Las Vegas
At a Glance
Best
Time to Go
Anytime is a good time to hit Las Vegas.
You'll find it running full speed ahead
most of the year, with the exception of
early December and weekdays during July.
Expect to find the place jam-packed on
weekends, especially during holidays
(Memorial Day, President's Day, Easter,
Cinco de Mayo and Labor Day). If you want
to stay away from the crowds, don't plan
your trip the week between Christmas and
New Year's.
Vegas is also a big spot for
conventions. With nearly 50 conventions
each year, the city sees roughly 500,000
business travelers per year - and that
only includes those coming up for a
convention. Sporting events attract a
number of visitors as well, including golf
tournaments, boxing matches and the NASCAR
Winston Cup Las Vegas 400.
Average Weather
The most conducive times to visit Vegas
are during the spring and fall. In April
and May, daytime temperatures are
pleasant, clocking in around 70 or 80
degrees. In September and October, the
summer heat has abated, and the pools
remain open.
Winter is pretty cold in Las Vegas,
with snowcapped mountains in the distance.
If you're visiting during this time of
year, it may be a good idea to wrap up, or
spend most of your time in the casino.
The desert sun is relentless during the
summer months. Make sure you drink water
at all times. Remember to keep a constant
supply of sunscreen with you and don't
stay outside if you don't have to.
Transportation
Taxis are the most convenient way to get
around in Vegas. You'll be able to easily
find one, as they are always in front of
hotels. The Strip bus (Citizens Area
Transit, or CAT) costs $1.50 and links the
Strip and the downtown with stops near
major hotels.
In-Season Costs
During a "normal" week, one that
has no conventions, holidays, title fights
or local events on the calendar, you can
count on Sunday through Thursday being
less crowded, less expensive, and less
stressful than the weekend. If you're
spending money on games, you'll more than
likely find cheap digs at the casino
hotels. Most hoteliers want you to spend
your money gambling. Therefore, the rooms
are much cheaper. Keep in mind that even
though your digs might be cheap and the
food is next to nothing in cost, you'll
probably dump most of your funds into a
slot machine or two or three.
Vegas is pretty much deserted during
the two weeks before Christmas. If it's a
real bargain you're looking for, this is
when you'll find it.
Day Trips
If you want to get off The
Strip for a while, wake up early and head
out to Red Rock Canyon. Here you can hike
the desert or climb up the sandstone.
Boulder City is a short distance away
from Vegas. Here you'll see Hoover Dam.
Tour the visitor center and dam, and take
a ride on the paddle wheeler around Lake
Mead.
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Things
to see and do in Las Vegas
Guinness World
of Records Museum
2780 Las Vegas Blvd S
702-792-3766
Hours: Daily 9-6
Featuring colorful displays, video footage, and
computer data banks of various Guinness world
records, this is a great stop for families. The
Las Vegas display includes information on
celebrities married in Vegas, the Stratosphere and
the Hoover Dam.
Imperial Palace Automobile Museum 3535 Las
Vegas Blvd S
702-731-3311
Hours: Daily 9:30 am-11:30 pm
This museum's collection includes more than 200
antique, classic and special interest vehicles.
Among the cars, trucks, and motorcycles on view is
a 1939 Mercedes touring sedan once owned by Adolph
Hitler and the world's largest Deusenberg
collection. More
Info
Nevada State Museum and Historical Society
700 E. Twin Lakes Dr
702-486-5205
Hours: Daily 9-5
From the Spanish exploration to the building of
Las Vegas in the late 1940's, this museum has the
skinny on Nevada. Exhibits touch on the history,
archaeology and anthropology of southern Nevada.
The surrounding parks and ponds make for a
wonderful oasis.
Magic & Movie Hall of Fame
3555 Las Vegas Blvd S
702-737-3846
Experience the history of magic first hand with
over 20,000 sf of magic, movie and ventriloquist
memorabilia.
Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix
1401 N Rainbow Blvd
702-259-7000
This 7-acre park has the only banked oval Super
Stock Car track in the West. Racing includes adult
Gran Prix cars and go-karts along with kiddie
karts.More
Info
Madame Tussaud's Celebrity Encounter Wax Museum
Venetian Hotel
3355 Las Vegas Blvd S
702-367-1847
In "Madame Tussaud's Story" guests will
discover the intensive process and artistry
involved in the creation of the world famous wax
portraits by Madame Tussaud.More
Info
Red Rock Canyon
14 miles west of Las Vegas via W Charleston Blvd
702-363-1921
Featuring blazing red rock formations, spectacular
views, great hiking trails and a 13-mile scenic
loop. A great place to experience the beauty of
the desert.
Mt Charleston Recreation Area
35 miles NW of Las Vegas off Hwy 95
702-872-5486
Part of the Toiyabe National Forest at 12,000 feet
high the area is popular year round for hiking,
skiing, horseback riding, camping and even sleigh
rides.More
Info
Star Trek The Experience
3000 Paradise Rd at the Las Vegas Hilton
702-732-5111
The experience includes a complete re-creation of
the promenade from Deep Space Nine: Quark's Bar
and Restaurant, Zek's Grand Emporium and Moogie's
Trading Post. Also is The Voyage, an interactive
ride where visitors are beamed through time and
space to the Transporter Room. A must for every
Trekie.More
Info
Titanic: The Exhibition
Rio Suites Hotel
3700 W Flamingo Rd
702-252-0315
This exhibit features artifacts recovered from the
Titanic wreck site.
Fremont Street Experience
A pedestrian promenade in downtown Las Vegas with
free entertainment including a one-of-a-kind light
and sound show with more than 2 million lights and
540,000 watts of sound. This show begins at dusk
daily and ends at midnight. Also along the street
are retail carks, kiosks and entertainers.More
Info
Gohres-Hohmann Foundation
6150 W Palmyra Ave
702-217-3655
Imagine touring through an 8,500 sf European
castle filled with angelic murals, life-size
mythical statues, fine art and exquisite designs
that are one of a kind.
Liberace Museum
1775 E Tropicana Ave 702-798-5595
The museum features exhibits of Mr. Showmanship's
jewelry, priceless antiques, his wardrobe and rare
cars.
Hoover Dam
27 miles south of Las Vegas on Hwy 93
Considered one of the great wonders of the modern
world. Built in the early 1930's it now offers
visitors tours through the dam's interior and an
audiovisual show.More
Info
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