Las Vegas is many things to many people, but the common denominator is its ability to create the ultimate escape from reality. While gambling certainly takes the limelight in Sin City, this is also a place where some of the world’s most talented entertainers perform and the hottest celebrities come to party. There are museums, million-dollar exhibitions and even high-tech amusement park rides right on the Strip. So even if you’re not an avid gambler, there are plenty of reasons to visit.

One thing that’s true no matter what theme your trip intends to follow is that Vegas is best when consumed in short doses. The highs and lows of Sin City create a palpable atmosphere that constantly vacillates between despondent and jubilant. If you lose all your travel money on the black jack tables, at least you don’t have to wallow in regret for another week. Las Vegas is the ultimate weekend getaway, where people come to pack in as much fun, indulgence and naughtiness as time allows.

When it comes to accommodation, there’s really nowhere to stay except the Strip. You can easily drop a couple hundred dollars a night on a room at the Bellagio or the Venetian, but there are also plenty of mid-range and budget resorts that make perfectly good bases. Consider your itinerary carefully when planning the hotel aspect. If you don’t plan to spend any time in your room, why pay for an opulent sleeping space? Or if you don’t want to prowl the Strip all the time, consider splashing out a bit extra for one of the more enchanting resorts like the Palazzo or Aria.

Be aware of the weather during your visit. The Nevada desert is intensely hot during the summer but it actually gets very cold at night here in the winter months. Many travellers have jetted here for a New Year’s getaway without a sweater or a jacket, thinking the desert is always balmy ― quite the opposite!

While the really cool attractions and performances will cost a pretty penny, there are loads of great free things to see and do along the Strip. From the musical dancing water fountains in front of the Bellagio to the street performers at St Mark’s Square inside the Venetian, you can easily fill most of a day wandering along the Strip, exploring each uniquely amusing resort. Treasure Island has a sexy pirate and sirens show every evening, and just next door is the famous erupting volcano at the Mirage. Alternatively rent a car and get away from the strip for a day trip – there’s less temptation to spend money once you leave the bright lights behind!

But be sure and set aside a few bucks for at least one headliner show. Whether it’s your favourite crooner or a surreal acrobatics of a Cirque du Soleil show, there are literally dozens of world-class acts performing every night of the week in the resorts along the Strip. The same goes for dining and drinking. Splash out once or twice for a meal at one of the celebrity chef restaurants or slowly sip a couple of cocktails at a red hot nightclub like Prive or The Bank. If luck is with you in the casino, perhaps Vegas will even pay for your fun.

If you’re worried that getting around Vegas may add aggravation to your holiday, you shouldn’t be. A wide variety of transport options makes it possible to move around the city with ease.

From the Airport

Your flight has finally arrived and you are anxious to reach your hotel. Adventure waits! There are several ways to get out of the terminal and into the casino or relaxing at poolside.

Hotel Shuttle

Many of the larger resorts operate low-cost shuttles from the airport to the doors of the hotel. Fares generally run less than $10 per person and the shuttle can accommodate your luggage. Inquire at your hotel about schedules before you arrive.

CAT Bus

If your luggage is limited to a carry-on and you don’t mind a few delays, the Citizens Area Transit bus can ferry you directly from the airport to the Downtown hotels for a few dollars fare.

Taxi Cab

If you choose to take a taxi to your hotel, be sure to tell your driver to take the Swenson Avenue route rather than the airport tunnel. The airport tunnel seems shorter, but it will actually add miles to your trip and money to the meter. Fares begin around $2.65 and increase approximately $3.00 per mile thereafter.

Limousine

Arrive at your hotel in style with one of the many limousine services that carry new arrivals to the Strip. Share with a group of other guests to cut costs to as low as $10.00 per person.

Car Hire

Driving in Las Vegas can be difficult, especially for first-time visitors. If you decide to hire a car, fees begin around $30 per day for economy models and most of the resorts on the Strip offer valet parking.

Around Town

After you’ve checked into your hotel you’ll be ready to check out the Strip. If you’ve decided not to hire a car it doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck in one place. Options for getting around Vegas abound.

On Foot

Walking the Strip, especially at night, is an experience not to be missed. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and carry drinking water along, especially during the hotter months. Use the elevated skyways for safety when crossing the Strip.

Monorail

The air conditioned Las Vegas monorail runs the four-mile length of the Strip from the Sahara at one end to the MGM Grand at the other in as little as 14 minutes. The monorail operates from 7am until 2am daily. Ticket prices vary.

