15 Things I Wish I Knew Before Booking (2025)

I'll never forget my first Vegas trip as a tourist before I moved here. I booked what looked like a "cheap" hotel, ended up walking 2 miles in 108°F heat between casinos, and paid double for show tickets I could've easily pre-booked online. After living in Las Vegas and experiencing everything this city has to offer, here's everything I wish someone had told me before that first visit.

Whether you're coming for a bachelor party, a romantic getaway, or just to see what all the hype is about, these 15 tips will save you money, time, and a whole lot of frustration.

🎥 WATCH THE ANIMATED STORY of  First Time in Las Vegas? 15 Things I Wish I Knew Before Booking (2025)

Storybook

1. Book Your Shows BEFORE You Arrive

This is the number one mistake I see first-timers make. Cirque du Soleil shows, magic performances, and major concerts sell out weeks in advance—especially on weekends and holidays. I learned this the hard way when my top choice show was completely sold out, and I ended up paying premium prices for a mediocre alternative.

Local insider tip: Don't wait until you get to Vegas. Compare prices first, but book early for the best selection and rates. Check TicketNetwork for premium shows, concerts, and sporting events, or browse GetYourGuide for show packages that include transportation from your hotel.

And whatever you do, avoid those aggressive ticket scalpers on the Strip. They're overpriced, sometimes sell fake tickets, and will absolutely ruin your night if something goes wrong.

Best shows to book in advance:

• Any Cirque du Soleil production (O, Mystère, KÀ, Michael Jackson ONE)

• Penn & Teller

• David Copperfield

• Absinthe

• Any residency show (major artists)

2. The Strip Is 4+ Miles Long - Plan Your Hotel Location Carefully

This was hands down my BIGGEST rookie mistake. When you look at a map of the Las Vegas Strip, it looks totally walkable. In reality, it's over 4 miles from one end to the other, and walking from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere takes 90+ minutes—and that's if you're walking fast in comfortable shoes.

In summer when it's 110°F? Forget about it. You'll be miserable.

Where to actually stay:

South Strip (Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand):

• Pros: Quieter, often cheaper, close to airport

• Cons: Far from center action, lots of walking to get anywhere

Center Strip (Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Aria, Paris):

• Pros: Heart of the action, walkable to most attractions

• Cons: More expensive, more crowded

North Strip (Wynn, Encore, Venetian, Palazzo):

• Pros: More upscale, less chaotic, better restaurants

• Cons: Far from some attractions, pricier

💡 IMPORTANT: Check for in-room refrigerators! Not all Vegas hotel rooms include them (yes, really). If you want to store leftovers, keep drinks cold, or save money by not buying $8 bottled water from the minibar, make sure to filter for "refrigerator" in the room amenities when booking on Expedia. Some hotels charge $25-50 to add a fridge, while others include it free in certain room types.

⚠️ Planning a longer stay? Many Vegas hotels have a 14-day maximum stay policy. If you're planning to stay longer than 2 weeks, check the hotel's policy before booking—some properties won't allow reservations beyond 14 consecutive nights. This is especially common at Strip properties. If you need a longer stay, look into extended-stay hotels off-Strip or book two separate reservations at different properties.

Use the map view on Expedia to see what's actually within walking distance of your must-see spots. Trust me, location matters more than you think.

3. Don't Skip the Grand Canyon (But Choose Your Tour Wisely)

The Grand Canyon is only 2-4 hours away depending on which tour you choose, and it's absolutely THE must-do day trip from Vegas. But here's the thing—there are wildly different tour options at wildly different price points.

