Be Aware / Be Prepared, Las Vegas

One day, I was walking along and some druggie walked up and tried to start a fight! Just walk away in those situations. Don't even look at them. Keep walking and you'll be fine.

Also, a lot of people try to pass out flyers for shows, adult entertainment, limos and so on. It's a horrible job for them, but you would probably be better off booking through the hotel. You never know what the heck you're going to wind up in when you go through these people.

AWFUL experience. I booked shows a month early. When I got to the shows, the tickets they booked were for the date of PURCHASE and not the date of the shows?? The “PENN & TELLER” and “JUBILEE” ticket boxoffice was good for working with me to get me a seat, but not the seats I paid for. I let bestofvegas know about their mistake and they called me a liar????? What the Heck? I will never use them again and will tell everyone I know they are incompetent. ALSO, I saw JUBILEE for full-face value while most of those I talked to were 2 for 1. WHAT??? That doesn’t sound like a deal to me. DO NOT USE bestofvegas.

Never leave any slot machine that you're playing for any reason. People have been known to sit down at your machine and assume your play, keeping your winnings or credits.

If you hit a 'big one', stay at the machine until a slot hostess comes to your aid. Don't go looking for your spouse to show him/her your 'hit'. Save your bragging rights until you have the cash in hand.

If your a Californian, your aware of the term "Get Away Fridays." Those who are visiting, are probably not aware of that term. Plus, Interstate 15 is know has one the deadliest highways in California. Get Away Fridays is what describes the traffic on Fridays when heading towards Las Vegas. Traffic is bad and partly that is because between California and Nevada transportation departments are trying to update the highway conditions. Unfortunately because much of the Hwy 15 is built throughout the mountains,they had to literally blast away the mountain sides to add more lanes. It's much better, but they are always trying to maintain it. So traffic can be terrible. So, please check the Caltrans site for current conditions.

Plus, there is a new law on the books. If there is any type of emergency vehicle, such as Highway Patrol, Sheriff, Ambulance, Firetrucks, or Tow Trucks you are required to move over to give them a safe buffer. Truckers have been doing this for years as a curtisey, so you should too!

Places have bad areas to avoid everywhere. The important thing is you use common sense and don't go walking off by yourself, don't set your drink down or ask someone to hold it while you go dance, if you feel uncomfortable in a certain atmosphere or area leave, use the buddy system (not someone you just met), Watch out for our crazy taxi drivers, only cross the street when the signal says, don't go to someone's hotel room you met while out drinking because chances are they are skilled hookers and you'll lose your money before you even come close to "scoring" and if your a women please read first line again....USE COMMON SENSE!

9 times out of 10 it's not the locals on the strip you need to watch out for it's the drunk people visiting and come to Vegas with the "Sin City" mind set. Us locals tend to only go down to the strip when we have visitors and even then the interesting people you come across is rather interesting. Have a good enjoy yourself just keep in control to keep yourself safe.

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Everyone needs to understand how important hotel safety is.

FIRE SAFETY :It has been said that you should never stay higher than the 4th floor because most fire trucks ladders do not reach any higher. Yet, I know that is not practical especially in Vegas. So make sure you know where the fire extinguisher is and the stairways are. Make sure to count the doors from your door to the stairways encase it gets too smokey and you cannot see.

READ: the info behind your door. Lots of wonderful emergency info to know. It also shows you where your room is and where the stairways are.

LOCK: your doors. Most hotels have great locks on their doors now. Use them. They give three locks, so use them. Do not stay in a hotel unless you have new locks. Some of the older hotles may not have them, so I would not stay in them.

LIGHTED AREAS: Stay in lighted areas of the hotel if you can and park your car in a lighted area if you can.

STAND TALL AND LOOK UP: Don't look vunerable and pay attention of where and who is around you. If you look confident and alert, your likely not going to be a target.

DO NOT: get in a elevator by yourself if you can. For women, do not get into a elevator with strangers if you can.

KEYS: Carry your car keys in your hands between your fingers so you can use them as a weapon just incase.

Just some tips to keep you safe!

The Extended Stay on Valley View is within walking distance (a little less than 1 mile) of the Rio...but during late May to mid June the temperatures are between 95F-115F. It is fairly safe in that area as long as you stay East of the Palms Resort (stay closest to the Strip). Your biggest safety concern is the traffic and hot temperatures. The traffic in that area can be quite aggressive (especially the Taxi Cabs!)- so watch when you cross any streets. The heat is very dry- 10% humidity so the sun and temperature can sap your energy quickly. Always wear a hat & sunscreen (SPF 20+) and ALWAYS have a bottle of water in your hand (not beer!) especially when you are outside. Because it is so dry you don't realize you're sweating and that 1 mile can feel like 10 miles. Drink at least 4+ bottles of water a day & after every 4th bottle drink Gatorade or something with electrolytes. I am a tour guide in Las Vegas for a company called Guided Vegas Tours and I travel that area almost daily, so feel free to ask anything!

Hope this helps...Happy Travels.

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This is one thing I really did not like. There is a big sign at the Las Vegas Boulevard that Excalibur Hotel has a 2 for 1 Buffet. The sign gave an idea that lunch is offered 2 for 1 until 6:00PM. We went to the hotel when we think we still have time, really hungry.

When we get there and line up to the cashier to pay, she charged us for the regular amount of lunch for 2. I told her I am paying only for the 2 for 1 buffet. You know what she said? Oh, we do not offer that today! Just like that. End of the story.

Don't get hooked. This hotel mislead tourists. Do not believe in this 2-for-1 Buffet. If ever there is one, they choose the time, the person, and the situation to deny it.