This Las Vegas packing list will ensure that you arrive with all of the essentials, from sun glasses to comfortable shoes. Whether you want to spend time walking the Strip, seeing the shows or playing in the pool, you and the kids will have everything you need!
I’ve been to Vegas on grownups-only trips and also to Vegas with kids. No matter who you’re going with or what you’re planning to do on your Vegas trip, you likely will only be there for a few days. You’re going to want to hit the ground running, which means you need to know what to wear in Vegas.
You won’t want to spend a lot of time on your Vegas vacation riffling through your luggage trying to figure out where you packed this or that. Replacing a forgotten item takes time away from shows, gambling or whatever adventures you have planned. And, of course, buying anything in Vegas is likely to cost more than it would at home.
1. Vegas Packing List – Clothing
My general rule for packing clothing for Vegas is to pack two outfits per day, one for daytime and one for evening for my husband and for me. Even if you’re not dressing up for your evening activity you’ll probably want to change clothes since what you wore during the day might be sweaty or smoky.
Also, do your homework about the dress code where you’re going to be staying and at any Vegas hotels you’re going to visit.
I pack the same amount and style of clothes for my kids as I pack for myself.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Pack an extra outfit and extra set of underwear per day for younger kids, who are more prone to spills or accidents.
Going Out Clothes
If you’re going to one of the high-end shows, to a nightclub or out to a nice dinner, you’re going to want a dressier outfit or something that can be accessorized to be dressier.
Anything made out of black jersey is my go-to because it’s easy to dress up or down. I found this adorable jumpsuit and a cold shoulder dress on Amazon, both at very reasonable price points. Pair with rhinestone sandals or other dressy shoes and some red lipstick and you have the perfect outfit for an upscale dinner.
Casual Clothes
Dress for the weather. Vegas is hot much of the year but the winter months can bring colder temperatures. Watch the weather forecast before you go. Have at least one warmer outfit. Leggings and a cardigan or jeans and a hooded sweater or sweatshirt are stylish and comfortable. Also check out the section below on gear for adventure side trips for some great layering ideas.
Here are some of our favorites:
- Columbia Uptown Crest women’s joggers
- Levi’s Women’s ribcage straight ankle jeans
- This stripe/solid combo hoodie from Amazon is available in several color combos and is cute for colder days or for layering.
Sundresses and a light sweater are also great for Vegas and look smart with a pair of tennis shoes or comfortable sandals. Target and Amazon are great places to shop for casual dresses that won’t break the bank.
We like this Women’s Knit Midi Bodycon Dress and this Rib Knit Side Ruched Bodycon Dress, both from Target and this Amazon find – Karundo short sleeved print dress – that comes in several colors
Workout Clothes
If you’re meticulous about not skipping a workout while you’re in Vegas, pack your gym clothes. Not 100 percent sure you’ll actually find the gym? Leave your workout clothes at home.
If you do pack workout gear, a pair of black leggings can do double duty as travel clothes or an outfit on another day. These leggings from Gym People have pockets, which is always a plus.
Undergarments
At least one set per person for each day. I like wicking, hot weather undergarments because they’re more comfortable in the heat. They also dry quickly if you need to hand wash.
I recommend the Ex Officio brand of underwear for travelers – very quick drying. They’re on the pricier side but I think they’re worth it.
- Ex Officio Give and Go Women’s Bikini Briefs
- Ex Officio Give and Go Full Cut Women’s Briefs
- Ex Officio Give and Go Men’s Boxer Briefs
- Ex Officio Give and Go Men’s Briefs
Light Jacket or Sweater
You’ll need something to put on inside the air-conditioned buildings. Here are some stylish, lightweight outwear options that will go with multiple outfits. We like:
- Girls open front cardigan with pockets, various colors.
- Girls colored denim jacket, various colors.
- Women’s Wrangler jean jacket, various washes available.
- Women’s open front boyfriend cardigan, various colors.
Bathing Suit
No Vegas packing list would be complete without swimwear. If you anticipate lounging around the pool a lot, pack two swimsuits so you’ll always have a dry one.
Amazon is my favorite place to buy swimsuits. I’ve had very good luck with fit and quality and you can’t beat the prices like this women’s high waisted two piece that comes in various colors and patterns.
Amazon also carries the CupShe brand, which I’ve never been disappointed with. This color blocked one piece is in my Amazon cart right now.
Amazon is also a great place to go for children’s swimwear:
- Boys two-piece rash guard set. Comes in various colors.
- Girls three-piece rash guard set. Comes in various colors and patterns.
Rash Guard
If you wear these consistently while you’re in the water, pack a spare so you’ll always have a dry one.
This cute ladies two-piece suit has a rash guard with a built-in bra for maximum sun protection.
These boys’ rash guards are great quality and the long sleeves work for surfing and other water sports. They’re listed as a boys item but they come in multiple colors and would work for any child.
Bathing Suit Coverup
Bring a nice coverup or extra sundress. The shortest route to the hotel pool might be through a casino and most casinos have dress codes. Plus, they usually are super air conditioned, so you and the kids will be freezing if you try to walk through the casinos in a wet swimsuit!
I have this sleeveless dress with pockets in multiple colors. It can also be accessorized to wear as a casual dress or even out to a casual dinner.
Flip Flops
I pack a pair of flip flops (or other shoes that easily slip on, like Crocs) for the pool.
When my kids were younger they wore crocs as walking shoes for theme parks or city breaks. Now that they’re a little older, their Crocs are just for the pool or around the hotel room.
- Girls lavender chevron Crocs.
- This Crocs on Amazon comes in several cute colors for kids.
- I swear by Reefs flip flops – I’ve owned two pair and they last forever and can take a lot. They also make men’s sandals and flip flops.
Sun Hat
Everyone will need a sun hat. The desert rays can be very intense. I usually pack a wide brim sun hat and a baseball cap so I can have options for different outfits.
I love this colorful beach hat from Amazon and it’s at a super price. If you take a hat like this, you probably want to wear or carry it on the plane versus putting it in your suitcase so it doesn’t get crushed.
Sunglasses
Remember what I said about the intensity of the Las Vegas sunshine? Everyone, including the little ones, will need to protect their eyes from the harsh UV rays.
Here are a few stylish choices:
- Polygon frames with pink UV lenses.
- Super oversized square sunglasses (square is HOT right now).
- Want to splurge a little? Look at these Michael Kors Chelsea aviators.
Amazon has kids’ sunglasses at every price point.
If you or the kids are prone to losing your sunnies, pack an extra pair.
Watch
You won’t find many clocks in Vegas. Nowadays, most people check their phones, but if you want watch recommendations, here are some great ones for traveling:
Read more: Check out this list of free things to do in Vegas with kids
2. Comfortable Walking Shoes – a Vegas Packing List Essential
My hard-and-fast packing rule is not to pack too many shoes. Shoes take up the most space in your luggage. I recommend two pairs of walking shoes. You will be walking more than you think. Buildings on the Strip that look nearby are deceptively far away. You’ll be walking every day you’re there and your feet will be happy if you can switch out your shoes.
If you can make one pair of shoes do double duty — walking miles during the day and then pairing with a dressier outfit for the evening, you get a gold star. But that doesn’t work for me. I like my high heels if I’m going to get really dressed up.
Here are some stylish and comfortable walking shoes our SheBuysTravels love.
- New Balance Tennis Shoes
- Chaco Wayfarer Sandals:
- Target’s Universal Thread line has some really cute sneakers.
- Skechers Sneaker Flats
3. Bags
This Vegas packing list outlines the different bag options you will need besides your personal luggage.
Fanny Pack
Yes, they’re back. If this makes you cringe, call it a belt bag. They’re very practical, especially for parents who need to be hands-free, and they’re less tempting to pickpockets as you walk among the crowds on the Strip.
This pack from Patagonia looks sturdy and long-lasting, if not particularly exciting or stylish.
Looking for something more fashionable? Amazon and Target have more options, like this simple and stylish one from Wild Fable or this sparkly one from Amazon.
Cute Backpack or Day Bag
I like having a small backpack when I’m spending the day sightseeing. My day bag holds my water bottle, hand sanitizer and small purchases. Keep valuables on your person in a secure front pocket.
This lightweight backpack from Osprey is functional and perfect for moms. It might be bigger than what you’d want to carry all day but it can do double duty as a diaper bag if you need one.
I also really like this little foldup backpack. The pouch is so tiny and easy to pack. The backpack is small but functional.
Parents of grade school kids and tweens – this poppit backpack is sure to be a hit.
Pool Bag
I usually use my day bag for this, but you may want an additional/larger bag for the pool. If you want an extra beach/pool bag, we like this roomy one. It comes in several cute prints and can also work as a diaper bag or carry on.
I didn’t include pool toys/inflatables on this Vegas packing list. These are usually short trips and it is easy to get weighed down with extras like toys.
If you really want to pack pool toys, these fun dive sticks don’t take up much space.
Small Cooler
I always pack a small, soft insulated cooler for day trips and to carry drinks and snacks to the pool, if the hotel allows that. Some pools have rules against outside food and drink, but if you can get away with packing some drinks and snacks, this cooler is nice and roomy.
4. Electronics
This Vegas packing list doesn’t include a whole lot of electronics because you won’t need them. Here’s what you do need.
Charging cables and portable charger
For Vegas, I recommend purse size chargers/portable phone chargers. This handy two pack is available on Amazon. It easily fits into a pocket or small purse and bonus – it has a built-in flashlight.
I also recommend this compact charging station for the hotel room. It has four electrical outlets and three USB ports. It’s easy to pack two if you have a large family – or a lot of devices.
Make sure you have one charging cable per device, per person and one power supply per person. Pack an extra phone charging cable that can be shared, just in case. It seems like someone always forgets or loses theirs.
Tablet/Kindle
These are great for keeping the kids entertained during travel and downtime. For poolside reading, I love my Kindle Paperwhite.
Kindle Fire is a great tablet for kids. You’ll often see specials for these during peak shopping times, such as holiday sales or Prime Day.
Read more: Wondering what hotels in Vegas work well for families? Take a peek at our list.
5. Government Issued ID
Make sure you don’t leave home without your driver’s license, passport or other documentation that can prove who you are and how old you are. Your trip to Vegas is probably going to be a bust if you can’t get into the casinos because you don’t have an ID.
If you’re flying, you won’t get very far without this but if you’re road tripping it, double check to make sure all adults have ID.
6. Miscellaneous Items
Contact lens case and solution
This handy travel case holds contact lens supplies and glasses. You might find your eyes extra irritated by the smoke in the casinos. Even if you wear contacts all the time, pack your glasses just in case.
Landry detergent
Powdered laundry detergent is easy to pack in a plastic bag or small plastic container. Even if you don’t plan to do laundry, pack it so you’ll have it in case you need to unexpectedly wash something in the sink.
Tide Pens
These compact pens are great for spot treating small stains.
Refillable Water Bottle
One per person.
On our last Vegas trip, we used the Crazy Cap water bottle. The cap uses UV rays to clean and disinfect water, which you probably won’t need, but it also disinfects surfaces, which can be handy for planes or hotel rooms.
These collapsible water bottles are also nice if you’re working to minimize space.
Water Flavor Mix-Ins
Flavor mix ins are easy to carry and (usually) healthier than soda.
Ear Plugs
You may not plan on having a wild and noisy Vegas trip but your neighbors might! These reusable silicone earplugs come in a package of five with a handy carrying case.
