Las Vegas Facts : Things you should know about the City of Las Vegas

It's always good to know the do's and don't's of any city you plan to visit, and Las Vegas is no exception. Here are a few facts about alcohol consumption, curfews, gambling, etc.

 

Curfews

 

The city of Las Vegas and the entire Clark County have a curfew ordinance. Anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from being on the Strip after 9 pm on weekends and holidays unless accompanied by a parent.

 

Off the Strip, the curfew for those under 18 years old is 10 pm on school nights and midnight on weekends.

 

 

Gambling

 

The minimum age for gambling in Nevada is 21 or older and the law is strictly enforced. Casinos can be fined heavily by the state or have their license revoked for allowing anyone under 21 to gamble or loiter in gaming areas.

 

Adults cannot play slot machines with kids looking over their shoulder, nor can they park infants in strollers besides slot machines or gaming tables.

 

Security guards will inform violators of the state law one time and escort them from the premises for repeatedly ignoring warnings.

 

 

Las Vegas City Facts

 

Telephone Area Code: 702

 

Time Zone
Pacific Standard Time GMT - 8

Electrical Standard
Local voltage is 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles)

 

Safety

 

The Las Vegas strip and surrounding areas are actually among the safest places for visitors in the country. Security is tight, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take the same precautions that you would at home. Be aware of your surroundings and stay away from threatening situations. If gaming, keep an eye on your purse, change bucket or chips. If there is an incident, police and security personnel are generally highly visible.

 

Play it safe on your next vacation and follow some of these Las Vegas travel safety tips.

 

Liquor

 

The legal drinking age in Las Vegas is 21 yrs. old. Las Vegas has some of the most liberal liquor laws in the country for those over 21. Many bars are open 24 hours. There are no closing hours for liquor sales or for the consumption of alcohol. However be aware that the penalties for drunken driving is tough.

 

Also note: It is illegal to have an open alcohol container in the car.

 

Here are a few things you should be aware of if you plan to drive in Las Vegas.

 

Failure to give the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalk - Fine $280

DUI - Liquor and/or drugs - Requires mandatory court appearance - Bail $2,115

Drinking alcholic beverage while driving - Requires a mandatory court appearance, 5pts on your record and a bail of $640

Open alcoholic container in vehicle will fetch you a $640 Fine

 

 

What to Wear

 

Las Vegas is a place you can visit all year round. However the months of May through October are particularly warm. When walking up and down the Vegas strip, sunscreen is important. An SPF of at least 15 should be worn. Wear comfortable walking shoes and always check the weather.

 

In the months of November through April, the differences in temperature can be drastic between day and night. A light jacket is recommended especially in the evening and at night.

 

21 yr old age limit

 

You must be at least 21 years of age to make reservations for the hotel.  The minimum age to gamble or drink alcoholic beverages is 21. Minors are not allowed to stand next to slot machines or table games, but they may walk through the casino.

 

Las Vegas Pedestrian Fines

 

Here are a few fines you should be aware of as a pedestrian in Las Vegas.

 

Pedestrians failure to obey traffic signals - Fine $190

The fine for Jaywalking in Las Vegas is $190.00

These fines are subject to change.

Parking

 

Parking is available at most hotels and casinos for free. Valet parking is also available at most of the hotels on the strip.

 

Shopping

 

Shopping Hours are 10am to 11pm daily, although many shops remain open 24 hours in Las Vegas. Here is a list of places to shop in Vegas.

 

Currency Exchange

 

Most of the Las Vegas hotels and casinos will accept foreign currency and exchange it for US Dollars. Contact the hotel information desk or the Concierge for more information.

 

There are also a couple established foreign exchange service centers along the Vegas Strip.

 

American Express Fashion Show Mall 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702-739-8474

Foreign Money Exchange, Inc. 101 Convention Center 702-791-3301

 

Banking

 

Bank Cards

There is access to cash at automated teller machines (ATM). Every casino cash and ATM system is part of the instant Teller, Star, Plus & Cirrus networks. These ATMs also accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover for a $1 - $5 service charge. Western Unions are also located in almost every hotel.

 

Checks

Hotels often cash personal or cashier checks with proper ID. Fees maybe charged for this service.

 

Banking Hours
Most banks are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Some banks are open on Saturdays; please check with your hotel concierge for major bank locations near your hotel.

 

Tax

 

There is a 8.1% sales tax on purchases and a 12% percent tax on hotel rooms in Las Vegas. (An additional 2% is added to the room tax for certain Downtown properties adjacent to and near the Fremont Street Experience.)

 

Smoking

 

Nevada law regulates indoor smoking areas. The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (NCIAA) prohibits smoking in many indoor public spaces, including - restaurants, hotel lobbies & elevators, guest room hallways, arcades, malls & retail stores, meeting and convention areas including the Las Vegas Convention Center concourse areas, and the McCarran International Airport. .

 

Smoking is however permitted in the gaming areas of the casino floor, designated smoking guest rooms, and certain stand-alone bars that don't serve food & nightclubs.

 

Tips on Tipping in Las Vegas

In Las Vegas, tipping is necessary and expected.

Waiting staff should always be tipped, usually 18% to 21% of the total bill, depending on level of service.

Taxi drivers, 15% to 20% is normal.

Dealers should be tipped your average bet once or twice an hour.

A dollar or two is appropriate for cocktail waitresses, bellhops, doormen and other service providers.

 

Child Car Seat Laws

 

The Nevada child car seat law NRS 484.474 exempts a passenger less than 6 years of age and weighing 60 pounds or less from being secured in child restraint system (when none is available) while riding in a means of public transportation, including a taxi, school bus or emergency vehicle. Read more here.

 

Medical Facility

 

The University Medical Center Hospital is the closest medical facility to the Vegas strip. Located at 1800 W Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102. Phone (702) 383-2000

 

Las Vegas Hotel Handicap Accessibility

 

All Las Vegas hotels and casinos are accessible to all visitors.

 

Almost all Vegas hotels offer rooms with roll-in showers, transfer showers and tubs with built-in or portable seats.

Most Las Vegas hotels also have pool lifts to assist visitors into the pool.

Las Vegas casinos also has accessible slot machines and accessible table games.

Many Las Vegas casinos offer sign language interpreters for free gaming lessons.

All show theaters off seating for handicapped patrons and offer assistive listening devices.

Remember to call the Las Vegas hotel before you book your room and ask about your specific needs.

 

Prostitution

 

Nevada is one of just two states that allow some form of legal prostitution, the other being Rhode Island. State law permits heavily regulated brothels to operate in any county with a population under 400,000, making prostitution illegal in Washoe and Clark Counties, among others. Eleven Nevada counties currently permit brothels in certain areas or cities. Prostitution however is illegal in Las Vegas which is located in Clark County.

 

Note:

In Las Vegas, being caught for soliciting / prostitution carries a mandatory court appearance and a court fine of $1,130

 

 

 

2012 United States Public Holidays

*New Year's Day	January 1, 2012
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day	January 16, 2012 (third Monday in Jan)
Presidents' Day	February 20, 2012 (mid Feb.)
Memorial Day	May 28, 2012 (end of May)
Independence Day	July 4, 2012
Labour Day	September 3, 2012 (First Monday in Sept.)
Columbus Day	October 8, 2012 (Second Monday in Oct.)
*Veterans Day	November 11, 2012
Thanksgiving Day	November 22, 2012 (Fourth Thursday in Nov.)
Christmas Day	December 25, 2012

*Holidays falling on Saturday or Sunday are taken on the following Monday.

 

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