Las Vegas is a place that you either love or hate… and I definitely love it. I visited briefly just once before moving out to the Southwest. On my first trip, I thought I had a great time but also felt I missed out on seeing a big magic show or eating at certain celebrity chef hotspots. I can honestly say every visit is better than the last. My new three-hour commute has made spontaneous trips possible for seeing my favorite DJs and even restaurant openings. I have rounded up all the little tips and tricks I’ve learned, as I organize a quickly approaching girls trip to Vegas!

•  Buy discounted tickets for shows, buffets, and other attractions at Tix 4 Tonight booths when you arrive. They have locations all along the strip, so there should be one close to you. There are deals for some shows on lasvegas.com, but the logic of buying at Tix 4 Tonight booths is similar to buying day-of Broadway tickets at the Times Square booths.
• Travel mid-week if possible. On my first trip, our giant group snagged a Tuesday-Wednesday penthouse for multiple hundred dollars less than it would have been on a weekend. I have a relatively flexible schedule now, which has allowed this tip to be put in practice: I prefer traveling Thursday-Saturday as opposed to Friday-Sunday, as Saturday nights are the most expensive hotel reservations.
• Explore all your lodging options. For a group of ten, it was less expensive for us to all split one penthouse and a regular 2 queen room, versus booking multiple regular rooms. Check out locations of hotels on Groupon before purchasing. Staying off the strip may save you some money but consider what you’ll spend on Ubers getting around. Major hotels have resort fees, so budget for those $30-40, too. My last two trips I have booked super discounted same-day accommodations with the app HotelsTonight. I recommend it to everyone! Realistically, there will never be no hotel rooms available in Vegas. There is no need to stress about advanced reservations if you don’t really have to.  *protip: use “ladiez” for $25 off your first booking, in any city, on HotelsTonight!*
• Even if you don’t want to initiate conversation, listen to the promoters in hotel casinos! Promoters offered the girls free entrances to see DJs at big nightclubs, pool party invites, etc. The people on the strip can sometimes be sleezeballs, but the people inside casinos are far more legit. If you see a young guy in a suit hanging around the club entrances mid-day, just go up and talk to him! I am super upfront: “Hi, I am traveling with x girls, we want to come here tonight to see (whatever DJ).” You’ll exchange phone numbers. Typically guest lists close ~8-9 PM, so the earlier you get on it, the better. Men: I always just recommend getting in touch with a promoter first thing in the morning to avoid any gender ratio issues.
• Food is a budget killer. Do not get suckered into a Starbucks order marked up three times inside your hotel. Save on meals like breakfast so you feel better about a big splurge on a buffet or celebrity chef restaurant. Opt to nurse your hangovers at a Denny’s on the strip rather than over a $8 cup of house brew. I have enjoyed some great meals in Vegas, though – top restaurants are typically less expensive earlier in the day. Ideally I like to eat somewhere notable for lunch and then have a more low-key dinner while beginning to get ready for the night.
• Drinks are pricey in Vegas! If you’re going to be drinking, consider purchasing alcohol to pregame or take with you on the strip. Remember: open containers allowed on the strip but not downtown. Also, liquor stores on and immediately adjacent to the strip are marked up. If you’re driving in, bring it with you! On my first trip to Vegas, we stopped at a huge gas station/liquor store combo in the Navajo County on our way in from Zion; we purchased reasonably-priced alcohol and also did not have to pay taxes. Traveling now from home I still just drive in with my own alcohol!

Please leave any additional pointers y’all have in the comments below!