Which part of town?
Las Vegas isn't one contiguous neighborhood, it's split into different sections which cater to various desires. Don't worry though, you're not stuck in one area. The main areas — as far as visitors are concerned — are separated by only about three miles and a short cab ride.
Jump to information on:
The Strip | Downtown | Off-Strip | Places to avoid
The Strip
The Strip is a cocktail made of equal parts glamour and debauchery, with just enough seediness tossed in to add flavor. It's the glitzy part of Vegas that TV shows and movies showcase, and it's where mega-hotels have blossomed over the last decade. Because of The Strip's high visibility things are more expensive than Downtown, but it's where to stay if you want everything — gambling, entertainment and nightlife — all in one area.
Best for:
- People looking for "the Vegas experience"
- Those who like clubs and other jumping nightspots
- Big-time shoppers
- Those who love luxury and want to be pampered
A bad fit for:
- Visitors on an exceptionally very tight budget
- Anyone who can't handle a big crowd
- People who have a hard time doing a lot of walking
Downtown
One word describes Downtown: cheap. Hotels, gambling tables, food and entertainment are all much less costly here than on the Strip. The trick is in learning the difference between "good cheap" and "bad cheap." Put some thought into choosing your hotel, and be realistic about what to expect, and you'll find a good balance between vacation frivolity and bargains.
Shrimp cocktail from the Golden Gate
Don't miss!
This small casino — downtown's oldest — has been famous for their delectable shrimp for 50 years. Each week they serve a ton of cold-water shrimp in their trademark tulip glasses, the sauce a perfect blend of tangy and spicy.
For almost two decades the price remained a dirt-cheap 99 cents, but inflation and rising fuel costs finally drove the casino to bump the price to $1.99 in 2008, but it's still likely to be the best bargain you'll find in Las Vegas.
Some other casinos try and tout their own version of the shrimp cocktail, but the Golden Gate reigns as king for a reason. For the savvy downtown shellfish fan, it's GG or nothing.
One more note: Don't go to the Golden Gate's snack bar — located at the back of the casino — if you're in a rush. The line is notorious for slow movement. Just bide your time and deal with the molasses pace. Like Forrest Gump's friend Bubba said, shrimp are the fruit of the sea, and this treat is worth the wait.
Best for:
- Low-budget visitors
- Serious gamblers who don't care much about other attractions
- Older people
A bad fit for:
- Anyone looking for shows or concerts
- Lovers of nightlife
- Singles hoping to hook up
Off-Strip
There are many, many casinos in the Las Vegas area that aren't on the Strip or Downtown, but most of those cater heavily toward the locals. For our purpose we're talking about the Stratosphere, the Rio, the Palms and the Hard Rock. Of these, the Strat is a nice place that suffers from a location in the middle of nowhere. The Rio is an upscale hotel where men with enhanced wallets and women with everything else enhanced fit right in. The last two, the Palms and the Hard Rock, are the party spots of choice for 20-somethings on the prowl.
Best for:
- Serious partiers
- Those who would rather spend $40 at an exceptionally nice pool than at gambling table
- Attractive young visitors looking to score
A bad fit for:
- People who want to visit lots of casinos
- Anyone who gets annoyed by 20-somethings in hair gel and flip-flops
Places to avoid
Be suspicious of in-flight magazine ads that tout casinos, hotels and hangouts as "where locals gather." This may be true, but they gather there because they're sick of tourists, and the atmosphere at places like this is geared toward this "I'm tired of everything being over the top" attitude. If you came to Vegas looking for excitement and to revel in the city's surrealness, you're going to be disappointed by locals' joints. Stick to the weirdness of the Strip, Downtown and Off-Strip.