Catch the Bus or Tram

A one-way trip down the Strip on the double-decker CAT bus costs only a few dollars. Buses run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Free tramways connect a few of the major hotels including Treasure Island and the Mirage and the Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur.

Taxi

If you’ve been wandering the Strip and you’re worn-out or you’re just ready to reach your next destination, take a taxi. Go to a hotel entrance to catch a cab quickly and safely. Las Vegas police discourage taxi drivers from stopping directly on the Strip.

With a wide variety of transport options available, getting around Vegas is simple, affordable, safe and stress-free.

While many people choose the lights of the Strip, with its proximity to all the big casinos and flashy Vegas entertainment, it’s the Downtown area of Las Vegas that is true heart of the city. Spiritual home to the Rat Pack and location of the original gaming area of Vegas, Downtown is where serious Vegas-lovers will want to stay and also where people come to gamble seriously, without the gimmicks of the more touristy areas. It’s also home to the lights and sounds of Fremont Street and is highly recognizable for its huge number of neon signs, many of which have been used to represent Las Vegas on film and TV. The ten best downtown Las Vegas hotels make a great alternative to their more showy cousins on the Strip.

1. Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino

The Golden Nugget is one of the oldest casinos in Vegas and, true to its name, has one of the biggest golden nuggets in the world on display – if that doesn’t encourage you to gamble then nothing will! If you enjoy a thrill then the hotel’s heated pool is built around a live shark aquarium and is a great place to spend a few hours baking in the sun and watching the finned fish before returning to the tables. The swanky hotel has an excellent range of eateries and nightlife, with rooms from around £30 a night.

2. Four Queens Hotel and Casino

The Four Queens is home to world’s largest slot machine – the Queen’s Machine – and is the self-named ‘class of Downtown.’ In addition to the casino, the hotel’s Canyon Club provides regular entertainment and the hotel is within easy reach of the fascinating Fremont Street Experience (http://www.vegasexperience.com). Rooms start at around £30 a night.

3. The Main Street Station Casino Brewery Hotel

The Main Street has a charming western style exterior, with sleek modern rooms that are comfortably furnished. The casino is decorated in a Victorian style with 28,000 feet of machines and tables, as well as a daily slot tournament. The hotel has its own brewery and you can taste the home brewed beers in the Triple 7 restaurant. Rooms start at around £22 a night.

4. Fremont Hotel and Casino

The Fremont is one of the main hotels on Fremont Street and part of the Fremont Experience – a canopied street that is an extravaganza of lights and music. As well as regular entertainment in the form of live music and shows, the Fremont offers guests dining experiences and gaming galore. The rooms are bright and modern and start around £24 a night.

5. Las Vegas Club Hotel & Casino

The Las Vegas Club is one of the pioneering Vegas casinos, having installed the first neon sign on a casino all the way back in 1930. If you want to do Vegas in style then the Club is a great option, with an onsite beauty salon, limousine service and Swingers Club entertainment. Rooms start at around £25 a night.

6. Golden Gate Hotel & Casino

Reputedly the smallest hotel on Fremont Street, the Golden Gate has a cosy, vintage atmosphere and plenty of opportunity for serious gaming. This is also the oldest hotel in the area so if you want the genuine ‘vintage Vegas’ experience then this is the place to come. Rooms start at around £35 a night.

7. El Cortez

If you’re a serious gambler, or you’re not in the mood for the larger casinos that are geared solely towards tourists, then the El Cortez is a great option. The casino is said to be where most Vegas residents come to try their luck and the hotel has excellent facilities, including a spa, drinking and dining amenities. Rooms start at around £28 a night.

9. Gold Spike Hotel & Casino

The Gold Spike has a fantastic location right on Fremont Street in the heart of the Downtown action. There’s a modern, spacious onsite pool area, a casino only steps from your room, and plenty to explore in the vicinity, including Las Vegas City Hall and Las Vegas Natural History Museum. Rooms start at around £37 a night.

10. Plaza Hotel and Casino

The Plaza is a downtown hotel that’s ideally located for exploring Vegas’ original gambling district. Prices here start at around £18 a night for a stay in one of the 1,037 rooms. The hotel has a fabulous rooftop pool and has quite a celluloid pedigree, having appeared in films like Diamonds Are Forever, Casino and Pay It Forward starring Kevin Spacey.

Wherever you choose to stay in Downtown Las Vegas, you are guaranteed to find yourself smack bang in the middle of Vegas history. The area is only a couple of miles from the Strip but retains a sense of vintage glamour and old school class. You can almost hear Sinatra echoing off the sidewalks…