Don’t skimp on the view
You should never demand or expect an upgrade, but it’s worth trying for one in Vegas to ensure the view from your room is a good one. Ask nicely at the check-in desk. It could mean the difference between marveling at Vegas’s quintessential, 24-hour marquee lights and staring at a row of parked cars.
It’s a gay paradise
Not only does Vegas have a vibrant, welcoming LGBTQ+ community, but its nightlife zone was recently named an official historic district by the state. The Fruit Loop, as it’s called, contains landmark clubs like Gipsy and Piranha, both of which regularly feature performers from RuPaul’s Drag Race. It’s not uncommon to wind up staying out til 4 a.m. on a Saturday—in which case, see above on tips for late-night munchies.
Rodeo season is lit
Mega-conferences like CES and CONEXPO are usually reasons to stay off the Strip. But one event worth overlapping with is the National Finals Rodeo, which takes over the city each December. You’ll know the cowboys are in town because every casino suddenly fills up with Stetson hats, and street buskers start belting Chris Stapleton and Garth Brooks. The lasso-wielding crowd adds a rowdy, playful energy to the usual Strip mayhem, and they sure know how to drink.
Dress to impress
While it’s technically not against the rules to wander around the casino in your PJs, putting a little effort into appearance goes a long way in Vegas. Remember, this is a city of illusion, and standing out is kind of the whole point. So go ahead, wear that floor-length sequin gown to dinner. You only live once, right?
Be smart about the spa
Spa day passes are for chumps. Instead, book a service (a basic 50-minute massage, say) at one of the nicer spas like Lapis or Awana. And do it on a weekday, when prices are lower. Then, after your treatment, enjoy full access to the pools, rain showers, saunas, and salt grottos. That’s what I call a winning bet.
