By No Vacation Required, on December 28, 2013

What to pack for Las Vegas

Few places in the world offer the breadth of experiences that Las Vegas does. That dynamism can make for a wonderful vacation (and is one of the reasons why it is one of our favorite travel destinations), but it does not make it easy to pack. Simply put, a trip to Las Vegas is not a time to pack lightly.

Here are some tips on what to pack so that you can enjoy everything Las Vegas has to offer.

Clothing

Las Vegas is that rare kind of place where it is perfectly reasonable to hit the spa, lay by the pool, do some shopping, eat at a five-star restaurant, see a Broadway show, and go to an exclusive nightclub – all in one day. Heck, you may be able to do all of those things without leaving your resort. While you can certainly take on Las Vegas in jeans and a t-shirt, some of the city’s best experiences require you to dress up.

Viewfinder Tip: Great hiking can be found just off the Vegas Strip. Pack appropriate attire for a morning or afternoon hike.

You will probably want to spend a little time in the gym as well, and Las Vegas resorts have some really beautiful fitness facilities. You may even want to squeeze in a hike, something you can also do just outside of the city. Consider working out a way to undo what you did the night before so that you can do it all over again!

One more thing to consider: If you are visiting outside of the summer months, the temperatures in Las Vegas can change dramatically over the course of a day. You may be going to dinner in the heat and stumbling back to your resort with a chill in the air.

What to pack: Spa/pool clothes, evening attire, “kicking around” clothes, and workout/hiking gear.

Shoes 

In almost any city around the world, “walk a block” means traveling a few hundred feet. Not in Las Vegas. Each Las Vegas resort is the size of a small city. In fact, City Center is literally a city on the Las Vegas Strip. So be prepared to hoof it. Even if you are going to be chauffeured from casino to casino, the walk from your hotel room to the front door of your resort could be – no kidding – a half-mile walk.

If you wear heels, pack a pair of flats in your bag when heading out for the night. This way you won’t have to walk through the casino (or worse, down the strip) in bare feet because you can’t bear another moment in your stilettos.

What to pack: Comfortable dress shoes, walking shoes/flats, sandals, and hiking shoes.

Medication 

With world-class restaurants, buffets, bars, and nightclubs, it is easy to overdo it in Vegas. That is part of what makes Las Vegas, well, Las Vegas. So be prepared to not feel 100% in the morning. Even if you don’t plan to let loose, you will likely be staying up way past your bedtime, and exhaustion makes you susceptible to getting sick.

What to pack: Cold medicine, pain reliever, and antacids.

Empty Space 

Las Vegas has some of the world’s best shopping. You can find just about anything you want, from the ultra-luxury high-end shops along the Esplanade at Wynn and Via Bellagio, to the more accessible Fashion Show Mall, Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace, or the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood.

What to pack: Nothing. Leave plenty of room in your bags for a few new items.

And don’t forget

Remember that you are heading to the desert, so don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, lotion, and lip balm (Las Vegas is really dry).

Also, think about those things that will make your trip smoother. Make sure you have cash for taxis and tip money for service personnel. Don’t leave your show tickets at home. And, while you can always count on the concierge, do some research on restaurants, shows, and clubs so you have a general idea of what you want to take in.

What else should always be packed for a Vegas trip?