Las Vegas For New Year’s Eve: What You Need To Know From A NYE Veteran
By Kevin Wilkerson
The vision of spending New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas is one of a dymanic, awesome, over-the-top experience that is one of the best in the world.
That is true for the most part, tho it is ranked fourth — and not #1 — in this list of top New Year’s Eve destinations. Since I have been to Las Vegas several times for New Year’s Eve, I’m providing this boots-on-the-ground, cut-to-the-chase look it. If you want to dig into more details, I suggest you click on this Vegas NYE article, which is specific to the Strip and the fireworks viewing.
For starters, here’s the biggest Las Vegas New Year’s Eve tip you can receive. Pack warm. That’s right, leave the shorts and t-shirt at home. Bathing suit? Forget it. Las Vegas is located in a desert and the desert gets COLD at night in the winter. The temperature will be in the low to mid-40s at night. I’ve even been there when it has snowed. If you do not pay attention to this tip then you will be spending some of your New Year’s Eve trip money on wardrobe.
The second item, which can be done on the fly, is to decide if you want to be on the Strip or downtown at what is called the Fremont Street Experience. I’ve done both and since I like to be where the action is, I by far prefer the Strip. Fremont Street has bands on various stages but it’s 50 bucks to get in there (the Strip is free). If you’re a couple this is the better call but if you’re single going to the Strip is a no-brainer.
Okay, about the Strip. It is blocked off to traffic starting at about 5. There’s n real rush to get there at that time but certainly you want to have feet on the pavement by 9. By 10:30 or 11, there’s something like 400,000 people there but you never feel squished; there’s always elbow room.
Spend the early time scouting out where you want to watch the fireworks. I like the mid-Strip area around Planet Hollywood. At around 11, start making your way to your chosen spot.
Now here’s another pro’s tip: before you get to your spot, go to the bathroom and have your cocktail(s) full. Each is important in its own way and especially the former because the casinos actually lock their doors starting around 11. The only one you can get into is the one where you are staying. We learned this first hand and managed to squeeze into onejust as they were locking doors. The best way to ruin the New Year’s Eve experience is to get there and suddenly have to pee; you’re conentrating more on that than on the fireworks and the joy around you.
I feel the same way about having a cocktail – it helps the celebration and the buildup to it by having a big, full drink. Plus, I have often shared mine with a damsel in distress standing near me, which is a great way to meet someone.
Las Vegas also has the famous mega-clubs, all of which have huge parties and high-in-the-sky lounges at the top of hotels. Those, too, are options for spending New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. They can be pricey — $300 and up for entry fees and $3,000–5,000 for a table witih bottle service — but are good for groups.
Myself, I prefer the massive party scene happening on The Strip. After the fireworks, which last about 10 minutes, then myself and my group go poking around the various bars. some of which either relax their cover charge or drop it entirely.
The next day, hang aruond for the College Football Playoff games, the bowl games and casino-bar hop. On Jan. 1, everyone there seems to have a collective sigh of relieve, which is why I believe Las Vegas is the top place in the world to be for New Year’s Day.
So there’s pretty much everything you need to know for spending New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. Again, the first rule is to dress warm.
Kevin Wilkerson is an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in daily newspapers and for the Associated Press. He publishes the nightlife blog PubClub.com and has been to Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve several times.
