Since the casinos enterprise launched in the 1940s, Las Vegas has become one of the most popular party destinations in the world.
With the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam right on its doorstep, I had lots to pack into my trip last year and this blog shares some of my must-sees and travel tips.
Getting started, if you are from the UK I’d recommend checking out the gov.uk travel advice and signing up for government travel alerts for the USA before your visit so you can stay informed.
1. Las Vegas
What to Know Before Visiting Vegas: How to Stay Safe
Get organised and get the right travel insurance for you and any activities you’re planning to do. Another tip (again in case your phone lets you down or you lose it) is to print out your key documents; travel insurance, boarding passes, ESTA and accommodation information so that you have everything you need for your trip.
You should only buy alcohol from licensed hotels, vendors and establishments to avoid any emergencies during your visit.
With so much going on in Vegas itself, remember to stick with your mates and arrange meeting points throughout your trip in case you get separated or lose your phone.
The Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas strip is laced with iconic structures and hotels which are so bright they apparently can be seen from the International Space Station which is possibly a fact you didn’t know about Vegas. From mimicked versions of the Eiffel Tower, New York’s skyline and an Egyptian pyramid, you feel like you’re taking a trip around the world just walking along the strip’s 4.5-mile span.
I stayed in the Luxor Hotel and Casino (the one shaped like a pyramid) and the hotel itself could have kept me busy for weeks. You know when trips just hit different? I felt so fortunate to be staying in such a grand place in such a famous city and the feeling will never leave me.
I went to Vegas in late May and early June. Whilst the heat was bearable, I would recommend visiting earlier or later in the year if you struggle with intense heat. Whilst there are aircon-filled respites everywhere in the city, it can really catch you off guard when you’re outside, especially if you go on any excursions.
There is also a monorail which runs across the strip and is accessible from many hotels, this is worth considering in extreme heat and for accessibility purposes. Tickets start at $5.50 for a single trip and go up to $57.50 for a 7-day pass.
Whilst I was busy visiting nearby attractions and natural wonders during my trip, I also enjoyed a pool day to relax and really ponder where I was in the world and all the great things I’d seen and experienced on my trip. I recommend having a pool day towards the end of your trip as it really consolidated the Vegas vibes and feels.
Here are my top three picks for what you should enjoy in Vegas before travelling home…
Bellagio Fountains
Located outside the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, the fountains synchronise with music and lights for free shows from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes. These fountains are truly immersive and offer a cooler place along the strip to enjoy a show which costs nothing.
Vegas Night Tours
One of my fondest memories from visiting Vegas are the views from the panoramic sightseeing Vegas Nights Tour. From approximately $60 per person, these tours typically take you down the Las Vegas strip, to the famous “Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas” sign and then downtown and into Old Vegas where you can see the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino, built in 1946 and one of the oldest casinos in Las Vegas, in all its glory. Fun fact: my Great Great Auntie visited this very hotel in the 1960s!
Cirque du Soleil Shows
Some of the most famous live shows in the world, Cirque du Soleil is famous for its artistry and acrobatics. Shows such as “O” at The Bellagio and “Mystère” at Treasure Island are among the most popular places to book.
2. The Grand Canyon
One of the seven natural wonders of the world and one of the most captivating views I have been on to this day, taking a trip to the Grand Canyon during your stay in Vegas is truly worth the price.
There are many excursions which take you directly from your hotel to the Grand Canyon and back again, often making a stop along the way to visit the Hoover Dam. From roughly $80 per person, these tours offer an unforgettable experience which will stay with you for life.
Many tours offer the chance for you to upgrade your ticket for access to the Canyon’s ‘Skywalk’, a horseshoe shaped walkway approximately 1,220 metres above the bottom of the Canyon. If you really want to splash out, you can purchase a helicopter ride across the Canyon, with prices starting at roughly $260 per person.
Note that both of these things are not for the faint-hearted! As well as breathtaking views, you can also learn about the Canyon’s rich history and surrounding native tribes. Whilst living in the moment is the goal, make sure you take lots of photos and videos! There are also opportunities to get your professional photos taken and printed for those unforgettable memories.
3. Hoover Dam
Many tourist packages from Vegas to the Grand Canyon include a short visit to the Hoover Dam into their itinerary.
Designed to manage the flooding of the Colorado River, the dam stands at a grand 221 metres high and runs along the Arizona – Nevada border for 115 miles. A fascinating experience, where you learn the water is used for hydroelectricity and water is diminishing quickly as the years go on, this trip is an eye-opening exploration of how human life impacts water supplies around surrounding States. You can cross from one side of the dam in Arizona to the other side in Nevada, which never fails to amaze.
These types of excursions are bucket list destinations but make sure you have yourself covered with travel insurance which covers all of your planned activities you may wish to enjoy, such as helicopter journeys and water sports. Without this cover, your insurance might not pay out to help you in an emergency.
Exploring the USA
I incorporated my visit to Las Vegas with a visit to California and Hollywood. As the flight into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes from London Heathrow (LHR), I thought it worthwhile to extend my visit and explore more of the States to get my time and money’s worth. Why not do try this out too?
Time to get out there! You’ll have a blast.
This article was shared by Georgia Pearson, a Student Brand Ambassador for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.