You don’t have to be rich to have fun in Sin City. Exploring Las Vegas on a budget is totally possible, and we’ll show you how!
Many eager travelers venture to Las Vegas with high hopes of winning big and leaving at least a little richer. Unfortunately, Las Vegas is a glitzy town full of lots of exciting (and expensive) things to do.
It’s really easy to get caught up in the glamour and get tempted into spending a small fortune on your trip. But, you don’t have to have a disposable income in order to feel like a high roller.
Here are some tips to rock Las Vegas on a budget.
Figure out a budget and stick to it!
After the airfare and hotel essentials are booked, try to identify just how much you’re willing to spend on food, activities, shopping and gambling while you’re there, you can practice at capsa online the most popular games in Las Vegas.
Once you’ve touched down, the whirlwind will commence and money can go really fast so it’s best to have a rough budget set before you leave home.
Once you’ve decided to go to Las Vegas, begin to save up your spare change.
Add this “bonus money” to your trip budget. You’ll be amazed how the change can add up. I tried this and ended up with over $90 for my last trip!
Or, look for Las Vegas vacation packages to enjoy the best amenities, shows, and other activities without overspending.
Take advantage of FREE Vegas
One of the best parts about coming to Las Vegas are the casinos, which all compete to be the flashiest spot on the Strip. But there are a ton of things to do off the strip too!
Spend a day walking casino to casino, enjoying the over-the-top themed decor and free attractions to get the lay of the land and begin your Vegas trip off right.
See the free attractions of the casinos
The Bellagio offers a number of fantastic free attractions. Start off by wandering through the seasonally changing Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. From butterfly terrariums to spectacular floral displays, the wizards at the Bellagio never cease to amaze with their innovative and evocative natural exhibits.
Then, head outside to marvel at the utterly awe-inspiring water and music fountain show.
The mood of the show shifts from day to night, so try to catch it during both times of day to get the full experience.
Caesar’s Palace
Take a sensationalized walk back into history at the Caesars Palace Forum Shops. Even if you’re not looking to go shopping, a stroll through the cobblestone streets, past replicated Roman landmarks like the Trevi Fountain, is well worth the time.
Don’t miss the hourly Fall of Atlantis fountain show complete with animatronic figures and impressive special effects.
Flamingo Hotel
For animal lovers, there are a few good, free animal attractions along the Strip.
The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo offers fish, turtles, birds and –yes!- Chilean Flamingos in a beautifully lush outdoor environment.
Treasure Island
Vegas campiness at its finest, the Sirens of TI show is an 18 minute live action production located on the street outside of the Treasure Island hotel.
Telling the tale of beautiful sirens as they lure pirates into their cove, the show features singing, dancing, sword fights, acrobatics and giant moving pirate ships as part of the elaborate set. With 4 shows a night, this is one free attraction that you shouldn’t pass up.
The Mirage
Right next to Treasure Island is another nighttime attraction, the Mirage’s famous Volcano. The Volcano is a heart-stopping experience that brings the action of the Strip to a stop every hour in the evening.
In 2008 the popular attraction had a $25 million redesign and now sound, light, music, heat and fireballs raining down on the outside lagoon complete the over-the-top experience.
Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
And don’t miss the new kid on the block, the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, located in the City Center area. Perfect for all Go! Girls, glamour is the main theme on display at this luxurious casino.
Head to the 3 level Chandelier Bar where over 2 million Swarovski crystals drape to create private nooks, and enjoy a cocktail in the oh-so-flattering light.
TIP: Try the Fire Breathing Dragon cocktail for a special, smoky experience.
It’s Ladies Night!
In Las Vegas, every night is ladies night, and if you’re lucky enough to be of the fairer gender, club promoters will be practically tripping over themselves in an effort to get you into their club.
With perks such as free admission, priority access and tickets redeemable for free drinks, you might think it’s all too good to be true. It’s not!
Try going to your selected venue and requesting to get on the list or to get a VIP pass. They will usually have a set number of passes available, so your best bet is to show up early in the day while they’re still available.
Or, if you’re trying to get into a club in the hotel you’re staying in, try talking to the concierge.
They will usually be able to hook hotel guests up with passes and priority access.
Enjoy the free casino booze… cautiously
While you’re out roaming the Strip, you’ll find a million places to pick up everything from a giant (and costly) daiquiri or yard of beer.
Besides the aforementioned nightclub drink tickets, there’s another way to get free alcohol as well — but you should be prepared in advance with a few key tips or else those “free drinks” could end up being very costly.
