Coming To Las Vegas For The Super Bowl? Here Are Tips From A Local
The Super Bowl will be a crazy time in Las Vegas. To navigate the football playground of Sin City, here are some tips to help any tourist out.
The First Tip: Tip The Front Desk!
The first crucial tip is when you’re checking in, tip your your front-desk worker! This small gesture could result in a significant room upgrade with a stunning view of The Strip or other amenities.
The next tip is to secure some water. It’s not super hot in Las Vegas right now, but the amount of drinking that will be done during Super Bowl weekend will most likely be “more than average.” Having a pack of water in your hotel can be life saving.
Here is a tipping guide from CNBC
Traffic Will Be Horrible On The Strip
There will be an immense amount of traffic. If you have a good ride share driver, they will most likely take back roads if your destination is a major casino or Allegiant Stadium. However, if your drive ends up taking Las Vegas Boulevard then be prepared to wait an hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Although The Strip is only 4.2 miles, traffic can be gnarly on that small corridor. Plus, there’s constant construction. So it’s better to plan accordingly and save yourself from missing dinner plans or reservations. Las Vegas isn’t a huge city, but the traffic congestion can be frustrating especially during large events.
Here is a traffic calculator from the Nevada 511.
If You’re Going To Allegiant, Try To Have A Ride Share Plan
Allegiant Stadium is so difficult to navigate when it comes to ride shares. Getting dropped off isn’t too bad. But if you’re a tourist, it can be pretty confusing to find the proper stadium entrance when your driver plops you down on the completely opposite side.
Be sure to know where your entrance is and tell your driver. Also, try and glance at a map of the stadium if you’re not too familiar with it.
Eventually, you’ll find where you need to go when entering the stadium. The part that’s worse is leaving the stadium.
The ride share pick-up lot can be clogged with cars. Sometimes, drivers will just cancel due to the amount of traffic that’s trying to enter the stadium. I recommend walking over to Mandalay Bay after the Super Bowl, playing a few games, drink a few nice cocktails then get a ride share from Mandalay Bay after the traffic eases up.
Secure Your Reservations Early, Explore Off-The-Strip Dining
I believe that eating on The Strip is a necessary experience if you’re visiting Las Vegas. Sometimes the food is worth it, sometimes it’s not. But, it’s an experience at the end of the day. Everyone will want to eat at Carbone, Catch, Din Tai Fung, Hell’s Kitchen, and more.
If you haven’t reserved a spot at your favorite restaurant, you may be too late. But, if you scan the website everyday, a last-minute opening could pop up. Cancellations happen all of the time, so you might be delighted to see a last-minute opening.
However, we recommend trying some spots off the Strip! Indulge in All-You-Can-Eat Korean BBQ or sushi in China Town. Explore the amazing flavors of mariscos or molcajetes. Downtown Las Vegas even has some splendid spots with beautiful food for a great price. There are hidden culinary gems all around the outskirts of The Strip.
As 49er and Chiefs fans flood the streets of Las Vegas, we will remember why this town is the best. It’s truly a town of celebration, excitement and fun. We hope everyone has a safe and great Super Bowl party weekend!
6 Unexpected Changes Vegas Will See For Big Game Weekend
1. Golf Courses And Bowling Alleys Might Be Harder To Book
Las Vegas Golf Course
One of the NFL’s requirements is that the host city must provide access to three golf courses. The golf courses must be top-quality and the access must be exclusive. The courses will be used for a tournament hosted during Super Bowl weekend. So, if you’re a golfer who likes those luxury greens, you might want to take the weekend off or slum it at one of Vegas’s more modest courses.
Same story if you’re an avid bowler. The NFL also requires the use of two top-quality bowling alleys for tournaments during Super Bowl week.
2. Parking Even Beyond Allegiant Will Be Impossible To Find
Lot Full Sign
Another requirement of host cities by the NFL is access to 35,000 parking spots near the stadium. According to Allegiant’s parking FAQs, there are only about 25,000 parking spots near the stadium. Which means an extra 10,000 parking spots are going to be dedicated to the game. So, if you have business going on near Allegiant on February 11, you might want to add extra time for your commute there. And keep in mind Allegiant offers parking at Luxor, Excalibur and Mandalay Bay. So it’s probably safe to assume parking in those garages will be pretty crowded as well.
3. Our Local Police Officers Will Be Even Busier Than Usual
Sirens on Police Car
For the days surrounding the big game, the NFL also requires that the host city provide police escorts whenever needed. This means our local police force will be pulling extra duty when NFL team members, officials and media personnel need to go somewhere. Including to and from the airport, practice facilities, hotels and stadium. So, maybe just be extra nice to our Las Vegas law enforcement. They’ll be working even harder than usual during Super Bowl week.
4. Limos, Rental Cars & Taxis Might Be Harder To Find
Woman waiting for cab
During Super Bowl week, the NFL requires the host city to provide a very high number of vehicles for transportation. Including 10,000 rental cars, 1,000 taxis and 500 limousines. Additionally, 250 “school” busses must be available for transporting Super Bowl personnel. Add to that the number of tourists in Vegas trying to hitch a ride, and you might want to make sure you pack some comfortable walking shoes.
5. Things Might Look A Little Different Around Allegiant Stadium
Allegiant Stadium and Surrounding Hotels
Essentially, it’ll probably look like the NFL threw up all over Allegiant Stadium and the surrounding businesses. The one-mile radius around Allegiant will be known as the Clean Zone for the week leading up to the Super Bowl and a few days after.
Within the Clean Zone, businesses are not allowed to do anything the NFL doesn’t approve of. This usually pertains to advertising any brand that isn’t an NFL partner. So you might notice some inflatables or building wraps are missing. People selling merchandise or food with a temporary permit might not be around. And there will most likely be a higher police presence than usual.
Las Vegas Blvd is less than a mile east of Allegiant. So, the Clean Zone should include the areas around the Luxor, Mandalay Bay, and Excalibur properties.
6. There Will Probably Be A Lot More Drunk People
Coworkers Drinking Together
While the NFL might be putting limitations on the amount of alcohol consumed at the game, they’re pretty much doing the opposite after. Another requirement for the host city is to provide waivers for any limitation of alcohol sales up until 4 a.m. after the game at all official league and team postgame party sites. Considering we are Las Vegas, this may not affect us much. Either way, we can bet there will be many people getting hammered on Super Bowl Sunday.
In other words, nobody in Vegas is going to work on Monday. So if your coworkers are big football fans, your office might be pretty quiet that morning.
