What Happens In Vegas...as told by Nicole

Everyone has heard the craziness that is Las Vegas...and I was lucky enough to experience Sin City for its self for four days this summer! I think that Vegas should have its own dictionary because 'FUN' doesn't do the city any justice. And while I feel I had a GREAT time, here are a few DOs and DONTs i have from my trip, so you know all you need to know when planning yours!!

DO...
STAY OFF THE STRIP IF YOUR BUDGET'S TIGHT!
Tight on the budget? Then stay at the Hilton Las Vegas. Not is it only the largest Hilton in the WORLD, but its just one block off the strip which will save you tons of money! Also, it has one of the largest casinos in Las Vegas with a great Happy Hour out by the pool (2-for-1 drinks!) and an awesome buffet!!

If you don't care about all the glitz and glam, there are also other choices like Motel 8 where you can stay, though I would try hard to avoid that just because you won't truly get the Vegas experience!

FILL YOUR DAYS WITH...
Las Vegas is amazing because there is soooo much to do just on the strip, so you don't have to worry about spending tons of money on gambling alone. No matter the price range, if you love shopping Vegas has it all! From Barneys to Forever 21, you can find it. And, of course, it being Vegas, the malls are definitely not your average shopping haven: Live fashion shows featuring top clothing lines like Betsy Johnson await you as you shop!

And I hate to state the obvious: GAMBLING! That's what most people do to fill up their days down in Vegas--just make sure not to combine shopping AND gambling together (unless you're winning $$$ of course). Oh and of course enjoy your various Happy Hours and food galore!

GO TO *BLANK* AT NIGHT...
Oh, what is there to say about the nightlife in Vegas? Well it's true what they say: The city NEVER sleeps! And I know, because I stayed up until almost dawn a night or two LOL. Fill your nights with gambling, shows, walking the strip, eating (and the like), bar and club hopping, etc,etc,etc!! I would definitely recommend going to a Cirque show! The tickets are on the pricey side but trust me, it's soooo worth it! I went to Cirque's show Zumanity and it was mesmerizing, hilarious, and emotional all at the same time! Also, if you're going with your girlfriends (or in my case my mother and cousin) check out a male entertainment show like "Thunder From Down Under" (but like they say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...pictures are not facebook material unless you want to be known as "that girl").

Also, the weather is ALWAYS warm so if you go in January don't worry about it getting cool at night! The weather will still be nice (hot, but still nice!)

DON'T...
STAY FOR MORE THAN 3-4 DAYS
I had the pleasure of staying in Vegas for four nights and while it was fun, it was definitely overwhelming and took me a while to get used to real life once I got back to D.C. It's called Sin City for a reason and all of the glitz and glam and nightlife and the circus feel the city has to it can also become a bit much if you're not into that scene (or if you over stay). So just make sure that you are up for the craziness if and WHEN you do go.

TRY TO LOOK CUTE DAY & NIGHT
If you think it's hot in your muggy, polluted city, I can say that where you live has NOTHING on Vegas. The strip is basically in the middle of the desert (that yes, you can see all around you). Because of this, if you expect to be walking around all day outside, be sure to leave the heels and pants at home ladies. Not only will you be uncomfortable after the first hour, but the pants will make you feel like you are suffocating during the day. Keep to light colored, thin clothing.

STAY COOPED UP IN YOUR HOTEL ROOM
Hey, if you wanted to catch up on "Law and Order: SVU" reruns, you could have stayed home to do that. Yes, it's great to relax and you did pay for the room, but if you don't feel like leaving your hotel one day, make sure to at least get out and go to a show that your hotel has to offer or sit in the lobby or the restaurants/bars/buffets that your hotel has so at least you are taking in all that you can while you are in the big city! Granted, I did stay in my hotel room my very last day, but like I said before, I already had three great days in the city and a fourth proved too much for me! LOL

PULL A BRITNEY SPEARS!
And I don't mean shaving your head (although, please don't do that either) but I mean getting married just because! And trust me, the city definitely promotes an impromptu wedding: There is a chapel in almost every hotel. Tacky-yes. Awesome-no.

Written by "Talk of The Town" co-host Nicole