All casinos want you to come and spend your evening at their slot machines or tables. One way that they entice you and get you to stay is by offering free drinks from the roaming (and highly costumed) waitresses.
While it may sound appealing to have drinks magically appear as you spend some time in front of the slots, keep in mind that it can sometimes take quite a bit of time to be able to place and receive your order, especially on the weekends.
Don’t gamble for the free drinks
It’s 99% certain that you’ll actually end up losing more money than the drink actually costs! You’d be better off just ordering something at the bar and paying for it the old-fashioned way.
However, if you’ve decided that you want to gamble for a little bit and wouldn’t mind getting a drink while you wait, be sure to order something a little more premium. Avoid ordering sodas, bottled water, coffee, or cheap beer. And remember to tip!
When you start to feel tipsy, immediately stop with the free drinks! Otherwise you’ll just end up sitting there gambling away your hard earned money, while your $5 beer takes 20 minutes to arrive.
How to score discount show tickets
If you’re visiting Las Vegas, you will most likely want to take in one of their world renowned shows. From Cirque du Soleil to comedy acts to famous musical artists to Broadway productions, there’s really something for all interests.
If you just show up on your trip and get a ticket directly from the presenting venue, you most likely will pay a premium full-cost price for your ticket.
However, if you put in a little planning before you arrive, you may be able to score majorly discounted tickets to one of your preferred shows.
If there is a show you’d like to see at the hotel you are staying at, call the concierge immediately to see if you are able to qualify for any discounts. Or, there may even be a reservation package that includes show tickets and maybe even dinner in the room rate.
You never know unless you ask, and many casinos offer these popular theater packages as an option.
If you arrive and decide at the last minute that you’d like to take in a show, head to one of the 5 Tix4Tonight booths on the Strip.
Boasting tickets from 20-50% off, you may not have the absolute best selection, but if you try to get there promptly at 11 am when the booth opens, then you’ll at least get the best pick of what’s available.
The available shows are posted at 9:30 am each day. Call their hotline at 877-849-4868 so you can figure out your options before you wait in line.
However, if you really want to see one of the hottest, most in demand shows, be prepared to potentially pay full price. The concept of “Supply and Demand” is one of Vegas’ most valued governing rules.
The best time to find reduced ticket prices for the premium shows are for performances during the week.
Skip the fancy meals
If you’re a foodie, Las Vegas can end up being very tough on your wallet.
The good news is that for every expensive restaurant, there are even more reasonable and delicious dining options available. Many of these options are also pioneered by top chefs, which makes Las Vegas on a budget totally doable for foodies!
Competition fuels the Las Vegas economy, and hoteliers know that food at all price points need to be held to the highest standard or else people will just move on to the next hotel for their meal.
If celebrity chefs are your passion, some reasonable dining options include Thomas Keller and his Bouchon Bakery on the ground floor of the Venetian, Hubert Keller and his Burger Bar in Mandalay Bay and Jose Andres and his unique China Poblano concept in the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas… just to name a few.
If you really are dying to try one of the highest end restaurants, try going for lunch when the prices often are much cheaper.
Or, go in the evening for just appetizers or a late dessert. You’ll still be able to sample your favorite chef’s food, but at a fraction of the price.
6 Comments
I’ve been to Las Vegas last year for 3 days (we ended up staying 4 cause our flight got cancelled 😉 ).
Anyway, I really enjoyed the city for everything it offers, but as you say, it can get pretty expensive if you don’t watch out.
I used the free drinks in the casinos (off course) as I gambled a bit (and won a bit too).
Also, I got a ticket for the Lion King show at 40$ ! I found some nice snacks in the hotels (like the pizza slice at 4$ next to the concierge at Flamingo’s) and found out that you can easily find rooms with a kitchen inside !
These rooms are a little more expensive, but if you stay a long journey there, you can even cook yourself !
Loved the Bellagio fountain shows at daytime and at night. The Sirens of Ti, I was a little disappointed. Most guys must love it I think…. Beautiful ladies half naked dancing around on a pirate ship…
Great post with some great tips !! Thanks a lot ! It will help me next time I’m in the City of Sin …
Great post Chris! I’m totally going to use these next time I visit! The last time I was in Vegas I was so concerned with spending money that I stayed in a motel off of the strip and it was reeeeally gross. Like, dried blood on the headboard gross. Granted, it was New Years Eve… wait, does that make it better? Or worse? Haha.
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