I'm arriving in Vegas the last week in September and was wondering what the dress code is in the casinos. Is it all James Bond or casual? And what's the weather like then?
Thanks for a great site.
Steve K.
(United Kingdom)
Steve, first off let's talk about Vegas and when I think is a good time to go. The "good" time of the year starts now and ends exactly never. No matter what the weather's like there's some remedy for it. If it's hot, get a drink and a lounge chair beside one of the man pools (my favorite is the complex inside the MGM Grand). If it's cold, grab a cocktail and a comfy seat at a blackjack table. If it's fair to middling, get a drink and walk around the shops. Rainy? Drink and craps. Sunny? Drink and chicken wings in a sports lounge. You get the picture.
While it does get very hot there in the desert, there's really no reason to fear Las Vegas weather. NASA doesn't run temperature control in the space shuttle as well as casino staff run the air conditioning. If Vegas is nothing else, it is an artificial environment. In fact, one could spend much of their vacation completely indoors or submerged in a pool… or both.
September is actually one of the better months to be there and outdoors. On the rare occasions you'd like to leave the comfort of a casino, the temperature is likely to be around 85 to 90 degrees — 29 to 32 degrees, for you. That may sound warm and sunny for clammy British skin, and it is, but the desert is very dry which makes the heat more bearable. It won't get too cold at night, maybe down to 60 or 65 degrees — 16 to 18 degrees for you.
Vegas casinos have no dress code. They don't care if you're in a tuxedo, a bunny outfit or your aunt's hot pants — as long as you're carrying cash they'll let just about anything slide. There's a small risk of feeling out-of-place in the high-end casinos if you press the "slobby casual" look too hard, and some of the ritzier clubs and restaurants require dress clothes — a nice button-down shirt, slacks and big boy shoes — but very little else in Vegas needs a fancy dress up.
Since we're on the topic of dry weather and clothing, let me repeat once again the unofficial FirstTimeLasVegas.com mantra, creed, slogan, words of wisdom and piece of advice we hammer into the heads of everyone who visits during summer: "Bring more underwear than you think you'll need." Sounds like a very Zen mystery right now, doesn't it? Trust us, it'll all make sense once you're there.
July 6, 2010, 2:02 pm
My opinion is that you're much better off taking part in a Grand Canyon tour rather than driving yourself. The drive is very long (figure at least five hours each way), the roads start to get bad and you end up getting nickeled-and-dimed by parking fees. If you don't mind spending the cash, a helicopter tour is the most memorable way to see the canyon, and travel time is much less. Bus tours are less expensive but will take up most of a full day; they're still better than driving, though.
Take a look at our Bargains page for any special deals and/or upgrades that may be currently available for Grand Canyon outings.
July 5, 2010, 3:02 pm
thinking of hiring a car to go the grand canyon would it take long to get there and would it be safe
May 25, 2010, 9:22 am
As we are going to las vegas for our honey moon we will be walking alot and taking in the sights among other things. I was wondering if it was permitted to take a light weightpack for water and picking soveniers into the casino areas as we would like to play at different places as we go?
April 8, 2010, 5:11 pm
me and my husband going to vegas for his 50th,in april,staying at the lax ,what to wear ?,,is the hotel to posh ?full off young kids ? casual dress for dinner or smart?help
March 8, 2010, 4:05 pm
im taking my first flight and first trip to vegas in june25-28 i dont no what to wear nor what to do im 42 i wanna see a show and go to a dance club i like to ballroomdance and chicago step dance im an african american female looking to have a wonderful time in vegas please help me
March 6, 2010, 1:38 pm
Hiya,we are 2 couples staying at Bellagio in March to celebrate 40th birthday. What will weather be like so know how to dress?.Can anyone recommend posh resteraunt for nice meal and clubs for party nights? Have been recommended Love show, and sunset trip to grand canyon. Is this ok?
February 23, 2010, 9:30 pm
EACH CASINO HAS OWN THEME SO YOU CAN DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO CEASARS PALACE HAS FREE SHOW AND I THINK IT HAS CHEESECAKE FACTORY THERE IS A VEGAS MOB TOUR THIS IS A BUS TOUR AROUND VEGAS WITH SOME HISTORY OF THE MOB SHOULD GO TO FREMONT ST LOCATED OFF STRIP AT LEAST ONE TIME AT NIGHT FOR LASER SHOW AND THINGS ARE MORE REASONABLY PRICED YOU CAN GAMBLE WHERE I WON 1200 DOLLARS LAST SUMMER ON PENNY SLOTS VEGAS HAS LOT TO OFFER JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO THIS IS MY THIRD TIME GOING
February 22, 2010, 1:22 am
Lee, take a look at our Las Vegas Weather page for both general information on what is typical during a particular time of year and the short-term forecast.
