Las Vegas reassurance required!

[Guest]

I'm planning a return trip using it as a base for trips out. I was last there thirty years ago - where does the time go?
I'm seeing a lot of safety stuff about no go areas and not walking in some areas, even parts of the Strip.
Am I worrying too much?

[AlexE]

We went in 2015 after over 30 years purely because I wanted to see the Grand Canyon by helicopter and then again last year for the Skywalk. We are not big drinkers and do not gamble but we have seen a couple of shows and at no time did we feel unsafe at all - it does have a lot of unusual characters though😎.

We stayed at the Carriage House which was very reasonable with free parking, no resort fees and no casino. Fab hotel a 5 minute walk off the Strip and a large shopping/restaurant mall, I think it was called miracle mile, we wouldn't hesitate to return.

[duchy]

Yes

I've done lots of trips to Vegas both solo and all female groups and I don't feel any less safe in Vegas than say London.
Just take the normal precautions you would anywhere, like staying in well lit areas at night and you'll be fine. Pick a midstrip hotel or if budget is an issue the Orleans is off Strip, very safe and has a free shuttle that drops you by the Linq. One thing that has changed recently is that most Strip hotels now charge for pArking.
I probably wouldn't do Fremont Street really late at night though but stick to earlier evening.

[JoS]

Yes you are. We are from a very small town where people dont even lock their doors and can honestly say I felt just as safe in Vegas. Be sensible as with any city. We are going back again in a week and dont have any worries at all.

[YorkshireT]

There are dodgy areas in Vegas, but you will be OK.
I'm not a great fan and have been a few times. They have dodgy individuals on the strip tapping cards for call girls, and some of the areas up near Freemont street are not nice, I'd stay away from the Downtown area personally. I was once up there, parked up and had to walk past a big bloke wielding an iron bar. It was dark and I was nervous I'd get a clunk on the head, but he didn't do anything. God knows what he was up to.
I personally find it has a raw edge, lots of drinking, very expensive (I first went when it was cheaper than the rest of the US, it's now more expensive!), my friend had his Rolex stolen.
Don't let me put you off though, many love it. We prefer travelling around US to places of natural beauty ( or Disney!) and there are lots of them not that far from Vegas. Very close, is Red Rock Canyon State Park I think it's called , that is very nice.
I don't think I will ever go back unless it's to fly into the general area. I did really enjoy it the first time I went in my early 20s, but I was a lot younger then (appreciated the party atmosphere more), it was a lot quieter (the Mandalay Bay was just being built), no Paris (stayed there since), Bellagio (stayed since), Venice, Planet Hollywood (stayed since when it was called something else), Wynn, etc etc, so there were a lot less people there the first time. It definitely got a seedier side, the more busy it became.

[Guest]

I’m reassured thanks 👍A couple of good hotel recommendations there as well. We get plenty of unusual characters in Manchester 😀

[dippiedawnie]

We have been 3 times and once with a 10year old and we had no issues. Found it great for a base and planning to go back soon. We planned our days, stayed on the usual tourist paths and visited the usual place. The only thing we did do was stay away from the centre where it did get more chaotic and if we were out at night tended not to walk any distance -especially when with our son. (We have stayed in the Luxor, MGM and Mandalay Bay)

[Beth_Disney]

Vegas is similar to all big cities - there are some areas that are tourist no-go areas. The main tourist areas are fine as long as you use your common sense. You will see people sitting on the pedestrian bridges with signs asking for money (i.e. ex-veteran, need money for food) but we've never been hassled for money. We've always stayed in major hotels on the strip and you see security everywhere.

I'm not a big fan of Fremont Street at night but my husband liked it - I felt uneasy but my husband enjoyed the 'vibe'. Live country music and people drinking in the street and dancing. Not my thing (I know, I'm boring!) but the people there looked like they were having a great time!

[tonymc]

We (myself, DW and 19yo teenager) went last September. We stayed just slightly off the strip (only about 200m) in the Polo Towers which was fairly central, but had no casino (which suited us) and was a one bed suite that had kitchen facilities as well.

With regard to safety, we only really stayed around the main part of the strip, and never felt unsafe (noting, as before, to take the normal safety precautions you would in any place). There were people begging, but no-one approached us for money - they were just sitting there.

The one thing we did find strange after visiting other parts of the US where drinking alcohol anywhere other than bars or restaurants is not encouraged, was the amount of people wandering around with alcoholic drinks. No trouble from them though - everyone was just having a good time.

We did go to the Stratosphere Hotel (slightly north of the main strip area) to their revolving restaurant, but we had been advised by a friend who had visited last year, that the area around this hotel wasn't the best. We drove there anyhow without any problems.

We walked most of the strip, visiting some of the hotels, and also drove out to the Premium Outlets near the airport, without any safety issues whatsoever. I would definitely say go, but as noted, just take sensible precautions as you would in any city.

[duchy]

I probably felt less safe walking back from the MEN arena in Manchester to the Lowry than I ever have in Vegas