Free & budget friendly things to do & see in Las Vegas?

We will be going to Vegas in mid-late April, kinda on shoe string budget (We're going as part of an international car club convention), we're driving over a 1,000 to get there. Anyway, since we're spending all this money to go %26amp; from what I've read %26amp; am learning, Vegas isn't much of a budget friendly vacation destination as it used to be.





So, what free or low cost things did you do there or that you know of? I really want to try to make the best of my time (going to be there 4 days %26amp; 3 nights) %26amp; hard earned money.





Thanks!

Free %26amp; budget friendly things to do %26amp; see in Las Vegas?
Well I've been to Las Vegas 5 times, and only one of those times was when I was old enough to gamble (21). Im from Philly so going to Vegas was a big deal but I am now only 22 and have naturally had to do things that were free/ low budget.





First off, Vegas is a pedestrian city and is amazing because you can do so much for free. Theres 2 parts to Vegas, Downtown (old vegas) and the strip which is about 4 miles long and has all the mammoth resorts on it. If budget is an issue, I would stay at the Flamingo Hotel. For about 100 bucks a night you get a 4 star hotel (its also the first casino in vegas) and its right in the center of the strip.





Every casino has a theme or sytle and the way they compete to get vistors is by having exciting shows (im not talking about like seeing Wayne newton or Celine Dion... because those sure do cost lots of money) but every casino/ hotel has a show. If you have seen the Ocean 11 movie, they stand out side the Bellagio hotel and watch the fountain show. Its incredible, a 1/4 mile long man made lake with 2,000 individual jets that spray illuminated water in syncronized dance up to 20 stories high.





Then theres the Volcano at the Mirage and the Pirate battle (2 large ships actually have a cannon fight and theres real fire and one of the ships litterally sinks).





Vegas is like the adult disney land and when ever I go there, I usually hit up the buffets (world class all you can eat food for like 20 bucks... its great) but the rest of the time I am buddies would just literally go sight seeing to see all of the casinos (and trust me you can't visit and explore all of the casinos if you had a week).





vegas.com has all the essential info including maps and stuff.





While most of the fun stuff is on the strip, be sure to try and make it down town. Theres a 3 block strip called the Freemont Exerpeince which is a covered sidewalk that has a rough 5 stories above you that is lit up with i think 9 million lights and every like 15 min after dark, the entire ceiling lights up with music and movies and stuff; very cool. Its got like 9 million watts of sound and makes for cool times.





Vegas is the coolest place on earth to be a pedestrian tourist and seeing the themes and shops of each casino is more than enough to keep ya busy.





If you have any detailed questions, feel free to message me!





Have fun! (Im moving to LA this summer and you can be sure Ill be making a pit stop in Vegas for atleast the night)
Reply:First think that the first day is traveling and checking in, etc. So just wander around the casino area. The second and third day are the days for doing things. You will be leaving the fourth day.





Go to www.lasvegasnow.com which is Channel 8's web site for locals and visitors with a huge list of things to do. Also try www.vegas4locals.com.





The old car exhibit at Imperial Palace is free; you usually can get the passes at the front of the hotel or at the players club.





The lion exhibit at MGM Grand is small but free.





Walk the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace which has two free come-alive statute shows.





Enjoy the shops at the Venetian because they have some great free entertainment. And make sure you see the ceilng at the entrance.





Adventure Dome at Circus Circus is reason and a great deal of fun.





And as far as shows go, I would recommend the dinner Joust show at Excalibur, Cirque show Mystere at Treasure Island (a local favorite and the cheapest and ALL seats regardless of price are good).





If you want to enjoy the local scene, then take the loop ride at Red Rock Canyon (west of city) for a small fee. See Hoover Dam and the visitor center and for a small fee take a tour of the dam.





So much so little time.
Reply:Stratosphere


Lion Habitat @ MGM Grand


Nature Walk at the Tropicana


Gondola Rides at Venetian


FAO Schawrz


Circus Circus


Board Walk


Fashion Show Mall


Fremont Street Experience


Billagio Fountains


Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat (Mirage)


Exploding Volcano (Mirage)


Valley of the Waterfalls (Mandalay Bay)


Roller Coaster (outside New York New York)


Circus World Buffet





Have fun!
Reply:book a full one day tour bus trip to the grand canyon and take a couple of large bottles of cold water with you before you board the bus at your hotel. whoever said hooverdam is also thinking as that is a good choice for a different day.
Reply:The above answers are mostly good.





However, I did want to add this.





The prices in Vegas ARE expensive now compared to how they were just 10 years ago and horrendous compared to 15 to 20 years ago. The people who have just gone to Vegas for the first time in say the past 5 years do not know that that $10 buffet breakfast was only $3. to $4. 10 years ago, and 0nly $1.99 back 15 years or more, So that would be in the 1990's. That huge dinner buffet that is now $20 to $25 ($35 at Wynn) was just 10 years or so ago $12 to $15, and 15 years ago it was only $7 or $8.





