Essential Tips for Planning a Party Weekend in Las Vegas

Tips For Planning a Party Weekend in Las Vegas - goseekexplore.com

Las Vegas is one of the most unique places in the world, and The Las Vegas Strip is often referred to as an “adult Disneyland.”

With wild nightlife, grand hotels, world-class dining, and (legal) gambling, this small part of the world is like no other.

There are many things to do in Las Vegas, but one particular activity tends to stands out among them all: the nightlife. You might be planning a weekend in Las Vegas for a fun getaway, bachelor or bachelorette party, college spring break, or around a sports game, show, or convention, and if so, I’m going to guess that there will be some nightlife on your itinerary!

Due to the popularity of visiting Las Vegas for The Strip, the 4+ miles of Las Vegas Boulevard that include the grand hotels, clubs, and venues you are likely familiar with, this post will act as a guide specifically for The Strip to cover the essentials for planning your party weekend in Las Vegas.

When To Visit Las Vegas

One of the best parts about Las Vegas is that it is usually sunny year-round. With weather similar to Phoenix and Palm Springs, blue skies are often in the forecast.

It’s the desert, after all, which usually means warm temps!

Keep in mind that winter in the desert can get chilly at night during the fall and winter. It might be a little milder in the winter months (December-February), though it’s pretty rare that the temperatures would fall low enough to require winter coats and clothing.

If you are like me and love a good poolside moment, your hotel pool should be open year-round.

In addition to a regular pool, many of the hotels will have a “beach club” (or “dayclub”) in addition to their nightclubs. And no, Nevada is a landlocked state far from the coast - these are essentially just clubs with a pool, often with “beach club” hours during the day and “night swim” hours in the evenings.

Beach clubs tend to be open between the months of March to October.

How Much Time Do You Need in Las Vegas?

If you are centering your weekend around nightlife, then 2-3 nights is perfect. More than 2-3 nights can get tiring - especially if you are out very late.

(For some reason, every time I’ve been to Vegas, between going out to dinner and getting ready for the night, our group would typically get back to the hotel between 4-6am. Back home, I’m in bed by midnight - I appreciate a good night of sleep!)

Plan to need some time to sleep in if you think you will need it!

A Friday-Sunday weekend getaway in Vegas is fun, though if your trip falls during the week, you will likely still find the party scene to be just as lively on The Strip since it’s catered to visitors anyways.

If you are spending more than three nights in Vegas, and plan to enjoy the nightlife, remember to pace yourself, or else you might get too exhausted to enjoy it!

If you spend more than three nights in Vegas, though, I highly recommend doing more than just partying as there are so many fun and interesting things to do.

Where To Stay On The Las Vegas Strip

Hotels on The Strip are plentiful! I definitely recommend staying on The Strip due to the quality of most of the hotels and proximity to most events, nightlife, and attractions.

The Strip itself is literally designed around the massive hotels. In fact, most of the hotels are actually resorts and will have multiple restaurants, multiple pools, a nightclub, a casino, a gym, salons, a spa, and shops (or even an entire mall).

One thing I love about the hotels on The Strip is how much of a spectacle they are - everything is grand, and each hotel has its own personality and flavor.

They are glamorous, trendy, and as over-the-top as you can imagine!

The hotels are definitely a switch-up for the smaller, boho boutique hotels I prefer to stay at when I travel elsewhere, though I enjoy the magnitude of the Vegas hotels when I am there.

Hotels to Consider on the Las Vegas Strip

There are so. many. hotels. to choose from! I stayed at Cosmopolitan for my birthday weekend which was fun, and I loved the chandelier room (it’s filled with giant, dropping, sparkly chandeliers!).

I’ve also stayed at The Venetian/The Palazzo twice and it’s beautiful and really nice - once for a bachelorette party and another time with my college friends. They have a Canyon Ranch Spa inside The Venetian which is helpful and convenient if you need some relaxation during your trip!

Quick tip: try the Canyon Ranch Day Pass which my friends and I took advantage of - it was $50 (prices may have increased since we went in 2018) and totally worth it! Massages and facials were optional upgrades.

Other hotels I’ve been recommended but haven’t stayed at yet: Aria, Encore/Wynn, and Bellagio.

Where To Eat in Las Vegas

There is no shortage of incredible food in Las Vegas.

Truly, Las Vegas is one of the most celebrated places in the world for food.

If you are a foodie, you’ll be in heaven! You can find a large variety of various world cuisines in Vegas, and there are many Michelin-star restaurants there as well.

Two quick tips for eating out in Vegas:

Make reservations ahead of time - before your trip if possible. Restaurants can fill up, especially on weekends or busy travel periods, and you don’t want to have to scramble to get a reservation during your trip. It might be easier to snag a table if you are not traveling in a big group.
Know that many restaurants will be on the pricey side! You don’t have to eat at an expensive restaurant to have a good meal in Vegas, but realistically, most restaurants are world-renowed and charge accordingly. In my opinion, it’s worth it. Yum!

In terms of where to eat, it’s so tough to choose! They’re all so good. It’s hard to go wrong, honestly.

We went for brunch at Bouchon at The Venetian, which was delicious.

I’ve also eaten at Red Plate at the Cosmopolitan hotel, which was for my birthday dinner. It was fabulous and delicious.

Right next to Red Plate there is a really cool-looking restaurant called Beauty & Essex, which requires you to enter a small “pawn shop” to get to the host stand and tables. So fun and unique.

Spago inside The Bellagio has great food too - it’s by Wolfgang Puck, so of course it is - and the views out the windows of the fountains and Strip are beautiful.

I could literally go on and on with restaurant suggestions, but as I said, it is tough to go wrong since they are all so good!

Look up the restaurants in your hotel ahead of time and check Yelp & Google Reviews to get an idea of what you might like.

How To Get Into Clubs in Vegas

Club Promoters

One of the easiest ways to get into a club is to have a promoter put you on the guest list. You will undoubtedly meet promoters simply by walking along The Strip. Often, they will be handing flyers that show which clubs and music artists they are promoting for, or might even shout out the names of the clubs and/or artists to get your attention.

Promoters will also often send you Instagram DMs if your profile is public and you’ve uploaded posts with #lasvegas, #lasvegasstrip or other related hashtags, and/or use the Las Vegas location tag. Don’t be surprised if multiple promoters reach out to you. They will likely tell you which clubs/shows they are promoting over the next few days and sometimes will be able to create packages that include limos or even strip clubs, if that’s your thing.

You will give the promoter your name and phone number and they will add your group to the guest list. When you arrive at the club that night, simply go to the correct line (they usually have one for “guest list” or “VIP”) and mention your promoter’s name. You’ll need to show your IDs and then you can get in.

One of my friends set us up on the XS guestlist during my birthday weekend last year, and also set up a Hummer limo (that happened to be hot pink, which was hilarious and fun) to get our group from dinner to the club, which came with a few bottles of champagne. The driver circled The Strip a few times to allow us time to enjoy the champagne before dropping us off at XS.

Waiting in Line

You will likely see long, massive lines outside some of the popular clubs in Las Vegas.

Why would you wait in these terribly long lines if you can get on the guestlist with a promoter?

Do yourself a favor and find a promoter during the day to get you on the list, so you can significantly cut down the amount of time you would spend in line. You might still have to wait in line, but it won’t be nearly as long as those who are not on the guestlist.

Bottle Service

The easiest and fastest way to get into a club is to have a bottle service table reserved. Keep in mind that the tables can cost thousands of dollars, some of which can go upwards of $10-20,000+ USD for the night at one of the trending clubs, especially if a popular DJ is performing or if the table is in a great location. You can book this ahead online or call the hotel that the club is part of for information.

Honestly, if you are going as a group of girls, you might be able to meet a group of single guys who will invite you to join them at their table for free. This is one place where women oftentimes have an advantage in terms of drink costs because, in this case, the men at the table will cover the cost of the table (which includes the drinks/bottle service). Remember to thank them - it ain’t cheap!

Don’t plan on the table thing as a guarantee if you are traveling with a group of girls that you 100% meet a group of guys you click with and who invite you to their table, though this has been the case for me and my female friends multiple times.

There tend to be a lot of bachelor parties or guys’ weekends in Vegas, though, so it’s not uncommon to meet a group of guys you click with (perhaps during the day or near the entrance) that might invite you to join them.

Important: Preventing Sexual Assault

Please note - if someone ever makes you feel like you have to “pay them back” for free drinks (as in, kiss them or do other sexual activities), say no and walk away. You do not owe anyone anything if they choose to offer you a drink as a gift.

It is important to feel comfortable and safe around any strangers who offer you drinks, which is why it is best to stay with your friends in this case. Luckily, most people are good people, though you might still run into some douchebags here and there. Las Vegas is different from most places in the sense that some people will act extra cocky, or drink more than they typically would back home.

