Source: Unsplash | Mike Boening
When it comes time to plan a raucous getaway with the girls – bachelorette parties, milestone birthdays, college roommate reunions, you name it – few locations are more appealing than Las Vegas. Though once known as a desert casino town, over the course of its history, Vegas has evolved into the entertainment capital of the world. Boasting world-class dining and cuisine, a wide array of shows, state-of-the-art VR experiences, dayclubs, nightclubs, a nearly infinite supply of sunshine and, of course, more than a few opportunities to try your luck at gambling, Vegas just might be the getaway option to please everyone in your girl gang. Tripping with your ladies involves certain protocol, though – from planning your itinerary to finding accommodations the whole group can agree on. Fear not – we’ve got you covered with our ultimate Las Vegas girls’ trip guide.
Book Your Entertainment in Advance
Visiting the Las Vegas Strip, especially with a group, can be a total whirlwind – it’s complete sensory overload, and there’s so much to see and do. Since each gal in your gang might have a different idea of what constitutes a good time, it’s best to plan a good portion of your itinerary in advance to avoid conflicts. One of the easiest items to book ahead of time is any show you might want to see – and with the insane variety of shows in Las Vegas, we guarantee you’ll want to see more than one. From classic Cirque du Soleil acrobatic acts to girl-powered tribute shows like Blonde Invasion – which combine the hits of Britney, Lady Gaga, and Madonna into one dance party of an evening – and even sexy male dance revues like Magic Mike Live, there are tons of options. That’s before we even mention the celebrities slated for residencies there this summer, which include Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Lady Gaga.
Plan Your Stay
One easy way to cut costs on your Las Vegas girls’ trip is to choose non-premium accommodations. Unless you’re planning to do some serious, 24/7 gambling, staying at a hotel on the Strip is hardly necessary, as most of the big hotels’ tourist attractions are available to non-guests and the general public, and many off-Strip hotels are often way more affordable. For a chic off-Strip stay that can help your group save its hard-earned cash for a few extra rounds at the bar, take a look at the selection of rooms available at the M Resort, Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa, or the Palms.
Don’t forget the SPF
While you might think that, between Vegas’s legendary shows, the casinos, and its infamous nightclubs, you’ll be spending a lot of your time in this desert destination indoors, trust us: You’re not going to want to skip the sunscreen. Even you if you don’t have any interest in frequenting one of Sin City’s fun outdoor clubs (you totally should, by the way, since they’re basically gigantic pool parties with alcohol), you’ll still want your skin to be prepared to weather the sun that comes along with the 100-degree temperatures that Vegas commonly sees in the summer. Plus, sunburned and hungover is a combination that no one wears well. Which brings us to our next tip…
Hydrate or Cry(drate)
The sun’s rays aren’t the only feature of Vegas’s extreme heat you’ll need to worry about spoiling your trip. The heat plus the dry air can wreak serious havoc on both your skin and your general hydration levels. This can be a serious problem when you’re indulging regularly in the delicious, fruity, and not particularly hydrating cocktails that Vegas, with its lack of open container laws, specializes in. To make sure that you don’t end up dehydrated and miserable from the extreme heat, plus the drinking, bring a refillable water bottle along with you during the day. A light moisturizer, in addition to the sunscreen, is not a bad idea either.
Act Like a VIP
When it comes to the Vegas club scene, there are a few tried-and-true hacks you can use to make your experience a little more upscale. The best way to do this is to employ a few VIP tactics. If you’re planning on visiting a few clubs in the same night, check the website to see if you can get on the guest list, and be sure not to miss the window you sign up for. Be sure to bring along cash to tip club employees, who just might be able to give you some special treatment for your buck. If you want to go all-out, several nightclub tour packages – including V Card: The Vegas Nightclub Pass, as well as the VIP Club Hop By Nite Tours – include VIP entry to multiple venues.