Basic Tips for a Trip to Las Vegas:

Choosing a Hotel

Choosing a Vegas Trip homebase is a complex affair. So many factors go into deciding where you want to set up camp, and making the wrong decision can not only be expensive but disasterous.

The best way to choose hotel is to pair your trip desires with your bankroll do a bunch of research (our Hotel and Casino Guides are a great place to start) and narrow it down one by one until there's no doubt in your mind.

People come to Las Vegas for many reasons, some come to gamble, some come for shows or gourmet food or to be pampered in stunning spas or for sex or to party or for the spectacles or Wayne Fucking Newton or for the ol' Griswold-style family vacation. Every Vegas joint does their best to suit every type of desire, but all have specific strengths and weaknesses. So below we've listed some basic desires and some joints that you might want to look into to satisfy each... keep in mind that this is just a jumping off point - dig into the Hotel/Casino guide for detailed information written from our experiences. It is SIN city after all...

What to Bring

• Summer? Weather can get to be 110°, but nights can be quite cool - DRESS ACCORDINGLY

• Loose fitting bright colored clothing, sunblock, shades and a sombrero for daytime strip hikes

• If it's hot outside - DON'T GO OUTSIDE!

• A light sweater/jacket are a good idea during summer evenings.

• Vegas has Winter Too! It gets as cold as an Airport slot machine from November thru March. Bring a jacket!

• Stop off at Walgreens before you check in and grab some homebase essentials:
  - Water (One big bottle, and some smaller carry-around sizes)
  - Soft Drinks/Juices (don't play mercy to the slots)
  - Nuts, Dried Fruit, Trail Mix, Jerky (compact, portable protein)
  - Candy/Sweets (just cause)
  - Crackers/Pretzels/Chips (sop up a little late night booze)
  - Candles for some late night romance ambience
  - A bottle of your favorite tipple and mixer
  - Condoms (Jesus was an optimist)
  - Extra batteries for your digital camera

• Camera

• A Good Book or Magazine (during tubtime or downtime)

• Laptop (a lot of hotels offer in-room hi-speed internet access for a nominal fee)

• Dice/Cards and a book on gaming rules/strategy

• Your favorite teddy bear or cookay monster

• Some swanky duds and/or a sexy cocktail dress just in case you decide to get married

• A minimal investment in a Wine Tote Backpack is a great idea. They hold two bottles of booze, a necessity buzz maintainer when taking a break from the casino madness. It will easily and quickly pay for itself with the money you save from bypassing expensive gift shop liquor prices.