This is the sixth installment of tips for enjoying a Vegas trip on a budget. Remember, these are just a few ideas to get you started; some of them are my personal ideas and tried-and-true budgeting practices, and others are fantastic ideas from some of the great folks over at LV4E. Hopefully these ideas will spur you into thinking of your own ways to save.
When spending time in Las Vegas, it's not always all about gambling, drinking, and going to clubs 24/7, or even seeing big-name shows every single night. Sometimes you just need downtime, or a little time away from the casino, so here are some hints to get you away for a while.
That's entertainment!
Ride the bus to places you've never been - Whether you take the CAT or the Deuce, you should think about taking a little bus adventure with your camera. Consider it a sight-seeing tour and take advantage of the low cost (and someone else doing the driving) to see a side of Vegas you've never experienced before.
Head off-Strip to see Vegas (and American) history and sights - Visit the Liberace museum, the Pinball museum, the Atomic Testing Museum, or Red Rock Canyon to check out a bit of history and some interesting sights to boot. You can spend quite a bit of time away for just a little bit of money. In addition to these suggestions, think about visiting the Ethel M Chocolate Factory for a tour - free chocolate samples await you at the end of the tour, and the surrounding cactus gardens allow you to relax and reflect away from the Strip.
Check out a cheaper show or sight - Haven't seen Mac King at Harrah's? He's got two shows during the day, and tickets can be found for two free entries plus the price of two drinks per person (an approximate $9 cost per person). Also check out the various comedy shows on the Strip, but remember that prices will vary from place to place. Not in the mood for comedy? You should definitely consider visiting Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage. For a $15 fee, you can visit all the animals at your own pace and enjoy a park-like atmosphere right on the Strip - and you won't even feel like you're in Vegas anymore.
Enjoy the free things Las Vegas has to offer - Go see the Bellagio conservatory and the fountains. The conservatory changes seasonally, and it's never exactly the same. And who can get enough of the dancing fountains? They never get old. If you're in the mood for a good walk, head for the UNLV campus. You can check out the whole campus and maybe even catch a guest speaker during the regular school year.
Hang out in the sports bar - Not only are you surrounded by big-screen TVs and lots of sports action, you can usually get pretty good cocktail service here. If you're sitting in the seats and look like you've got money on a game, the cocktail waitresses will pay attention to you. But please - don't forget to tip them well!
Enjoy the free lounge shows - Who can pass up Big Elvis at Bill's Gambling Hall? I can't if I'm in the area. The man is very talented and performs every weekday afternoon at three different times. Be sure to check his vacation schedule at http://www.bigelvis.biz/ to make sure you don't miss him on your trip. Also, Paris offers a free cabaret show at different times during the week - check their posted schedule in front of the lounge (near the registration desk) and take a seat to enjoy some great entertainment. This goes for most casinos in general; if they have a lounge, they probably have one or more free lounge acts that rotate during the day or evening hours. It's worth it to give them a listen and relax away from the machines.
Catch up on your people-watching - This is my absolute favorite free thing to do in Vegas. There are so many interesting people to watch from all over the world that I have to spend at least a couple of hours watching as the world literally goes by me. Some of my favorite places to people watch: The Forum Shops at Caesars (pick any spot), Carnaval Court at Harrah's, and from a patio seat at Mon Ami Gabi in Paris. Lots of humanity walking by in each direction, and never dull.
Take a walk - Whether you explore the inside of your home hotel and casino or take a trip down the Strip, taking a walk is a great way to get exercise and see some sights. I personally like to take a walk through an entire casino if I've never visited it before because I never know what kind of interesting sights, shops, restaurants, or games I may find that can't be found anywhere else. And always take your camera, because you never know when a great photographic opportunity will present itself.
Hang out at the pool - Even if you're not a pool-crazy person, you can pick a shady spot and do some reading or people-watching for a while. If you're all about the water, be sure to check your hotel's pool hours, because they typically close a lot earlier than you'd imagine for the hot desert weather. Work your pool time into your day and save your gambling, shows, and other entertainment for the hours the pool is closed.
Use the spa - If your hotel has a spa, use the daily spa entry fee to take advantage of the services and amenities there. For a fee of around $25-$30, most spas allow you to come and go for the entire day. Head over there for a light breakfast if they offer it, enjoy a newspaper and watch the news, or get in a workout and enjoy the showers and amenities afterwards.
Head downtown and visit the Fremont Street Experience (FSE) - FSE is an open-air pedestrian mall and entertainment area that is covered by a 90-foot high, 150-foot long lighted canopy with light/music shows on the hour after dusk until midnight. Entrance to the area is free, and various acts perform on the two stages under the FSE canopy at different times of the day and evening. In addition, many of the downtown casinos are accessible from the FSE and provide a whole different look at Vegas. Plus, most of the downtown casinos offer a free gift with slot card sign up (and you can use them as souvenirs for your friends and family).
Take in a movie - Places like The Orleans, Sam's Town, and Boulder Station have their own movie theaters, so if you're staying at or near one of these properties, why not take in a movie? For further savings, consider a matinee or discount showtime.
Use Tix4Tonite or Goldstar to book your shows - With savings of 30-50% on each show available for same-day purchase, booking a show at one of the six Las Vegas Tix4Tonight locations can save you a lot of money if you're willing to wait and see what's available that day. See my previous post about Tix4Tonite or visit their website here: http://www.tix4tonight.com/. Don't forget that booking a show through Tix4Tonite one day will get you a line pass to use the next day on another show, plus a $2 off coupon to use on a future purchase. For Goldstar, you can book your tickets online: http://www.goldstar.com/events/browse/89109.
Look for two-for-one offerings on show tickets - Check out the hotels or casinos offering two-for-one deals on show tickets for certain performances before you pay full price. Signing up for slot cards may get you a deal (such as for Mac King's afternoon magic performances at Harrah's).
Whatever you decide to do, have a good time and enjoy yourself - fun in Vegas doesn't have to be expensive.
Tomorrow's entry: Savvy shopping in Las Vegas
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