Eye Mask
Use this alone or in combination with the earplugs. This three pack of silk sleeping masks is great for travel.
White Noise Machine or App
There are dozens of free white noise apps available to download. Here’s a battery powered white noise machine that doesn’t take up a ton of room.
Large Ziploc Bags for Dirty Clothes
I hate the smell of smoke on my clothes but that’s inevitable in Vegas. I like putting dirty clothes into these gallon-sized Ziploc bags to keep any tobacco reek out of my suitcase.
Diapers or Pull-Ups
When I traveled with a baby, diapers and Pull-Ups were the one thing I looked into buying at my destination. They take up SO much room in a suitcase.
If your luggage space is limited, pack enough diapers to get you through the first day and scope out where to get diapers near your hotel ahead of time. You can also look into a Shipt or Instacart delivery for these essentials.
Wipes
Wipes are for more than just babies – they’re great to do a quick hand and face wash or to wipe down surfaces.
Are you road tripping to Vegas with a baby? Here’s what you need to know.
Snacks
Easy snacks include granola bars, nuts, fruit leather, tuna (it’s too smelly to eat on the plane), jerky or sturdy fruit that doesn’t bruise easily or get mushy.
If you plan to make simple meals in your hotel room, instant oatmeal or single-serve containers of soup or pasta are easy to pack. Don’t forget plastic utensils if you pack food you can’t eat with your hands.
7. Toiletries
Your mileage will vary and you may use more products than I’ve listed here, but these are the basics for your toiletry bag. Whatever you use daily, make sure you don’t forget it. While you can probably buy a replacement at your hotel or at one of the drugstores on the Strip, you’re going to pay Vegas prices.
Sunscreen
The sun is strong in Vegas. Wear your sunscreen! And bring along one of these sunscreens for kids and babies. Make sure you also pack something to treat sunburn, like aloe vera gel.
Hangover Remedies
Even if you think your party-it-up days are over now that you travel with kids, you’ll probably drink more alcohol than you usually do in Vegas. Popular hangover remedies include Alka Seltzer, Pedialyte power packs, Ibuprofen and Tums.
Prescription Medication
This includes birth control. What happens in Vegas might come home with you if you forget.
Blister Treatment
Band-Aids work great, but moleskin works better. These adhesives are precut so you won’t need to worry about packing scissors.
Mini First Aid Kit
Although the hangover remedies and blister treatments cover many potential ailments, I recommend throwing in some anti-bacterial ointment, such as Neosporin, along with a few other basic first aid supplies, and a handful of cough drops.
These pre-done first aid kits are handy, but I like to put my first aid/medical supplies in a larger makeup pouch so I have a little bit of everything.
Makeup Removal Wipes
You might be up late, but don’t forget to take your makeup off. Add these wipes to your Vegas packing list and it will be easy to clean your face at the end of the evening.
Skincare Regimen
This is the kit I have. It helps keep me on track with my regular skincare without taking up a ton of room in my bag.
Makeup Kit
Pare down your makeup to the essentials and things you know you’ll wear. You probably don’t need six different lipstick choices for a four-day trip.
I like this set of three bags – you can pick which one to use for your makeup based on how much you wear. The other bags can be used for medications or other toiletries.
Travel Size Hair Brush
Most hairstyles can handle a smaller size brush for a few days.
Ponytail Elastics and Bobby Pins
I am not very ambitious with my hair when I’m traveling with kids, especially if I’m going to a hot weather climate. Amazon has a lot of cute elastics and pins that you can use to create fun ponytails or updos that get your hair off your neck.
Hair Styling Products
If you don’t want to use the shampoo and conditioner provided by the hotel, get some small, refillable bottles and bring your own. The bottles from this kit work great, as do these collapsible bottles.
Mini Flat Iron or Curling Iron
Heat styling tools take up room in your bags. Most hotels have a hairdryer so unless you’re totally in love with your Dyson, use what is already there.
