How to Stay Cool in Las Vegas This Summer

Located on the outskirts of the driest desert in North America, Las Vegas sees its fair share of hot days, especially in the summer months. As a tourist, you may not be prepared for how hot Las Vegas can get—“on average, 134 days per year reach or exceed 90 °F (32 °C), of which 74 days reach 100 °F (38 °C) and 7 days reach 110 °F (43 °C).”

So, how does one beat the heat and stay cool in the face of such unrelenting temperatures? Here are 7 of our best tips.

Finding the right clothes to wear in Las Vegas can be tricky—if you keep to the indoors, you’ll want a few layers or a light sweater to stay comfortable in the casino air conditioning. But once you step outside into the blazing sun and desert heat, you will find yourself in some need of light, loose, comfortable clothing instead.

Your best bet is to skip the synthetics and stick to linen and cottons, as well as light layers and colors. You’ll also want to consider incorporating a sunhat and some sunscreen into your daily routine as the UV index can get quite high. And of course, don’t forget to reapply sunscreen as needed, especially once you get out of the pool!

Whether you’re outdoors for a stroll down the Strip, exploring one of Las Vegas’s nearby State or National Parks, or enjoying some time poolside, staying hydrated is essential—especially if you’re imbibing. Carry around a water bottle and top it up whenever possible. If you can, avoid sugary drinks and alcohol.[

With the common-sense tips out of the way, it’s time to move onto the fun stuff. Grab yourself a tasty and cool treat to keep your chill all day—Las Vegas has lots of options:

Find some great places to grab a cold confection on Las Vegas Review-Journal.

From slides to lazy rivers and water parks to community pools, Las Vegas has a place to swim at practically every casino—some even have multiple options at one place! Special mentions:

Check out the best pools in Vegas according to Vegas.com.

During the hottest midday hours, one of the best things you can do is enjoy the multitude of indoor activities, events, exhibits, shows, and things to do or see that Las Vegas has to offer, including:

For more fun indoor activities, check out our list of free things to do in Las Vegas

After spending some time inside, take a stroll down the Strip in the evening or the early morning. The city cools off significantly in the evenings and overnight, with the temperature dropping as much as 20 degrees.

Las Vegas is surrounded by State and National Parks. Here are some of the best places to stay cool:

Get out of the city and spend some time on the cool waters of Lake Mead. 38 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, you’ll find lots of things to do and see at this nearby National Recreation Area, including:

Located on the other side of Red Rock Canyon National Park, Mount Charleston is a 51 minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip. There are lots of outdoor activities to enjoy and it is often 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the city, even in the daytime.

Learn more about Mount Charleston.

For your safety and comfort, staying cool during the hottest months on the Las Vegas calendar is necessary. Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can enjoy the city without letting the desert heat get you down: