5 Ways To Make Sure You Don't Burn Out During Your First Las Vegas Trip

Sin City. Las Vegas. The Strip. The small oasis in the desert that is Nevada is a place where the parties, the drinks and the clubs are bigger and better. Everyone should go at least once in their life, if for no other reason than to people watch.

While the potential for fun is infinite, the possibility for failure is just as large. Follow my top five things NOT to do during your first trip to Vegas, and you're guaranteed to have a weekend you will never forget.

1. Don't pregame your flight too hard.

My parents were recently coming home from a trip to Vegas when the 20-somethings behind them threw up all over their trays. Do not be that person. I am a full supporter of a Bloody Mary in the Airport bar, or even bringing a few shooters of your own onto your flight (even though that's not really allowed). But keep your limit at one or two drinks.

No one wants you to be blacked out on their plane ride. You are about to have a crazy time in Vegas, and believe me ... you will consume plenty of drinks while you're there. There's no need to pack them all in before you even take off.

2. Don't forget to pace yourself.

Vegas is probably one of the only places where it's acceptable to wake up at 11 am and immediately start drinking. It's also probably the only place where it's acceptable to continue drinking until you finally roll home from the clubs at 6 am, and then get up and do it again the next day.

Keep this in mind when you think about taking shots at the pool party. Vegas is the most enjoyable when you can keep a moderate buzz throughout the day. That way, you can last until midnight when it's finally time to get dressed up and hit the clubs. I'm speaking from experience when I say, if you get too turnt, too early, that two-hour nap will carry you into the wee hours of the morning, making you miss Tiesto at Hakkasaan.

3. Don't turn down promoters.

The second you use #Vegas on any of your social media platforms, you WILL be contacted by a promoter. Don't be weirded out by guys posting their phone number in the comments of your Instagram. Their main job is to get hot women to their clubs, and they will offer you pretty much anything to get you there.

Treat these promoters like your best guy friend, since that's essentially what they'll be. They want to offer you free entrance and free drinks to all the hottest pool parties and clubs. And when both things cost an arm and a leg in Vegas, you want to take him up on his offer.

4. Don't wear shoes you don't feel comfortable in.

Yes, beauty is pain. I'm not saying you should wear some nice flats to the club, though. You might not even be let in if you do. What I am saying here is if you don't think you can confidentially walk in your heels before you start drinking, what do you think is going to happen after your first couple of vodka cranberries?

Vegas clubs are crowded, just like any other club that's worth going to. If you are THAT girl who can't stand up in her sky-high heels, the bouncers and/or bartenders will have no problem kicking you to the curb. There's no shame in practicing your strut in those new shoes a few dozen times before you go. It's better to be safe than to be the newborn deer wobbling around the club.

5. Don't lose your friends.

This one should seem like a no-brainer, but it's so important I have to include it here. For obvious reasons, you don't want any of your gal pals to be wandering The Las Vegas Strip by themselves. If your friend doesn't have any money on her, she might not have a way to get home. Walking by herself at four in the morning, with her shoes in her hands, is just a tragedy waiting to happen. In addition, without her keycard, she might not even be able to get past the front desk.

When my friends and I went to celebrate my 21st birthday, we lost one girl on our way home from a night swim pool party. She was picked up by a nice older couple (thank God), but couldn't get back up to the room because she didn't have a key. No woman left behind, no matter how drunk she may be.

Vegas is a hell of a time, but you have to do it right. I wish I would have known any of these things before I went for the first time. It would have saved me a little dignity as I boarded my return flight home. It also would have left me with a few more memories of the trip to treasure. Have fun, but do it right. Because if you don't, Vegas can be a nightmare.