Safety Tips for Foot Travel in Las Vegas

Every year thousands of tourists descend on the Las Vegas Strip to walk around and see the sights and sounds of this Sin City - but how can you make sure that your walking tour doesn't end up costing you health-wise? Read on for safety tips to keep your feet and your vacation in tiptop form!

First and foremost, be sure to wear comfortable shoes for your walking tours. Those six-inch stilettos may be great at the nightclubs but unless you're used to standing in them for hours you may want to bring along a nice set of walking shoes that will give your feet the proper support for walking the Las Vegas Strip.

Consider your attire and accessories before you step out to start walking the Strip - clothing that you may feel comfortable in for a few hours in the office may quickly become a problem when walking in the heated air of Las Vegas for a long period of time. Wear loose, light-colored clothing to try and beat the heat and always wear or carry a hat to keep the sun off your face. If you tend to burn easily or even burn at all remember to keep a good amount of sunscreen on hand and apply liberally during your walking tour.

Next, stay hydrated! Even in the winter months the temperatures in Las Vegas can reach into the upper limits of what most people are used to and many tourists forget that you need to stay hydrated when walking around in the heat. Carry a water bottle with you or be prepared to purchase plenty of fluids along the way as you walk around Las Vegas. Don't substitute alcoholic drinks for water; go for the classic bottled type and stay healthy!

Plan your route - there's nothing more annoying than setting out for a walking tour of Las Vegas and ending up backtracking because you've forgotten a special place on your list or missing a public show because you forgot the time. Lay out your walking route of the Strip so that you have plenty of time to take side trips to shop and see the public shows without rushing.

Many people think that the best time to venture out for a walk down the Strip is in the middle of the day - but there's plenty to see at night! Consider changing your time for your Las Vegas walk to the early evening when it may be a bit cooler and you'll get a chance to view the magnificent neon signs at their height!

Use the public transit to make your walking tour of Las Vegas even better - the Fremont Street area has a plethora of older Las Vegas casinos as well as entertainment galore, but you should take the public transit up to this tourist area instead of walking up from the Strip. It may seem like a bit of an oxymoron, taking public transit to walk around the area, but you'll win in the long run by getting to a tourist-friendly area quickly and then being able to enjoy the walking tour without sore feet. As well, use public transit at the end of your walk to get back to your hotel quickly and safely and save your feet for another day!

If you can manage it, walk with a friend or in a tour group. Many hotels offer walking tours of their facilities or of the area around their hotel at preset times, allowing you to travel with a group. Other trips to tourist-friendly areas can be found by asking at the main desk of your hotel, allowing you to find a walking tour of your favorite areas of Las Vegas while avoiding the potential problems of traveling alone.

Pace yourself - many people are easily overwhelmed at their first sight of the Las Vegas Strip and overestimate their walking abilities, especially in a different climate from what they're used to. Don't push yourself to go further than you feel able to complete and be sure to monitor yourself if you have any health problems. You may plan to walk the entire Strip in one night but it'll be there tomorrow and the next day.

Keep a working cell phone on hand during your walking tour of Las Vegas at all times, just in case. While there are many policemen and volunteers active on the Strip looking out for the tourists that flock to the area it's always wise to have a phone available if you start having health problems or feel unwell.

And lastly but certainly not the least of these safety tips - keep your valuables safe. Don't travel with a large amount of cash in your wallet and keep your wallet in the front pocket of your pants if possible. Keep your purse zipped shut and/or in front of you as much as possible to deter possible pickpockets or thieves that would ruin your walking tour of Las Vegas and your entire vacation. Travel as light as possible and leave the valuables either in your hotel room or in the hotel safe.

Walking up and down the Las Vegas Strip can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but make it a pleasant memory by using some of the safety tips above. That way you can come away from your vacation with more than just heatstroke and blisters on your feet!