AT A GLANCE The Bright Light City that Elvis sang about is still the worlds number one party

destination. Even Prince Harry wasnt immune to the charms of Sin City when he visited in 2012. Located in the middle of the desert, Vegas is a city of casinos, pool parties and all day drinks. Holidaymakers will encounter carb-laden buffets, themed hotels and glitzy cabaret shows. Its a destination where few going expecting to sleep, but away from casinos and wedding chapels are some of Americas biggest attractions with the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam just a day trip away. WHEN TO GO Theres no such thing as off-season in Las Vegas! However you might want to avoid public holidays when certain companies close. Typically these include New Years Day and July 4th. You might also want to avoid Valentines Day unless you plan on giving your loved one the wrong idea or unless a quickie wedding was your intention all along. Weather Spring: This is one of the most comfortable seasons to visit Las Vegas. Highs of 20 and lows of 7 are common during this period, which typically receives fewer crowds until Spring break, when the season picks up again. Summer: For temperatures that sizzle heat to Las Vegas during the summer when the weather is hot and dry. Temperatures often reach above 100F. Autumn: This is the most popular time of the year for conventions. July and August which fall into autumn in Las Vegas are often referred to as the monsoon months and light showers are common in the afternoon. Winter: The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are quite slow in Las Vegas. Some smaller attractions close between this period. The temperatures are almost identical to spring.
Image: Glasses by Marcus Vegas / Vegas Winter by Essygie

THINGS TO DO Las Vegas has a wealth of attractions and holidaymakers will never be bored in this action-packed destination. Many of the big hotels are home to their own cabarets, casinos and rollercoaster rides, however outside of the hotels there are plenty more attractions. Here are some of the highlights:

Freemont Street Experience: Contains a fascinating lightshow under a vaulted canopy Las Vegas Natural History Museum: Exhibits include dinosaur and wildlife galleries Adventuredome: A theme park with five acres of interactive fun indoors

Shark Reef: Learn more about the predators of the sea in this fascinating aquarium Las Vegas Springs Preserve: Botanical gardens and interactive displays feature Neon Boneyard: A preservation park for the old neon signs of Las Vegas

Dig This: Try your hand driving bulldozers and excavators. Great fun! World Class Driving: Drive and race exotic and muscle cars on this speedway Bellagio Fountain Show: A free fountain show outside the Bellagio. Takes place hourly!

Nightlife Much of the nightlife in Las Vegas like the entertainment is situated within the casinos. However, you dont need to wait until dusk to grab a cocktail. This is a 24 hour party city and drinking mammoth cocktails in themed tumblers is okay whatever the time of day! When night falls sin city really comes to live and wherever youre after a cabaret show or a clubbing experience, here are some of the citys best night spots: 1 OAK: Meaning One of a Kind, this 16,000 square metre venue plays electro and hip-hop The Act: Situated in the Palazzo, this nightclub is described as a modern Moulin Rouge Haze: A small club within Aria featuring a novel Voyeur Room with female dancers LAX: Gothic accents create a lux vibe in this elegant club popular with socialites LOVE Cirque de Soleil: A psychedelic journey through the tunes of The Beatles Jersey Boys: Audience members can discover the hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Celine Dion: See the legend perform her hits at her Caesars Palace residency

Day Trips from Las Vegas: Grand Canyon: One of the wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is a must see whilst in Las Vegas. There are many different ways to get there from Vegas with helicopter, airplane and coaches all bookable from tourist information stands on The Strip. Youll need to decide between the West Rim and the slightly further away South Rim. Duration: Up to 16 hours by bus

Area 51: Leaving Las Vegas and heading into barren desert via plane, youll spot unusual alien petroglyphs on this tour and here stories of alien spacecraft. The tour arrives at Little ALe Inn, the site of many documentaries and the place to pick up souvenirs of Area 51 and learn more of this region, often shrouded in mystery. Duration: 10 hours

Red Rock Canyon: A touch of the canyonlands just 20 minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip. Expect awe-inspiring views and scenic sunsets framed by the red rocks. The area is home to over 200 species and you can enjoy horseback riding and visit the informative visitors centre during your trip. Travel Time: 20 minutes

Valley of Fire: 50 miles outside of Las Vegas youll come across another national park with rocks that glow a crimson-red colour. This is Nevadas oldest state park and covers an area of 36,000 metres. Youll find a host of recreational activities here from rockclimbing to swimming. Duration: 6 hours

Hoover Dam: One of the engineering marvels of the world can also be visited from Vegas. Just 35 miles away from The Strip, the visitors centre is open daily and tours are available of both the dam and the power plant. Unfortunately this excursion is not suitable for children under the age of 8. Duration: 6 hours

