Vegas, baby! It has everything.

From gambling on the strip to big production shows, from resort-style relaxation to wilderness adventure, Las Vegas offers getaways that truly have something for everyone. And short getaways are the norm: the average stay in Las Vegas is less than four nights.

So how do you pack for a short trip when there are so many different activities? Plan around one colour palette plus a couple of bright colours to add a bit of pizzazz. Blacks, browns, or blues with white or cream will get you started. Then decide on your drama colour and go to it.

Now, here are my tips for packing for Las Vegas. There are three lists: one for women, one for men, and one covering the basics that is good for both.

Carry-on packing list for women going to Las Vegas

  • 2 pairs of casual pants or a combination of pants, skirts, and dresses
  • 3 casual tops to match your pants and skirts
  • 1 dressy top that turns a pair of casual pants into night-on-the-town-wear
  • One dressy dress for going out to a show
  • Shoes:
    • A pair of comfortable walking shows or sandals. If you’re planning a hiking excursion, go with closed toe running shoes or hiking shoes.
    • A pair of dress shoes to complement your evening wear
    • A pair of flip flops for the pool
  • Bathing suit and cover-up
  • 2 bras
  • 4 pairs of underwear
  • Socks and hose if required
  • Jewelry to jazz things up
  • Make-up
  • Curling iron or flat iron if necessary
  • If you’re travelling between October and April, bring warmer clothes for the evening including a light jacket, sweater, or shawl.

Read below for the additional basics that both women and men need.

Carry-on packing list for men going to Las Vegas

  • 2 pairs of casual pants and/or shorts
  • 3 t-shirts
  • 2 button-front dress shirts
  • 1 pair of dress pants
  • 1 blazer
  • Shoes:
    • A pair of comfortable walking shows or sandals. If you’re planning a hiking excursion, go with closed toe running shoes or hiking shoes.
    • A pair of dress shoes-some restaurants have dress codes that include “no running shoes.”
    • A pair of flip flops for the pool
  • Bathing suit and t-shirt for the pool
  • 4 pairs of underwear
  • Socks-6 pairs if you’re planning on closed shoes all the time, 3 if you wear sandals most of the time.
  • If you’re travelling from October to April, bring a light jacket for the evening.

Packing basics for men and women

  • For the sun (on average it’s sunny 320 days a year in Las Vegas)
    • A hat-protect yourself from sun stroke
    • Refillable water bottle-stay hydrated
    • Sun glasses-ensure that they have UV
    • Sun block–plan to apply this a number of times a day
  • Toiletries
    • Deodorant
    • Shampoo and conditioner
    • Toothbrush and toothpaste
    • Ibuprofen
    • Razor
    • Brush
    • Hair ties – Keep the hair off your neck
  • Technology
    • Camera and charger
    • Phone and charger
    • Power converters if you’re visiting from outside North America
  • Medication, supplements, or contact kits as you need.
  • Identification-if you look on the young side make sure you have government issued ID as you need to be 21 years of age to gamble.

And for a packing list that will cover most destinations read “Bare Minimum Packing”.

Everyone has something unique they pack that’s not on a standard packing list. What’s yours?