Fodor's Las Vegas

by Fodor's Travel Publications Inc.

Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years.

With new hotels and attractions, not to mention new shows and headliners, the number of visitors to Las Vegas reached a record 42.9 million in 2016. Fodor's writers have been on the scene, uncovering the hottest trends in dining, lodging, nightlife, and more, both on and off the Strip.

Fodor's Las Vegas includes:



PULLOUT MAP: A handy take-along map provides essential information about top attractions, nearby dining, and more.

UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE: From top to bottom, this edition of Fodor's Las Vegas has been completely revised, with new hotels, restaurants, attractions, shops, and shows on the Strip and beyond.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Illustrated features provide an in-depth look at the city's colorful history and lead readers on a journey down the Colorado River.

INDISPENSABLE TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS: A Las Vegas Planner helps readers choose the best times to travel to Las Vegas and choose transportation. Features cover the best things to do for free in this increasingly expensive resort city. Travel advice on regional scenic wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam has information for planning a spectacular side trip. A Basic Strategy chart for Blackjack helps gamblers make the most of their money at the tables.

DISCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS: Fodor's Las Vegas offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife.

COVERS: All major hotels on and off The Strip, Downtown Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Death Valley, Area 51.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Guidebook, Reference

313 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1988

About the author

Fodor's Travel Publications is a United States-based producer of English-language travel guides and online tourism information. It was founded by Hungarian Eugene Fodor in 1936.
Fodor’s was acquired by Random House in 1986 and sold to Internet Brands in 2016.

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more from Fodors. The guide lacked depth.

Things I would have liked to have seen. More background and history of the area. Walking tours (even strip walking tours) or even tours that included the free and easy transportation (i.e three days without a car). A few dozen day trips mapped out. There is so much to see of the strip.

[Jennifer Tse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative book about what to do and see in Las Vegas! A lot of fun things to do there especially Spratosphere, with rides and coasters on the tallest building! Also fun zip lines and a lot of amazing shows. Planning a trip next year so loved reading about it!

[Kathryn Waites · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent travel guide for someone that has never visited Vegas. Discusses hotels, public transport, places to eat, shows and how to gamble! Would've liked more photos though.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent introduction to Las Vegas and the surrounding area. If the whole idea of traveling to Las Vegas feels overwhelming with the sheer number of events, hotels, and quirks, this book can help make sense of it all. (And teach you all about the different games + gambling options--and which casinos have free beginner lessons. Fodor's recommends Excalibur and the Golden Nugget. There's lots of good trivia to know, even if you don't plan on gambling.)

There's more restaurant recommendations here than I know what to do with, but rest assured, if there's *anything* your culinary heart (stomach?) desires, Las Vegas most likely can provide.

Apparently, I would enjoy most things that Fodor's tags as "good for the family"...
* CBS Television City research center at the MGM Grand
* New York New York with recreations of New York landmarks--and The Roller Coaster!
* Bellagio conservatory and botanical gardens
* Wandering around the Cosmopolitan for art
* GONDOLA RIDES
* Antiques at Main Street Station
* Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort
* Marjorie Barrick Museum at UNLV
* National Atomic Testing Museum (there's a monthly tour of the Nevada National Security Site [that often books up a year in advance…])
* Lake Las Vegas and the River Mountains Trail
* Dig This: a life-sized sandbox (with toys!) for adults
* Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
* Riding the Spiral Escalator at Caesar's Palace

Food ideas:
* Momofuku/Momofuku Milk Bar
* Luv-It frozen custard
* Chinatown (with vegan donuts!)
* Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres
* L&L Hawaiian Barbeque: yum. Las Vegas is sometimes known as "the 9th island" since so many Hawaiians live in Las Vegas (some to gain experience in the hospitality industry before returning to Hawaii) and travel back and forth.
* Pizza Rock: 4 different ovens for all kinds of pizza
* The Beef Jerky Store: not just beef! If they stock marlin jerky for an affordable price, my husband will be in heaven.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this guidebook was fantastic. It contains plenty of background information on Las Vegas, did not know it meant The Meadows, nor that the meadows were dried up about 1900 due to water use by people. The places to stay, the places to eat and things to see are well covered. I found it interesting that casino games, how to play, their background information and their function in the casino setting are covered. Difficulty level and which games are best for newbie gamers are covered. There links to the Fodor's website to provide more information. Nicely done. Grand Canyon National Park, as well as other parks, monuments and forests are included too.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems pretty comprehensive guide to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is a pretty expensive place and they assume you are going for things you can't get elsewhere so almost all their eating and shopping suggestions are expensive things. I did appreciate that their chapter on gambling started with the suggestion to set your limit on how much you can lose and don't budge and they also suggest you not drink much alcohol when gambling so you don't impare your judgement and end up paying for your fun for several months.

[Todd Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helps guide you through the glitzy casinos on the strip and beyond. You can also learn about places to hike, eat, and sites to see besides the casinos.

The book also includes maps, itineraries, color photos, casino playing tips, cultural insights, along with history.

I have the newest edition, which included information on Area 51 along with the newest restaurants and resorts.

Also, reviews were helpful on where to stay and eat.

If you want an overview of Las Vegas then this is a good book to turn to.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasonably good guide, though not as detailed as the 'Unofficial Guide...' series, which as an analytical person I prefer. This guide is informative and more enjoyable to read, and the pictures are always a help to get a better feel for things. Thought the hotel and lounge descriptions were good, not as impressed with the thoroughness of the restaurant guide.

[Mark Hepler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fodor’s Las Vegas 2015 spares you tedious hours wading thorough TripAdvisor reviews and consulting gambling guides.

It offers comprehensive hotel, restaurant, attraction, and shopping recommendations, and, amazingly, Fodor’s provides coherent betting strategies for casino games, and suggests places to play.

If you’re Sin City bound, this book shows the way.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent travel guide! Very detailed descriptions of attractions, lodgings, restaurants, spas, shows, and casinos in Las Vegas. Even details side trips, such as Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon National Park, and Death Valley National Park. The section about gambling strategy was especially interesting and insightful! Highly recommend before any trip to Las Vegas!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always looking for more good things to do when visiting Vegas! This book does not disappoint!

[Alex]

Fodor's Las Vegas 2001 : Completely Updated Every Year, Color Photos, Smart Travel Tips, And How to Play the Games (Fodor's Gold Guides) by Fodor (2001)

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This turned out to be a very useful guide book that I referred back to again and again, and it also came with a handy little pocket map of the city

[Jess Sweitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best guide to Vegas that I have read yet.

[mcfly 1982 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for Vegas virgins.

[Elizabeth A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been to Vegas many, many times, so this was more of a quick refresher to see what was new for an upcoming trip.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the pocket map. I wish the guide had a health conscious section though. I felt like I had to discover that on my own.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read again in 2002.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, informative.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

My wife devoured this when it looked like I was going to be giving a talk about insurance fraud to a big convention on The Strip and then...BOOM!

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

All you need to know

Great tips...all you need to know for a good time, all summarized by region of vegas, with shopping info as well

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2000 Edition.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

re rad

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the Fodor's books very much. This one was easy to use and we ended up loving one of the recommended restaurants: Il Fornaio. This series is always helpful to have around when on a trip.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Has maps
*Layout maps of casinos themselves
*How to play casino games
*Good list of things to do and restaurants

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guidebook; I liked that they highlighted family-friendly sites.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been several times over the last 6 years so most of the information was not new to me. However, I would recommend it to anyone who has not been to Vegas.