Your main options:

Bus tour: $80-150 per person

• Duration: 12-14 hours (yes, it's a long day)

• Pros: Most affordable, no flying if you're nervous

• Cons: Exhausting, lots of time on a bus, less spectacular views

Helicopter tour: $300-500 per person

• Duration: 4-6 hours

• Pros: Incredible aerial views, much faster, often includes Canyon floor landing

• Cons: More expensive, weather dependent

Airplane + helicopter combo: $400-600 per person

• Duration: 6-8 hours

• Pros: Best of both worlds, covers more ground

• Cons: Most expensive option

I did the helicopter tour on my second Vegas trip and honestly, it was the single best experience I had. The aerial views are absolutely unreal—you see the Canyon in a way you just can't from the rim. If your budget allows, splurge on this one.

Browse all Grand Canyon tour options and read real reviews on Viator or GetYourGuide. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for better prices and guaranteed availability, especially during peak season.

4. Free Attractions Are Actually Amazing

Here's some good news: You absolutely do not need to spend $500 per day to have an incredible Vegas experience. Some of the most memorable experiences in this city are completely free.

Best free things to do in Vegas:

• Bellagio Fountains - Choreographed water show every 15-30 minutes (more frequent at night)

• Fremont Street Light Show - Massive LED canopy with free concerts

• Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens - Changes seasonally, always stunning

• Mirage Volcano - Fire and water show (check if still operating)

• The LINQ Promenade - Great for people watching and street performers

• Forum Shops at Caesars - Even if you don't shop, the architecture is incredible

• Container Park - Downtown's quirky shopping area with a giant praying mantis

My strategy: Enjoy the free attractions during the day, then splurge on one or two premium experiences like a helicopter tour or top-tier show tickets. You'll have just as much fun without breaking the bank.

5. Airport Transportation: Skip the Overpriced Taxi

Las Vegas taxis are notorious for taking tourists on "long haul" routes and charging premium rates from the airport. Here are much smarter options:

Uber/Lyft: $15-30 to the Strip

• Pros: Transparent pricing, no surprises

• Cons: Surge pricing on Friday/Saturday nights can get expensive

Shared shuttle: $10-15 per person

• Pros: Cheapest option

• Cons: Multiple stops, can take 45+ minutes

Rental car: $30-50 per day

• Pros: Freedom for day trips

• Cons: Hotel parking fees ($15-50/night), you won't use it on the Strip

My personal recommendation: If you're planning day trips to Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, or Valley of Fire, skip the traditional rental car companies. I actually rent out my own RAV4 Hybrid on Turo for exactly this reason—it's perfect for desert driving, gets great mileage, and costs way less than Enterprise or Hertz.

For just airport transfers and Strip transportation, check GetYourGuide's shuttle deals or just use rideshare.

6. Buffets Aren't the Deal They Used to Be

Remember hearing about legendary $20 all-you-can-eat Vegas buffets? Yeah, those days are long gone. Most decent buffets now cost $50-80 per person for dinner, and honestly, the quality doesn't always match the price.

The reality check:

• Breakfast buffets: $25-40

• Lunch buffets: $35-50

• Dinner buffets: $50-80

• Weekend brunch: $60-100

Better alternatives for your money:

• Book a Las Vegas food tour on Viator to taste multiple restaurants without the buffet markup

• Hit up local favorites off-Strip where you'll get better food for half the price

• Try the restaurant week deals (usually in January and June)

Exception: If you're a serious eater and want variety, the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars is actually worth it. But for most people, you're better off choosing 2-3 great restaurants.

7. Summer = Cheap Hotels, Brutal Heat (Choose Wisely)

June through August you'll find insane hotel deals—sometimes as low as $40 per night for properties that cost $200 in spring. There's a reason for those prices: it's regularly 110-120°F and you literally cannot be outside during the day without risking heat exhaustion.

Best months to visit Las Vegas:

March - May (Spring):

• Pros: Perfect weather (70-85°F), outdoor activities possible, pool season starts

• Cons: More expensive, spring break crowds

September - November (Fall):

• Pros: Still warm but tolerable, fewer families, good deals

• Cons: Can still hit 100°F in September

December - February (Winter):

• Pros: Cool but pleasant (50-65°F), holiday decorations, lowest crowds

• Cons: Pools may be closed/unheated, some outdoor activities less appealing

Check Expedia's flexible dates search to see exactly how much you save by shifting your trip by just a few weeks. Sometimes moving your visit by 10 days saves $500+.

