Las Vegas City Guide

Las Vegas Overview

One-armed bandits, beautiful desert, free drinks and unlimited glitz.

Las Vegas is all about glamour for its own sake: over-the-top hustle and flash as means and end. Its crowds of people in polyester pantsuits, big hair and gold chains, staring at neon signs and spinning cherries like deer hypnotised by headlights.

Not that Vegas doesn't have a serious side - billions are at stake on the tables and at the megaresorts. But you're given enough distractions to ignore it, until you lose. If you tire of the ding-ding-ding of the slot machines, the surrounding area has some of the Southwest's most beautiful scenery.

Las Vegas Photo Gallery

Photographs of Las Vegas

More delicately worked neon, in neon's world capital

City at night, with a big strip of candy down the middle

Land of slots, ribs and burgers

Las Vegas Fast Facts

Facts about Las Vegas

Currency in Las Vegas

Notes in United States

American banknotes (bills) often confuse visitors: they're all the same size and the same colour. Be especially careful not to hand over too much cash, and always check your change carefully. Be careful not to accept incomplete or severely torn notes, as they can be refused; small rips are usually not a problem. Bills come in denominations of 1, 2 (rare), 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars.

Coins in United States

Coins come in 1 (penny), 5 (nickel), 10 (dime), 25 (quarter) cent and 50 cent denominations; there is also a dollar coin.

Preferred Form of Payment in Las Vegas

If you can't use your credit card in the US then you probably can't use it anywhere. ATMs are hard to miss, well networked and offer an even cheaper option if your card is set up to use them. Otherwise travellers cheques are almost as good as cash; you'll save yourself hassle and expense if they are in US dollars.

Changing Your Money in Las Vegas

Major credit and debit cards, including the Visa Cash Passport Card, are widely accepted. You can also access your bank account using US ATMs which are ubiquitous. Travellers cheques are easily converted to cash at any bank. You'll probably need to take your passport along to prove your identity.

Money Tips

If you camp or stay in hostels, catch buses and cook your own food, you could feasibly explore the country on around 50 USD a day. Staying in motels and eating at modest cafes will mean you'll hit the 100 USD mark, and enjoying the convenience of a rental car will push your daily budget up to 150 USD.

Using a Telephone in Las Vegas

All phone numbers within the US and Canada consist of a three-digit area code followed by a seven-digit local number. There are two area codes in Nevada: tel 702 serves southern Nevada (and, therefore, all of Las Vegas), and tel 775 serves the rest of the state. If you are calling locally, just dial the seven-digit number. If you are calling to another area code, dial tel 1 followed by the three-digit area code and the seven-digit local number.

Using a Mobile Phone in Las Vegas

The only foreign phones that will work in the US are tri-band models, operating on GSM 1900 as well as other frequencies. If you have a GSM tri-band phone, check with your service provider about using it in the US, but be aware that calls will be more expensive than using your home network (because of the US service provider's charges). Your mobile phone number stays the same, and callers at home will be connected to your phone automatically. Alternatively, you may be able to take the SIM card from your phone, install it in a rented mobile phone and use it as if it were your own phone - same number, same billing basis. Check with your mobile phone company about using your SIM card for international roaming.

Doing Business in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is Convention Central, with trade fairs and conventions often drawing up to 200,000 visitors at a time, so check out which conventions are scheduled to see if they affect your plans. The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA; tel: 702 892 0711, 877 847 4858; www.lvcva.com; 3150 Paradise Rd) has all the resources and information you'll need to plan a meeting or take care of business while you're in town. At McCarran International Airport, there is a VIP lounge in Terminal 2 for business-class passengers of various airlines. Naturally, the many casino hotels on the nearby Strip provide plenty of options for business and conference needs.

Media in Las Vegas

Nevada's media consists of respected newspapers, tabloid hits and glossy local freebie magazines with a casino and tourist bias (but also valuable coupons). Radio-wise, you'll find the usual assortment of rock, country and classical radio stations and no fewer than five sports stations due to the city's sports-betting mecca status. All of the major US television networks and several independents broadcast in the Vegas Valley, with most hotels linked to a limited number of cable providers too.

Periodicals in Las Vegas

Radio Stations in Las Vegas

Books in Las Vegas

Factoids

The Candyman

'Mr C' has been shining shoes outside Caesar's Palace for 40 years. His best tip ever was 500.00 USD, from Sammy Davis Jr, for polishing a pair of alligator boots.