
Things not to miss and how to save money along the way!
Slot machines, Elvis and drive though weddings, whats not to love! Vegas is jam-packed of fun and unique things to do. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a foodie, Vegas has it all. There is a lot of planningthat needs to go into your trip if you want to ensure you have the chance to do everything! People think Vegas is expensive, Which it easily can be. We certainly thought so as we didn’t know these top tips when we travelled to Vegas. If you are smart, there are so many places you can save or even get things to free! There are so many tips we learnt along the way when we travel to Vegas last and saw tips once we got home that made us kick ourselves for shedding out so much cash on things we didn’t need to! So with this Top Tips For First Time Travelling To Las Vegas, you will have no travel regrets!
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Gambling is only part of the fun
There is so much more to Vegas than just gambling. When we visited, of course, we had a turn or two on the bandits, even won $30! But that was not our main focus for the trip. There are some of the most amazing shows, clubs and amazing pool parties in the world. Check out the hotel that has a rollercoaster or ride on a gondola! Remember to try something different while you are in the city. Remember to gamble with care. It’s so easy to be swept up in the moment here as the atmosphere is buzzing.
Get drinks on the house
Drinks in vegas can be costly. When we stayed at the MGM we paid at least $5 per cola. If you are in a casino, you can wait for a waitress or waiter if you are sitting at a machine and take your order. They will provide drinks for free as an incentive for you to keep gambling. Remember to tip! I wish we had known this tip before we stayed in Vegas as all of those $5 a time added up over a couple of days.
Travel to Vegas midweek
Monday to Thursday are the cheapest days of the week in Vegas as most people want to head out for the big parties on weekends. Hotels and Shows are generally cheaper on these days. Generally speaking everywhere is less crowded so you will have a better opportunity to experience the city. You will probably even be able to get a front-row spot to the fountain show at the Bellagio.

Don’t forget to check out Vegas Shows!
Lots of people overlook these when they travel to vegas.No matter what you are into there will be a show for you, from Cirque Du Soleil to lady gaga there is something for everyone. Some of the best shows in the world are based in vegas. Lots of big stars have residencies so don’t forget to check out who’s on when you go you might be pleasantly surprised. This is a great way to get out of the sun for a few hours, Rest your feet and enjoy something different away from the hustle and bustle of the Vegas streets.
Plan your food budget
There are lots of amazing and quirky restaurants in vegas. However, food can become expensive very quickly, especially with all the quirky restraints that you will want to try out. Make sure to plan your food budget so you can enjoy the fancy and quirky restaurants but also eat cheap on other days to save money. There are lots of buffets in vegas so don’t forget to check them out too!
Tick a box off on your bucket list
There are so many different experiences that you can do in vegas. Whether it’s flying on the zip line above the streets or going to a gun range there is something for everyone. Great for checking off those bucket lists. Make sure the check out the Vegas pass as this will give you the opportunity to get the most out of Vegas for the best price on experiences.
Check out some of these activities in the link below!
Things are not as close as they appear..
When looking at a map of vegas..everything looks very close together, however, the city is deceivingly big. We realised this after ending up with very achy feet and being super worn out on day 1! Make sure to pack comfy shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking. Consider using an app life lyft if you have bookings and need to get around quickly as taxis can be very unreliable. Always ensure to factor in cab wait times when booking any activities.
Check in early
There is nothing worse than queues. When we stayed in the MGM the check-in queue was nearly an hour. Make sure you check out whether you can do early check-in as this will save you so much time, especially if you are only in Vegas for a few days. Some hotels offer a service where you can check-in via their app once you have arrived so keep a lookout for this!
Don’t pay full price for show tickets
Show tickets can be very expensive and there is no need to pay full price when you can always find a discount. Check out a site like vegas.com to check for deals and sales in tickets! If you look for tickets in advance or last-minute this is when you tend to get the best deals. Always check on Groupon too, they seem to throw up some good deals too!

Don’t forget to hydrate
Now, this may seem obvious but Vegas is so humid you can get dehydrated very quickly, especially if you are not used to the heat. Don’t forget to keep a bottle of water on you at all times especially as you will be doing a lot of walking! Buy bottled water in bulk or even better bring your own bottle. This will save you lots of money in the long run and much more environmentally friendly.
Car Rental
Underrated top tips for first time travelling to Las Vegas. As I said earlier vegas is much bigger than you expect it to be. If you are planning on doing excursions like the grand canyon or red rock canyon this is a must. You will be able to visit them on your time scale so you won’t be rushed or waiting around for a shuttle for hours. Lots of hotels offer free parking so this is a win-win!
characters and showgirls
As you are walking around the strip you will be approached by numerous people in costumes and showgirl outfits. To be honest some of the cartoon characters outfits are quite scary! I have never seen such a funny looking Sonic the hedgehog. As a general rule avoid them. They will offer to have a photo taken with you..great..but they will want money from you so be prepared!
