Don't Just Roll the Dice-how to Plan a Las Vegas Vacation

It's not surprising that Las Vegas visitors can maximize their enjoyment with a little planning. Considering the myriad of possibilities to be experienced in exciting Las Vegas, planning out your day (or night) is your best bet. Knowing what to see, and when, can help you save time, energy and money. A bit of research will narrow down your choices, and help you focus on only your favorite entertainment options.

With so much happening in Las Vegas, it is easy to become overwhelmed and sidetracked. Travel websites and guide books detail resort and casino amenities, current shows, resort attractions and types of restaurants, and phone numbers to help with planning. Once a guest narrows down preferences, it is easy to structure a workable plan.

For example, one person may want to see the newest shows. In that case, they will need to select from musicals, comedies, and magic shows, etc. Then, it is a good idea to always call to find available seating. (Often, the best place to call is the actual theater, since "discounters" can charge above the face value of a ticket.) Since entertainment is of prime interest, this person should order tickets before leaving home, as first-run show tickets are not found at half price ticket booths in Las Vegas.

This same traveler can now arrange an itinerary around their show schedule. Using maps and guides, dinner reservations can be made at favored restaurants near show locations, assuring plenty of time for relaxed dining. Then, working backward, if they know that they must leave the resort by 6 PM, they can structure their Vegas day to get the most out of it.

The same logic applies to an individual who wishes to experience fine dining. By making reservations well in advance, this person will know how to arrange their day, and that the 11 PM show is a definite possibility. They will not need to sacrifice a special meal or entertainment due to crowds or time restraints.

Las Vegas is much larger than it appears, and it takes longer to walk or catch cabs than what one would expect. (Plus, if a visitor decides to stop into a casino "for just a few minutes", it often turns out to be much longer!) Therefore, travel planning should be conservative. Filling time in Vegas is always easy, but if a guest must rush or miss out on what they have anticipated, it's very frustrating.

There are several other considerations unique to Las Vegas. Typically, visiting resort attractions may take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. This does not include 10 minutes to walk through the main casino, or waiting for free shows. Add shopping to this plan, and a visitor may only be able to tour 3 or 4 resort/casinos in a day. This is why it is best to sight-see resorts in groups of proximity. However, if a guest will be seeing one of the shows at a resort, they can view its attractions before or after; almost everything in Las Vegas is available 24/7, which certainly helps with planning.

Unless you are going to Vegas for the primary purpose of spending hours at the poker table or slot machine, gaming can easily fit in anywhere where there is free time. Inquire into a "player's card" before gambling to get credit for gaming and future discounts. Just be sure to wear a watch, as there are no clocks in casinos! If a guest enjoys swims or workouts, they should know that some facilities are not available past 5 PM, and outdoor pools are usually closed between November and April.

Regarding transportation, taxis are not flagged down; lines form in front of resorts. If a traveler has purchased a $5 daily unlimited bus pass to ride up and down the strip, they should remember that it expires at 5 PM. Cabs to Downtown Vegas cost about $20, so a visitor may want to plan an evening there, including dinner at one of the inexpensive restaurants, shopping for souvenirs, and viewing the Freemont Street Experience free laser show. Some attractions have long waiting times, such as the Eiffel Tower or Venetian Gondolas, so visits to these popular sites should be planned accordingly.

A tired Las Vegas visitor can relax in some of the most interesting and comfortable places imaginable. Although most hotels do not provide seating in their lobbies, food courts and benches in the Miracle Mile and Forum Shops offer unlimited pleasure in people-watching. Free Circus Circus productions can be a pick-me-up for an exhausted walker, and chairs near the Wynn's waterfall allow a rest in lovely surroundings. The Bellagio has luxurious couches and chairs scattered throughout its first floor, as well as bars and cafes which overlook their fountain's dancing waters.

As long as daily activities are carefully planned, and based on a traveler's interests, visitors can be ensured of a wonderful Las Vegas experience!