NFR’s Final Call: Last Minute Travel Tips & Styling Options

The moment has arrived! Rodeo’s biggest celebration is now upon us and if you’re headed to Las Vegas but still feel a little unprepared –– don’t panic!

We’ve created an insider guide straight from Savannah Sevens owner Ryley who has frequented the NFR with her family and has accumulated several traveling tips and lessons learned over the years. Use these highlights on how to pack, easy transportation, where to eat, and scoring rodeo tickets as a quick reference to help you think of the little things so you can focus on having fun.

PLUS, we’ve curated a specialty collection of fringe and fur, leather and lace, shine and sparkle, and turquoise and on-trend tops for your trip –– or to simply dress with an NFR attitude at home!

Objective 1: Packing

Avoid unnecessary baggage fees by trying on each outfit before packing. When you are able to finalize the details of each look, you will eliminate the additional weight of too many boots, belts and jewelry. And with your outfits already planned out, you will be able to get ready for the rodeo much more quickly.

Objective 2: Affordable Tickets

The 4th–8th performances, held this year on Sunday, Dec. 7 through Thursday, Dec. 11, provide more affordable lower level seat options. Also, consider substituting a few nights at the rodeo for a hotel watch party. The funds you save by viewing the action on a big screen will allow you to put them toward a ticket upgrade. 

Objective 3: Transportation

In addition to the typical ride apps like Uber and Lyft, consider utilizing the Vegas Loop during the day and the NFR Experience’s shuttle service to the nightly rodeo performances.

The Vegas Loop is an underground tunnel system that offers Tesla taxi rides between three hotels (Resorts World, Westgate and Encore Resort at Wynn) and the Las Vegas Convention Center, which is very convenient when shopping at Cowboy Christmas and attending other events at the LVCC.

The NFR Experience offers 14 different shuttle routes that pick up and drop off at every official host hotel. And pro tip, if you’re willing to leave the rodeo during the last event, you can usually snag a seat and not wait in line.

Objective 4: Where To Eat

If you’re looking for a quick bite with the best margaritas, Ryley suggests Vegas-born Nacho Daddy, her go-to spot for fast Mexican food. The Daddy’s Original Margarita has appeared on the “Best of Las Vegas” list, but her personal favorite is The Cadillac Margarita.

If you only treat yourself to one fancy dinner during your trip, visit Vegas’s oldest steakhouse The Golden Steer. While they are currently booked out months in advance, you do have a chance dining in the bar area where they accept walk-ins. It may seem like a bit of a gamble without a guaranteed table, but getting there early and joining the waitlist is worth it. This place serves a side of history with its mouthwatering menu.

Hunger hitting you after a full day of shopping and rodeo action? Try The South Point Casino’s Coronado Cafe, open 24 hours a day! This is where Ryley’s parents have a tradition of dining on mouth watering prime rib.

Objective 5: Fit Check

We could probably give you a hundred styling tips but these are our top two:

Always pack your first night’s look and must-have beauty items in your carry-on in case your checked bag(s) gets lost. You’ll at least be covered for your first night and won’t have to scramble around finding a back-up fit.

Consider wearing your favorite outfit early on during your trip. Usually your energy and excitement are at their peak within the first few days. When you’re nearing the end, exhaustion has likely set in and you don’t have the same desire to get dressed up or go to a scheduled event.

NFR Fashion: Daytime Ease & Nighttime Glam

Throughout the past couple of months, we’ve been curating two collections to help you tell your personal style story during your full NFR itinerary.

Shop our effortless and elevated edit for your NFR Daytime adventures – style that brings western polish and chic comfort to activities like Cowboy Christmas shopping and the World Series of Team Roping.

Shop modern luxe pieces that put the couture in your cowgirl aesthetic with our NFR Nights line-up. Be ready for your photo shoot in front of the Thomas and Mack stairs and shine brighter than the Vegas neon at the rodeo afterparties.

Styling: Savannah Sevens | Model: Kiley Cude @coyote.kiley | Photographer: Hallie Sosolik @hallie.sosolik.photography