The Las Vegas Strip at sunset

Las Vegas in January

By Stuart Bak

Party season may be over but, while Sin City nurses its massive holiday hangover, there are still stacks of fun things to see and do here in the city that quite literally never sleeps. Bonus: it’s less busy than usual, making the Strip and its many attractions much easier to explore. Dive in to our expert guide to discover why you should visit Las Vegas in January.

Visiting Las Vegas in January

Average Temperature: 48°F • Average Rainfall: 6 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 8 hours/day

Being one of the hottest cities in the States doesn’t mean Las Vegas can’t also get chilly, particularly at night when desert temperatures have been known to plummet as dramatically as Celine Dion hitting an unexpected bass note on stage at Caesars Palace. Daytime highs at this time of year are around 57°F which, to be fair, is pretty darn pleasant for January especially when compared to, say, New York. But you might still be left wondering if the locals you see wandering around in shirt sleeves and shorts have been hitting the sauce a little too hard over the holiday season. We recommend layering as a safe bet to cover all bases. Think jeans, top and light jacket during the day with maybe an extra jumper or even a scarf on the chillier evenings, especially if this is when you plan to stroll the Strip to see the Bellagio fountains in action, or the erupting volcano outside the Mirage which, spectacular though it is, is unlikely to warm you up much.

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It’s a great time to visit Vegas, for many reasons. Such as the January sales: you could easily spend days losing yourself in the supersize malls here (though your bank manager might not thank you for it). Then there are the casinos, restaurants and shows. As Las Vegas is way less busy this time of year, you’ll likely find it much easier to get that reservation at Robuchon, or the best seats in the house for Cirque du Soleil. Flights into Vegas are also traditionally cheaper at this time of year, with most hotels lowering prices too, though note that you should expect a significant hike during the massive Consumer Electronics Show near the start of the month.

Things to do in January

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The holiday party season may be over, and pool season proper won’t start until March, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still find yourself a daybed and chill with cocktails by the pool someplace. Many of the major hotels here have heated pools that remain open throughout winter. These include the main pool at the MGM Grand, the palm-fringed pool deck at ARIA, and Resorts World with its enormous pool deck and infinity pool overlooking the Strip. However, to access others including Mandalay Bay and the Cosmopolitan you’ll need to be a guest, as day passes are unavailable.

From relaxing poolside to screaming your head off on some of the planet’s scariest thrill rides, there’s a January activity here to suit all tastes. Take a ride on Insanity, 900 feet above the Strip atop the Strat’s SkyPod observation tower. Soar through the skies on the Fly LINQ Zipline. Loop the loop on the Big Apple Roller Coaster. Or try the relatively sedate (but no less terrifying) High Roller Observation Wheel – at 550 feet, it’s the second highest on the planet.

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After a couple of days spent enjoying Vegas’s non-stop assault of high-octane rides, high stakes casinos, high-priced steaks and endlessly mesmerizing neon lights, you may find yourself hankering for something a bit more... down to earth. Answer the call of the wild with a hiking trip to Red Rock Canyon, just south of the city. This sprawling conservation area is filled with towering sandstone peaks, waterfalls and Native American petroglyphs, and guided tours of its paths are available. Or steel yourself for a ramble up Mount Charleston, Clark County’s highest. The strenuous 16-hour round-trip to the mountain’s (probably snow-capped) summit is rewarded with unbeatable panoramic views of Death Valley, the Sierra Nevada, and Las Vegas itself.

A journey almost as lengthy (but considerably more comfortable) is a coach trip out east of the city to some of the Nevada-Arizona state line’s finest natural and manmade wonders. You can pause at the Hoover Dam for spectacular views of the Colorado River from hundreds of feet up, or drive through the Joshua Tree National Park to the Grand Canyon’s West Rim where further awe-inspiring views await. Heck, why not just combine all three for the ultimate day trip out of Vegas?

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What’s on in January?

One of the surprise treats that awaits visitors to Vegas in January is the proliferation of festive attractions that remain open. Soothe your holiday hangover with a trip to the Glittering Lights extravaganza at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Here, a whopping five million lights (give or take) create a dazzling drive-through show packed with Christmas scenes and Vegas icons. There’s even an accompanying festive radio station to tune into in your car.

Meanwhile over at the Bellagio, you still have time (for the first week of January, at least) to view the displays at the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Expect holiday decorations made from flowers and plants, giant polar bears and trees festooned with tinsel and baubles. Head to the Cosmopolitan rooftop for firepits, s’mores and a massive ice-skating rink complete with regular snow flurries. There’s plenty of Christmas spirit left up here and the views of the Paris resort’s neon-lit Eiffel Tower are second to none.

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Also worth looking out for in January is the parade in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The biggest in the state, it draws tens of thousands of participants annually, all eager to see its colorful floats and live performances.

Hot enough to melt the snow that blankets Mount Charleston’s highest peaks, the AVN Adult Entertainment expo also rolls into town at this time of the year, raising temperatures and offering fan meet and greets with some of the industry’s hottest stars. And if there’s an event more ‘Sin City’ than a porn convention, we’ve yet to hear of it...

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Is Las Vegas Safe to Visit?

