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Top 10 things not to do in Las Vegas

Top 10 things not to do in Las Vegas

It seems like everywhere you look on the internet (including this website) there is a list of things to do in Las Vegas. It's important to have such a list as you plan your trip to Las Vegas. Equally important is a list of things not to do as you plan or when you get to Las Vegas.

We have put together a list of the 10+ things you shouldn't do in Las Vegas or while you plan your Las Vegas vacation. Every visitor should read through this list in order to have an enjoyable Las Vegas vacation.

Top 10 things not to do in Las Vegas

1 Daily Resort Fee

Do not book a hotel room without checking and understanding the hotel's daily resort fee. A resort fee is a fee you are charged for things like using the fitness center, local telephone calls, internet access, etc. Resort fees range between $30 and $50 per day on top of room rates and any parking fees. Most Las Vegas hotels impose this mandatory resort fee and you will be charged for it daily, whether you use those amenities or not. Check here to see how much your hotel will charge you in addition to their low rate.

2 Uncomfortable Shoes

Do not walk the Vegas Strip in tight or uncomfortable shoes. Your trip to Las Vegas will entail a lot of walking while you sightsee. The average visitor will clock in approximately 3 - 4 miles walking. Plan to arrive in Las Vegas with the most comfortable walking shoes you can get. If you don't, you will pay dearly for it when you get home.

3 Jaywalking

Do not Jaywalk. In the US, Jaywalking is when you cross the street through the middle and not at the intersections pedestrian crossing where you are supposed to. In Las Vegas, the practice is illegal and extremely dangerous. If you are caught jaywalking, you will be cited. The minimum fine is $350

4 Street Vendors

Do not buy water from unlicensed street vendors. These vendors are not legally licensed/permitted to handle food or drink for public consumption. Anyone selling cold water from a portable cooler on the pedestrian bridge or Vegas strip is doing so illegally. Metro police has also determined that some of that water could be unsafe. Some street vendors have also been caught with bottles repackaged and resold with tap water to thirsty tourists. There are convenience stores along the strip where you can buy cold water.

5 Do not use Casino ATM's
Las Vegas Casino ATM

Do not use casino ATM machines. Though this might look like a convenient way to get cash when you need it, there is a high price to pay for that convenience. Casino ATM's charge a fee between $3.50 to $8.00 in addition to any fees your bank charges. That might not seem like a lot if you are withdrawing $500, but if you need $20 for lunch, that's a different story.

Don't worry, you'll get a prompt asking if you're sure you want to pay the fee, and you will know what the fee is before you complete the transaction.

Tip: Need a few dollars, walk down to the corner Walgreens or CVS, buy a bottle of water and take some cash out with your debt card.

6 Hotel mini-bar

Do not open or treat yourself to the mini-bar in your hotel room. Most frequent travelers are aware that mini-bars are pricey. In Las Vegas, they are extra pricey. Your room mini-bar has a sensor that registers when an item for sale is removed for more than 45 seconds. Expect a charge on your credit card after the 45 seconds expire, even if the item is placed back in the "minibar" after that given time. The bottom line: Do not open, move or store personal items in your mini bar.

Also watch out for that complimentary-looking bottles of water sitting next to the TV as you walk into your room. There is nothing complementary about that bottle. "DO NOT OPEN IT". You will be charged between $6 and $8 for that dusty, expired Evian bottle of water.

7 Do not Smoke in a Non-Smoking hotel room
Do not smoke in a non-smoking Vegas hotel room

Besides smashing up your Vegas hotel room, this is one fee that is difficult to get out of. "Do not smoke in a non-smoking Vegas hotel room". In most cases, it's the friends you invite over for a drink that will vap or smoke an e-cig while you are not paying attention. A $500 cleaning fee is ridiculous but you are responsible for anything that happens in that room and disputing the cleaning fee with your credit card company usually does not work once the hotel can prove the room was charged under your name.

8 Do not violate Clark County Code: CCO 12.33.010

Educate yourself about Clark County Code: CCO 12.33.010 before you get to Las Vegas and do not violate it. Just because you are in Vegas doesn't mean there are no laws. By the time most tourists find out about the local laws, it's a bit too late. Besides jaywalking, Disorderly Conduct - CCO 12.33.010 is the next offence most tourists fall a victim to. Disorderly conduct in Las Vegas in most cases are alcohol related.

According to Clark County Code: CCO 12.33.010 it is unlawful for any person to engage in any of the following acts of disorderly conduct:
(a) Participate in a fight;
(b) Challenge another person to fight;
(c) Use profane, indecent or obscene language in addressing another person;
(d) Commit a breach of the peace;
(e) Incite a disturbance;
(f) Accosting, interfering with or harassing, another and thus creating a disturbance.

9 Don't gamble just for comps

Don't gamble just for comps. Comps, which is short for "complimentary" is a way Las Vegas casinos rewards its frequent gamblers by offering them free complimentary rooms, buffet passes, show tickets, and so on, as a way to encourage players to gamble.

While it's great to receive comps while you gamble, going out of your way to gamble just for comps is a bad thing. Chances are you're going to lose a lot of money at the tables in exchange for those comps.

10 Do not venture off the Vegas Strip

Do not venture off the Vegas Strip. Las Vegas for the most part is a very safe city for tourists. The major tourist area (the Vegas Strip) is well light, patrolled by metro police on bicycles and horse back and have cameras at every corner looking out for the safety of tourists.

However, when in Vegas, you should always have your guards up. Use common sense safety practices in Las Vegas as you would in any big city.

NEVER, NEVER venture off the Vegas strip especially at night. Those side streets are not well lit and can be dangerous. Also on the Vegas Strip, the section north of Encore can also be dangerous at night.

11 Marijuana Use in Las Vegas

Marijuana Use in Las Vegas YES! No.11 & 12.... Nevada voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2016, but the law prohibits public consumption of marijuana in all public places. Use of marijuana (weed), including but not limited to smoking, inhaling, ingesting, or using oils, lotions, or other transdermal introduction of, is not allowed on the Strip, in your hotel room, casino floor, bars, nightclubs, concerts, festivals, parks, sporting events, moving vehicles, marijuana facilities or while you're walking down the street or anywhere in the city except in private residences. Anyone who violates this law is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $600.

Persons in possession of more than one ounce of marijuana, or more than 1/8 ounce of concentrated marijuana, and persons under the age of 21 in possession of any amount of marijuana or concentrated marijuana, are subject to arrest and prosecution under NRS 453. Simple possession is prohibited under NRS 453.336 and for the first offense is a Category E Felony

For more information, please visit http://marijuana.nv.gov

12 Prostitution and solicitation

Despite what you have heard, Prostitution and solicitation is NOT LEGAL in Las Vegas or anywhere within Clark County (NRS 201.354). In Las Vegas, being caught for solicitation carries a mandatory court appearance and a court fine of up to $1,000, and/or a maximum six months in jail. You will also be required to take an HIV test.

There are laws, don't assume because it's Vegas you can do whatever you want. What happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay in Vegas. Be aware that the undercover police often disguise themselves as prostitutes or "johns." They do this in order to trick suspected sex workers or customers into soliciting prostitution so they can then arrest them.

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This law is to help to cut down on litter and the ability to use the glass as a weapon. If caught by police drinking from a glass container you will be asked to dispose of the beverage. If you refuse, police can confiscate the drink and, if necessary, arrest you on a misdemeanor charge that carries a maximum fine of $1,000 or up to 6 months in jail.

Respect the Ban and enjoy Vegas.

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