Vegas (cruises, hotel, hotels, plane)

[nnyl]

Can Vegas be done on a budget?

And is it something one would want to do if they don't specifically enjoy gambling?

We would be on a tight budget and "wasting" money gambling would make me sick, more than it would bring me enjoyment.

Maybe the slots, on a daily limit, but other than that.............not real interested in gambling.

So would it be a destination for someone who isn't a high roller of any sort?

I know there are some amazing bargains to be had, particularly for Vegas, these days. So would it be something one would want to go do if they are #1) on a pretty tight budget, and #2) don't particularly enjoy gambling?

[Alaskan Mutt]

There is a lot to do in Vegas besides spend money. Most of the casinos have free shows of one kind or another. There are all sorts of museums. Many which do not charge admission. There are also tours to be had at a fair price.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by nnyl

Can Vegas be done on a budget?

And is it something one would want to do if they don't specifically enjoy gambling?

We would be on a tight budget and "wasting" money gambling would make me sick, more than it would bring me enjoyment.

Right now, you can get some phenomenal air and air/hotel deals between most major cities and Las Vegas. I have seen 4 day deals out of Chicago for under $300 on Yahoo! travel.

In Las Vegas, you can get meals for as low as $110 and as high as $1000, It is your choice. Most of the cheaper places are OFF the Strip.

You could easily spend a week in Las Vegas and never gamble.

[DotLib]

Just about all of the hotels in Vegas have some discounted rates right now. Vegas is such a fun place if nothing else, than just to people watch! Im not a big gambler, maybe a little slots from time to time. But, I do like all of the shows that are offered. You can travel via bus from the strip to downtown. Thats a whole other world down there. Ive watched more movies being made during the middle of the night there. Just taking in all the sites lit up at night is thrilling to me! Vegas has an absolutely awesome sky line! Depending on what you like to eat, you can budget there too. Have fun!

[gman5431]

Here is what i always say about Vegas - To me, it is over rated. I'm not a huge gambler and i love historic sites, nature, and beaches. While Vegas can offer something in this area, it doesnt compare to MANY other areas in not only America but in a decent plane flights distance. Also, Vegas can get pretty pricey if you arent careful. Many of the simple things out there are over priced and this can get tiring. It really depends on what you are looking for. I have been to Vegas 3 times now and had a blast the first time. Had fun the other two but to a lesser extent. The glare and glamour wore off on me because, as i said im not a big gambler and the shock factor wasnt there anymore.

With all this being said, i always advertise that everyone should visit Vegas at least once as it is a very unique place and even people who dont gamble at all will have a great time. Its definately an experience, thats for sure.

You can do it on a budget. As mentioned, there are plenty of very cheap places to stay off strip. However, i wouldnt recommend that. If you are going to come to Vegas - you should stay where the action is, and that is directly on the strip. One of, if not the, cheapest place to stay on the strip is the Tropicana. The Trop is located at the southern end of the strip, across from Excalibur, MGM, and New York New York. Location is good, if you plan it right you can get rooms (the garden view ones) for around 40-50 bucks a night. Has a nice casino if you are into that and pool area is nice. However it does shut down the pool at nite and actually inforces it. There is a nite pool but it is very small. Ive heard other places farther up the strip can be had for cheap as well, the one i can think of off the top of my head is Circus Circus but i cant really comment on that as i have never stayed there.

Definately go check Vegas out and eat up the atmosphere. If you are a drinker/partier like i am, you will have a great time and the lack of an open container law on the streets there and the ability to bring whatever drinks you want into any casino is good perk as well.

G Man

[stacylee926]

We just came back from 10 days in the SW - which included 3 days in Las Vegas. We had been there 16 years ago and knew it had changed alot!

We went on a smaller budget - we had 3 adults and our 17 year old son (eats like an adult and my budget was $300 a day (not including hotel or car). Most of that money was spent on food - breakfast for 4 at a buffet can be $50 +tip!!! We like to gamble a little bit - slots mostly - and put $20 in a machine here and there. There is so much to 'see' in LV without spending a dime. Almost every hotel has a theme and just walking around them is amazing and time consuming! There are alot of discount tickets available on various web sites too. 2 for 1 buffets, or $5.00 off etc. We also went to a baseball game one night which was inexpensive entertainment for several hours. We could only afford one show - and we chose the Titanic exhibit. I got discounted tickets at Tix4tonite and 4 tickets cost around $70.
I do not like to do those really cheapo buffets (afraid to get sick) but a good hearty breakfast buffet can mean you can skip lunch and just get a snack.