Zion National Park: Slightly further away in Utah, the National Park is one of the most inspiring sights in Americas Southwest. Expect to see sky-high towers of coloured rocks and 2,000 to 3,000 foot high canyon walls. The park also includes the Zion Human History Museum and the Emerald Pools Trail. Travel Time: 2.5 hours
Image: Adventuredome by Austintaceous / Neon Boneyard by Kristin_a (Meringue Bake Shop) / Bellagio Fountains by Prud_de / Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon NPS / Area 51 by Shanewarne_60000 / Red Rock Canyon by Rennett Stowe / Valley of Fire by Stephenpace / Hoover Dam by L. Richard Martin, Jr. / Zion by Rickpilot_2000

SHOPPING Las Vegas is an excellent place for shopping with everything from high-end shopping centres to souvenir shops. If youre looking for a bargain then outlet stores can be found outside the main Strip offering designer fashions at low prices. The city also plenty of quirky one of a kind shops selling everything from showgirl costumes to hunting and fishing supplies. Shopping Areas: The Strip: Many stores are located within the hotels, however head south for outlet stores Aston MonteLago Village: A shopping village just 17 miles away from the main Strip Tivoli Village: Experience local life at the same time as shopping in this picturesque area Markets: Las Vegas Farmers Market: Takes place on the third and first Saturday of each month Bet on the Farm: A weekly market held every Thursday at Springs Preserve Downtown3rd: Can be found every Friday between Stewart and Ogden Avenues Shopping Centres: Boulevard Mall: More than 140 stores, including 3 department stores, 2 miles from The Strip Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas: Shuttles run from hotels to this mall on the Californian border Las Vegas Premium Outlets North: An outdoor mall featuring 150 shops & bargain prices Meadows Mall: A local shopping experience with a play area for the children FOOD & DRINK Las Vegas is known for its outrageous all-you-can-eat buffets where patrons pile their plates high and then go back for seconds and thirds. This is not a place for healthy eating; instead you should expect large portions, calorific courses and an assortment of tastes and flavours from all over the world. Popular Hotspots in Las Vegas: The Strip: Head here for all-you-can-eat buffets, swanky casino restaurants and dinner shows Freemont Street: Cheaper food can be found in the restaurants downtown
Image: Buffet by Mafue

CULTURE & ETIQUETTE The culture of the United States is very similar to the UK and the only real difference may be when it comes to tipping. It is customary to tip between 15-20% of your bill in the US, so you may end up paying more than you initially thought. Unlike the rest of the United States there is no law against drinking in public in Las Vegas and youll come across people carrying open containers of alcohol along the Strip. However, you wont be able to take your alcoholic drink onto any form of public transport. Useful Phrases Whale A slang term for a big spender. A whale will place $100,000 on the roll of a dice RFB Room, food and beverage. How hotels typically reward big spenders in casinos Pigeon a man who throws money at his losses hoping to turn them into wins Eye in the Sky a slang term for the multitude of hidden cameras in the casinos

Dos and Donts Do stay on The Strip for the full Las Vegas experience Dont spend all your time in the casinos. There is much more to see and do in Vegas Do tip the waiters in the casinos for free drinks whilst you play Dont forget to check out one of the infamous cabaret shows, theyre a Vegas must Do be prepared to spend at least an hour in line when queuing for a nightclub Dont forget to pay tax if you win more than $1,999.00 Do walk around the buffets and see whats on offer before loading up your plate Dont take photographs in the casinos Do try the oxygen bars as a novel way of recovering the money after Tipping Tipping is very much part of the culture in the US and you should expect to tip between 15-20% on a meal in a Las Vegas restaurant. Traditionally the rules are 15% for bad service, 18% for good service and 20% for excellent service. Cocktail waitresses in the casinos should be tipped $2 a round, but a larger tip is a better way of guaranteed comped rounds. Taxi drivers are traditionally tipped 15% of the percentage of your fare and $2 per day for your hotel maid.
Image: Tip by (UB) Sean R

TRANSPORT Walking from one end of The Strip to the other isnt difficult, even during the hot Nevada sunshine. This is thanks in part to the elevated walkways that run across The Strip. If you do want to venture further afield then there are several transport options.

Getting Around Car Hire: The average price is around $25 a day but expect to pay more for a Cadillac Limousine: Youre in Vegas so why not splash the cash. Prices from $35 per hour Airport Shuttle: Travels from the airport to The Strip for under $10 Buses: The RTC runs buses up and down The Strip for $3 one-way and less elsewhere Monorail: Travels from Sahara Avenue to the MGM Grand from 7am to 2am daily Taxis: Fares start at $3.30 on the meter and $2.65 each additional mile Airport: Las Vegas is served by the McCarran International Airport
Image: Vegas airport by Joelk75

HEALTH & SAFETY British Embassy in the USA (Los Angeles Department) Foreign and Commonwealth Office Emergency number: 911