Hopefully, some of these top tips for first time travelling to Las Vegas will help you to save money when travelling to Las Vegas and make the most out of your time here! If you can think of any tips I have missed please let me know in the comments below!
Don’t forget to pin it!
Every time I visit Vegas I think “This time I’m definitely going to see a show”. Then I get distracted by everything else and never do. But NEXT TIME I’m definitely going to see a show 😉
So many great recommendations for Vegas!! I have only been once and I did see a show (a couple actually since it was my birthday), but I would love to go back and do it even better the next time around!
oh thats amazing! I would love to hear what shows you would recommend! fingers crossed you can head back soon!
Had plans to travel to Vegas this summer but had to postpone to the next year due to covid. These tips will definitely come in handy when we get to go there.
oh thats such a shame, at least you can add some things to your list for next year!
Thank you for sharing such an awesome guide – I visited Vegas a couple of hours on a tour and I didn’t get to do most of the things on your list. Definitely need to make a trip back and check out a show 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed this post! oh thats such a shame, definitely worth a trip back then!
I’ve never been, but this post is very helpful! I would love to go one day and enjoy the nightlife! 🙂
I hope you can visit soon! the nightlife is fantastic
These are great tips! I WILL make it there… one day 🙂
Fingers crossed you can visit soon!
I’ve never been to Las Vegas and it seems like there is a lot to know – this guide could come in so handy!
I hope you manage to visit one day! Glad you enjoyed this post 😀
Great tips…. especially the shows. I was thinking that they would be very expensive.
Glad you enjoyed this post!
I have never been to Vegas before. I always thought Vegas was only to party, I didn’t realise there were so many things to do. I should definitely visit soon. I will keep this bookmarked so I can use it for future reference.
I was under the same impression for a long time too, There are so many amazing places to see and visit!
Great tip to travel to Vegas Mon to Thur. I tend to wander the room and jump machines when playing slots, as a result I never get free drinks! There are a few casinos that have a water and soda bar though, those are my favorite. I was surprised by the LONG lines waiting to check in to the resorts. Another great tip to use the app!
Oh I didn’t know about the soda bars! I will look into that for next time for sure! Glad you found some useful tips here 🙂
Hoping to go to Vegas early next year so thanks for all the great tips! I’d love to see a picture of the scary Sonic hahah
It is exciting and useful tips for people going to Vegas for the first time. The city has a lot of attractions. I love the shows and the concerts it offers. I’ve been several times, but I’ve never gambled in a casino, I always preferred to spend money on great food or other attractions. The roller coaster at the New York hotel was excellent.
Well, Vegas is definitely one of those incredibly fun place where you want to go all out! Well, for a long time I had associated Vegas with gambling, but later I realised that Vegas is much more than that. These are some great tips for anyone who is visiting Vegas for the first time. That was a good tip about the characters and showgirls. As much as i would love to look at them, but I would probably not spend money to take a picture with them!
Hahah yes many people are not aware of the charges from the characters for sure! Im glad you enjoyed this post! thank you so much for your words
Who doesn’t want to experience Las Vegas and include me too in the list. Yes getting free drinks well some sure way to save money while gambling a bit. Singapore casinos also offer free drinks which is good bonus to stick out. These are great tips which I would keep in mind including early check in to the hotel if possible to save valuable time.
Your post blows some away some myths that first timers usually associate with Las Vegas. Indeed there is so much more to Vegas than the gambling. We had been to Vegas a couple of years ago and had a great time. These tips are invaluable for the first time visitor to Las Vegas.
Isn’t it a fabulous city! thank you so much for stopping by!
Now theses are some really practical and helpful tips. Its interesting to know that the drinks are served free as an incentive to gamble. Makes a lot of sense TBH 😜. Would definitely love to witness the musical fountain at the Bellagio for sure apart from the other. Will keep it in mind to travel midweek, when I end up in that part of the world.
Thank you for stopping by! I know its so crazy right! I hope you manage to visit soon and use some of these tips to save money!
This is a great to go manual for beginners like me….will be sure to use it as i visit las vegas
Thank you 🙂 Im glad you enjoyed this post! I hope that you get to visit soon
Great advice! Navigating Vegas can be a bit tough.
Thank you! thats for sure, we always had google maps open!
Great tips for a Vegas vacation. Thank you for sharing. I was thinking of going for a couple days, but this virus as stop all my plans. I especially like the tip about booking mid week.
I hope you get to visit this awesome city soon! thanks for stopping by
Thanks for haring this really valuable guide to visit Las Vegas. I’m planning one after the travel restriction lifts. I’ll use your guide for sure 🙂
Im glad you enjoyed this post! I hope you get to use some of the tips soon 😀
I believe that your guide to a city that offers far too many ideas and to eat can not be underestimated.Great post thanks for sharing :)!
What about shopping? Isn’t Vegas also known for that? Good tip about making a food budget!
I went to see Britney Spears’ Las Vegas show when I went in 2017. That was really cool to experience!
