider staying at Caesars Palace. Evel Kneivel. Muhammad Ali. Rainman. This is the birthplace of many a Las Vegas legend. Who knows? It could be the birthplace of yours.

There are so many things to see and do. So many resort options to meet and exceed any  type of travelers expectations. If Las Vegas were a movie, these would be the sets: The play-all-day, party-all-night epicenters of fun. Some, you know and love. Others, like ARIA and The Cosmopolitan, are brand new to the Vegas scene. Take your pick and let the games begin.

Get a free visitors guide. Did we mention it was free? It's a comprehensive guide to all that glitters in Vegas: Free Comprehensive Visitors Guide

How to get where you're going and where the going is good. Las Vegas Map Explorer
For more information about Las Vegas, please contact one of our travel consultants or email us at info@thetravelstation.com