If you’re from the U.K. and planning a trip to Las Vegas, then you probably have a lot of questions. For example, how old must you be to gamble in the casinos? Is there a charge to use public toilets? Where is the nearest British consulate? So here we’ve compiled some general information and useful tips about visiting Las Vegas.
Age Restrictions
You must be at least 21 years old to drink or gamble in Las Vegas. It’s a good idea to carry your passport or another photo ID with you at all times because security staff may ask to see proof of your age—especially if you look young. If you visit Las Vegas with children, be aware that casinos only allow them to pass through gambling areas when accompanied by an adult. With respect to other age restrictions, you must be at least 18 years old to buy cigarettes and to marry without parental consent.
Business Services
If you are in Las Vegas on business and find you need to make copies of a report, print materials for a convention or fax a contract, there are several places that provide document handling. Most hotels feature on-site business centres. FedEx Office is also a great place for printing and other business services. The FedEx Office at 3150 Paradise Road (001-702-943-6780) is located closest to the Strip, while the one at 830 S. 4th Street (001-702-383-7022) is nearest to Downtown Las Vegas.
Child Care
If you want to spend a night out on the town without the kids, there are several reliable babysitting agencies. Most will send licenced sitters directly to your hotel room equipped with toys, games, books and movies. A number of hotels also offer child-care services. The Orleans features Kid’s Tyme, a youth centre with on-site supervised activities. Boulder Station, Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, Santa Fe, Sunset Station and Texas Station all house professionally supervised Kids Quest facilities with indoor playgrounds and infant/toddler rooms.
Curfew
Las Vegas is part of Clark County and therefore has a curfew ordinance. This means that minors (i.e., those under 18 years of age) are not allowed on the Strip after 21.00 on weekends and holidays without a parent or guardian.
Disabled Travellers
Visitors with disabilities will be very comfortable in Las Vegas. All of the hotels offer wheelchair-accessible facilities. In addition, most showrooms and restaurants are equipped with special seating for disabled guests. Regarding transportation, the city’s buses—including the double-decker Deuce—are low-floor, wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Several independent companies, such as Nevada Medi-Car (001-702-382-5820), can also provide transport to visitors in wheelchairs.
Embassy & Consulates
The British Embassy in the U.S. is located in Washington, D.C. However, there are consulates spread throughout the country—including one in Los Angeles, California. It is at 11766 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, California 90025. The telephone number is 001-310-481-0031, and the e-mail address is mail@britishconsulatela.com.
Emergencies
In the U.S., dial 911 for emergency ambulance, fire or police services. There are more than 15 hospitals in the Clark County area. If an emergency should arise, the University Medical Centre (1800 W. Charleston Blvd., 001-702-383-2000) has a level one trauma centre. If you find you need to see a doctor, there are quick-care clinics located throughout Las Vegas.
Gaming Lessons
Many casinos offer free gaming lessons to any casino patron. You don’t even have to be a guest of the hotel. The lessons are usually held on weekday afternoons at tables on the gaming floor. Ask a casino host for the schedule. No arrangements are necessary. Just have a seat (or stand in the case of craps) at the designated table a few minutes before lesson time. It’s a nice gesture to tip the dealer who conducts the lesson when it’s over.
Money
The unit of currency in the U.S. is the dollar ($). If you run short, you should have little difficulty withdrawing money. Las Vegas is served by automated telling machines (ATMs), which accept bank debit cards, along with Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards. They are located in abundance throughout the casinos, shops and visitors’ attractions. If you have travellers cheques, these can be exchanged most easily at banks, although casino cashier cages can usually cash them, too.
Parking
Generally, parking is plentiful—and free—in Las Vegas. Most hotels offer free self-parking garages as well as valet parking, which is convenient and will only cost you $1-$2 for a tip when you depart.
Mail and E-mail
Stamps can be bought at post offices and sometimes in hotels at front desks or gift shops. Mailing a postcard to the U.K. costs 98¢. Many hotels provide free Internet access to guests or have computers for e-mail available in their business centres. There are also numerous coffee shops and cafes in Las Vegas that offer free WiFi—such as Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, It’s a Grind and the Whole Foods Market. McCarran International Airport also offers free WiFi to travellers.
Smoking
In Las Vegas, smoking is allowed in casinos, nightclubs and bars not serving food. However, it is banned from all enclosed public places, including on public transport and in restaurants and bars that serve food.
Tax
Unlike VAT in the U.K., which is included in prices, a sales tax is added to all purchases (except groceries) in Las Vegas. The current rate of sales tax in Nevada is 8.1%. Also, expect to pay a 12% tax on hotel rooms in Las Vegas.
Telephones
The international dialling code for the U.S. is +1. The area code for Southern Nevada is 702. Public telephones take coins, calling cards (which are available in most grocery and convenience stores) or credit cards.
Toilets
Public toilets, which are called “restrooms,” are found in all hotels, visitors’ attractions, restaurants, shopping centres and transportation hubs. There is no charge to use them. Most restrooms have facilities available for the disabled and those with babies.
