 Climate
As Las Vegas is in the middle of the desert in Southwestern United
State east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, it lies
in the rain-shadow desert by the mountain range receiving very
little rain fall (average 4 inches or 10 cm of rainfall per year)
and gets more than 250 days sunshine. Thus, the area gets very hot
and dry for a large part of the year (from March to November),
especially in summer when the temperature can be exceeding 100 ºF
(40 ºC).
Each summer, the usual low humidity may increase markedly for
several weeks in association with a moist monsoon flow from the
south, typically during July and August. Also, these moist winds
sometimes come with spectacular desert thunderstorms which are
frequently associated with significant flash flooding and strong
downburst winds. Winter however gets a little colder with
temperature of 60-70 ºF (15-20 ºC) in the afternoon, skies are
mostly clear, but it is likely to get very cold at nights as the
temperature may drop to 30 ºF (-1 ºC).
Even though Las Vegas can be very hot in the afternoon or very
cold at night, all the major Las Vegas facilities are very
adequately air conditioned, while you were in door, you will never
notice what the weather is like. The best time to visit Las Vegas
is considerably during the spring and fall seasons when the
weather is perfect, the day is warm and the night is pleasant.
When to go
The extremely hot summer and the chilly nights of winter make
spring and fall are the best times to visit Las Vegas, especially
to experience the great outdoors. The daily high temperature
averages around 100 ºF (38 ºC) from June to September, in
summer, and around 55 ºF (13 ºC) from December to January in
winter. It's pretty dry most of the time, but thunderstorms are
most common in the summer (June to August) and can cause dangerous
flash floods. You may also want to avoid February, March and
November as they are the busy convention months, with over 200,000
conventioneers in town over each of these months. Not only are
colossal crowds at these times annoying but they are also costly;
hotels lever up room rates and buffet prices during these
convention months. New Year's Eve and one week before Christmas
are other times that should be avoided as the city's revues are
shut down. Short-stay visitors should know that hotel rates are
typically 10-20% lower from Sunday through Thursday.
What to Wear
Las Vegas gets very hot most time of the year, especially in
summer, casual wear are generally accepted both in and out of
casinos. During daytime, you can wear whatever you usually wear on
you weekend as long as they are clean and presentable. However, if
you are thinking of being good looking while gambling, keep your
sport wear, tee shirts and shorts only for outdoor adventure. If
you happen to do sightseeing or trekking, prepare extra pairs of
socks and bring along your sunscreen, sunglasses, and other
standard equipments for summer. Sometimes outside can be windy
which is often followed by sandstorms thus it is advisable to
bring your wind-jacket for your outside trips. Swimming suit is
another bit that is recommended to go with your luggage as many
accommodations are provided with very attractive outdoor pool
complexes open nine months throughout a year. During spring, fall
and winter, jackets, jeans and long sleeve shirts are good enough
to protect you in a blowy day.
For those who like staying indoor gambling, wear comfortable
shoes as you will be walking or standing continually for several
hours and sweaters are considerably useful inside. Dress up a
little bit for dining in some of the Strip's top restaurants or
visiting one of its magnificant nightclubs, lounges and shows as
some of them require you to do so, however, most of them do not.
Ladies seem to favor cocktail dress, suits, evening wear or the
latest fashions for evening.
Las Vegas nowadays is more easygoing than ever. You may see
people wearing casual shirts, jackets, jeans or even shorts
walking around while other wearing tuxedos. It is totally up to
you what you would like to wear. However, going on vacation in Las
Vegas is like a special occasion, dressing up dinning in a lavish
restaurant will make a memorable night.
Shopping and Dining
Shopping in Las Vegas has become almost as popular as gambling.
Las Vegas has an excellent selection of high-end boutiques;
designer-brand stores such as Versace, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Herm's
and Armani; outlet; and fashion malls all accumulated on the
Strip. Some of the shopping areas are located in the resorts,
their design and themes are as elaborate and in keeping with their
surroundings. Examples of these include The Forum Shops at
Caesar's Palace, which is an amazing simulation of an ancient
Roman Street, and The Grand Canal Shops at Venetia that very
accurately replicates a great canal and surrounding streets of
modern-day Venice. On the other hand, the Fashion Show Mall - also
on the Strip - consists of mostly big name department stores all
under one roof. All of America's most popular stores are here and
some incredible bargains are available. Other very good shopping
centers are spread throughout the whole city.
When it comes to eating, Las Vegas is also a top culinary
destination with a diverse assortment of restaurants established
by leading chefs. As well as the city's elite shopping malls,
exclusive restaurants are mostly situated in the Strip's major
resorts including the Commander's Palace which is a branch of this
legendary New Orleans restaurant is recently opened in the Desert
Passage at the Aladdin Resort, and the Flamingo Hilton that offers
fresh seafood galore in the Flamingo Garden Paradise Buffet. Las
Vegas has it all to offers to food lovers; not only the
traditional American but also a wide range of international
cuisines such as Italian, Japanese, French, Mexican, Chinese, also
many choices of seafood and steak.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Las Vegas is truly the city that never sleeps. Casinos never
stop dealing; bars never close. Entertainment options range from
nightclubs, bars, lounge acts to the famous entertainment like
"Las Vegas showgirls". The city has been well known for
its variety of show business acts, it is even recognized as 'the
entertainment capital of the world'. Many Las Vegas hotels' stages
were once venues for many high profile acts such as Frank Sinatra,
Liberace and Elvis Presley; nevertheless, they are still arenas
for several glamorous acts nowadays. Today, the shows' prices are
lifted up as the shows become more and more popular and the number
of non-gambling tourists increased, however, a chance to witness a
Vegas-style revue or a big name star's Vegas performances is still
something that should not be missed.
For those who are in favor of dancing, there's no lack of
options. Some popular spots are found in the big hotel/casinos,
others are off on their own. And not surprisingly, a lot of
comedians try to make their mark in Vegas. The area's comedy clubs
spotlight the up-and-comers striving to make the leap to the
casino showrooms. Vegas nightspots do their best to live up to the
town's around-the-clock reputation. Some literally do stay open 24
hours a day, but the closing time for most ranges from 2 am to 5
am.
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