8. Book Pool Parties & Nightclubs in Advance (Don't Pay at the Door)

Showing up at the door of a Vegas nightclub or pool party costs literally 2x what you'd pay if you pre-book online. Plus, if it's a popular night or holiday weekend, you might not get in at all if they hit capacity.

The price difference is crazy:

• Pre-book online: $30-60 per person

• Pay at door: $75-150+ per person

Critical dress code rules:

• Men: No sneakers, no athletic wear, no shorts, no flip-flops, no tank tops. Dress shoes and collared shirt minimum.

• Women: More flexible, but no beachwear outside of pool parties

I've seen countless guys get turned away at the door because they showed up in Vans and a t-shirt. Check the specific venue's dress code before you go.

Browse club packages, pool party tickets, and VIP table service on GetYourGuide or Viator. Many packages include skip-the-line access and drink vouchers.

9. Hoover Dam Is Only 30 Minutes Away (Easy Half-Day Trip)

Hoover Dam is one of the most impressive engineering feats in American history, and it's just 30 minutes from the Strip. It makes for a perfect half-day trip and gives you a break from the casino chaos.

Your options:

Self-drive:

• Pros: Go at your own pace, leave when you want, cheaper

• Cons: Have to deal with parking, won't get interior dam access without booking separately

• Best if: You want flexibility and don't mind figuring it out yourself

Guided tour:

• Pros: Insider knowledge, interior dam tours included, no parking hassles, often combined with other stops

• Cons: Slightly more expensive, fixed schedule

• Best if: You want the full experience without the planning

Check out Viator's Hoover Dam tour options if you want the guided experience, or grab my RAV4 Hybrid on Turo for the day if you prefer exploring independently.

Pro tip: Combine Hoover Dam with Lake Mead or Valley of Fire State Park for a full day of sightseeing.

10. Resort Fees Are NOT Optional (And They Add Up Fast)

This is the sneakiest hidden cost in Vegas. That $79/night hotel you found? Add another $30-50 per night in mandatory "resort fees" that often aren't shown in the initial advertised price.

What resort fees supposedly cover:

• Wi-Fi (should be free anyway)

• Pool access (should be free anyway)

• Gym access (should be free anyway)

• Local phone calls (who uses hotel phones anymore?)

• Newspaper delivery (seriously?)

The trick: When comparing hotels on Expedia, look at the TOTAL price including all fees. Sometimes a hotel advertising $120/night with low resort fees ends up cheaper than a $79/night place with high fees.

Resort fees typically range from $25-50 per night depending on the property. Budget accordingly.

11. Weekends Cost 3x Weekdays (Seriously)

The same exact hotel room that costs $80 on Tuesday will be $250+ on Friday and Saturday nights. It's absolutely wild.

Real example from my recent search:

• Park MGM: $65/night (Monday-Thursday)

• Park MGM: $215/night (Friday-Saturday)

• That's literally 3.3x more for the same room

If you have any flexibility at all: Come Sunday through Thursday. You'll save hundreds of dollars and the city is way less chaotic. Lines are shorter, restaurants are easier to book, and you'll actually enjoy yourself more.

Use Expedia's calendar view to compare prices across different days of the week. The visual difference is shocking.

12. The Fremont Street Experience ≠ The Strip (Visit Both)

Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street) and the Las Vegas Strip are 4 miles apart and have completely different vibes. A lot of first-timers don't realize these are separate areas.

The Strip:

• Upscale mega-resorts

• Modern, polished, expensive

• Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Wynn

• $15+ drinks

Fremont Street (Downtown):

• Old-school Vegas, vintage neon

• Grittier, more authentic local flavor

• Massive LED canopy with light shows

• Free concerts and street performers

• $5-8 drinks

Both are worth experiencing. They're too far to walk between them—take an Uber ($12-15) or book a Fremont Street evening tour on GetYourGuide that includes transportation and a local guide.

