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We get it — Vegas is hard to replicate.
Not just any city with a few casinos can match the powerhouse this city has become.
While there may not be a place with a duplicate of the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and the Luxor Pyramid all in one place, the people have spoken: ‘Sin City’ is in a recession.
Even now the hype to become a sports center with three professional teams and the unique Sphere is now open is there No doubt Las Vegas is struggling with tourism, given the city’s rising prices.
The bad news for them is that summer is just around the corner, which is the absolute worst time to visit because you’ll melt into the sidewalk of the Strip next to spit-out chewing gum and nightclub tickets that no one asked for.
That said, there’s another Nevada getaway that the Travel Off Path team thinks fits seamlessly with summer — and it’s not Reno or Tahoe.
Located along the Colorado River, across the Arizona state line, Lesser-known Laughlin is a much more wallet-friendly vacation spot with name brand casinos, live entertainment and actual access to water where you can cool off under the desert sun without jumping over the fence to the Bellagio Fountains.
Why Laughlin is becoming increasingly popular
You know Reno and Tahoe, but other than these household names, we don’t want to disparage Nevada; much of the state is a vast, sunlit expanse of nothing.
I know because I’ve driven through it many times.
But the secret about Laughlin, one of the Southwest’s most underrated getaways, surfaces all year long.
This desert oasis is reported to be hotter than ever before – and we’re not predicting the weather.
This is one of Laughlin’s best resources ever. A quick Google search for “Laughlin” shows immediate results of phrases like “tourism boom” and “best bang for your buck.”
You see, it’s not the newfound prominence of the prediction markets that has taken the cracks off the barstools in Vegas; it is their own doing of raising prices which takes the fun out of what should be one of the most exciting cities in the world.
My last trip to Vegas was fun… until I checked my bank account afterwards. Since then, I’ve basically sworn off Sin City until it gets baptized.
It needs a hard reset, not a Hard Rock.
As such, travelers are looking for the best there is. By all accounts, that appears to be Laughlin, as the evidence speaks for itself with such an influx of visitors.
Laughlin is cheaper & Safer
Look, saying a city is more affordable than Vegas right now is like saying there’s a cheaper snack than a $19 airport sandwich.
But there are a lot of comparisons between Laughlin and Vegas – prices aren’t one of them.
For sample size, our Travel Dashboard data is shown here’s what you can expect when you visit Laughlin:
- Hotel (per night): $150 – $350
- Dinner for two: $100 – $200
- Beer: $9 – $14
- Coffee: $6 – $8
- Taxi/Uber (10 min): $15 – $25
The main difference from this one in Laughlin is that hotels cost a fraction of that – almost always in double figures unless there is a major event taking place.
For example, These 3 beloved casino resorts are so much better than the sky-high rates of Vegas this summer:
You can book all these and more by clicking here.
As for safety, “what happens in Vegas” doesn’t stay in Vegas if you become the victim of a crime.
Our safety index shows that travelers give Las Vegas a score of 76/100, which isn’t very impressive.
Don’t get us wrong. When the drinks are flowing in Laughlin, especially on weekends, things can get rowdy.
But because he’s so small, it is largely considered a safe haven.
Summer in Laughlin
Prepare for triple digits.
Hey, you’re in the desert…
However, keep in mind that it’s a dry heat and the Colorado River is a great way to cool off, whether you’re jet skiing or floating all day.
Laughlin may not see the same spring surge this summer, but there are still many ways to enjoy the city, from gambling and lounging poolside to catching a show after sunset.
Would you like our recommendation?
If you haven’t made plans for the 4th of July yet, consider an extended weekend in Laughlin.
Hotels are still reasonably priced compared to Vegas and there are fun festivities planned for all ages, such as Rockets over the river.
