Las Vegas is one of the most popular vacation destinations for both domestic and international travelers in the United States, and for good reason. The southern Nevada city enjoys warm weather for much of the year and offers visitors a number of different vacation options, from high-end luxury hotels and glamorous shows to world-class dining, high stakes gaming and a number of popular attractions nearby, such as the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon.
Las Vegas is also home to a major international airport, offering direct flights to and from many major cities around the world, which makes getting there easy. Public transportation in Las Vegas is accessible and plentiful as well, making visiting the city’s most popular casinos and attractions a snap.
If you are a health conscious traveler, though, you might think that Las Vegas isn’t the right place for you to take a vacation. After all, the city is known for being a place where visitors can indulge themselves in everything from gambling and drinking to excess, to huge buffets that serve lobster and prime rib 24 hours a day. But there are ways to make your Las Vegas vacation both healthy and fun.
If you are thinking of planning a Las Vegas vacation, either as part of a West Coast road trip, a romantic getaway, a destination wedding, a friends weekend, or with your family, here are some tips that can help make your trip a healthy one.
Think About The Best Place For You to Stay
Las Vegas is a popular vacation destination all year long, meaning that reservations for the most popular hotels can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Staying in a hotel can also sometimes mean that you don’t have the healthiest meal options. If you will be visiting Las Vegas, consider staying in a rental home or condo. There are also Good Sam Las Vegas Campgrounds that are family friendly and close to attractions.
Staying in a rental home or at a campground will allow you the freedom to buy your own groceries and prepare some of your own meals which will allow you to maintain a healthy lifestyle while you’re on vacation. Preparing your own meals can also save you some money.
Always Wear Sunscreen and Drink Plenty of Water
No matter what time of year you visit Las Vegas, you can still get a sunburn. Putting on sunscreen before you leave your hotel room each day is a good idea. You should also pack a bottle of sunscreen to take with you so that you can reapply it throughout the day. Bring bottled water with you wherever you go. Las Vegas has a desert climate that is warm most months of the year so it is easy to get dehydrated, especially if you are doing a lot of walking or spending a lot of time in the sun.
Plan Some Healthy Activities
Hotels and attractions on the Las Vegas Strip are farther apart than they appear, giving you an opportunity to get a lot of walking in on your vacation. Consider walking to dinner or to an evening show, rather than taking a taxi or the Las Vegas Monorail. Most hotels and campgrounds in Las Vegas offer guests a gym where they can work out. And if the gym seems like too much while you’re on vacation, you can always do a few laps in the pool.
Las Vegas is also surrounded by desert wilderness, which offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. A few local companies offer guided hikes and biking tours to popular spots such as the Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon.
Research Restaurants Before You Go
If you are a vegetarian or vegan or are on a restricted diet, it’s a good idea to look at the menus of restaurants you are interested in before you go to make sure that they offer meal choices that are appropriate for you. Because Las Vegas is known for its excellent dining choices, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a restaurant that fits your needs. You will be surprised to find that even many fast food restaurants in Las Vegas offer vegan and vegetarian meals.
If you have your heart set on eating at a particular restaurant but they don’t seem to have anything appropriate on their menu, try giving them a call and explaining what you dietary needs are. Much of the time, especially at more high end restaurants, chefs are happy to create dishes to accommodate the special needs of guests, especially if they have some advance notice.