And on that note, watch your drink get made! Never accept a drink you did not see poured or come straight from the bartender. My first time in Vegas, I remember walking into a club and a lone man tried handing me a drink. I politely declined, and he ran after our group, coming up to me and trying to get me to “just take a sip.” I had a bad gut feeling and would not have been surprised if he had put some sort of drug in the drink to try to take advantage of me, so I am glad I had the sense to decline.

Please don’t let this scare you, as myself and my friends have never had anything bad like that happen in Vegas! I’ve been to Vegas multiple times over the years and have been fine, though it is still smart to keep your wits about you and look out for your friends, even if you’re buzzed.

Getting Around Las Vegas

The Strip is over four miles long, which is pretty massive! If you happen to be wearing high heels, you might want to reconsider the half-a-mile walk and take a cab instead.

Uber and Lyft are super easy and available on The Strip, though due to the plentiful amount of taxis, it might be faster and make more sense to hop in a taxi instead.

The taxis often accept both cash and credit cards, though I think there is a small fee added if you pay by card for most taxis.

You’ll also find a bunch of limos! If you are in a large group or want to go all-out with your Vegas experience, a limo might be a smart idea. Determine the rate with the driver if you happen to find one available outside your hotel and ensure your group can cover the cost. It usually is no more than $50 per person, depending on the size of your group.

Otherwise, if you are talking to promoters, they might be able to set up a limo to pick you up at your hotel or the restaurant you are eating at for dinner. The promoter would tell you what the cost of the limo is and if it includes anything, such as champagne.

What To Wear In Las Vegas

Due to the massive variety of things to do in Vegas, plus what you are particularly visiting for, it is tough to sum up what to wear in Las Vegas in a few sentences, so here is a quick overview.

Daytime Looks

During the day I’ll tend to dress more on the casual side, maybe wearing shorts or a dress that I’d wear to a casual brunch at home, with sandals, casual heels, or casual close-toed shoes.

Pool Looks

Bring a fun swimsuit and coverup for Vegas!

In terms of footwear, you might be surprised to hear that many girls wear heels with their swimsuits & cover-ups at the beach clubs (pool parties).

“Pool Heels” is how my friends and I would refer to them - typically wedges or thick, chunky heeled shoes. There is no need for stilettos at the pool - you definitely don’t want to slip and fall!

That said, heels are not typically required for pool parties, but still, I recommend always checking the dress code if you go to a beach club/pool party.

If you are visiting your hotel’s regular pool (it’s not intended for a club vibe and is more casual/relaxing), casual pool attire is common.

Nightlife Looks

When going out to eat on The Strip or going to the nightclubs, getting dressed up is your best bet and you’ll be expected to meet the dress code when it comes to the clubs, which often means heels for women.

I also recommend carrying a small bag or clutch with a wrist or shoulder strap, and to avoid bringing a large, bulky purse, since clubs will be crowded (and security might now allow large bags in anyways).

If you are unsure of the dress code, check the hotel/club’s website or ask a promoter beforehand.

For me, I tend to aim to keep my nightlife outfits on the classy side (a short black mini dress and heels, for example), but wear whatever makes you feel confident! Vegas is definitely a place to have fun with your look if you feel called!

And don’t worry - Vegas is a very trendy place, but you don’t need to spend a lot of money on your clothes to look “dressed up.” No one’s going to be checking price tags on your clothing when you walk in!

Beyond The STrip

Beyond the hedonistic side of Vegas - the clubbing, gambling, pool parties, and the lack of an open container law on The Strip (yes, you can carry and drink alcohol walking around on The Strip) - you’ll find world-class dining, shows and entertainment, and shopping. Las Vegas is also a popular location for conventions and events.

On The Strip you might be able to attend a concert from your favorite music artist, watch a Cirque du Soleil show, or eat an exquisite meal at a Michelin-star restaurant.

Off The Strip, there are things to do too, of course. There is the “old” Strip (where “The Strip” used to be located/considered), you can visit other parts of the city, or take a day trip to the western side of the Grand Canyon.

If you are doing a road trip or have more time on your vacation, consider hitting the road and spending multiple nights around Southern Utah/Northern Arizona to spend time in the beautiful Southwestern National Parks like Zion, Arches, and the Grand Canyon, plus Horseshoe Canyon. It might be nice to get some fresh air and time in nature after a few days of partying!

Have you been to Vegas? What are your favorite things to do?