Vegas/General US Survival Tips

[Johawn]

So for a birthday surprise, turns out I'm off to Vegas on Wednesday. Sweet deal. I've never been to your land before and was wondering if any of the fine people here could give me any general tips on being in Vegas, or even just being in the US? For example, when should one tip? Are taxes included? Where's good to eat? Can I do Vegas without spending every penny I ever earned?

Hit me up! Plz.

[MiLB Fan]

Have a great trip, and welcome to the USA!

Start with this website; it will give you the basics and some ideas about what to do when you get there.

www.lasvegas.com/planning-tools/vegas-basics/home/

Tipping is expected for taxi rides, and at sit-down restaurants and bars. When the waiter brings you the bill, look for a space that says "Tip." That's where you write in the amount and then add it to the cost of your food to get the total. Some places might help you out by suggesting different amounts and printing them right on the bill--if you want to tip 20% leave this much, 25% leave this much, and so on.

Check with the staff at your hotel--they can offer suggestions on what to do, and the lobby will be stocked with pamphlets about different attractions.

[Deleted]

I've never been there before but my brother was just there last week. Vegas is known for its buffets and you can eat well for cheap. In terms of tipping, you'll tip for sit down meals, room service if you have it, valet parking, taxis, etc. It's polite to tip for services like, say, getting a haircut as well if that happens.

Get an itinerary going. There are a ton of places to visit, shows to see, bands playing and comedians doing shows.

[Fade]

Just have fun yo...I spent an entire weekend there with friends drunk once..if you have an accent, talk to as many girls as possible.. They'll go goo-goo-ga-ga for that.

[Toilet Paper Roll]

Well you're going to Vegas so you're going to spend some money. Honestly the beauty of Vegas is if you spend money gaming you can generally eat and drink for free. They have countless buffets many are bad, but some are good. Most casinos have a handful of restaurants too.

People will try to sell you things on the street (avoid)
People will hand you out brochures for sex on the streets (avoid)

If you're in to gaming but don't want t go broke either go to penny slots with high multipliers or table games for $5 (Craps, Carribean Stud Pokers, Catch a Wave) can last some time if you don't want to bust quick.

[Stu]

Where are you staying? That's a big factor

[Father Dougal McGuire]

Food and drinks are cheap in Vegas if you keep to the casinos. If you do get comped a drink (get one for free) still tip, my rule of thumb is $1 for beers and shots/simple drinks like Jack and Coke and 7 and 7s and $2 for fancier multi ingredient drinks. A happy bartender/waiter is a good friend to have.

[G✇JI☈A]

Jun 4, 2017 0:24:10 GMT -5 Father Dougal McGuire said:

Food and drinks are cheap in Vegas if you keep to the casinos. If you do get comped a drink (get one for free) still tip, my rule of thumb is $1 for beers and shots/simple drinks like Jack and Coke and 7 and 7s and $2 for fancier multi ingredient drinks. A happy bartender/waiter is a good friend to have.

A good tip is to feed a game machine small currency and you can get drinks for free just make sure you tip the server.

I was so surprised by that. I was killing time before a Penn & Teller Show at the Rio, playing a video poker machine, just making small bets. After giving a $2 tip I ask how much for gin & tonic I ordered she said 'tips just fine'.

[Deleted]

Just gonna give the same advice that was given to me.

Stay away from the strip

go to Freemont street

[Shy Guy]

stay hydrated

[G✇JI☈A]

And lip balm (like a Chapstick) gets incredibly dry there, even in the colder months. Your lips will thank you for it.

[Oh Cry Me a Screwball]

Jun 4, 2017 3:47:27 GMT -5 Shy Guy said:

stay hydrated

As a Vegas native, this is by far the most important one, especially if you are drinking.

[Captain & Diet]

I was just in Las Vegas yesterday. All of my family lives there so I get to play tour guide often.

Cruise the strip in a vehicle. Maybe grab an Uber at Mandalay Bay and take it downtown via The Strip. I wouldn't stop at any of the casinos. It's busy and messy. It'll take you forever to walk one side to the other. Busses traveling north up Las Vegas Blvd take forever and aren't tourist friendly.

Definitely head to Fremont Street. I think it's the best thing about Vegas. It still has some of the old Vegas charm. There's cover bands and local musicians playing for free, outside every night. Plant yourself at the Four Queens patio bar and watch the freak show. There's all kinds of weirdos down there. There are also lots of nice people like yourself from all over the world. There are a bunch of casinos and things to see all within walking distance. There's great food there as well as very nice hotel rooms downtown.

If you get the chance and want to see Vegas history check out:

www.neonmuseum.org

themobmuseum.org

Lots of people like to try their hand at shooting and this is a safe, fun place that we go to all the time. It's a great place to see what all the fuss is all about regarding the US 2nd Amendment.

www.clarkcountynv.gov/parks/pages/clark-county-shooting-park.aspx

And finally, close to the Strip is a playable pinball museum.
www.pinballmuseum.org

Have fun. Let me know of you have questions. I'm happy to answer anything.

[Mighty Attack Tribble]

Jun 4, 2017 4:03:12 GMT -5 G✇JI☈A said:

And lip balm (like a Chapstick) gets incredibly dry there, even in the colder months. Your lips will thank you for it.

I was in Vegas in April, and boy do I regret not having chap stick for the first couple of days.

[Nr1Humanoid]

Great tips here, I'm going myself in August. Is the Hoover Dam close? Where's the building with the rides on top? Should I visit Grand Canyon from Vegas or stay closer and go to Vegas after?

[Red Impact]

Vegas can be done for as cheaply or as expensively as you want. A lto of places are cheap because they expect to make it up at the casinos. If you don't gamble, it's a very reasonable trip. The favorite place I ate was Hash House a Go Go for breakfast.

Tax is not included for some random reason

Different casinos have their own shows and attractions, like the rides on the Stratosphere. Some don't cost anything. Fremont street is a lot of fun.

[SHAKEMASTER TV9 is Don Knotts]

I liked the MGM Grand buffet, but opinions may vary. I thought they had more choices than other buffets.

[agent817]

I was in Vegas a couple of weeks ago. I went with my folks in honor of my dad's birthday. Anyway, it was fun, but there are a lot of people on the strip and there are a lot of things to see. I wish I could have seen more stuff, as well as get some pictures with some people on the strip. I enjoyed the Santana show that I went to.

[Shy Guy]

regarding roller coasters, i did the one at New York New York, and it was very rough. left bruises on my shoulders the next day from the harness. it was also $14

[Stu]

Jun 4, 2017 10:11:19 GMT -5 Shy Guy said:

regarding roller coasters, i did the one at New York New York, and it was very rough. left bruises on my shoulders the next day from the harness. it was also $14

I can vouch for this. It's a very bumpy ride and it left me with a headache.