Vegas on a Budget? Beyond the strip?

Hi, there!

I%26#39;ve been to Vegas twice now and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it...

Well, we booked a trip for April and now we%26#39;re concerned about the budget while we%26#39;re there (actual trip is paid for, yahoo!)... So no 5 star restaurants for us! We like to gamble (VERY low rollers) and drink and definitely hang out by the pool (staying at MGM).

Anyway, I%26#39;m looking for suggestions in a few different categories.

(1) What are some ways to enjoy vegas on a budget? I know that there is a lot to see in the hotels, but we%26#39;ve seen a LOT of that already... we%26#39;d like to see what else is out there, too! Is there a website/list on this very topic?

(2) What are some ';different'; things to do? I%26#39;d like to do more than just gamble... What are some funky suggestions you have? For example, last time we got free passes (I don%26#39;t remember how!) to go to that old car showroom at Imperial Palace and we actually thought it was cool! It was something ';different'; from the casinos! :)

(3) What are some suggestions for cheap eats? I don%26#39;t mind using coupons if you tell me where to get them! Last year I was able to order some free vegas guides online? I forget where I ordered them from, though!

Thanks for listening this far! I appreciate the help. VEGAS BABY!

Vegas on a Budget? Beyond the strip?

How Long You Visiting?

Rental Car?

This info will help :)

Vegas on a Budget? Beyond the strip?

Hi, don%26#39;t know if you%26#39;ve been ';Downtown'; yet at the ';Fremont Experience';. They%26#39;ve blocked off several streets under a huge canopy so it%26#39;s a walking mall with lots of vendors selling neat stuff right outside the casinos.

The casinos are smaller there so not so much ';trudging'; from one to the other. We stay down there at Fitzgeralds and have a ball. We find that the slots are looser, the drinks better and the people friendlier.

At night they have the light show (on the canopy overhead itself) with a killer sound system and there%26#39;s always bands on stage for your entertainment.

Try it, I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll have a good time.

Happy Travels!

Definitely see Big Elvis at Bill%26#39;s in the afternoon during the week. He puts on a fun show and it is free. It is a very popular ';attractions.'; Don%26#39;t be put off with his looks- he really is great.

http://www.bigelvis.biz/

Here is a list of attractions- some free/some cheap/some expensive:

http://www.vegas.com/attractions

Have a meal at Ellis Island (behind Bally%26#39;s). They have an off menu steak dinner for $6.95 (beer or root beer included). Their other meals are also great from what others have said- and huge! I have only had the steak and it is a good value.

You can get 99cent maragirtas and cheap beer at Bill%26#39;s, Casino Royale and O%26#39;Sheas.

If you have never been off strip you can take the shuttle from Bill%26#39;s to the Gold Coast and visit the Palms and the Rio- they are both across the street- although different streets). Sam%26#39;s Town also has a shuttle.

I agree with the previous poster, a trip to Ellis Island is a must, you can take the monorail to Bally%26#39;s, make a right out the back exit and its a short walk. Cheap food, gamblign and Karaoke!

Also in the same area, behind the Flamingo is Battista%26#39;s Hole in the Wall, its a kitschy fun restaurant.

Farther down the strip is the Peppermill, which is a fun place for drinks.

Having a car can give you more options, but it adds to the cost.

I always do it on the cheap

First stay Downtown, everything food, drink, rooms gaming etc. is cheaper Downtown and if the cards in one casino are cold you need only cross the street to find another hot one. It is also far less crowded. Yes it is just as safe as, if not safer than, the Strip.

The Strip is just a bus ride away. Save bucks get the 24 hour pass which is now $7.00

Buy food and drink at less expensive stores, get beer, booze and snacks for the room,

Check out the specials at the various restaurants.

Get an American Casino Guide at any book store or on line for less than $20.00 you get some great coupons.

No taxis, instead walk or get to know the CAT bus system.

If you eat out at buffets, then eat lunch as it is usually far cheaper than dinner.

The Las Vegas Advisor website has some great information.

You will also get some nice coupons at your hotel.

Using the ACG coupons, stay at one hotel, get the 2nd night free, then shift to another hotel and do it again there, check the coupons for restrictions..

Go to the websites for the hotels and get on their e-mailing lists for deals. Follow this amusing link to learn more about the hotels and get links to their websites. http://www.cheapovegas.com/index.php

Don’t say no to fast food.

Other things to do on a budget, the neon museum bone yard, the free attractions, fountains, volcano etc. the natural history museum, nearby state parks and the dam. Remember that it costs nothing to go into the fancy places on the strip and gawk.

Pick a few shows that interest you then hit the half priced ticket places and see what is available from your list. Note the top headliner will probably not be on the list. Get in line 30 minutes before tehy open because if you get there when they open you will still be in line for 30 minutes but the best tickets will be gone.

We travel on a budget . . . always!

I think you%26#39;ve made a good choice with the MGM . . . especially if the pool is important to you. We spend HOURS out there!

Some less expensive eats in the area:

The grill out at the pool has excellent food as does %26#39;wichcraft%26#39; in the walkway to the pool.

Stage Deli at MGM

America over at NYNY

The food court at NYNY -- especially Greenberg%26#39;s Deli and the pizza place (sorry, can%26#39;t remember the name).

Without knowing what freebies you%26#39;ve already done, it%26#39;s hard to advise on attractions, shows, etc., but I agree with the suggestions of Big Elvis and hitting up Tix4Tonite for discounted show tickets.

If you have a strong ability to say ';No'; . . . spend a couple hours at a time share presentation . . . but only if they give you good free show tickets and buffet passes. Friends of ours do this every trip. It wouldn%26#39;t be for me . . . I%26#39;d end up buying the darned thing!!

Buy a bus pass, get onto the upper deck and cruise the strip :) It%26#39;s quite an education taking it downtown as well!

And I do recommend an evening downtown. As previously stated, things are less expensive there and very different from the strip.

Google cheapolasvegas (just end it with a .com) for lots of ideas.

If you haven%26#39;t been to Sam%26#39;s Town it%26#39;s worth a look. They have a free bus that stops at Harrah%26#39;s. They have a free laser/fountain show in the evenings, and a pretty decent buffet for dinner. The price varies depending on the evening special, we go on Tuesdays for Italian which is less than 15 bucks. The sportsbook has been remodeled and they have full-pay vp. The food court previously mentioned at NYNY is behind the America deli and has good inexpensive food. There is also an Earl of Sandwich at PH in the casino.