Population: 478,434
Major Airports: McCarran International Airport (LAS)
When to Go: The summers are scorching hot, but this is one of the best times to go if you are looking for cheap deals. Other times of the year to get a great deal is the first two weeks before Christmas and late fall. If you love to getaway for the big or holiday weekends like New Years, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, 4th of July and Memorial Day, its always fun to spend it in Vegas, but these times are always the most expensive. Also, do try to avoid going in the middle of November where the Comdex Convention (one of the largest computer conventions) is held and the first two weeks of December when the National Finals Rodeo is in town. For the best source to avoid the large conventions, visit the official website of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Getting There: McCarran Airport is the prime airport in the city . It is located 5 miles (8 km.) from Downtown Las Vegas. The most scenic way to get to Las Vegas is by car and if your coming from Los Angeles is about a 4 hour drive.
Getting Around: When getting into Vegas by air, airport shuttles are available to take you to your hotel at an affordable mainly for hotels on the main Strip. If your staying on the Strip you can walk from one casino to another, the Strip is a long stretch about 4.5 miles long and if your walking in the summer it may feel like an oven outside so be prepared. Trams between hotels are also available, making it easy for visitors to stay out of the sun and move between one hotel to another.
If you do get tired of walking or just can't take the heat of the sun, and just need to get to another hotel on the Strip, there are tram services between certain hotels. You can also catch a taxicab, which are available at almost all of the hotel lobbies and can be the best way to get back to your hotel after dancing the night away at a club, so long as they are both on the Strip.
Otherwise, cab rides are not cheap! If you plan to venture beyond the main Strip, renting a car is easy in Las Vegas, you can find cheap deals and parking at a majority of the hotels are FREE. For those who absolutely do not want to drive themselves you can still manage in getting around on the city transit bus, but it can be slow and crowded. There are also several tour companies with whom you can book an excursion with from the concierge desk of your hotel.