My recommendation: Do the Strip for your first 2 days, then spend an evening downtown for the contrast.

13. You Need More Cash Than You Think

Vegas still runs heavily on tips and cash, even in 2025. You'll be tipping constantly:

Standard tipping expectations:

• Valet parking: $2-5 when they bring your car

• Housekeeping: $5 per day (leave it daily, not at checkout)

• Bartenders: $1-2 per drink minimum

• Cocktail waitresses (free drinks on casino floor): $2-5 per round

• Dealers (if you're winning): 5-10% of a big win

• Bellhops: $2-5 per bag

• Show coat check: $2-3

ATMs on the Strip charge $5-10 in fees per transaction. Bring cash from home or withdraw larger amounts at your hotel ATM (still has fees, but lower than casino floor ATMs).

Pro tip: Many casinos now have "cashless" gaming where you can load money via app, but you'll still need physical cash for tipping.

14. Day Clubs vs Night Clubs (They're Completely Different)

This confuses a lot of first-timers. Vegas has two distinct party scenes, and showing up to the wrong one at the wrong time is embarrassing.

Day clubs (pool parties):

• Hours: 11am-6pm (ish)

• Dress code: Swimwear, cover-ups, sunglasses

• Vibe: Daytime party, bottle service by the pool, EDM DJs

• Examples: Wet Republic, Encore Beach Club, Daylight

Night clubs:

• Hours: 10pm-4am

• Dress code: STRICT - dress shoes, collared shirts for men / club wear for women

• Vibe: Dark, loud, packed dance floors, celebrity DJs

• Examples: XS, Omnia, Hakkasan

Don't show up to a day club at 11pm or a nightclub in your swimsuit and flip-flops. Check GetYourGuide's club and pool party packages to see which type of event you're booking.

15. Don't Book Every Single Day Solid (Leave Room to Breathe)

This was my biggest mistake on my first trip. I booked activities, shows, and reservations from 9am until midnight every single day. By day 3, I was absolutely destroyed and couldn't enjoy anything.

Vegas is sensory overload. The lights, sounds, crowds, heat, late nights, and constant stimulation are exhausting—even if you're having fun.

My ideal 3-day Vegas itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrival & Strip Exploration

• Arrive, check in, rest for an hour

• Walk the Strip, see Bellagio Fountains

• Dinner at a nice restaurant

• Evening show (book on TicketNetwork)

• Maybe hit one bar or lounge

• Early-ish night (you're probably tired from travel)

Day 2 - Big Adventure Day

• Grand Canyon helicopter tour (compare tours on Viator)

• Return mid-afternoon

• Nap or pool time (seriously, you'll need it)

• Dinner

• Nightclub or show

Day 3 - Flexible Recovery Day

• Sleep in (no alarm)

• Pool or spa

• EITHER Hoover Dam/downtown OR just chill

• Light dinner

• Low-key evening or early flight home

Notice how Day 3 is intentionally flexible? That's your buffer day for whatever you're in the mood for.

Rule of thumb: Book 60% of your time, leave 40% open. You'll thank me later.

Ready to Book Your Vegas Trip? Final Checklist

Here's your action plan in order:

1. Choose your dates - Use Expedia's calendar to find the best rates (avoid weekends if possible)

2. Book your hotel - Center Strip location, check for refrigerator, compare total price with resort fees

3. Book your big-ticket items:

• Grand Canyon tour (Viator | GetYourGuide)

• Show tickets (TicketNetwork)

• Club/pool party entry (GetYourGuide)

4. Decide on transportation:

• Uber/Lyft for Strip only

• Turo rental if doing day trips

5. Make restaurant reservations - Do this 2-4 weeks out for popular spots

6. Leave at least one day unplanned - Trust me on this

Final Thoughts

Vegas is incredible, overwhelming, exhausting, and unforgettable—sometimes all at once. The key to a great first trip is balancing the must-dos with downtime, splurging on a few amazing experiences while skipping the tourist traps, and not trying to do absolutely everything.