Sit back and picture Vegas: we can guess what’s in your head. Neon strips. Roulette wheels spinning like carousels. Pristine casinos, so shiny they look like they were made just for you. Las Vegas is the land of entertainment opportunities - you’ll never be bored here. But if you’re reading this, what you really want to know is, will you be safe?.. Will I be safe in Las Vegas? 6 ways to stay safe at the slots and tables People carrying large amounts of money attract thieves and pickpockets in any city. But the number of slots and tables in the city may pose some unique considerations to tourists who don’t want to draw attention to themselves by flashing their cash. Here are some good ways to keep your money and valuables as safe as possible: 1. Stow your wallet in your front pocket rather than back. Wrap a thick rubber band around it to make it harder for it to be lifted out. 2. Why not invest in some travel-safe wardrobe pieces? Travel blazers contain special zippered inside pockets. Or if they’re too much hassle, a trusty fanny pack is a tourist classic. 3. Won on the slots? Excellent - drinks on you! But before you cash out, make sure you’re done playing to avoid having any of it lifted. If you’ve won really big, ask the casino for a cashier’s check. 4. Keep purses and backpacks on your lap or on a special hook that slides under the armrest of some blackjack tables. Do not leave them on the floor where a bag snatcher can grab it. Better still, stow your bags in your locked hotel room to avoid this scenario entirely. 5. You’re doing really well at the tables. Your chips are piling up. Maybe so high a thief can see them clearly from the other side of the room. Don’t make a totem pole of your winnings - exchange them for a higher denomination to keep things safe and a little humble. 6. Play safe by avoiding all betting games outside the casinos. What about areas around Vegas? 6 ways to stay safe at the slots and tables People carrying large amounts of money attract thieves and pickpockets in any city. But the number of slots and tables in the city may pose some unique considerations to tourists who don’t want to draw attention to themselves by flashing their cash. Here are some good ways to keep your money and valuables as safe as possible: 1. Stow your wallet in your front pocket rather than back. Wrap a thick rubber band around it to make it harder for it to be lifted out. 2. Why not invest in some travel-safe wardrobe pieces? Travel blazers contain special zippered inside pockets. Or if they’re too much hassle, a trusty fanny pack is a tourist classic. 3. Won on the slots? Excellent - drinks on you! But before you cash out, make sure you’re done playing to avoid having any of it lifted. If you’ve won really big, ask the casino for a cashier’s check. 4. Keep purses and backpacks on your lap or on a special hook that slides under the armrest of some blackjack tables. Do not leave them on the floor where a bag snatcher can grab it. Better still, stow your bags in your locked hotel room to avoid this scenario entirely. 5. You’re doing really well at the tables. Your chips are piling up. Maybe so high a thief can see them clearly from the other side of the room. Don’t make a totem pole of your winnings - exchange them for a higher denomination to keep things safe and a little humble. 6. Play safe by avoiding all betting games outside the casinos. What about areas around Vegas? Put a spotlight on the neon city Gangs are very much still a feature of the area outside of the Strip and Fremont Street. Darker neighboring streets are subject to car break-ins, theft and vandalism. One to bear in mind if you’re considering a car rental while you’re there and need a place to park. City officials are doing a good job of cracking down on crime, but like any good tourist in a new city, do your research before setting off to any unfamiliar area. Vegas gangs are often named for the neighborhoods in which they commit their crimes, so check what people are saying about the places you intend to visit before you set off: The ‘Gerson Park Kingsmen’ are named for the Gerson Park public housing complex, for example. There are also gangs named for Donna Street and Vegas Heights. The Las Vegas Valley has reportedly been home to hundreds of street gangs in recent years. If you’re travelling by car, exercise caution north of the Encore resort, near the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and near McCarran International Airport, owing to a slightly greater risk of car break-ins, theft, and vandalism. Getting around While on the subject of a car rental, we know they supply greater autonomy, but why not skip the designated driver part and relax into the Vegas experience? Uber, Lyft and the city’s super-secure monorail and bus transportation system are an excellent alternative to getting behind the wheel yourself. If this is your very first time in Vegas, take the opportunity to see the city by foot. The length of the Strip is around four miles, so there’s no better way of walking off a buffet than by taking a stroll and discovering some incredible hotels along the way. You can wander in and out of these huge entertainment complexes, wiling away the hours in true Vegas style before taking your picture at the ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign, just beyond the Mandalay Bay Hotel Resort and Casino. But if you’re new to Vegas or America in general, stay safe on foot by making sure you don’t jaywalk. Use a suitable crossing point or bridges and don’t cross into traffic as the city is heavily policed. Savvy travel in the city of lights So when it comes to visiting Vegas, you’ll be safe as long as you stay savvy. Remember to search before you explore. Whether you’re looking for an authentic local experience or a parking spot, in this city and any other you visit, check out neighborhoods and areas online first. Read what other tourists are saying before you set out and be mindful of places in Vegas where gangs feature, usually in certain areas off the Strip. Be scam smart by limiting how much you buy or take part in outside of the casino. Street vendors are an unsafe option. Stick to licensed shops and don’t buy water, VIP passes or take part in games, kerbside. And remember, what happens in Vegas may not stay in Vegas if you don’t drink responsibly. Try and have fun while keeping your wits engaged. However you decide to travel, get around like a local. You’d probably avoid unmarked taxis at all cost at home, so do the same in Vegas. If in doubt, speak to casino staff who’ll recommend transport companies affiliated with the casino. If you also have the Uber and Lyft apps, great, but remember to check the profiles, ratings (the higher, the better) and registration against the car you climb into. The monorail is also an excellent mode of transport that maintains strict safety measures - just remember to check its schedule first.
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