I had almost no expectations the first time I went to Las Vegas. In 2016, I bought tickets to see Britney Spears in her Piece of Me residency, and my best friend and I booked a quick, two-day, in-and-out trip, figuring we’d go to the show, stick a dollar in a slot machine and call it a day. I wasn’t all that interested in Vegas. But the energy sucked me in me the second I stepped off the plane, and now it’s somewhere I visit once or twice a year. I’ve learned a lot with each trip, but here are the things that surprised me the first time.

1. The Las Vegas Strip is VERY spread out.

When I plan trips, I spend a lot of time on Google Maps to get familiar with the layout of the city. I learned the hard way that objects on this map are farther apart than they appear. At least, it feels that way the first time you walk the Strip. A casual stroll to the hotel that appears to be “next door” could take 20 minutes. In any other city, I wouldn’t bat an eye to walk a mile between attractions, but the 0.7 mile walk between the Planet Hollywood and New York, New York hotels felt like an eternity. Not to mention the time it takes to actually get in or out of your hotel room. Plan accordingly. 

2. You can have an open container on the Strip (and drinks are EXTREMELY accessible)

So, this one might be a big DUH for most people, but somehow I had no idea until I saw people walking down Las Vegas Boulevard double fisting Coors Light tall boys at 10 am. I’m an obsessive travel planner (and an enthusiastic drinker), and this detail eluded me. But sure enough, you can drink on the Strip so long as your beverage is not in a glass container. And drinks are incredibly accessible: not only are there drink vendors every few steps and to-go cups from restaurants, but you can walk into a Walgreen’s at 1 am and find a full liquor selection. Do what I did: buy a souvenir cup, a few airplane bottles and some juices, and make your own drinks for your walk down the Strip. Easy, and you’ll save a few bucks. Which brings me to...

3. It’s not as expensive as you may think!

I was nervous about my budget before my first trip. I expected outrageous prices everywhere, certain I would have to pay $50 for a vodka soda and a club sandwich. But I was wrong! Happy hour has no limit in Vegas, and there are restaurants at all price points. You also get free drinks while gambling, but that could become a very expensive drink depending on how much you’re betting (don’t forget to tip your server!). 

4. Summers are hotter than hell. Prepare yourself.

Another duh. I mean, I’m not sure what else I expected going to the desert in July. I grew up in Georgia so I’m used to 90-degree summers with the occasional triple-digit scorcher. You wouldn’t think a few extra degrees would make a difference. At a certain point, hot is just hot, right? WRONG. I would still happily take a dry and breezy 105° over a humid and rainy 93° but it can be really dangerous, so you need to be prepared. I’ve had my share of woozy moments, and it’s not fun. Take a bottle of water with you, and plan your outings so you can limit your time in the sun and take frequent AC breaks. 

5. Get off the strip

My first trip was so quick that I only stayed on the Strip, minus on there-and-back visit to the Neon Museum. Then my second time, I ventured downtown. Now, downtown is my preferred place to stay. And there are great bars and restaurants outside of both main tourist destinations, plus neighborhoods with great architecture that are fun to drive through. It’s easy to forget that there is a whole city outside of the main hot spots, but it’s all worth exploring. 

6. It’s a really cool place. 

The biggest shocker from my first trip to Las Vegas was how much I fell in love with it. I had my assumptions and a mostly neutral sentiment about it. But it blew me away. It’s larger than life with a fascinating history. To borrow the old Hooters slogan, it’s “delightfully tacky.” It’s not just for gamblers, foodies and partiers; history and architecture buffs will also enjoy themselves, as will hikers and photographers. The energy is unlike that of any other city I’ve been to, and when I’m not there, I find myself craving the lights and sounds of the casino floor. It is truly an intoxicating place (and not just because of the free-flowing booze). The following will be true no matter when you read this: I cannot wait for my next visit. 

Bonus pic of the aforementioned Britney show: