Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

The 131 square miles that make up the city of Las Vegas have experienced massive population growth over the past decade, making the city the fastest growing in the country each year and pushing the total population to approximately 600,000. The city has experienced such an influx of residents that it is the only metropolitan area in the US that requires two editions of the Yellow Pages each year. Vegas is also the largest city in the country that was founded in the 20th century. The infusion is largely young people, pushing the median age in this ebullient city to 34.

The tourism industry is the undisputed king in Vegas, with casinos raking in more than $5.8 billion in 2002 from gambling alone. There are also more than 102,000 hotel rooms available – more than any other city in the world.

Weather

Las Vegas enjoys a relatively warm climate year-round, with highs reaching the triple digits in the summer and dipping to the upper-50s Fahrenheit in the winter. Summer evenings, temps hover in the 70s, while winter brings low temperatures in the 30s. There are typically close to 300 days of sunshine, and with the vast majority of activities and entertainment going on indoors, anytime is a great time to visit.

Holidays & Business Hours

While many shops, museums, and attractions keep traditional business hours, from around 9am to 6pm, Vegas is a city that never sleeps, so most casinos, bars, and lots of restaurants stay open very late or don't close at all. While many businesses and banks close on federal holidays, casinos and other tourist-related businesses often stay open. Check individual listings or call ahead to find out more about the attractions and businesses you plan to visit.

Coming & Going

McCarran International Airport is just a few miles from the ultimate destination for the vast majority of Las Vegas visitors – The Strip. The airport recently underwent a $500 million facelift, and in addition to its two terminals and expansive esplanade, it offers a taste of the city's favorite pastime by showcasing more than 1,000 slot machines.

The easiest way to make your way to and from the airport is to hop on a shuttle. These minibuses hit every major hotel all day, starting at 7:45am and ending at midnight.

Upon arriving at the airport, just wait on the curb, and a bus will be flagged down for you. When departing, you could look for the service outside your hotel, but you may want to call Bell Trans (702-739-7990) to arrange for a timely pickup. The brief trip costs around $6.50 one-way to and from hotels off the Strip and $12 round trip.

If you're looking to save every penny for the craps tables, try Citizen's Area Transit (CAT) buses. Take the 108 bus from the airport to the Stratosphere, and then grab the 301, which hits all of the major Strip hotels. Fare is $2.

Taxis to and from the airport are plentiful and cost approximately $15-$20.

Making Your Way

McCarran International offers the typical range of car-rental options, which can be a wise choice for people who want to take in the whole area but don't want to spend all of their time hoofing it. The Strip is less than four miles long, but the resorts take up massive amounts of acreage, and the entrances are spread far enough apart to make walking unpleasant or (in the heat of the summer) downright unbearable. However, traffic jams are to be expected, especially during morning and afternoon rush hours, so give yourself plenty of time even if you only have a few miles to travel. The best part of traveling by car: parking is no problem thanks to free valet service at all major hotels.

If you prefer taking cabs, you'll have no problem flagging one down – they'll be waiting for you in front of your hotel. The trip from the Strip to the downtown area is around $10. Make sure you discourage your cabbie from traveling straight down the Strip, as it's a sure way to add time – and therefore money – to your fare.

The monorail, which opened in 2004, is a fun way to get to any locale along the Strip. It travels four miles from MGM Grand at the southern end to the Sahara at the northern end and features several stops at big-ticket hotels and casinos in between. Fares are $3 one-way, and the entire four-mile trip takes about 15 minutes.

Or try the Las Vegas Strip Trolley. These air-conditioned vehicles are reminiscent of a bygone era and run every 15 minutes until 2am; they stop at many major hotels and attractions.

News & Views

The daily Las Vegas Review-Journal is the largest newspaper in Nevada and is found at most businesses. The Las Vegas Sun, now part of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is another daily news offering with business, classifieds, sports, and plenty of information about local entertainment. Other helpful publications to pick up – they're free and located throughout the city – include Las Vegas City Life and Las Vegas Weekly, which include comprehensive listings of events and entertainment options.

Quirks & Curiosities

Vegas is synonymous with curiosities and quirks. For example, although the city is known as Sin City, it has more than 500 churches and synagogues – more per capita than any city in the country.
It's also the marriage capital of the world, with more than 10,000 couples getting marriage licenses each month. There are no blood tests or waiting periods – all that is required is that both parties be at least 18.

When you enter the Strip, don't forget to say hi to Vegas Vic, the 50-foot cowboy that is one of the city's signatures. Vic has been welcoming visitors since 1951 and is the world's largest mechanical neon sign.

If you aren't here to gamble, consider yourself the minority – studies show that nine out of 10 visitors gamble while in Vegas. Blackjack and video poker have been shown to offer the best chance of winning.

One traveling quirk to consider is the city's desert location. If you're driving to Vegas and must circumnavigate the desert, remember to take extra water – the heat and dryness can cause your car to overheat. Road signs instruct when to turn off your car's air conditioner. If your car does overheat, let it cool down before removing the radiator cap and adding water.

Getting Your Bearings

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is located at 3150 Paradise Road (877-VISIT-LV or www.vegasfreedom.com). It's open daily from 8am to 5pm. Or try the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce on Howard Hughes Parkway (702-735-1616 or lvchamber.com), also open 8am to 5pm.

The easiest place to load up on tourist information is at your hotel. Most of them have extensive displays of materials covering activities both in and out of the city. Visit your hotel's show desk to find out more about the various forms of entertainment currently on tap.

Necessities - Post Offices

The post office nearest the Strip is at 3100 South Industrial Road at Stardust (800-275-8777). It is located behind the Stardust and Circus Circus. Downtown, look for the post office at 301 Stewart Avenue (800-275-8777). Another post office is located near McCarran Airport at 1001 East Sunset Avenue.

Common Courtesies

Although tipping is generally a personal matter, there are some guidelines that prove helpful to travelers. At restaurants, servers typically get 15% of the bill, although 10% acknowledges basic assistance, and 20% awards exceptional service. It is also common now for some restaurants to charge an automatic gratuity of 18% for groups. You should be aware of this possibility before providing an additional tip. Taxi drivers usually fit into similar guidelines by receiving a tip equivalent to 15% of the tab.

A dollar tip covers many situations. Bartenders are customarily given $1 per cocktail, hotel maids are provided $1 for each day of a stay, bellhops get about $1 per bag, and a coat-check clerk typically receives $1 as well. The exception is a concierge, who generally receives $5-$10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more).