The city will still be here for your second visit (and there will be a second visit—Vegas has a way of pulling you back).

What was your biggest "I wish I knew that!" moment when you visited Vegas? Drop it in the comments below. I'm always learning new tips from fellow travelers, and your experience might help someone planning their first trip right now.

Safe travels, and remember: what happens in Vegas... ends up on Instagram anyway. 😉

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend services and tours I've personally used or would use myself.

• 26, 2025

• Group: 4 adventurers

• Base: Dream Catcher Airbnb in West Sedona

• Transportation: Rental car from Las Vegas

The Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Sunset Hikes

Starting our journey at 4:00 AM from Las Vegas, we're making the scenic drive to Sedona for breakfast and diving straight into exploration.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Cibola Pass Hike - Getting acclimated with this beautiful trail

• ⛪ Chapel of the Holy Cross - Iconic Sedona landmark with stunning architecture

• 🌅 Doe Mountain Sunset Hike - Catching the famous Sedona sunset from this plateau trail (doing it twice because it's that good!)

• 🍽️ Dinner at Hideaway House - Ending the day with great food

Day 2: Devil's Bridge & E-Bikes

Our most action-packed day exploring Sedona's most famous bridge and surrounding areas.

Schedule:

• 🌄 6:00 AM - Airport Mesa Sunrise - Starting early to catch golden hour

• 🥾 Devil's Bridge - Sedona's most photographed arch (and for good reason!)

• 🚴 E-Bike Adventures - Exploring the trails on two wheels

• 🥾 Airport Bridge Hike - More stunning viewpoints

• 🥾 4:30 PM - Devil's Bridge Hike - Returning for different lighting

• 🥾 Courthouse Butte - Another iconic formation

• 🚴 Red Rock Crossing - Perfect for tripod photos at the creek

• 🍽️ Dinner at Mesa Grill - Refueling after an epic day

Day 3: Schnebly Hill & Departure

Our final morning catching sunrise at one of Sedona's best viewpoints before heading home.

Morning Plans:

• 🌄 6:00 AM - Schnebly Hill Sunrise - The grand finale view (Jeep required for this rough road!)

• 🥾 7:30 AM - Soldier Pass Hike (Caves) - Exploring Sedona's hidden caves

• 📸 Photo stops and brunch

• 🚗 12:00 PM - Drive to Outpost X - Scenic photo stop on the way back

• ⛽ Outpost X Photo Stop - Classic desert gas station vibes

• 🔑 Return Jeep rental in Vegas by 6:00 PM

Trip Costs

We're splitting everything 4 ways, with accommodation coming to about $82 per person for the entire stay. Not bad for a Sedona adventure!

Our Tips for Planning Your Sedona Trip

1. Start early - Sunrise hikes are worth the early alarm

2. Rent a Jeep or 4WD - Some roads like Schnebly Hill require it

3. Book accommodations early - Sedona is popular year-round

4. Check stay limits - If you're planning an extended trip, be aware that some hotels and Airbnbs have maximum stay policies (often 14 days). Always verify with your accommodation before booking longer stays

5. Pack layers - November mornings are chilly, afternoons warm up

6. Bring a tripod - The photo opportunities are endless

What We're Most Excited About

Honestly? All of it! But if we had to choose - those sunrise hikes and Devil's Bridge are at the top of our list. There's something magical about watching the red rocks glow at golden hour.

Have you been to Sedona? Drop your must-see spots in the comments! We might be able to squeeze in a few more adventures.

Stay tuned for our post-trip recap with all the photos and stories from this adventure!

🧷 Planning your own Sedona trip? Check out our recommendations for [car rentals] and [accommodations].

Booked & Planned by ONT Journey