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How to do Las Vegas on a budget

Get the inside scoop on doing Vegas without breaking the bank.
The idea of visiting Las Vegas without spending an absolute fortune may seem rather ludicrous to many, but it’s actually totally possible. Although Sin City is most known for over-the-top casinos, glitzy hotels and world-class entertainment, all of which tend to cost a pretty penny, there are plenty of fun things to do here that won’t hit you in the pocket. Here are our top tips on how to get the best out of a trip to Vegas in the most cost-effective way.

THE BEST THINGS IN VEGAS ARE FREE

Believe it or not, many of the most popular Vegas activities will cost you absolutely nothing. The famous dancing fountain show at The Bellagio is totally mesmerising and anyone can rock up to see it, as well as the hotel’s spectacular conservatory. Then there’s The Aquarium at the Silverton Hotel, which has a free fish feeding show and mermaid performers. Pay a visit to The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas, where you can see exotic birds, including a flock of Chilean flamingos, fish and turtles. The volcano outside the Mirage, which erupts several times a night, is also an impressive sight that won’t cost you anything, in addition to the iconic ‘Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign located on Las Vegas Boulevard.

VISIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK

Vegas is a hub of activity every day of the week, but it really comes to life on the weekend. Unfortunately this means that everything from casino tables to night club entry fees tend to be more expensive from Friday to Sunday. But you can use this to your advantage by booking a midweek break. You’ll find you get more bang for your buck in the city if you visit from Monday to Thursday, plus you’ll avoid the busy weekend crowds.

TRAVEL AROUND ON THE DEUCE

If you want to explore the sights of Vegas without having to dig into your pocket, the Las Vegas Deuce Bus will be right up your street. The double decker bus runs 24 hours a day from the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas to the Mandalay Bay, and stops at almost every hotel and casino along the Las Vegas strip, so you’ll tick off many must-sees during one ride. It’s a pretty cheap way of getting around the city (a 24-hour ticket will set you back around $8), and it’s also very convenient, with stops located about every quarter of a mile along the strip.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FOOD SPECIALS

Vegas and food specials go hand-in-hand, and you can find plenty of cheap eats in the city. Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House inside the MGM Grand offers oysters for just $1.50 each during happy hour, and you can treat yourself to a slice of heaven at Secret Pizza at Cosmopolitan Las Vegas for just a few dollars. And if you’re keen to try one of Vegas’ famous buffets, you can really get your money’s worth (if you’re feeling particularly hungry), with the Buffet of Buffets. For the cost of $59.99, you’ll get 24 hours of unlimited access to the buffets at seven famous casinos (including Caesars Palace).

GO DOWNTOWN

Just a short ride away from the Strip, Downtown Las Vegas is a great location for those on a shoestring. There’s plenty on offer including the Fremont Street Experience, an entertainment and gaming complex which welcomes around 17 million visitors a year. Here you can check out some of the city’s oldest casinos and watch street performers, as well as witness its amazing overhead light show. Meanwhile the Downtown Container Park, which is made entirely out of shipping containers stacked on top of each other, has become something of a must-see. The outdoor shopping centre is also a great place to pick up bargains and has a children’s play area with a water area to help keep the little ones entertained.
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Find out more about our Las Vegas City Breaks and check out our foodie’s guide to Sin City.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles. 

Author: Tamara Hardingham-Gill

Last updated: 13.12.2017

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