In addition, the hotel coffee shops prices for breakfast, lunch and dinner have skyrocketed in the same manner. AND, many of the big hotels on the Strip now have several "high end" specialty restaurants where the menu's don't have prices on them. OH, they are very very nice places but my point is many years ago you could really eat cheap and most hotels had just one high end restaurant if any. I can remember the time not too long ago when you could eat all day, lets say breakfast and dinner buffets, for about $10 a day.





So now when I go I like to hit the cuopon books when I first get there and see if they have any decent deals. Also, I always rent a car and in thsi case you'll have a car so its much easier to get around to find cheaper eats.





Then there is the Hotels. I stayed at the MGM Grand for $69 on the last friday night in May of 1998. Now I know that was 10 years ago. However, the price for the same friday night this year?? $213. Same size room, and same hotel. More than 3 times the price. Inflation? Yes, but more like the realization by Vegas that they could charge more and people would still come. Furthermore by charging more it would keep the lower less profitable people away and bring in a higher cliental.





Also in March of 2003 I stayed at the Beliagio on St. Patrick's Day for $109. This year rate. $199. 5 years later (same day of week) its almost double in price!.





You should plan on bringing at least $300 a day. I know this sounds like a lot, but if you add in food and lodinging into this cost that will only leave you with $200 a day. Things on the strip are marked up from what you would normally spend on it. You may say your going to skip the strip... well if its your first and/or your only time to Vegas... you not skipping the strip.





I personally love downtown and the prices are lower there.





The good shows are at least $80 a ticket and if you go to Cirque du Soleil it's over $100 a ticket. ( I highly recommend the Danny Gans show at Mirage) Figure $100 or more (depending on wine) for an expensive dinner, $50 for an average breakfast + lunch. Spas on the strip are at least $150 depending on what you want done. If you want a full spa treatment, thats $350-500 right there. If you're gambling at all, you're going to want to have extra money in your pocket





I hope I'm not scaring you, but I've averaged 2-3 Vegas trips a year for the last 12 years or so. Prices in Vegas are ridiculously high, so you should just get it into your head that you will pay more for things there then you would back home. $7+ beers and $12+ sandwiches are pretty much the norm, especially on the strip. In Vegas you get what you pay for. If you want a good meal, show, spa etc. you have to be prepared to pay for it.





Take more money than you think you would ever spend. $500 a day is on the high side without shopping, but trust me, Vegas is one place you want to have some extra money. The worst thing would be to run out of money on your third day. I've done that and it's miserable to be in Vegas without any money. Trust me, Vegas is fun, but it can also be the worst place to be if you don't have enough money.
Reply:You will never be bored in Las Vegas. Not only is it affordable, and very luxurious but full of activities. You don't have to gamble or have a lot of money to have a great time.


Here is a list of free attractions


http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/free-attr...


Remember to see the Bellagio fountains and Fremont street at night.





Here is another list of more attractions


http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/lasvegas-...





Enjoy yourself
Reply:We always plan our Vegas trips on a budget. I will be visiting for my third time in three weeks, It's my boyfriend's 14th time or something crazy like that.





First of all- hotel. If you don't already have one because of the convention, I would recommend Excalibur. If you watch their rates, they go as low as $51/night, which is cheaper than most places you can stay in my home town (louisville, ky). It is a beautiful castle/ medieval theme and it's just your basic hotel room on the inside. You can get an upgrade to a view room or a Plasma TV room for an extra $10/night.





Attractions- There are so many free attractions in Vegas, and that is usually what we rely on. This year we are taking the kids so we are going all out, but usually we spend most of our time walking down the strip looking at the hotels. I love the different themes. Below is a great list of free attractions in Vegas. I don't know if you are planning on spending any time gambling, but that is the best way to get free drinks. If you don't have a lot of money for that, take a $5 bill and sit down at the nickel video poker games. $5 can last you hours and a cocktail waitress is sure to come by asking if you want a drink many times. Just be sure to have $1 or so to tip her with. Keep in mind, if you buy the same drink at the bar, it is around $8. I know the Excalibur waitresses are always around the video poker machines. A couple of years ago we went to nickeltown by Riviera to gamble and I entered my name in a drawing they were doing like every 20 minutes. I ended up quickly winning 2 free show tickets to Splash! at the Riviera. So after we were done playing, we went and saw the show completely free. And it was very entertaining. I don't think nickeltown is there anymore, though. They also hand out free show tickets to Mac King at Harrahs sometimes when you are walking by.


Also keep an eye out on ebay before you go, I have found some great coupons that I basically only pay shipping on that will save us $20-$40 or sometimes more.


When you get there, try to pick up all of the magazines and funbooks from each of the hotels that you can. They have great money-saving coupons like $5 off buffets or free buffets, etc. You can also take a look at Las Vegas Advisor's Pocketbook of Values (link below) It costs $37, but sometimes you can find it on ebay for less, and it has tons of great coupons.





Good luck! And don't worry, you will have fun even with no money.



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