Driving in Las Vegas: How, and where to not go?

Interesting question.

You can get a normal car at the airport. Or, you can get enterprise to pick you up OR the hotel concierge can arrange one for you. It's no different than any other city.

One thing you can do is call your favorite rental car company and explain what you want to do. A lot of them do have pick up and deliver now but don't advertise it much.

As far as were not to go, don't go to North Las Vegas unless it's Fremont street (downtown). The area West of the strip all the way to Summerland and all the way south to Henderson is all fine like any other city in America.

But, I'll be honest, every city in the world has it's bad parts. Vegas is no different. There are parts of LA that I wouldn't go into without a flack vest!!!

In general, if you stay on LV Boulevard (the Strip) all the way to up Fremont street and all the way down south to Mexico , you'll be fine. Anywhere West of Eastern and south of Sahara is also just fine. I'm being really, really general here but it's just to give you a rough area.

 

Most of the hotels I've ever stayed at actually have a "car rental counter" inside.
And of course, right on the strip (down by the Riviera) there are a fair number of
rental lots as well - from rent-a-junker sorts to quasi-exotics.

Jedi

 

I wouldn't want a quasi-exotic, just a quasi-moto!

 

I used to live in that part of downtown on 6th, not a horrible part of town, but not much to see there if you're a tourist. Though there are some really cool old vegas houses scattered throughout.

 

great reply bdelp but my area I stay away from has always been freemont St. My thinking has always been, bars on windows arent there for decorations.

 

If you want to drive around the nice areas, stay in the "L" of the valley, to the West (I usually say West of Buffalo) or South of the 215. You would probably also enjoy drives to Mt. Charleston and Lee Canyon (about 45 mins Northwest) and Red Rock Canyon (just West of the city off of Charleston Blvd, which connects to Blue Diamond).

When are you here?

 

Vegas is not dangerous during the day, and if you're not out in the worst of the worst neighborhoods at night looking for drugs or paid company, or trying to enroll in a gang you should be fine. Statistically, it is a car accident that will hurt you, not tourist violence.

Aren't you coming here from Winnipeg? The murder capital of Canada? Maybe it's you guys that can teach the locals a thing or two about crime!

 

This is Mt. Charleston and Lee Canyon Rd, about 30 miles NW (budget 1.5hrs round trip, + stop time - there are a few hiking trails too):
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You have to love wearing shorts with snow on the mountains.