[PHOTO_90017]The bad news: you've got only one day to experience the myraid things to do along the Las Vegas Strip, which includes gambling, shopping, fine dining, nightclubs, and shows–and that's just hitting the high points. The good news? The Strip is within a relatively small area, so your chances of taking in a good slice of activities are quite high. And for many visitors, the sensory overload that is Las Vegas is too much for more than a day or two, so one day may be just the right amount of time to spend amid the neon and casinos.
Step One: Make reservations for the evening.
Decide what you'd like to do before heading out for the day. Are you a foodie? Perhaps a reservation at one of the incredible restaurants along the Strip will be the perfect end to a full day on the Strip. What about a show? Some acts sell out months in advance (notably Celine Dion), so have a few choices lined up. Once you've decided what you want to do–and whether or not you'll need reservations or tickets–make those plans first.
Step Two: Head to the casino.
You're in Vegas, baby, so that means you need to drop a few dollars in a machine or on the table. If you already know how to gamble or have a game of choice, you know what to do. If gambling is new to you, see if there are in-room how-tos on the television. For the braver, more tech-savvy novice gambler, simply head to the casino, sit down at a machine, and figure it out as you go.
Step Three: Budget some additional time in the casino.
You may have planned on doing all kinds of things throughout the day, but for a large number of Las Vegas visitors, those plans wither away inside the casino. There are no clocks, and very few casinos have windows, so it's easy to lose track of time. Be a wise visitor and don't over-book your day.
Step Four: Spend some time on foot along the Strip or Downtown.
The best way to see the major Las Vegas attractions is on foot. Navigating heavy traffic and massive parking garages can eat up sizeable chunks of time, so find a place to park and hoof it for a while. The Bellagio's parking garage is one of the easiest to navigate, and also puts you with easy walking distance of many well-known attractions like the Bellagio Fountains and the Mirage's volcano. If you decide to experience some of Old Vegas, head Downtown and park in one of the parking garages attached to the Fremont Street Experience. Then you can get a drink and commence to walking up and down the five blocks that make up the FSE.
Step Five: Have an incredible dinner.
If you've already planned on eating at an award-winning restaurant, give yourself enough time to head back to your hotel and get dressed (no flip-flops in five star restaurants, please). If your dinner plans are still up in the air, why not hit a Vegas buffet?
Step Six: Wind down with a drink at the casino bar.
One of the best things about Las Vegas is the terrific people watching. One of the best places to engage in this activity is the casino bar, where you can have a drink and enjoy some free entertainment. You can also drop a few more dollars in a machine–who knows? Maybe you'll get lucky and pay for your one day in Vegas.
