Hints for Las Vegas

[TokyoLily]

Hi all. Got a work trip to Las Vegas coming up. Not much time to spend there, but my wife said Veronica can go (I've also seen several recent threads on "flying pretty" and I'm considering it for the short hop from California to LV, but from Japan to Cali.... That would be tough. Facial stubble is not my friend (and that's only part of the reason I'm a bit trepid!)).

So, couple of questions:

1. I don't mind going nearly anywhere en femme along the strip (to restaurants, etc.), but really wonder about using the ladies room. Do typical establishments allow it? Just don't want to cause a scene.

2. Las Vegas is hot (duh!). Has anyone had any problems with the heat? Even after dark, I'm afraid I'll be so hot it just won't be as fun as I'd like.

Doubt I will have time to hit any of the drag bars and whatnot, but will be going to a major show for sure, and if Veronica goes to LV at all she would go to that.

Any other hints or advice on anything related here would be welcome. Thanks all!

V

[Andy66]

First, avoid taxis if possible. They are notorious ripoff artists. They will take you by the longest route possible to get the most money out of you. You can usually do just fine taking the bus.

Dont try to stand on a sidewalk and hail a taxi. They are only allowed to stop in parking lots and driveways.

Im sure this wont apply to you, but everyone should be aware that it is NOT true that prostitution is legal in Vegas. It is legal in certain surrounding towns outside the city limits, and with certain business permits.

Watch out for those guys who offer free limo rides to strip clubs. I hear they often charge for the ride back.

Contrary to popular belief, Vegas is NOT hot all year round. Every winter the locals laugh at tourists freezing in their tank tops and shorts. Check the weather on the internet before you leave.

CDs are generally accepted or ignored here, except close to Halloween when they are treated like celebrities. But a good drag queen is always a celebrity.

Fremont Street Experience is a fun place to walk around. Especially at night, and most especially around Halloween.

If you must gamble, give yourself strict limits. There is a reason casinos are so rich. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas... especially your money.

[CarlaWestin]

Sure enough, Andy. Fremont Street is great.
Right now our weather is doing that beautiful springlike thing. Daily highs 90-100, nightly lows around 70. Humidity 10-15%
And, every venue has a policy about gender appreciation so you'll be fine.
There's a lot of pricey entertainment in town. For more upscale check out The Smith Center.
But, most importantly, have a good time!

[TokyoLily]

Thanks so much! Keep the advice coming!

Andy: so I assume taking a shuttle bus to the hotel on the strip is the better way to go? If not, please advise!

Carla: does "every venue" mean even McDonald's or Chipotle? Any place with a toilet along the strip is ok then?

[Andy66]

Shuttle buses are good. So is the city bus. Do you know when you will be here exactly? Sorry, I dont know that much about restroom policies, except that a crossdresser in the restroom is not by any means the weirdest thing in Vegas. lol!

[TokyoLily]

Veronica in the ladies restroom is no problem. Got it!

I'll be there in a few weeks. The big event is the Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil (spelling?) show Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay.

[Princess Grandpa]

When I was in Vegas earlier this year my friend went into the ladies room. Someone reported to security that a man was in the ladies room. The closed off the bathroom and sent for a female employee to go into the ladies room. Before that employee arrived on the scene my friend exited the rest room and was told she had to use the men's room as she hadn't had surgery. I would have been mortified to find that much attention being paid to me while en femme but she took it all in stride and possibly enjoyed the spot light a bit.

Nobody was mean of rude to her, except possibly whoever reported a man in the ladies room. I've never heard of this happening before and I don't want to scare you from going out but that was our experience. Have a great time!

Hug
Rita

[Sarah Doepner]

I've been to Las Vegas lots of times and have always been treated well. There are a growing number of "family" or single user restrooms in the malls that wrap around the casinos and those are always a good choice. The other option in larger casinos are the ladies rooms near the convention rooms. If there are no meetings going on those don't get very much use at all. Standard restroom behavior is expected regardless, do your business, wash your hands, check your hair and look to see if you need to touch up the makeup, but don't dawdle and you should be fine.

I have taken cabs and it's not always bad. There are some drivers who will take you the long way, but most of them are happy to stay busy. Driving down The Strip is not always the fastest way to get anywhere in Las Vegas, so don't be alarmed if they take you off that main route and travel parallel to the main Drag.

Fremont street is a great place with lots going on, do hit it and look for the restored "historical" neon signs that have been saved and placed up above the street.

Your money is the same as everyone elses and the staff will treat you the way you behave. Crossdressers get a little more leeway down there because everyone else is either overstimulated by all the lights, architecture, crowds, noise and their own drama that they miss you or, they see you and figure "That's why I came to Vegas, to see a different side of the world." I've been in grocery store, drug stores and resturants off strip and have never had a problem.

I'll be there for a couple of days next week and will let you know how the weather is. Have fun.

[TokyoLily]

Thanks for the additional info!

I guess the next question would be how to essentially pack for 2 people into 1 suitcase, but that's for a different thread!

[Sarah Doepner]

Depending on how much time you have to prepare you could ship something to the hotel and pick it up there. Or just pack a few essentials and buy the rest once you hit town. Either of those could be much less expensive than paying the airlines for a second bag.

[jennyat]

I recently was planing a trip to Las Vegas and found this list of tg friedly / not so friedly places.
I saddly won't make it to Las Vegas this year, I love it there. I wasn't in girl mode there yet but I'm looking forward to the next chance.

[JocelynRenee]

Lilly,

I find Las Vegas to be a great place to be TG. A few years ago there were some issues with CDs in women's restrooms. These incidents led to a re-examination and some specific TG-friendly policies being enacted. As mentioned earlier, if someone directly complains some action will be taken, but the default behavior leans heavily towards inclusiveness. Family restrooms and restrooms a bit out of the way are good options. In the three years I've lived here I have never experienced an issue with restrooms or dressing rooms.

As for the weather it is true that low humidity makes a huge difference. I've found that feminine foundation garments and makeup are not compatible with humidity. Granted, they aren't compatible with 110 degrees either, but this time of year daytime temps are in the 90s and 70s at night. It's very pleasant.

People in Las Vegas tend to also allow people to be different here. Not just on the Strip, where seemingly anything goes, but throughout the valley. Off-Strip life is very different than many people expect...it's just, normal. Maybe it's the plentiful sunshine or the many entertainment opportunities; whatever it is people here are generally happy and happy to allow you to be different.

Freemont Street is a great place and filled with many colorful characters. If you visit, consider stopping by Drink and Drag, an interesting drag bar/bowling alley/gaming spot. It's extremely friendly and fun.

Oh, and if you need to pick up a new outfit, there are loads of shopping options. If you enjoy thrift stores definitely check out Savers. There are several locations and the one in the Summerlin area frequently features very gently used, high-quality items at ridiculously low prices. I'm sure you will have a safe and fun experience no matter where you choose to visit in the valley.

[TokyoLily]

Thanks for this information too!

I read early reviews of my hotel (which is also where my work gathering will be) and found it to be TG friendly. Good news there! I'm sure I can get away with being Veronica while I'm there.

Really not how much shopping I can do. I'll be bringing up flying pretty and jetlag in another thread...

[Norma_CD]

<snip>
If you visit, consider stopping by Drink and Drag, an interesting drag bar/bowling alley/gaming spot. It's extremely friendly and fun.

They closed about a year ago.

[TokyoLily]

Thanks for the update!

What a drag! Guess I'll just have a drink!

[Toshi]

Before that employee arrived on the scene my friend exited the rest room and was told she had to use the men's room as she hadn't had surgery.

How would they know? I sure they wouldnt look, right?