Top 10 First-Timer Mistakes in Las Vegas – And What to Do Instead

Las Vegas is one of the top travel destinations in the world for a reason – a trip here can easily turn into the travel experience of a lifetime. Before you jump headfirst into your Vegas getaway, it’s a good idea to read up on the most common mistakes that first-timers make when visiting Sin City. We’ve put together this list of the top 10 Las Vegas mistakes to avoid and what to do instead to ensure your Vegas vacation is fun, fulfilling, and simply unforgettable.

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1. Not Exploring Off-Strip

When people think of Las Vegas, they think of the Strip – Sin City’s center of activity, where the mega-resorts and many of the most iconic landmarks are located. The Las Vegas Strip is famous for a reason, but sticking to this one part of town means you’ll miss out on the full Vegas experience.

What to Do Instead

Leave room in your itinerary for adventuring off the main drag. Visit Downtown Las Vegas, the “old Vegas” where you’ll find unique retro experiences, delicious local dining spots, and the famous Fremont Street Experience. Discover the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert by taking a tour of Red Rock or an adrenaline-pumping ATV adventure.

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2. Planning Too Full of an Itinerary

There’s so much to see and do in Las Vegas that you might be tempted to try to pack it all into too tight an itinerary. Distances can be farther than they look, long lines can hold you up for time, and unexpected discoveries will almost certainly make you want to linger a while and enjoy the magic of the present moment.

What to Do Instead

The best way to enjoy Vegas is to plan two or three anchor activities each day of your visit, like dining at one of the best restaurants in town, seeing a world-class show, or visiting a top attraction. Leave time aside for wandering, taking in the sights and sounds, and finding hidden gems.

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3. Underestimating the Heat

The desert heat in Vegas is no joke. In the summer months, temperatures get up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius), and you can very quickly become overheated and dehydrated before you even realize what’s happening. Combine that with a few margaritas and longer-than-expected walks on the Strip, and you have a recipe for disaster.

What to Do Instead

Pack for intense heat: Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, light clothing, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes, and a sun hat. Carry a refillable water bottle with you wherever you go and keep sipping throughout the day. Plan any outdoor activities for early in the day or later in the evening when the sun isn’t blazing. During the heat of the day, schedule activities that keep you cool.

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4. Gambling Away All of Your Money

Las Vegas casinos are super exciting – the buzzing atmosphere, the sound of jackpots hitting, and the brightly colored slot machines are all designed to draw you in and forget about your budget entirely. If you’re not careful, you might find yourself out of money for enjoying any other activities on your trip.

What to Do Instead

If you want to try your luck at the casino, decide on (and stick to) a set budget for gambling each day. Bring that amount with you to the casino in cash, and leave the rest of your money, as well as your debit cards, in the hotel room. There are lots of non-gambling activities to enjoy in Vegas if you want to avoid the casinos entirely. It also helps to practice gambling ahead of time so you know all the rules and the best way to play.

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5. Not Budgeting for Hidden Fees

There are a few hidden costs that often take first-time Vegas visitors by surprise. The one that surprises the heck out of almost everyone is the dreaded resort fee: a mandatory fee that gets added to each night of your hotel room rate. When you check in, there’s going to be an incidental deposit of up to $100 per night, per room. Then there are parking fees, which, unfortunately, have been getting a lot more expensive in recent years.

What to Do Instead

Read the small print when you reserve a hotel room online, specifically looking for what the nightly resort fee is (or you can take a look at our resort fee guide). You might want to book a room at one of the few Vegas hotels without a resort fee. Before you hit the “book” button, Google what the nightly incidental deposit is for your hotel, and take a look at our parking fees guide.

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6. Forgetting to Book Restaurant Reservations

In Vegas, there are dining spots to suit every craving, but the best restaurants in Las Vegas often have huge waitlists that require reservations to be made up to months in advance. Forgetting to book a table at your restaurant of choice might mean you end up wandering the Strip looking for a place to eat instead of enjoying the perfect romantic dinner you hoped for.  

What to Do Instead

If you have any specific restaurants in mind, book reservations for a few of them as soon as you start planning your trip. You can always cancel a restaurant reservation if you don’t end up needing it.

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7. Burning Yourself Out Early in the Trip

Sin City can be really over-stimulating, and if you try to fit in too many activities on day one, you might find yourself too burnt out to enjoy the rest of your Vegas vacay. Las Vegas is a party city, and if you’re not careful, you may find yourself with a killer hangover on day two.

What to Do Instead

We have two words for you: pace yourself. Spend your first day settling into your hotel room, lounging in a pool cabana, and doing some light exploring. Balance your wild night out at the club with relaxing activities, and if you need to, take a look at our hangover recovery tips.

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8. Staying Too Far from the Action

If you’re booking a hotel room based on price alone, you might end up staying at a hotel that’s located way too far away from the major attractions in Vegas. Then you’ll end up spending too much time and money getting back and forth from the places you want to be.

What to Do Instead

Figure out how you want to spend your time – if you are excited about visiting the most famous sightseeing spots and huge casinos, book a hotel on the Strip. If you want a more vintage Vegas vibe, book a room at one of the best Downtown Vegas hotels. Still not sure? Take a look at our guide on choosing the best Vegas hotel for your needs.

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9. Waiting Until the Last Minute to Book Show Tickets

Las Vegas is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World for a reason: the shows here are simply breathtaking. People come from all over the world to see huge headliner acts and Cirque du Soleil shows, but tickets sell out quickly. Before you know it, that show you were hoping to see might cost $1,000 per ticket or more.

What to Do Instead

If you’ve got your heart set on seeing a popular headliner or big production, book your tickets as soon as you can. This will give you more seat selection, and you’ll be able to get much better seats for a fraction of the cost.

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10. Not Planning for At Least One Epic Las Vegas Experience

Some first-time Vegas visitors fill their trip with lots of cool things to do, but forget to plan one real “signature” Vegas moment. This means they end up walking around, taking in the sights and gambling, without coming away with a truly unforgettable Vegas memory.

What to Do Instead

Schedule your trip around at least one spectacular Vegas experience that will stay with you forever. Whether it’s a day trip to the Grand Canyon, a helicopter flight over the city, splurging on a high-end experience, or seeing one of the best shows we’ve ever seen, it’s worth a bit of planning to have a truly memorable Las Vegas trip.