Las Vegas Visitor's Guide

First Friday is a free community festival in downtown Las Vegas. It is held the First Friday of every month, from 5 to 11 pm, and features local art, music, food, and more with a focus on culture, creativity, and fun. First Friday activities take place all over Downtown. The main ART WALK event is centered in the Arts District, with galleries and art showings taking place from the north side of the Charleston / Casino Center intersection and stretching 3 blocks south to Imperial. The FREMONT activities take place in venues and locations in the Fremont East district.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area lies in Nevada’s Mojave Desert. It’s known for geological features such as towering red sandstone peaks and the Keystone Thrust Fault, as well as Native American petroglyphs. Panoramic viewing spots dot the 13-mile Scenic Drive. The sheltered Ice Box Canyon has seasonal waterfalls. To the south, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park features historic buildings and hiking trails.

Yes, Las Vegas is in the desert. And, yes, the temperature can top 115 degrees in the summer. Ironically, even though you'll want to wear as little as possible -- like shorts, tank tops and sundresses -- in the scorching heat, especially when you're walking down the Strip or Fremont Street, be warned that when you enter a casino, you'll likely freeze. You'd think there would be a happy medium, but for some reason, casinos tend to keep the thermostat at what feels like a shocking 60 degrees. So it's a good idea to have a light sweater or jacket with you to put on when you go inside.

If you happen to be visiting Las Vegas in the winter (usually from Halloween to Valentine's Day), don't be fooled. A jacket is definitely recommended, especially if the wind is blowing. We know our blood is probably thin from living here, and we may not get blizzards, but consider this your warning -- it's a lot colder here than you'd think.

If you love to people-watch, there are plenty of wonderful spots to go in Las Vegas. When you're at The Forum Shops at Caesars, request patio dining at Water Grill or The Cheesecake Factory. It doesn't matter whether you're eating lunch or dinner, people will flock to the fountains located in front of both venues. And here are some other restaurants and bars with great patios that feature incomparable views of tourists strolling down the Strip: Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas, Cabo Wabo Cantina and PBR Rock Bar and Grill at Planet Hollywood or Rhumbar at The Mirage.

You know those guys who stand on Las Vegas Boulevard snapping cards and trying to hand out fliers for strip clubs and personal entertainers? They're canvassers. Canvassers have won the legal right to pass out information. Most people complain that the fliers and cards cause litter and are obscene or that canvassers get in the way of pedestrians, but if you just keep walking, they aren't aggressive at all.

You may notice a lot of costumed characters on the Strip and along Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas. Showgirls, Elvis and cupid as well as superheroes, rock stars and beloved children's characters (Elmo, Cookie Monster and more) are all common. They are just people who have dressed up and are trying to earn tips by taking photographs and interacting with visitors. Be warned: If you do stop and snap a pic with them, they can get surly and behave in very un-"Seasame Street"-like ways if you don't leave a gratuity, but you are under no obligation to do so.

Taking a few seconds throughout the day to sip water will pay off by lowering your risk of passing out or suffering from heat stroke. Plus, drinking lots of booze at night or by the pool during the day will also contribute to dehydration. Unless you're one of those travelers who enjoy visiting local hospitals and getting strapped to an IV, we recommend you drink lots of water. The prices for the bottled stuff are quite high at the hotels, so stop by a local grocery store or convenience store and stock up.

Sign up for frequent gambler card at your favorite hotels. Use these cards to accumulate points, since you'll probably be gambling anyway, and perhaps receive something free. Players clubs allow you to earn benefits for virtually every dollar you spend, and then you'll also be on the mail/email lists for the hotels. Who knows, they might pick you for a special room rate or decide to send you tickets to a free show.

Bring sunscreen with you and apply it frequently. If you forget to pack it, most conveniences store and even pools and pool clubs sell it. Get one with an SPF of at least 30. The best sunscreens have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide among their active ingredients. Be sure to reapply it regularly if you're swimming or sweating a lot. Also, wear a hat and sunglasses. A hat with a wide brim is a good choice.