Las Vegas is a crazy city that's always buzzing. The Strip is just over four miles of casinos, restaurants, clubs and shops. Downtown Vegas is full of neon lights from Vegas' past. If you're heading to Vegas anytime soon, here are a few things I learned from my trip.
1. ABC Stores/Walgreens
If you're looking for cheap souvenirs, cheap alcohol, or cheap water, look no further. ABC Stores are located all over Vegas and are probably walking distance from your hotel if you are staying on the Strip. They have 99 cent key chains, one dollar liter water bottles (which you will definitely need) and reasonably priced beer and liquor (cheaper than a $14.25 vodka cran at a bar). If you're shopping at the Miracle Mile Shops or on Fremont street, you can catch an ABC at both places.
Also if you are looking to tackle your souvenir shopping in one trip, head over to the closest Walgreens. They have shot glasses, magnets, beer pong balls, and post cards all for a dollar. I never thought I would spend an hour and a half in a Walgreens, but I surely did. They also have Slurpees which taste amazing at two am.
2. SlotZilla Zip Line and Voo Doo Zip Line
If you want to see the strip from a different perspective, head on down to Fremont street and take a ride down the SlotZilla Zip Line. There are two levels, an upright zip line that is $25 and a laying down zip line that is a little higher in the air for $40, you can get $5 off if you zip before 6 p.m., but from my experience if you can go at night during a light show that would be a perfect time to go.
If you're looking to see a little more than just the strip, head over to Rio Casino to catch the Voo Doo Zip Line that occupies the 51st floor of the casino. This zip line launches you across and back from the top of the towers of Rio casino in seconds. You can literally see for miles and the night club is a pretty cool place to go after you survive the zip line.
3. Viva Vision Light Show at Fremont Street Experience
Every hour on the hour beginning at dusk until about one a.m., catch the six minute light show that is put on by over 12.5 million LED lamps. The light show is accompanied by music (currently it is The Who, Heart, Bon Jovi and others). All the casino lights on the strip turn their flashy lights off so you can fully take in the experience. The canopy of lights also displays selfies, so don't forget to snap and send one in to see yourself on the big screen.
4. The High Roller at the LINQ
If you can afford to go at night, absolutely take advantage of this ginormous 550 foot Ferris wheel that is half hour ride that lets you take in the entire city from a birds eye view. If you want to drink while in the sky, purchase the Happy Half Hour ticket which is the bar-in-your-car option. Each car seats up to 40 people and overlooks the beautiful city. Tickets are worth the view, trust me.
5. It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar
If you're looking for an early start to your day or not wanting the night to end head over It's 5 O'clock Somewhere Bar in Margartiaville located in the Flamingo Hotel. They have great drink specials past two a.m. and have an outdoor patio so you can watch all the crazy happening on the Strip.
6. Transportation
Ubers aren't that expensive, if you need to be somewhere fast I would recommend an Uber. If you are trying to get to the other end of the strip, it is roughly $5 a trip.
If you are going to be seeing a lot, get a 24 hour bus pass for $8 or a two-day pass for $20. The public busing is super reliable can take you pretty much anywhere.
7. "The Cities"
Whether you are in Paris, New York City or the D, try to check out the "cities" on the Strip. They usually have super cool themed casinos that match their correlating city and are awesome photo ops.
Things to Avoid:
1. Characters/People on the Strip
Even if you love Elmo or Minions, do not take a picture with the characters or the street people. They just want your money and will be aggressive about it until they get it out of you. Just say no. Also be leery of what you take from people that hand out papers or leaflets to you as well, they also may expect money and harass you until you take whatever they are trying to hand out.
2. Groupons for Club Passes
Most of the time girls can get into clubs for free or with a small cover charge. The passes sometimes do get you free drinks but they are just stressful to find a club that is on the list. Just walk down the strip and find people with wristbands, the cover charge is usually cheap or free and once you're in they also might be open bar.
3. Astronomical Food and Drink Prices
If you are into gambling, sit at the video poker machines that are usually located at a bar. Put ten dollars in, order a drink, tip the bartender a dollar and then go on your merry way. Drinking that way seems a little more manageable than at a bar. Also don't be afraid to venture a little further off the Strip or into weird looking venues because food is a lot less expensive and you might find some cool deals and cool people. Also, don't think you are going to bring back your meal from a restaurant because a lot of hotels do not have fridges in the rooms.
Sometimes it's hard to plan out your day. The easiest way to tackle Vegas is to go with the flow of your group, be ready to walk a lot and be up for anything. And remember, whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!
