Vegas can be a really expensive city to visit. Over the last decade, it has been particularly aggressive about increasing fees. But if you do it right, it can also be a very affordable destination. I've been to Vegas 5 times. My cheapest trip cost me under $1000 for four days, including flights, hotels, meals, shows, and spending for two people. Full disclosure here, I used points to pay for my flights, I found a great deal on the hotel, we did a lot of free stuff, and we didn't gamble. In this post, I will share my favourite free excursions, cheap meals and other fun tips.
Free Things To Do
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Every time you go, this will likely be different. The display changes multiple times throughout the year.
The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat is located in the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. This is one of my favourite free activities in the city. The hotel has an outdoor space with water features, turtles, fish and flamingos. If you are there at 2 pm, the brown pelicans are fed.
The Volcano at the Mirage. This show involves fire and water. The drums pound as the volcano erupts, shooting fire over the water.
Miracle Mile Shops Rainstorm. The show takes place on the hour from 10 am to 11 pm. Watch the fog and rain and listen to the thunder.
The Fremont Street Experience cannot be missed when you are in Vegas. There are live bands and DJs. The world's largest video screen overhead.
The Bellagio Fountains puts on a show over the massive man-made lake. The fountains shoot over 450 feet into the air, synchronized with music.
The Silverton Casino Hotel Aquarium. The Silverton has mermaids who perform throughout the day from Thursday to Sunday. It's worth the trip, especially if you have little ones in tow.
Affordable Eats and Drinks
Long gone are the days of $1 buffets in Vegas. Instead, you'll find a buffet costing an arm and a leg, on average, $50 - $70 per person USD. If you are like me, that adds to more than what I would like to spend on meals for an entire day. I also don't believe in eating fast food all the time. Instead, here is a list of restaurants that will give you quality food and a decent price.
Durango Taco Shop. The Durango offers inexpensive Mexican food for less than $10.
The Village Pub and Cafe. This cafe is known for its affordable steak and eggs at $6.99.
Kokoro Ramen. This Ramen restaurant provides bento boxes down to $12.
South Point Garden Buffet. The prices vary by day and meal. But lunch is $18.95 for non-members and $15.95 for members. Signing up for the player's card is free, and you can easily save a little bit of money.
Nine Fine Irishmen, located in New York - New York, main course dishes here range from $20 - $38 and are high quality.
La Salsa Cantina, two eggs any style with meat, potatoes and tortillas for $4.79.
Ocean One Grill, 3 for 1 cocktails 12 dollars every day. Lunch is $5.99.
Flights Restaurant Las Vegas, Flights of drinks for as low as $15.
Affordable Stays
There are tricks to affordable stays in Vegas. Weekends are guaranteed to be more expensive than weeknights. New Years is pricey, and anytime there's a huge event in town, the rooms get more expensive. However, if you aren't set on certain days, it is easy to shop around. It is also cheaper to stay off the strip as the resorts here charge a nightly fee. Remember, this article is about affordable stays, so don't expect to see me listing the Bellagio or Venetian.
The Park MGM: Newly renovated. Smoke-free and containing affordable eats such as Eataly. The hotel has the bonus of being directly next door to the T-Mobile Arena. It is also in a very convenient location on the strip, giving you easy access to the Bellagio, New York, New York and the MGM Grand within a few minutes. Getting a room at this hotel on the right days can easily be done for $70 CAD a night plus resort fees of around $45 USD per night. https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hotel-park-mgm.en.html?aid=7965953&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
Excalibur Hotel and Casino: Depending on who you talk to, this hotel can be given fantastic or terrible reviews. While located a little bit farther down the strip, it is closer to the action than Luxor or Mandalay Bay. There's a good food court if you're looking for fast food. I have stayed here two times because of the ridiculously low nightly price. If you are someone who just needs a place to sleep, this one can hit that mark. This resort can be booked for under $40 CAD per night plus a resort fee of 40 USD per night. https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/excalibur.en.html?aid=7965953&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
New York New York: Located in a great sport on the strip directly between the Park MGM and Excalibur. This hotel has the convenience of being located near the T-Mobile arena. It has a great assortment of shopping and dining options and is home to the Big Apple Coaster. I have seen it listed as low as $69 CAD per night and 41.95 USD for resort fees per night. https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/new-york-new-york.en.html?aid=7965953&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
The D Las Vegas: This hotel is located on Fremont Street. Conveniently located for access to shopping, the Mob Museum and Smith Center for the Performing Arts. It is also near the Neon Museum and the SlotZilla Zip-Line. I have seen it advertised as low as $44 CAD per night, and being off the strip, the resort fee is currently $33.84 USD per night. https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/the-d-las-vegas.en.html?aid=7965953&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
Paris Las Vegas Resort and Casino: Also located in proximity to the T-Mobile Arena. This resort has a great nightclub and a fantastic spa. There are also 13 onsite restaurants. With a prime location on the strip, easy access to the Miracle Mile Shops and the LINQ High Roller. This hotel can be extremely pricey. However, if you shop and are flexible, I recently saw it priced at $70 CAD per night plus a resort fee of 52.10 USD per night. Well worth it if you ask me. https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/harrah-s-paris.en.html?aid=7965953&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
Transportation
Getting around in Vegas can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. I have travelled here, taken a shuttle to my hotel and walked the entire time I was there. I have also gone here, rented a fancy sports car and driven everywhere. Renting a car in Vegas can be rather affordable. If you aren't staying in the city much and prefer to travel in the surrounding area, you can do this for a cheap enough fee. However, parking on the strip can be a killer.
Parking at an MGM Resort: Despite paying for a hotel room and a resort fee, these resorts will still charge you $18 USD per day for parking.
Parking at Ceasar's Entertainment Resorts: Following suit with MGM, this company also charges hotel guests $18 USD for parking.
Monorail: This option can get you from MGM Grand to the Sahara in less than 20 minutes, with stops along the way and new trains arriving every 8 minutes. Passes range from $5 USD for a single ride to $56 USD for a 7-day pass.
The Deuce: The Deuce runs every 10 to 15 minutes, 24/7. Giving access from the strip to Fremont street. Passes range from $6 USD for a 2-hour pass to $20 USD for a 3-day pass.
Of course, there are also rideshare options, shuttles, and taxi's to consider for other modes of transportation. However, the cheapest way to tour Vegas will always be with your own two feet.
Other Methods of Saving
Players cards: Most or all resorts will offer you some perks to sign up for their player's card programs. This is almost always worth it. They often come with added benefits such as cheaper food, stays or entertainment. You will likely be given some free gambling promotions as well.
Tix4Vegas: Find discounted tickets for shows and attractions that haven't sold out for the day. These stands are scattered along the strip and also offer restaurant coupons for sale.
Stay away from the strip for gambling. It's commonly known that the slots are looser off the strip.
Free Trams: The trams are not the most convenient way to travel. But they are free, and they can get you from one resort to another. The trams are as follows Treasure Island to the Mirage, Excalibur to Luxor and Mandalay Bay, Aria to Bellagio, Vdara, Park MGM, and the Shops at Crystals.
While Las Vegas has been getting pricier and pricier, I have been trying to find ways to continue to make it affordable. Hopefully, some of my tips and tricks can benefit someone out there who wants to go but was sticker shocked when they started investigating.
Thank you for your continued support.
Wanderlust Canuk
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