Oh that sounds amazing! I want to head back and see Lady Gaga or Adam Lambert! Thats a goal for me haha!
Wow I really appreciate this guide (and all your guides)! I’m not a very thoughtful traveler (more go with the flow) so this helps me a lot. I’d probably be one of those people paying full price for the shows 😛 Wonderful recommendations and if I ever get out to Vegas I’ll definitely be using this guide!
I know what you mean, We tend to be spontaneous so it can be hard to catch a good deal! I Hope that you get to visit soon and use this guide! Thank you for your kind words
Las Vegas is an extraordinary world,thanks for
all the tips..
I have never been to Vegas, so definitely saving this to my travel board for future reference! Seems like a great list!
Thank you! I hope that these tips help when you finally get to visit this awesome city 😀
Vegas is so high on our list, would love to visit someday in the future for sure. That’s nice to know that you get free drinks while gambling. Would love to attend some shows for sure, which are so hyped and have heard a lot about from my friends. Not paying full amount and using discount coupons is a good idea, Winning 30$ is not bad ;), I haven’t won anything ever while gambling, just lost money 🙁
We LOVE going to Vegas! If anyone is looking for a kooky and fun show, we really enjoyed Zumanity. I would not only recommend that one, but we would go again.
I never went Vegas. But with your article, it was looking that I’m visually travelling there. Thanks;)
Glad that you enjoyed this post 😀
Great Vegas tips! Definitely see a show whenever you go (love Beatles LOVE) and never pay full price for anything, there is always a coupon or a way to get things cheaper 🙂
Thank you! You are so right! There are so many amazing coupon websites around these days
Some great tips! I love Vegas and can’t wait to go back!
Thank you! Me too!
I am not a gambler AT ALL but have been to Vegas multiple times. As you say, there is so much more to gambling! I feel like it is similar to Disney with all the themed hotels, etc. Checking out a show is a must and there are so many great restaurants! These are some great tips for saving money since there are certainly loads of ways to spend it there!
Thank you for your kind words! There is so so much to do isn’t there! Thank you 😀 Im glad you enjoyed this post
I went to Vegas once but ended up staying at the beautiful Hoover Dam. I would like to return … but that time round after spending time in Sedona and the surrounding nature it was too much of a culture shock.
Definitely going to be added to my travel list!
I have never been to Vegas, not being a gambler. The shows would be worth checking out and it’s great to know tips on how to get the tickets discounted. Also, I appreciated the tip of wearing good walking shoes. I didn’t realize everything was so spread out. Thanks for the tips!
We have been to Vegas many times. But for first timers, it certainly can be a bit daunting. Good to remind people that gambling is certainly only one of the great things to do in Vegas. Good to know there are ways to get cheaper show tickets. That is one of my favourite things to do. Although it will be interested to see how things have changed on the strip!
Vegas is such an awesome city and I don’t feel enough people see it for what it really is. Im glad that there are some useful tips in here for you!M
I think everyone should visit Vega at least one. I used to live in Los Angeles, so it was only a short flight away, and went many times, and it continues to evolve and change. You either love it our hate it! I tolerated it … but my highlight was seeing the Beatles Cirque Du Soleil performance … which was fabulous.
I’ve never been to Vegas so was perfect to stumble upon. I’ve heard that things seem farther away than they appear but I didn’t realize it was so easy to find discount show tickets. I’d love to see Lady Gaga and the RuPaul show whenever I make it to Vegas. I grew up in Philadelphia and it was always so cheap to fly to Vegas but I never made it a priority when I lived there – lesson learned 🙂
I love exploring Las Vegas. The last time we were there I think I might have spent 20 minutes gambling, and the rest of the time exploring, eating (SO much good food!) and going to shows! While everything is much more spread out than people think, if you do go during a busy time, walking might be your best option, but definitely bring good shoes for walking. I remember being stuck in traffic on the strip for forever once! That was very frustrating!
Haha, you are right there, SOOO much good food! oh I know the traffic can be crazy right!
I think they are great tips for people planning to visit Las Vegas. I’ve been to this city several times. I love concerts and shows that take place in this fabulous city. And it’s a great base to explore Nevada, Arizona, and Utah.
What great tips, I’ve never visited Las Vegas do these are super helpful for when I can visit (hopefully soon) 😊
Thank you! I hope the you get to visit soon too!
Ah! What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But thanks for sharing all this awesome tips.
The one that particularly caught my attention is getting free drinks on the house. What a cool tip!
Definitely a great idea to plan a food budget and splitting between some cheap eateries and a couple of quirky restaurants.
Hahah very true!! I know its crazy isn’t it! and so many people don’t know that. Glad you enjoyed this post
Much needed tips for someone like me who have never visited Vegas before, but surely want to. Thanks for making me aware of the characters and showgirls who tend to ask money after you take a picture with them. Also, I find your tip of planning food budget early to be very useful, also not paying full for the show tickets, these will help me a lot for not over-spending.
I glad that you found these tips helpful! I hope you get to visit one day and save some cash!
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