Greetings from fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada! There are many shocking things about Las Vegas culture, and today we’re sharing ten of them to help you prepare for your Las Vegas vacation.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #1: Gambling Everywhere
Yes, Vegas is famous for gambling, but it’s still shocking how ubiquitous gambling is in Las Vegas. From the moment you step off the plane, you are surrounded by blinking lights and the sounds of slot machines. Missed the slots in the terminal? There’s more in baggage claim, don’t worry! Gambling is at the restaurants, shops and convenience stores.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #2: Taxi Prices
With no public transportation to speak of, the taxis in Las Vegas have cornered the market on airport transportation. It’s easily going to cost $40 from the airport to the strip. Coming back to the airport will be slightly cheaper. Want to go from the strip to the Fremont Street area? Plan on at least $20 for that trip. If the driver asks which way to take, local or highway, the local will be slightly cheaper. The drivers can be a bit shocking, too.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #3: Smoking
While most of the U.S. no longer allows public smoking, it’s still very prevalent in Las Vegas. Bars, casinos, strip clubs and brothels are all exempt from the public smoking ban. If you don’t like the smell of smoke, make sure you ask for a non-smoking room. Don’t bother complaining about the smoke around you in casinos; it’s not worth getting into fisticuffs over.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #4: 24/7 Non-Stop Activity
Vegas is truly the city that never sleeps. It is go-go-go all the time. People love Vegas because anything goes. If you want breakfast for dinner, gambling at 4 am, or day parties that never end, you’ll find it in Vegas. There’s no such thing as “last call” in Las Vegas. Want to rent a sports car and try out a racetrack? Vegas. Want to try a high powered machine gun at a shooting range? Vegas.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #5: Open Containers
In Vegas, you can drink alcohol, in the open, any time of day. Most cities in the U.S. have laws against open liquor containers in public, so seeing everyone walking around with their beers or cocktails is shocking at first. Beware, though, this only applies to the Strip, not everywhere in Las Vegas. (Glass containers are not allowed, either)
Las Vegas Culture Shock #6: Crazy Drunk People
Vegas is known as a party destination, but it’s still a shock to see so many crazy and/or drunk people wandering around. The movie Hangover is not much of an exaggeration of the crazy stuff that happens in Vegas. There are many kinds of crazy in Vegas: crazy funny, crazy scary, crazy drunk and crazy cool. Be especially careful around the crazy drunk people.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #7: Porn Peddlers
Sure, strip shows and escorts are a major part of the Las Vegas culture. But the porn peddlers are the people on the street handing out “playing cards” featuring escorts. They are everywhere in Vegas and hand them out like candy, even if you are walking with your family in the middle of the day.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #8: Prices
Vegas is expensive. There are deals to be had, but what will really shock you are the resort fees. These hidden costs are popping up in nearly every Vegas hotel. Your room rate may be $150, but if you don’t pay attention the resort fee can add another $20-$50 per night to your room bill. Resort fees cover the pool, WiFi and other things you expect for free in most hotels, but it’s not optional.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #9: Food
There are so many amazing options for eating in Las Vegas. Whether you want all-night buffets or world-class dining, Vegas has it all. Many celebrity chefs have restaurants in Las Vegas. You can also find any cuisine you want in Vegas. French, Italian, Ethiopian, and sushi are all here in Vegas. If you are on a budget, there are cheap buffets and dining deals, but you can also splash out on a five-course expensive meal.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #10: Free Drinks
It’s true, you can get free drinks in Las Vegas. You have to be gambling to receive comp drinks, but you can get them anywhere in a casino. If you’re not gambling, expect to pay high prices unless you venture outside to the casino to nearby bars. If you want good service, make sure you’re tipping the cocktail waitress at least $1 for every drink they bring. The better the tips, the better the service.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #11: Heat
Vegas weather can be shocking. It’s generally very hot, but there are also huge shifts in the temperature from day to night. Summer temperatures often reach 115 degrees (46 Celsius.) Even though it’s a dry heat, it’s still way too hot to be outdoors. The only way to enjoy Las Vegas in the summer is in the air-conditioned casinos and hotels. In the other seasons, it can get really chilly at night, so make sure you bring layers if you visit in the fall, winter or spring.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #12: More than Casinos
Vegas is not just casinos. There are so many things do to in Vegas beyond gambling. There are endless entertainment options, including shows and performances at the hotels. Just outside of Vegas, there are cool state parks and nature experiences to have. Go to Mt. Charleston, Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam or even the Grand Canyon in just a day trip from Vegas. There are great live performances from famous comedians and musicians, too.
Las Vegas Culture Shock #13: No Clocks
There are no clocks in the casinos of Vegas. They want you to lose track of time and just keep gambling. With no closing time or last call, there’s no need to know what time it is.
For more Las Vegas tips, check out some of our other blog posts and videos: