Las Vegas/ Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Survival Guide

Tips and Tricks to get you through 10 days in Vegas

Whether it is your first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) or you are an experienced veteran, Las Vegas will surely live up to your expectations as the NFR kicks off its 65th year of one of the most exciting rodeos on the planet! Below are proven tips to help you elevate your experience and survive this epic event!

It helps to research and plan but also be spontaneous and enjoy the moment. Pace yourself and go with the flow. With so much to choose from, including the rodeo, entertainment, shopping, people watching, gambling, catching up with old friends, meeting new ones, and more, you’ll want to make sure you don’t burn out by day two.

Stay hydrated! Drink water, grab some fruit, sip throughout the day, and don’t forget to replenish your electrolytes. Bring a water bottle or collapsible water bottle to keep you feeling fresh, and save money.

Save some cash and time by taking a Free Ride! Rodeo fans looking for transportation to and from the Wrangler NFR have the option to use the complimentary shuttle bus service – the NFR Express – with routes from the Las Vegas Convention Center and many NFR-official sponsor hotels on the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown to the Thomas & Mack Center.

Get your groove on at the NFR After Dark events, many of which are free and open to the public with watch parties, entertainment, tailgate parties, concerts, nightly drink specials, presentations, and dancing. Don’t miss out on the nightly buckle presentation at the South Point Hotel and Casino.

Get a jump on or maybe even finish your Christmas shopping at Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas, the only official gift show of the NFR, and a Las Vegas tradition since 1986. There are several ways to get to the Las Vegas Convention Center: taxis, the Las Vegas Monorail, personal vehicles (parking fee), and rideshare services. Grab an exhibitor map or just wander through all 500,000 square feet with over 350 exhibitors from across America. If you’re traveling via airplane, bring an extra bag to check, leave some room in your carry-on, or consider boxing it all up and sending it home. You can find products that you won’t find anywhere else! You can never have too many boots or turquoise! There are also numerous interactive experiences, including the Ariat Rodeo Live Stage and the YETI Junior World Finals.

In summary, you are going to have the time of your life at the NFR in Las Vegas and you’ll likely be making plans to attend again in 2024! Do you have some tips and tricks you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you. Visit and follow us on our social media platforms @rodeolifemagazine