davidcaley Loc: Utah

I have three suggestions: 1. find the Catholic Mission behind Winn, the stained glass windows are a marvel. 2. Visit Fry's Electronics and spend time examining the photos high up on wall around store. 3. Visit old street (Fremont? something like that) where canopy and light show above street at night are special.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

Sure, I've done it many times. But, stay on the strip where there's always lots of people with cameras all with the same thoughts you have... shooting the lights. It's safe because there's so many people around both day and night.

Creta1 Loc: Vancouver, BC

Stay on the Strip. If you go even off by one block you won't be safe. Lots of hookers, druggies, & vagrants.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Yes it is as safe as any where else you go as long as you pay attention to those around you. Do not be paranoid but don't be in oblivious condition white as most kids texting are either.
I have never in all the years I lived there and still visit regularly felt unsafe on the strip or Freemont street. Just as any other city though there are rough parts of town and it is best to not go into them any time of day.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Depends on what you call safe in the sin capitol of the universe. You sound as though you are going to be disappointed if you are not accosted? There are really too many "others people" milling around. Keep your hands in you own pockets. Have lots of fun.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Are you crazy?????? I've got an idea, just take all your photo gear with you and a sign that says, " I'm just a tourist here for a few nights and I have $5,000.00 + in photo gear with me at this time, I am alone, please tell me what would make a good picture while I'm here."

NewzShooter Loc: Las Vegas, NV

I live here in Vegas, have for 26 years. I'm a TV news photojournalist and trust me when I say this… the strip in just the past year and a half has become a completely different scenario. Crime has suddenly skyrocketed! So much so now Las Vegas Metro Police have added a number of officers to patrol on horseback to assist the bicycle, motorcycle and car patrols. Thefts, robberies to tourists, drugs, hookers have spiked in numbers and it is NOT safe any longer. The crime rate on the strip has become a repeated lead story on all the local news stations. Seems the precursor to this was the ever expanding number of street performers which are everywhere on the strip. Along with this came the thugs. I kid you not. I'm not in any way trying to discourage anyone from visiting the Las Vegas strip but if you walk around with even a smartphone that isn't hidden in your pocket or purse you stand a big chance of having it snatched right out of your hand, so what do you think your chances of hanging on to a nice DSLR would be? As I said, I live here and will no longer go to the strip with any of my gear. If I ever do again it won't be without at least two big burly scary looking friends acting as extra eyes and personal security for me. I used to do a lot of model shoots and some wedding formals on the strip, not anymore. Nearby, Red Rock Canyon or Calico Basin, Mt. Charleston, Valley of Fire are a few good spots and in most instances very safe and they all provide for some very amazing photo ops.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Look at my avatar. Vegas baby. Never felt threatened at all. The media love to hype crime etc. as we know. As I said before, be alert and aware. Crime can happen any where. San Francisco to New York. Just don't live in most people's state of oblivion to their surroundings.

NewzShooter Loc: Las Vegas, NV

You're pretty good being able to know all the way from PA what's currently happening here in Las Vegas. Why on earth would the media attempt to hype crime and hurt potential tourism. If anything, the local media here attempts to play down anything that might possibly hurt tourism here in Las Vegas. So in this case not only does the media reflect the truth about the spike in crime on the strip, so do the local police reports. Not only do I get my crime stats from the police since I work side by side with them on a daily basis (I cover the crime beat), I also have family members who are cops on the local police force. So my information îs fact, not speculation. But hey, since you're so positive you know more about the actual real crime going on here in Las Vegas go ahead and walk the strip with your expensive gear. I wish you well. In the meantime try googling local news here in Las Vegas, you can bring up the video as aired here on the local stations.

Las Vegas is a great city with a lot to offer. The crime here however has really spiked as of late... homicides, robberies, home invasions, etc., and the "strip" crime has prompted more intense police patrol in an attempt to protect tourists.

My intent here was only to respond to the OP with some factual information from someone who actuatlly lives here in Las Vegas and who actually works the streets of this city as a TV journalist, along side with the local police.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I am psychic. I have 2 daughters that live in Vegas and we go there at least twice a year. We also have other friends and family there. You would be surprised at how much information is available on Facebook as well. I quit believing the media while in the service. I did not recognize that their stories were even remotely related to the actual events I was observing and living in.

NewzShooter Loc: Las Vegas, NV

Okay, no problem. I guess the strip is crime free, the media and metro make it all up and the crime scenes I cover for the news are actually figments of my imagination. And apparently your friends and family either don't watch local news or write it off as fiction. And if you google and find the crime rates up here in Vegas then google must be wrong too. We're all wrong here... the media, the police, the funerals are staged (I feel for the family members of the victims in those cases)... we're all wrong here and you're the only one who has it all correct. Okay, with that I have a life to live. I'm out. Done.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Off topic. Just a few miles to the west of LV is Death Valley. I just spent six days there. Right now the wildflowers are in superbloom. Wildflowers in DV only last a month to six weeks, but even without them, the DV vistas are worth the few miles if you are already in LV.

NewzShooter Loc: Las Vegas, NV

Yes, Death Valley has a tremendous wealth of amazing photo ops.

Carnac Loc: Las Vegas

I've lived in Las Vegas for the last 16+ years. It is true that crime on the strip has increased over the last year or so. I still feel safe on the main/well lit parts in the evening not going too late into the night (past 11 pm or so).

As others have mentioned - there are other fine photo opportunities around the Las Vegas area (Red Rock, Valley of Fire, Hover Dam, Death Valley (not the easiest place to get good pictures), Bryce Canyon) to name a few.

Also - there are a lot of great photo ops on the strip during the daytime - less risk if you are worried.

Moon over Red Rock

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Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

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Bellagio Fountain during the day

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