How to Conquer Vegas in 6 Steps: USC Edition
By Paul Samaha ‘17
If you’re a USC student, you more than likely know that this time of the year is Vegas Formal season. Fraternities and other organizations around campus hold a formal invite, but instead of the usual invite where you and your date go to a venue for a few hours and come back, this invite is a whole weekend trip in Vegas. Read this post, taken from a crazed Vegas weekend of personal experience.
1. Make sure you/your date paints you an awesome cooler
It’s a longtime trojan tradition for the male’s date to paint a cooler (and fill it up!) as a fun way for the date to show their appreciation for the trip to Vegas. Look up different designs and how to paint a cooler so that you can give your date/get the best customized cooler they could ask for!
2. TAKE THE EARLIEST BUS
This one comes from personal experience. I made the mistake of taking the noon bus…. which made a four hour drive an eight hour drive with rush hour traffic. Take the 6 a.m. or 8 a.m. bus so that you can avoid traffic and have a whole afternoon to spend poolside.
3. Bring your own snacks/drinks
Las Vegas is in the middle of a dessert. With the extremely dry climate, your body will become extremely dehydrated extremely fast. Pack lots and lots of water bottles, particularly refillable bottles. Bring lots of snacks because you will be wanting something to munch on while on the bus ride to and from Sin City, while at the pool and while you’re in your hotel room. Snacks are also a great way to cut down on money spent on lunch and dinner. Lastly, if you’re 21+, bring your own alcoholic beverages so that you won’t be paying for overpriced drinks everywhere you go. Las Vegas does have a law that permits open containers, so use this to your advantage.
4. You don’t have to pay an arm and leg to get a meal
Yes, most restaurants on the Vegas Strip are ridiculously expensive. But don’t choose to go to the flashiest restaurants just for the instagram (don’t worry, you can steal sneak into the Eiffel Tower restaurant later to snap that pic). Most of the resorts on the Strip have burger bars, pizza shops and cafés where you can sit down for a meal without spending a fortune. Do a little bit of research on the restaurants at your hotel beforehand so that you know where to go when you’re in need of some nourishment.
5. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen
How to do the Vegas pool the right way: do bring sunscreen and apply thoroughly every two hours. Do purchase an inner tube if your resort offers them (this is crucial for the Mandalay Bay’s lazy river). Do purchase an ice blended drink if you’re 21+. The pool parties can be the best part of your Vegas weekend if you do it the right way. Don’t let yourself burn, and drink responsibly!
6. Start saving your money now
Aside from paying for the trip itself, you’ll undoubtedly be spending some $$$ in the City of Sin. There is no Uber or Lyft in Vegas, and walking down the Strip is less than ideal. Be ready to spend $10-$20 every time you want to move around the Strip. If you’re 21+, you’ll more than likely be spending money on drinks, club access and some slot machines. If you’re under 21, you’ll still be spending money on food. Which as I mentioned above, can be very expensive unless you strategize correctly. Start saving your money now, and get ready for one of the best weekends of your USC career!
