Imagine Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. If you’ve only seen pictures, visualize the city of Las Vegas as the “classier” and “flashier” of the two. As soon as your car veers around the last corner of I-15 North highway, you can already spot in the distance the oasis of hotels that make up Las Vegas –and this is where you start blasting your favorite song as you inch ever so nearer to the shimmering buildings in the distance.
Don’t know what to do to insure your time in Vegas is incredible? Follow this simple checklist and you’ll be partying like a rock star in America’s ultimate sin city.
How to Execute a Successful Vegas Trip
1. Research
With most trips, checking out what deals are being offered for either hotel, flight or a rental car is always best to start as soon as you know the dates you will be traveling. Here are a couple sites I use when planning my trips:
- Google Flights (flight+car) *one of my favorites as it pulls from a lot of different sites when looking up flights
- Vegas.com (hotel+flight)
- Orbitz.com (hotel+flight+car)
- Hopper app (tracks flights)
- Priceline.com (hotel+flight+car)
- Jetsetter.com (hotel)
- Airbnb.com (lodging)
- Groupon.com (hotel)
- LivingSocial.com (hotel+flight)
I also check directly on the hotel’s website to compare rates. If the flights are close to the same price I book directly with the hotel because they are much easier to cancel or change a reservation with than a third party. Most hotels allow up to 2-3 business days before arrival to cancel for free, whereas third party sites are final sale and you have to pay up front.
If you plan to fly into Vegas check with where you’re staying to see if they provide a free shuttle service to and from the airport as cab rides can be around $30+ US one way. Most hotels offer free parking or free valet service (just tip $5 US to valet worker). Again check with the hotel to see what they offer.
2. Prepare
Depending on what time of year you will be visiting will determine if you need a winter coat or not. If you visit during the winter months most places will have a coat check, so it’s A-OK to wear one to a club or bar. (You will most likely be inside a casino the entire time so a coat is only needed when walking on the strip or between cab rides)
Here are some essentials to bring no matter what time of year it is:
- Passport … you will need this to show proof that you are 21+ or else you cannot gamble, drink or get into any of the clubs
- Water, water, water … Vegas does not have any drinking fountains so it’s best to stop at a local grocery store or even a CVS before arriving to your destination
- Alcohol and snacks … while you’re at CVS may as well purchase some alcohol and snacks for where you will be staying so you don’t have to spend most of your money on overpriced food and drinks at the clubs or restaurants
- Dressy night club outfit … for guys you should bring a button up, slacks and dress shoes – you can still get in most places with dark jeans and no tie. Girls should have a skirt, dress, or romper on along with heels or flats. But if you prefer to be comfortable when dancing I recommend purchasing “to-go” or “fast flats” at CVS which are designed to fit into a small purse to wear between cab rides.
- Day outfit … pretty much anything fly’s in Vegas during the day. Summer time gets pretty hot (100+ degrees F/ 37+ deg. C) so make sure you have a bathing suit, sandals, sunscreen, and cover-up. Winter time will range between 50 – 70 degrees F (10-20 degrees C) so bringing warmer clothes such as pants and a sweater will do the job.
3. Network
Before even stepping foot on the Vegas strip make sure to network, network, network. Now don’t worry-it’s easy. The tool to help you do this is most likely in your back pocket on your phone- Instagram. Just four years ago when Instagram was only a personal virtual photo album you would have to rely on walking along the Vegas strip or within the hotels to meet PROMOTERS-your contacts that can get you into clubs and parties all over Vegas for FREE. Now that Instagram is like a Google for businesses and you can easily get in contact with someone who works for every club in the city. Search for these hashtags on Instagram, and private message the individuals to find yourself a few promoters.
#(the club you want to go to)
Sin City definitely favors women over men when it comes to nightlife. So if you’re a guy and a few of your buddies want to take a trip I highly recommend you bring your cool ass group of girls you know along with you. Depending on the time of year, promoters may allow a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio (female:male) for free entry. Usually the summer time (May-September) is more difficult for guys to receive free entry; however you can easily get in with a 1:1 ratio during the winter months (October-April). If your promoter isn’t hooking you up with free entry, then I would negotiate a discounted entry. Out of all the times I have been to Vegas, I have never had to pay an entry fee into a club. The one time it was a hassle was during Labor Day weekend and the first bachelorette party I ever attended, and boy was I shocked. Luckily one of my promoters pulled through and was able to connect me with another promoter and I got into the club for free.
It’s definitely all about who you know, as are a lot of things in life. If you’re staying at the hotel where the club is located try asking the Front Desk if they allow free entry for guests. I believe the Cosmopolitan and the Palms hotels both offer free entry into their clubs for guests.
But if there is anything you should take away from this post it is simply this:
1. Contact promoters
2. Bring your A-Game to the city that never sleeps.
