Many people don’t believe me when I say just how much I love visiting Las Vegas.
After all, Sin City is known for its epic nightlife, parties, and gambling opportunities — and I’m an introvert who doesn’t really partake in those things.
Fortunately, there’s so much to see and do in Las Vegas, which has some of the best spas, restaurants, and shows in the world. And whether I’m accompanying my partner to a conference or going on a girls’ trip, I feel well-rested every time I come home from the city.
After visiting more than 40 times, I’ve figured out how to plan a great trip to Vegas. Here are some of my best travel tips.
Choose your resort based on the amenities that are most important to you
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Before booking a resort in Vegas, consider what matters most to you, whether it’s having convenient gym and spa access or a really comfy bed.
In my opinion, the Aria has the best, comfiest mattresses — you can even buy them from the hotel. The property also has a juice shop and Starbucks, so it’s easy to grab morning drinks there without having to step into the Vegas heat.
If you want to learn and have some physical activity, try hotels like The Cosmopolitan and Westgate that have tennis courts where you can book lessons.
If wellness is a priority, consider the Fontainebleau. It has a cold-plunge pool, infrared sauna, and snow room in the spa, plus an IV drip lounge and fully-kitted gym with weights.
Bonus tip: Day passes are available at most resorts on the strip if you want to gym-hop instead of only using the amenities in one place.
Hydrate as much as possible
Remember, you’re in the desert, where dehydration is a serious risk.
Incorporate hydration into your daily routine as much as possible throughout the trip, even just by ordering a cup of water at each casino you visit or adding electrolytes to your drinks.
In some cases, you may event want to splurge on an IV treatment — there are drip lounges for them throughout Vegas and some services will set them up right in your hotel room.
I find these treatments are even better when you’re not hungover.
Reverse the schedule that many other tourists are on
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The best way to enjoy Vegas at your own pace is to go out while a lot of the city is still sleeping. Las Vegas is the most alive at night, which can make for peaceful mornings.
By getting out early, you’ll avoid especially busy sidewalks and beat some of that Vegas heat. Plus, nothing is better than the crisp morning air during the fall and winter in Nevada.
Remember to look around you, especially if you enjoy art
If you appreciate art, don’t forget to observe your surroundings as you go around Vegas. Many resorts here have fine-art collections in their restaurants, lobbies, bars, hallways, and galleries.
For example, the Wynn has Jeff Koons’ multimillion-dollar “Tulips” sculpture, the Aria displays Rashid Johnson paintings, and the Palms Casino Resort’s Unknown bar features designs from English artist Damien Hirst.
Find free entertainment just by people-watching in the right spots
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Although Vegas is a good spot to buy tickets for epic shows, there are also free forms of entertainment by way of people watching.
In my opinion, one of the best forms of entertainment in the city comes from sitting in the casino by the elevators when the party crowds are going out.
I like to find a comfy spot with a good vantage point before the popular 7 p.m. dinner hour and prime 10:30 p.m. bar-entry time.
From there, I enjoy my own “fashion shows” of dolled-up guests heading out on the town.
If you’re a beginner at table games, start somewhere cheap
If you’re newer to playing cards, start your trip at casinos with low table minimums, like $5.
This is a good way to learn how to play games and which you enjoy without blowing through a lot of cash. From there, you can use the skills you’ve built up somewhere else.
Just remember that each casino has its own rules and payouts, so talk to your dealer and ask questions before starting a game somewhere new.
