Being one of the most sought after vacation destinations in the United States, it is no surprise that millions of people visit this gambling capital of the world. However, if you are planning even a weekend trip here during one of the many busy seasons, expect to find little to no hotel rooms available, far more crowded streets, casinos, and restaurants, and higher prices for practically everything.

That being said, here are some things you may want to know about the busy seasons of Las Vegas, how to avoid them, and the differences between them and the slow seasons. Following a few tips can help to avoid extra stress or anxiety that these crowds bring.

1. Some busy seasons last a month or more while others can last a single week

The most typical busy seasons that happen almost regularly are the week between Christmas and New years, the fall months, and the early spring months. This is for two reasons: many people take their vacations then and the weather is far more tolerable during this time for tourists who are not used to the hot, dry weather.

The week between Christmas and New Years is quite popular for two reasons: it is a good way to spend a vacation after spending Christmas with the family before many have to go back to work, and for many hotels and resorts, it is a good time to get discounts but not always.

2. March Madness

There is a reason this nickname is used quite often when talking about the rush of tourism in Las Vegas. Between the many sporting events, the popularity of weekend or week-long conventions, and the fact that it is known to be one of the most tolerable times for tourists who hate the heat, there is a wide range of different people visiting this city of lights then.

In particular, many of the tourists visit then to bet on the larger variety of games that go on then.

3. Spring Break

It is no surprise that college students would choose to spend all of their Spring Break here, especially since it is a common bucket list location that is crossed off by most people quite quickly. However, these crowds leave just as quickly in order to make it back to school on time.

So, if you are in Las Vegas between the last week of April and the second week of May, you should expect at least half of everyone you see to be a college student. Don’t fret gamblers, because most of these students just stay by the bars and pools, usually.

4. Fresh out of Summer

Being in one of the hottest and driest states in the country, it is pretty uncommon for tourists to be able to handle this relatively harsh climate. Even if the summer weather still lingers as August arrives, the crowds all flock to Las Vegas for a few reasons despite the average temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows getting down to the mid-70s.

Families spend the last week or two they can before children have to back to school. This is also one of the most affordable times since some hotels and resorts extend their summer sale or have a fall sale early. Between that and Def Con, one of the world’s largest hacker conventions, there can be a decent amount of tourists in a variety of places throughout the city.

5. Between the holidays

When November hits, it can be hit or miss on how crowded it is. While the weather is a lot cooler than the other busy times, getting down to an average of around 60 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the month, the higher prices can keep the tourists who are on a budget at bay, but not the ones who do not mind spending more on a holiday vacation.

It is not necessarily the hotels and resorts that cost more, though some do. It is more so the restaurants and bars that rack up their prices. This is because they have started serving their winter menu, which is usually Thanksgiving themed.

Many families plan a Las Vegas-themed thanksgiving vacation to experience all of the culinary decadence that most of these restaurants have to offer. The most common place to find the crowds this month are the buffets, especially around the holiday.

Tips if you are going or planning to go to Las Vegas during a busy season

 

• Depending on the season, pay attention to where the crowds are usually gathered and try to avoid them if they cause anxiety.
• Plan for raised prices and look for discounts.
• Check to see if there additional events and/or conventions