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For the Fourth of July weekend, Las Vegas anticipates fewer guests and visitors, and hotel occupancies will be slightly less as well. Las Vegas expects around 340K visitors this year, less than a year ago with 344K. But there is light at the end of the rainbow, as experts project that visitors will spend more in 2025 than last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Las Vegas is bracing for a slightly quieter Independence Day weekend in 2025, as projections from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority suggest a dip in both visitor numbers and hotel occupancy compared to last year. According to Kevin Bagger, Director of the LVCVA Research Center, an estimated 340,000 people are expected to visit Las Vegas over the three-day holiday weekend, down from 344,000 during the 2024 Fourth of July period. The hotel occupancy rate is also forecast to drop slightly, from 94.4% last year to 93.1% this year. The number of available hotel rooms has also decreased by 0.9%, with 150,909 rooms open to guests this year compared to the previous total in 2024. Interestingly, despite a three-day weekend - with July 4 falling on a Friday this year, in contrast to a Thursday last year - the draw to Las Vegas appears slightly diminished. Bagger attributes this to ongoing market volatility and shifting travel patterns among consumers. Spending up, but overall economic impact slightly down While visitor numbers and hotel stays are trending downward, direct visitor spending is set to rise due to increased costs for goods and services. The LVCVA forecasts spending of $449.5 million for the weekend, up 3.7% from the $433.5 million recorded last year. However, that increase in individual spending won't be enough to boost the wider economic effect. The total economic impact for the weekend is expected to drop by 0.2%, falling to $715.7 million. Experts suggest that a mix of global and domestic economic uncertainties - including tariffs, the lingering effects of the pandemic, and inflation - continue to influence consumer behavior in complex ways. "We have been seeing volatility for the last several years, and its impact on consumers has been mixed," said associate professor Amanda Bellarmino at UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hospitality. Gas prices and lower crime rates boost travel appeal On a more encouraging note for American travelers, gasoline prices are about 30 cents per gallon lower than they were a year ago, easing one of the key cost burdens for road trippers. Additionally, national grocery price trends show slight declines, and inflation appears to be cooling. "For the average consumer, stock market volatility is not always indicative of spending habits," Bellarmino noted. "But with decreased crime rates and the lowest murder rate in four years, domestic destinations (like Las Vegas) are more attractive to many consumers than they have been in the past few years." One clear win for travelers is the drop in hotel prices across Las Vegas. A room-rate survey found that prices during the holiday weekend are closer to typical monthly averages than those usually seen during long weekends. For instance, the average rate for a room in downtown Vegas was $114.20 per night, while the average across all Southern Nevada properties was $202.75. For comparison, July's average daily citywide rate last year was $175.64, with downtown properties averaging $61.54. Luxury resorts still commanded premium rates, with Durango surprisingly topping the chart at $474 per night - more expensive than Bellagio, Wynn, Caesars Palace, and other high-end Strip properties. Meanwhile, 22 hotels across the region offered rooms under $100 a night, with the Thunderbird posting the lowest at $61. Las Vegas still a top destination Despite the modest dip in projected visitation, Las Vegas remains one of the most sought-after destinations for Fourth of July celebrations. WalletHub ranked the city as the No. 1 destination for the holiday, just ahead of Los Angeles and New York City. The ranking considered factors such as affordability, number of events, safety, and accessibility. Las Vegas scored particularly high in the number of celebrations - second only to Orlando - thanks to a slate of fireworks shows from major resorts and local community events. Other Nevada cities also appeared in WalletHub's rankings, with North Las Vegas at No. 32, Reno at No. 48, and Henderson at No. 64. Even with fewer visitors expected this year, Las Vegas's holiday charm, affordability, and entertainment offerings continue to make it a hotspot for July 4 travelers.

A historic first half of batting with elite performances, Cal Raleigh has now punched his ticket to the Home Run Derby with the hopes of becoming the first catcher to make a wild finish in the contest. The Seattle Mariners are seeing good strides thanks to him, and now he gets to prove his worth on the smashing game as well. The Mariners backstop is hoping to shine on the All-Star festivities as he joins the power-hitting event, set this July 14th at the Truist Park in Atlanta. For Raleigh, this is a full-circle moment considering that he grew up 150 miles away in North Carolina and even regularly played in the area in his youth travel ball days. Now it seems that he is going back for a familiar reason, just on a bigger stage this time. Earlier this month in an interview, Raleigh already hinted that he would love to do the Home Run Derby in a heartbeat. With Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña announcing that he will be joining the competition, Raleigh wasted no time in putting his name forward for the competition as well. Joining the Hype There were a lot of talks that Raleigh might pass up the opportunity considering that he is one of the players who are also slated to play in the All-Star Game and avoid too much fatigue to begin with. However, it seems that he is strongly considering to try it out and who knows, probably win it all as well. “It's really cool,” Raleigh said. “Obviously, for all my family, it'll be easy for them to get to. And friends have already been texting me and asking if I would do it. So now hopefully I can put their mind at ease a little bit.” The 2025 season has been a career-best campaign for Raleigh so far, with his offensive numbers putting him among the league leaders in home runs. His powerful swing from both sides of the plate has helped the Mariners stay competitive in the American League West. At this point in the season, he’s already crushed over 30 homers and has become one of the most feared switch-hitters in the game. What makes this even more impressive is that he’s doing it while handling one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. A Rewarding Season for Raleigh His selection for the Derby isn’t just a reward for his strong season—it’s a chance to make a statement. Historically, catchers haven't had much success in the Derby, often overshadowed by bigger names from corner infield or outfield positions. Raleigh wants to change that. If he can make it deep into the competition or even win, it would be a milestone for catchers in MLB history. And there's a special personal twist to the event, too. Raleigh’s father, Todd Raleigh, is expected to pitch to him during the Derby. Todd is a former college baseball coach, and the bond between father and son makes this moment even more significant. Cal also hinted at getting his younger brother involved in some way, possibly catching during the rounds. It adds a family dynamic to what’s already shaping up to be an emotional homecoming. The crowd in Atlanta will likely have mixed loyalties with local star Ronald Acuña Jr. also participating, but Raleigh’s roots in the region could help him draw support. He played plenty of youth baseball in the Georgia and Carolinas scene, so don’t be surprised if some fans in Braves country are secretly pulling for him.