This cordless mini flat iron is very handy for travel.
Lip Balm
Choose one with SPF for max protection. Sun Bum has 30 SPF and even has tinted options.
Feminine Products
Even if you’re not expecting your period, put a small supply (or your menstrual cup) on your Vegas packing list. Just in case.
8. Packing for an Adventure Beyond Las Vegas
There are lots of options for fun day trips from Las Vegas. Death Valley is about a two hour drive. Red Rock Canyon is less than half hour from the Strip. There are other options, such as the Grand Canyon, depending on how much time you have.
You’ll need sturdy shoes (good tennis shoes work) and outdoor clothing (layers). You’ll also need extra hydration and extra power supply for your devices.
Here’s a list of some our favorite clothing suitable for these kinds of adventures.
- REI Co-op convertible pants for girls.
- REI Co-op convertible pants for boys.
- Craghoppers full zip hoodie for kids (can also do double duty as light jacket)
- Patagonia lightweight crew sweatshirt for kids.
- REI Co-op midweight base layer for kids.
- LAPASA Kids Four Pack Cotton Tee Shirts.
- Athleta Treekie North Joggers for women.
- Athleta Uptempo top for women.
- REI Co-op Women’s Sahara tee shirt.
- prAna Sol Protect women’s hoodie.
- Outdoor Research men’s Voodoo pant.
- Marmot men’s Transporter tee shirt.
- Threads for Thought men’s Henley.
- Fjallraven men’s fleece hoodie.
What NOT to Pack for Las Vegas
Here are a few things that I recommend NOT be on your Vegas packing list.
Laptop
Are you 100 percent positive you’ll be working in Vegas? If the answer is no, leave your computer at home.
DSLR Camera
Most newer smartphones have great cameras. Unless you’re a pro or a serious hobby photographer, you probably won’t use your camera equipment.
Toys
An iPad or tablet is plenty to keep your kids entertained during downtime.
Fine Jewelry
Leave your expensive jewelry at home. If you’re married, wear your wedding band. If you need to spice up your outfit, throw in a scarf and some costume jewelry — a statement necklace and a pair of simple earrings that go with everything.
You know how the old saying goes – what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. While Sin City is called Sin City for a reason, with a little planning, preparation and this Vegas packing list, it can be a solid choice for a family travel destination. Have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What should I wear in Las Vegas?
A: Las Vegas is known for its hot weather, so it’s best to wear light, breathable clothing. During the day, shorts, tank tops, sundresses, and sandals are appropriate. At night, dressier attire is recommended for clubs, shows, and fancy restaurants. Don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes for all the walking you’ll be doing!
Q: What should I NOT bring to Las Vegas?
A: It’s important to note that some items are prohibited in Las Vegas casinos and hotels, such as weapons, drugs, and outside alcohol. Additionally, it’s best to avoid bringing expensive jewelry or valuables, as they can attract unwanted attention. Finally, be aware of the dress code for certain establishments, as some may not allow athletic wear or flip flops.
Q: What essentials should I pack for a Las Vegas trip?
A: In addition to the usual travel essentials like toiletries and chargers, there are a few items that are particularly useful in Las Vegas. These include sunscreen, a hat or visor, a refillable water bottle, comfortable walking shoes, and a light jacket or sweater for air-conditioned buildings. You may also want to bring a small cross-body bag or fanny pack to keep your hands free while exploring.
Q: What are some family-friendly activities in Las Vegas?
A: While Las Vegas is known for its nightlife and casinos, there are plenty of activities that are suitable for families with kids. Some popular options include visiting the Bellagio fountains, exploring the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, riding the High Roller Ferris wheel, and checking out the Adventuredome theme park at Circus Circus. There are also plenty of outdoor activities nearby, such as hiking in Red Rock Canyon or visiting Hoover Dam.
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