I understand the Stratosphere has some really cheap rooms, but I would not stay there - it is way too far down the strip and will require transportation just to get to all the main action. Almost all the hotels on the main strip are good and you cannot go wrong at any of them.

We had a car and I think it is a good idea. You can get a compact car for a decent price and parking is free at every hotel - you just tip the valet $2 when they bring you the car. That allows you to move around LV freely and quickly.

LV is a GREAT destination on any budget - and no one cares if you gamble or not.

[Dd714]

The only thing expensive in Vegas is the gambling. Everything is subsidized (comped) to a certain degree to bring in gamblers, even if you don't gamble. Heck even the booze is free.

So, if you don't got to gamble, Vegas is a bargain. Of course, why go to Vegas if you don't gamble? Otherwise you are in the desert with flashing lights and some fancy shows and lots and lots of senior citizens gambling my future social security away, Vegas is nothing else. Just control your gambling budget, that's all. The rest of Vegas is always a bargain.

[nnyl]

Thanks guys for all the wonderful replies.

Looking for something to do for an upcoming much needed, much overdue trip.

Haven't ever been to Vegas.

I actually did see some really cheap room prices at Circus Circus and at the Stratosphere. Wondered why they were SO MUCH CHEAPER than the other locations. I guess the Stratosphere, because it's too far from anything else. The Circus Circus, I don't know. Old? Outdated? What?

I actually found a good price also at Bally's. Any thoughts on that? And the Mirage had a *decent* price, but a little more pricey. So the Mirage? What about it?

And so by what I'm reading here, one would not encounter the "free continental breakfast" at any of the strip hotels then? Right?

I am big on packing on a big b'fast at a "free continental breakfast", and that does me, for the day. Then I'll have a dinner somewhere (inexpensive), and I'm good, for the day. Not an option on the strip huh?

I do want to, if possible, go and see a couple of shows maybe. One I have in mind, a comedian that I've heard of. Will be pricey though. And another is the Circue de Solei Love (some sort of Beatles something or other). Would one be able to obtain tickets for either at a discount somewhere?

And another thing I would love to do is take a daytrip, if possible, to either the Grand Canyon or Red Rock Canyon (I think that's what they call it). I will likely never get out that way again, and so I want to take in as much as I can.

As you can see, my dollars, limited though they will be, will be spent doing things, seeing shows, rather than gambling it away. I do enjoy the slots, but on a budget. I have done so on cruises (slots) in the past, but I limit myself, discipline myself, $20 a day, when it's gone, that's it. And it goes quicker than a flash. And then I'm sick, $20 just *poof*, gone.

LOL. Not a high roller by any stretch.

[Finger Laker]

in the paper yesterday they had the MGM "non gambling boutique hotel" advertising the following for the summer:

$110 per night for the room, $100 in beverage credit at any of the MGM bars, an upgrade in your room if your birthday is before 8/31

there are great deals everywhere

for gambling I actually prefer laughlin because i'm not a high roller or a glitz and glamour type of guy - so i'm cool hanging with seniors in a laid back environment, paying $25 for a room and playing $1 tables

i'm also not the biggest vegas guy - but have fun going every now and again

this time of year it's hot, but you can get in good pool time, at night the light show on freemont street can be entertaining people watching, you have the free spectaculars at many of the strip resorts (like the fountains of bellagio)

plus you can hit a bunch of moderately priced little attractions

with these rates you can make it as cheap or expensive as you want

to me it was getting too expensive to make a visit, but these summer deals have me thinking of making the trek up

[nnyl]

We're actually planning this for November. No the heat in the summer would completely undo me. I haven't looked to see what the weather is in Vegas in November. I guess I should, that's likely very important. LOL.

And as for hanging out with the seniors, that's my speed. I'm close enough to that age. Surely closer to that than the 20 somethings that can go frequent all the night spots and live it up all night long.