Las Vegas is one of the most popular destination spots for Americans and world tourists alike. The glitz, glamour, excitement and energy of the Las Vegas strip is something that can be easily felt, but is never equally described. It's just something you have to experience for yourself. Even if you are a veteran of the Vegas Strip, proper planning is crucial to maximizing your stay in one of the hottest travel destination spots in the country. Here are some tips that frequent visitors and first timers may find useful for planning a trip to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Accommodations

Before you even book your flight, pack your bags or rent a car, you need to figure out when and where you would like to stay. Understand that because of its lasting impression on its visitors, abundance of shopping, casinos, exciting nightlife, fine dining and the appeal it can have for big conventions, Las Vegas is always busy. When searching for the appropriate accommodations, there are several things you need to think about:

• Think about how much you're willing to spend. If there was any time for you to go big and experience a life of luxury and extravagance that you're not too familiar with, it's on a Vegas vacation. Depending on how much you want to spend, you can easily secure lavish hotel accommodations at an affordable price. Of course, if you don't even plan on sleeping, then save the money on a hotel suite and opt for cheaper accommodations that are off the Vegas Strip.
• Deciding between a large hotel suite or individual rooms. Las Vegas is one of the premiere destination spots for group trips, especially because it's so well-suited for bachelor and bachelorette parties. When traveling in a group, determine whether it is more affordable to get smaller, individual rooms for everyone, or larger hotel suites to accommodate multiple people. Remember, some hotels on the Vegas Strip, like Bellagio or Venetian, only have suites in their hotel.
• Book your rooms early. The closer you book your hotel room to your actual arrival, the more expensive it will be. When planning a trip to Las Vegas, you always want to secure a room well in advance. Before you even get a confirmed head count for your trip, book the hotel room a month or two ahead of your trip. If things don't go as planned, you can typically cancel your reservation for a full refund as long as it is done several days before your expected arrival. Just remember, if you pay the deposit with a credit card, it must be reimbursed to the same card used.
• Sign up for online newsletters and promotions. There are numerous ways to get discount savings on your hotel accommodations. Just subscribe to Las Vegas hotel newsletters, sign up for club memberships and enroll in a "player's" club for your favorite casinos. Las Vegas is all about compensations and guest loyalty perks, so always take advantage of them.

Las Vegas Family Attractions

At one time, Las Vegas was known specifically for being a gambling mecca in the U.S. However, Las Vegas has changed significantly since its early origins. With an abundance of family oriented entertainment, people of all ages can truly enjoy a trip to Las Vegas. If you are planning a trip to Las Vegas for the entire family, here are some attractions you may wish to consider:

• Amusement parks: Many casinos throughout the Las Vegas Strip offer entertainment for the whole family in the form of mini-amusement parks. From carnival games to rollercoaster rides, kids and adults alike will enjoy a visit to Las Vegas hotels like Circus Circus, New York New York and Stratosphere. Further off the Vegas Strip lies Buffalo Bill's and Freemont Street in downtown, which offer similar, amusement park attractions.
• Kid friendly hotels: Aside from the hotels previously mentioned, hotels like Luxor, Excalibur and MGM Grand feature attractions suitable for every member of the family.
• Free attractions: Many free attractions are available for the family to enjoy, most of which can be seen directly from the sidewalk of Las Vegas Boulevard. Be sure to check out the erupting volcano at the Mirage, the pirate show at Treasure Island and the water show in front of the Bellagio. You can call each hotel for schedules and show times.

Las Vegas Nightlife

People often think the only things to do in Las Vegas are gamble, drink and eat. While there is nothing wrong with any of those activities (when done safely and in moderation, of course), there is a whole other side of Las Vegas that some people have yet to unfold. Here are some activities that are perfect for sparking the Las Vegas nightlife:

• Las Vegas nightclubs: Las Vegas hotels have really made a push to attract visitors through plush, extravagant night clubs furnished with high-end fixtures, top-shelf alcohol, high-tech lighting and enough music to keep people dancing all night. Las Vegas hotels are constantly trying to upstage one another, with popular nightclubs at virtually every casino. Frequently visited nightclubs include XS at the Wynn hotel, Marquee at the Cosmopolitan, Tao at the Venetian Hotel and Pure at Caesar's Palace.
• Las Vegas shows: Take to the stage and enjoy an abundance of shows featuring world class performers from around the globe. Most major hotels on the Las Vegas strip offer some form of variety show, ranging from comedy shows to musicals. Popular shows include KA Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand, La Reve at the Wynn, and O at the Bellagio.

More Tips for Planning a Trip to Vegas

• Utilize public transportation via cabs and trams. If you want to save money, see if you can find someone in the hotel cab line going to the same hotel as you. The cost for one passenger in a cab is the same as a cab ride for three, and you can split the cost.
• Do some research before planning your trip and see what events or conventions are going on during your stay. This can either make your trip more appealing, or it can influence you to reschedule.
• Utilize your hotel's guest services. The people manning these kiosks are locals, and will surely have the insider information on attractions and discounts.
• A friendly "tip" goes along way. If you take care of the people who are taking care of you, you will surely have a pleasant stay.
• It may be alright to drink on the street, but you still can't drink inside your car. Don't make this careless mistake that can end with you in the slammer.