One of the most entertaining places on Earth, Las Vegas is a playground for everyone. Of course, the city is world famous for its casinos and nightlife. You’ll also find a wealth of exciting attractions, memorable dining experiences and top-notch live entertainment. Whether you’re here to recharge, connect with your family or immerse yourself in luxury, it’s truly all here in Vegas.

In our travel guide to Las Vegas, you’ll see why a trip to the Strip is one of the safest gambles you can make. Here are three reliable ways to make memories when you visit:

Why should you visit Las Vegas?

People come here for the star-studded shows, luxurious spa treatments, Michelin-starred menus and all-you-can-eat buffets. You can lose yourself in the sensory delights. You can also do things here you wouldn’t do in your ordinary life: go on shopping sprees, drink cocktails for breakfast sip endless mimosas at the Tea Lounge at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas or eat breakfast at midnight.

Hilton hint

“I always recommend people take multiple trips to Vegas. Vegas is too big to do in one trip and there are so many experiences to have.” –John Pham, Hilton Team Member, Global Marketing

Of course, you can take in the thrill of the world-famous casinos, but don’t forget the live entertainment. From intimate shows by musical legends to high-production magical spectaculars and Cirque du Soleil productions, you’ll find fantastic experiences everywhere.

When is the best time for your trip to Las Vegas?

Anytime–if you bring layers. This region of Nevada has a subtropical desert climate, meaning very hot and dry summers. Temperatures can drop at night and during the winter months, but the majority of your time will be in the chilled comfort of an air-conditioned resort. Light clothing layers are always a good bet. Vegas is at its busiest when large conventions are in town. These happen year-round, so check with the city’s tourism office.

The hardest part of your trip may not be choosing where to go, but where to start. The heart of the Strip is around three miles long: it would take over an hour to walk end to end. Many of the resorts are connected by walkways or shopping malls. Buildings may appear closer than they actually are, so keep a map handy until you’re familiar with your surroundings. There are free shuttle buses and a monorail system connecting some of the bigger casinos and attractions. Once you have your bearings, you’ll be on your way.

For eco-friendly travelers, walking instead of taking a cab is an excellent way to go green here. Take your reusable water bottle: you’ll see water conservation heavily promoted in this part of the Mojave Desert.

As a visitor, there’s so much to explore on the Strip, but Vegas regulars can find hidden gems just 10 minutes away. Fremont Street is often left out by other Las Vegas travel guides, but it was the original main drag dating back to the early 1900s. It has smaller, old-school casinos. There’s a vibrant Arts District, the mafia-themed Mob Museum and lots of independent gift shops, boutiques and restaurants.

The city has a wealth of live entertainment. Cirque du Soleil has several shows running at any one time, and major stars have ongoing residencies. There are high-production magic shows, musicals, puppetry and more all readily available, most with multiple shows per day. You’ll easily find dozens of ticket booths around town for spontaneous selections.

Shopping is a world-class activity here. The Shops at Crystals connected to the Waldorf Astoria, the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian are good places to start. Most resorts have everything from exclusive designer names to souvenir stands, so you can take home either a watch, a fridge magnet or both.

Las Vegas is a welcoming destination for LGBTQ travelers. Nightlife shows include drag and burlesque offerings and there's a LGBTQ-specific nightlife zone just east of the Strip known as 'The Fruit Loop.’

Tipping is a way of life, so you should plan to add at least 20-25% in restaurants (though not food courts), 10-20% for cabs and a dollar per drink minimum in bars. If you gamble for any length of time, tipping the dealer $5 per hour as a minimum is recommended.

The Strip has a focused effort on security, but as with any major city, just be aware of your surroundings. In general, people are friendly and will gladly help if you need it.

Paul Oswell is a British award-winning journalist and published travel author based in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. His books include Bucket List North America and The Great American Road Trip, as well as New Orleans' Historic Hotels. He has also been an editor of and contributor to several guide books/editions published by Dorling Kindersley (owned by Penguin), including New Orleans, Florida, Orlando, Los Angeles, California and The United States. His work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure (both of which he has written multiple online travel guides for) and The Guardian, as well as dozens of international newspaper and magazine titles, and inflight magazines for major airlines.