Vegas is a shimmering party scene at the edge of the Mojave Desert. A-list entertainment, glitzy casinos, and celebrity-chef restaurants are the games in town, but spectacular scenic beauty is not far from the Strip—Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon are less than an hour away.
It's in summer that you’ll find Vegas’ hottest pool parties—and temperatures. To avoid the suntanned throngs of international party-goers, plan a visit in late spring when the pools are open, spring break is over, and the crowds are relatively thin. Travelers looking to snag a deal can do so in chilly December, before the holiday season kicks in.
Bus: Buses are excellent for getting around the roughly 4-mile Strip. RTC buses and Deuce double-deckers run 24/7 along the Strip and downtown. If you’re staying at an off-Strip casino or hotel, chances are they offer limited shuttle buses there, too.
Rail: The monorail runs limited, expensive routes next to the east side of the Strip roughly every five to eight minutes. Separate trams operate between casinos; they’re free but slow and are designed for passengers to get off at the casinos that run them.
Rideshare and cab: Uber and Lyft rides along the strip are sometimes half the price of taxis, and even cheaper when riding with other passengers. Cab drivers expect a tip, and will only pick up at taxi stands as it’s illegal to hail from the street.
Vegas is full of surprises, and offers much more than a trip along the Strip. For something different, try shopping for antiques downtown or rubbing elbows with locals at Fremont East (away from the LED canopy and zipline at the Fremont Street Experience). Also, culture hounds can explore gourmet restaurants, art venues, and newer hotels that have taken the focus away from gambling and put it on stylish design. Whatever your desires, there’s a good chance Vegas can dish it up.
EN