Maverick Grand Canyon Helicopter tours company hopes this information helps in planning your Las Vegas vacation. We look forward to seeing you.
Age Restrictions
You must be at least 21 years old to drink or gamble in Las Vegas. It’s a good idea to carry your passport or another photo ID with you at all times because security staff may ask to see proof of your age—especially if you look young. If you visit Las Vegas with children, be aware that casinos only allow them to pass through gambling areas when accompanied by an adult. With respect to other age restrictions, you must be at least 18 years old to buy cigarettes and to marry without parental consent.
Business Services
If you are in Las Vegas on business and find you need to make copies of a report, print materials for a convention or fax a contract, there are several places that provide document handling. Most hotels feature on-site business centres. FedEx Office is also a great place for printing and other business services. The FedEx Office at 3150 Paradise Road (001-702-943-6780) is located closest to the Strip, while the one at 830 S. 4th Street (001-702-383-7022) is nearest to Downtown Las Vegas.
Child Care
If you want to spend a night out on the town without the kids, there are several reliable babysitting agencies. Most will send licenced sitters directly to your hotel room equipped with toys, games, books and movies. A number of hotels also offer child-care services. The Orleans features Kid’s Tyme, a youth centre with on-site supervised activities. Boulder Station, Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, Santa Fe, Sunset Station and Texas Station all house professionally supervised Kids Quest facilities with indoor playgrounds and infant/toddler rooms.
Curfew
Las Vegas is part of Clark County and therefore has a curfew ordinance. This means that minors (i.e., those under 18 years of age) are not allowed on the Strip after 21.00 on weekends and holidays without a parent or guardian.
Disabled Travellers
Visitors with disabilities will be very comfortable in Las Vegas. All of the hotels offer wheelchair-accessible facilities. In addition, most showrooms and restaurants are equipped with special seating for disabled guests. Regarding transportation, the city’s buses—including the double-decker Deuce—are low-floor, wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Several independent companies, such as Nevada Medi-Car (001-702-382-5820), can also provide transport to visitors in wheelchairs.
Embassy & Consulates
The British Embassy in the U.S. is located in Washington, D.C. However, there are consulates spread throughout the country—including one in Los Angeles, California. It is at 11766 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, California 90025. The telephone number is 001-310-481-0031, and the e-mail address is mail@britishconsulatela.com.
Emergencies
In the U.S., dial 911 for emergency ambulance, fire or police services. There are more than 15 hospitals in the Clark County area. If an emergency should arise, the University Medical Centre (1800 W. Charleston Blvd., 001-702-383-2000) has a level one trauma centre. If you find you need to see a doctor, there are quick-care clinics located throughout Las Vegas.
Gaming Lessons
Many casinos offer free gaming lessons to any casino patron. You don’t even have to be a guest of the hotel. The lessons are usually held on weekday afternoons at tables on the gaming floor. Ask a casino host for the schedule. No arrangements are necessary. Just have a seat (or stand in the case of craps) at the designated table a few minutes before lesson time. It’s a nice gesture to tip the dealer who conducts the lesson when it’s over.
Money
The unit of currency in the U.S. is the dollar ($). If you run short, you should have little difficulty withdrawing money. Las Vegas is served by automated telling machines (ATMs), which accept bank debit cards, along with Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards. They are located in abundance throughout the casinos, shops and visitors’ attractions. If you have travellers cheques, these can be exchanged most easily at banks, although casino cashier cages can usually cash them, too.
Parking
Generally, parking is plentiful—and free—in Las Vegas. Most hotels offer free self-parking garages as well as valet parking, which is convenient and will only cost you $1-$2 for a tip when you depart.
Mail and E-mail
Stamps can be bought at post offices and sometimes in hotels at front desks or gift shops. Mailing a postcard to the U.K. costs 98¢. Many hotels provide free Internet access to guests or have computers for e-mail available in their business centres. There are also numerous coffee shops and cafes in Las Vegas that offer free WiFi—such as Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, It’s a Grind and the Whole Foods Market. McCarran International Airport also offers free WiFi to travellers.
Smoking
In Las Vegas, smoking is allowed in casinos, nightclubs and bars not serving food. However, it is banned from all enclosed public places, including on public transport and in restaurants and bars that serve food.
Tax
Unlike VAT in the U.K., which is included in prices, a sales tax is added to all purchases (except groceries) in Las Vegas. The current rate of sales tax in Nevada is 8.1%. Also, expect to pay a 12% tax on hotel rooms in Las Vegas.
Telephones
The international dialling code for the U.S. is +1. The area code for Southern Nevada is 702. Public telephones take coins, calling cards (which are available in most grocery and convenience stores) or credit cards.
Toilets
Public toilets, which are called “restrooms,” are found in all hotels, visitors’ attractions, restaurants, shopping centres and transportation hubs. There is no charge to use them. Most restrooms have facilities available for the disabled and those with babies.
Maverick Grand Canyon Helicopter tours company hopes this information helps in planning your Las Vegas vacation. We look forward to seeing you.
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