Averaging 310 sunny days each year, weather is usually not a big factor in Vegas—unless you can't stand the heat. Most people enjoy spring and fall best because temperatures are moderate (i.e., warm enough to lay by the pool, but not so warm that you can't walk around comfortably). Late December and January can be chilly, but still nothing like the deep freeze you'll experience in other parts of the country. If you prefer to avoid crowds, then the first few months of the year and the two weeks leading up to Christmas are the quietest (excluding New Year's Eve, the Consumer Electronics Show and Super Bowl, of course), and you'll find great deals on rooms. But if you'd prefer to be part of the overall party atmosphere, then any weekend from late spring all the way through fall tends to be "prime time" in Vegas.

Ironically, the city's main bus system, Citizens Area Transit (CAT), provides service to McCarran International Airport, but not from it. There are companies that offer shuttle service from the airport located outside its baggage claim area. Bell Trans, CLS, Gray Line, Coach USA and Showtime all provide transport to the Strip and downtown that ranges from $5-$7.50. Taxi fare is $3.20 for the first mile, plus $2 for each additional mile and $0.37 a minute for waiting. You can have up to five passengers with no additional charge, but there's a $1.20 fee for every fare originating at the airport. Overall, taxi fares range from $9 for the south Strip to about $18 for downtown. Another option is to rent a limousine. The cost is not as high as you might imagine. The hourly fee for a basic sedan limo is $35-$42. Some companies even offer cheaply priced walk-up airport service.

In Nevada, the legal age for both drinking and gambling is 21. No exceptions! Las Vegas casinos have very strict rules pertaining to children—and they need to in order to maintain their gaming licenses. Kids may pass through casinos via the main walkways as long as they are with parents and en route to an age-appropriate location (such as a restaurant, showroom, family attraction or shop). Kids cannot linger in any gaming area. Anyone who looks young may be asked to show a picture ID and if they are not 21, they will be escorted off the property—or possibly even detained and arrested.

Both bride and groom must go in person to the Marriage Bureau at the Clark County Clerk's Office (it's in downtown at 201 Clark Ave.) to apply for a marriage license. As long as you haven't been married before and are at least 18 years old, all you need is a some form of ID—like a driver's license, passport or an original birth certificate. The fee is $55. The bureau used to be open around the clock, but recently shortened its hours and is now only open from 8 a.m.-midnight daily (including holidays).

Unfortunately, most of the major resorts in Las Vegas do not allow guests to have pets. The Four Seasons is pet-friendly, as are RV parks and smaller motel properties (i.e., Howard Johnson, Amerisuites, Super 8, La Quinta, Best Western and many others) that are located near the Strip. There are also a couple of pet boarding facilities around town.

You are allowed to drink alcohol on the Strip, including the sidewalks, and in any area with the Las Vegas city limits. On big holidays (like New Year's Eve), glass bottles and cans may be banned, but plastic cups and sports bottles are allowed. There are rarely any restrictions inside casinos on carrying drinks, except that you may have to dispose of them before entering a showroom, theater or shop. In Las Vegas you can get any type of liquor you want at anytime of the day. There are no selling restrictions on stores or in bars. It is only illegal to consume alcohol or have an open container when you are inside a car.