Must-see things? My usual advice is to make sure to go to at least one show or tour. Couple that with the odd things you're sure to see just out and about, and that makes for the best stories to tell when you get back home.
Keep an eye on our Bargains page for any discounts and/or upgrades for attrations that may come available.
February 21, 2010, 7:11 pm
me & my husband are going to vegas for the first time, first week in march, what is weather like???? what are must see thing ??? Thank you
February 14, 2010, 10:38 pm
Connie, what is likely to work best is to pick one or two major things that you know you want to do and splurge on those. Save money by booking a hotel that's still nice, but not one of the most luxurious. For most visitors a mid-level hotel is fine.
For the splurges, a Vegas show should be on the list — Ka, O, Le Reve and Viva Elvis are my current favorites — and a trip to the Grand Canyon is a very impressive experience. Whenever discounts and/or upgrades to things like this are available, we try and keep them liked on our page of special deals.
February 12, 2010, 1:36 pm
We are bringing our 21 yr old granddaughter to 'see the sights' in October. Any suggestions on what she might enjoy? We are on a budget & not heavy gamblers, but want to show her a 'little of the world'.
January 14, 2010, 4:09 pm
were planning a getaway in July for our honeymoon, what would you say is the best things to do?
January 5, 2010, 6:30 pm
hi im heading 2 vegas in march just woundering what the weather will b like and whay sort of clothing 2 bring,its my v 1st time and im so excited thanks xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
January 2, 2010, 5:41 pm
Stick to the main parts of The Strip and Downtown and you're perfectly safe. Wandering off the heavily trafficked areas can get iffy, though. In other words, don't try to walk from the main Strip to the Stratoshphere and don't go traipsing off from the Fremont Street Experience.
December 28, 2009, 3:43 pm
Hig
Just booked a late deal arriving Jan 1st.
I intend to do a lot of walking around the Strip.
Is it a safe to walk about with expensive camera equipment, any areas I should avoid?
Many thanks.
December 16, 2009, 12:36 pm
We're going to las vagas for Xmas with our 9 year old. will he enjoy it ? what is there for kids ?
thanks.
December 6, 2009, 10:05 pm
The Grand Canyon is really spectacular. It's not a short trip from Las Vegas — booking a motor coach tour will pretty much fill up a full day — but it's worth the time. I usually do advise booking reserverations in advance, just to head off one potential worry, if nothing else.
Something you might consider, if you really want an impressive tour of the Canyon, is a helicopter tour. Here's a link that offers a little discount on those:
http://firsttimelasvegas.com/link/gchelicopter
Taxis and limos are exceptionally easy to find at the airport. If there are six of you arriving be aware that you will have take two taxis. If you want to travel in style, limos for a group that size aren't much more expensive than taxis. Here's information:
http://firsttimelasvegas.com/getting-there/airport-info/
December 6, 2009, 7:51 am
Need any advice re visiting Grand Canyon between Xmas/New Year. How far? Is is easy to book once in Vegas or should we do this before we travel? Best to fly – is coach trip a long journey? Also, 6 of us visiting – should we bok limo transfer or are they easy to pick up at airport? Thanks!
October 29, 2009, 8:11 pm
I'm going to Vegas beginning of November. Not sure what to pack for clothes. Hoping to take in lots of shows, helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon & walking to strip. Help! Great site by the way, very helpful.
October 22, 2009, 7:01 am
Good afternoon,
Love your site. Really informative. Heading to Vegas in November for the first time (of many I hope). What is the weather like then for getting around during the day? Plan on helicopter ride etc and the spacewalk at the Grand Canyon.
August 11, 2009, 4:22 pm
Sharon,
We'll be answering a question in the next few days about Las Vegas during the Christmas/New Year's season. I'll make sure to post a link here when it's online.
July 29, 2009, 5:26 am
Im going to vegas for christmas,is ther much to do christmas day,apart from casinos