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I seem to have dubbed myself the tour guide on the Road to Imagine. I have set out to ensure that you get the most out of your experience by being prepared, focused and ready to engage. This week, I am going to offer some basic information that ensures you don’t look like a tourist in a city that never shuts down.

Weather Report

April is probably the absolute best time to be heading to Vegas because it is before the temperatures really start heating up. On average you will see a high of 78 degrees and an average low of 51 degrees, allowing your stay to be comfortable.  I do suggest bringing along a wind breaker or light jacket if you will be hitting the strip at night, it tends to be a little breezy.

Traffic Report

Keep in mind that distances are further than they appear- sure, it doesn’t LOOK far, but a couple of blocks in and you’ll wonder what made you decide to walk. The Strip is four miles long, and because the buildings are so close together, they appear closer than they really are—a two building walk from, say, Bally’s to Planet Hollywood is manageable, but any more than that, and you’ll wear out your walking shoes.

With that in mind, the good news is that With so many things to see and do in Las Vegas, the good news is that getting around the area tends to be pretty easy.

• Las Vegas Monorail
  For direct tickets to the Las Vegas Monorail, click here.
  The Las Vegas Monorail runs from Sahara Avenue to the MGM Grand, stopping at the LVH, the Las Vegas Convention Center, Harrah’s, the Flamingo and Bally’s. The service runs 7am–midnight Mon, 7am–2am Tue–Thur, 7am–3am Fri–Sun. The journey time from end to end is usually around 15 minutes. Single-ride tickets cost $5 and one-day passes go for $12; three-day passes for $28.
• Buses
  Buses are the smartest and most economical way to get around Vegas.Buses run 24/7 on the Deuce route along Las Vegas Boulevard, and roughly 5.30am–1.30am elsewhere. The buses are safe and relatively comprehensive in their coverage of the city. Bus stops are marked by signs with the blue, white and gold RTC Transit logo; most have shelters. Most bus routes run along the length of a single street, some with a quick turnaround at either end of the route. Buses with a route number beginning in “1” generally run north–south; those starting “2” run east–west. Many buses stop at the BTC.
• Taxis
  There are taxi ranks outside most hotels; restaurants and bars will be happy to call a cab for you. Technically, you’re not allowed to hail a taxi from the street and most won’t stop if you try, but it’s usually OK to approach an empty cab with its light on if it has stopped in traffic. Meters start at $3.30, and increase by $2.60 per mile. If you have a complaint, note the cab number and call the Nevada Taxicab Authority (486 6532, www.taxi.state.nv.us). Keep that last part in mind. I have been duped more than once into being taken on a longer more costly trip.
• UBER
  By far, UBER is the most convenient service available and, in my experience, more reliable than most of the taxi services, meaning you get the fastest most economical route.

Don’t Buy Drinks in the Casino

If you’re going to play slots, video poker or hit the game tables, don’t purchase cocktails at a casino bar beforehand—wait until the cocktail waitress approaches you. In an effort to keep you gambling, the casinos offer free cocktails; you may have to wait a little longer for it, but you’ll save money. And if you’re hitting the clubs later, start your drinking on the casino floor so there’s less you have to spend—for any type of performance, even a DJ spinning, you’ll get hit with an additional live entertainment tax. Better to start early!

The Costumed-Character Game

Sure, it’s fun to see someone dressed up as show girl, a Transformer and even a Storm Trooper, at various points along the Strip (including at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign), but be forewarned, if you stop to take a photo with them, they expect you to pay for it. Avoid a potentially nasty situation by either taking a pass or negotiating a price you feel comfortable with beforehand. In most cases, these costumed characters are at iconic sights you snap photos of anyway—but if you simply must have Darth Vader or a Minion in your photo at the Las Vegas sign, so be it.

Keep an Open Mind

Let’s face it, once you land, you are in an adult paradise, so keep an open mind. Sometimes things do not go according to your master plan. Take a deep breath and go with the flow. It may lead you to something cool you may not have discovered otherwise. You never know what you’ll encounter when you walk down the Las Vegas Strip. But that’s half the fun. The people-watching in this town is AMAZING!

Final Note

A final note: Should you find yourself doing something that your friends or family would look down upon, don’t feel ashamed, Vegas won’t tell anyone. Really, it is their motto. Just don’t post the compromising photos on Facebook. If you do, then Vegas can’t help you, and someone would probably find those photos if you ever tried to run for Congress.