How to Spend the 4th of July in Nevada

Independence Day means fireworks, not matter where you’re at. But spending your 4th of July in Nevada, whether in glitzy Las Vegas or sordid Pahrump, there’s more to do than gamble and meet new friends.

Getting to Nevada is usually inexpensive; hotel stays on the 4th are not. You need to plan your stay as early as possible.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Identification
• Cash and credit card

Spend the 4th of July in Las Vegas

1. Go to the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas for their 6:00 PM show.

2. Step inside the Golden Nugget for a red, white and blue mixed drink.

3. Wait at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street for a southbound city bus. They run every 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Ride the bus to the Stratosphere hotel if you aren't afraid of heights. Otherwise, ride the bus to Tropicana Avenue.

5. Ride the Stratosphere elevator to the top viewing level. Alternatively, find a spot along the sidewalk to sit or stand and watch the fireworks that start at around 9:00 PM.

6. Enjoy a show at one of the nearby casinos, take some time to people-watch or head into a casino to enjoy a cocktail or two while playing the slots or table games.

7. Travel by city bus back to your hotel when you've had your fill of the bright lights.

Spend the 4th of July in Pahrump

8. Make a reservation at one of the brothels a few days in advance. The Chicken Ranch and Sheri’s Ranch are the two most popular.

9. Travel to Mt. Charleston to spend the day in the cool, shaded mountain. State Route 156, State Route 157 and State Route 158 all lead to Mt. Charleston.

10. Enjoy a day of golfing at Willow Creek Golf Course if hiking doesn't interest you.

11. Take in a nap at your hotel room—you may have a very long night ahead of you.

12. Show up for your brothel appointment, if you have one. While the 4th of July is a very popular date, they may still take walk-ins.

13. Alternatively, find a spot to enjoy the fireworks show downtown. Fireworks kick off around 9:00 PM.

Tips & Warnings

• Drink, drink, drink—water, that is. You need to stay hydrated throughout the day, especially if you are going to be outside. Alcohol dehydrates the body, so if you are imbibing, drink 6 ounces of water for every alcoholic drink you intake.
• Keep valuables, like cash, credit cards, ID and room keys close to your person. Pick-pockets are on the prowl during heavy tourism holidays, like the 4th. They are looking for loose purses, items sticking out of a back pocket and inebriated individuals.
• Bring a folding chair if you plan on watching a fireworks show outdoors. They typically last at least 30 minutes and some are up to an hour long.
• Prostitution is illegal and unregulated in Las Vegas. In Pahrump, however, it is a completely legal and supervised industry. Service providers are regularly tested for STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and are not permitted to work without a clean bill of health.
• Women are welcome at brothels.
• You must be 18 years old to hire the services of a brothel.
• You must be 21 years of age to drink alcohol and gamble. Children are not permitted in gaming areas.
• If you are traveling with children, it may be best not to attempt viewing the outdoor fireworks show. Adults get carried away and it is not uncommon for women to expose themselves and men to egg them on. Consider a hotel room with a view of the strip to watch the fireworks instead.