LAS VEGAS – MAR 4: Vegas Strip, 3.8 mile stretch featured with world class hotels and casino, aerial night view on March 4, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Las Vegas is still one of the most popular international tourist destinations in the world. Every year, people from across the globe travel to the desert for a Vegas experience. According to the LVCVA’s tourism indicators report, 2.6 million people visited the City of Sin in February 2022 alone. Whether it’s for a bachelor party, business conference, or vacation, there’s always something exciting to do.
But in the midst of all the extravagance and high-profile casinos, things can get pretty pricey. Dinner for two at Paris in the Eiffel Tower Restaurant can easily cost $300, or two tickets to watch the show “O” by Cirque du Soleil can cost $158 plus tax and fees. If you want to sit at one of the high roller poker tables, it would cost you a minimum of $100 minimum, per hand. Luxury comes at a price, and sometimes it can hurt your wallet.
But you can do Sin City on a budget if you’re savvy. In this article, we’ll explain exactly how to do more, with less.
1. Fremont Street Experience
All tourists know about what goes on around The Strip, but not many know about what locals call the “Old Strip.” The Fremont Street Experience is probably one of the best kept secrets of Vegas. People come to this place because of its laid-back atmosphere that is filled with tons of entertainment. At night, there are free live musical performances for people to enjoy – many even dance on the street as if nobody is watching! Besides the free live entertainment, the Fremont Street Experience’s signature exhibit is the Viva Vision show – an amazing light show displayed on a giant LED screen.
Since the Fremont Street Experience is located in the middle of the downtown area, it provides easy access to some of the most famous gaming casinos, such as Four Queens and Binion’s Horseshoe where the first World Series of Poker (WSOP) was held in 1970. As a side trip, you could sit down in the same casino where the WSOP championship first began and try your luck!
2. Red Rock
The casinos on the Strip can sometimes be a little much, so hitting up a budget-friendly one, like Red Rock Casino can be a great alternative. Located in the Summerlin area about 10 miles west of the Strip, locals usually frequent this place to enjoy the tables without the hustle and bustle of the Strip. As a bonus, there’s a great national park space hidden behind Red Rock Casino – Red Rock Canyon. Red Rock Canyon is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas once you’ve folded at the poker table. It is a beautiful conservation area people can go to if they want to enjoy a day out in nature. There are places for picnicking, trails for hiking, and the place is surrounded by dramatic reddish mountains. You can be sure you’ll see fascinating wildlife, like desert tortoise and desert bighorn sheep, so bring a camera to capture some of nature’s finest sceneries.
3. Roller Coasters
CREDIT:Stefan Scheer, NYNY-rollercoaster.jpg, CC-BY-SA-3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0
For those that want excitement on a whole new level, try riding one of the roller coasters of Vegas! For the best view of the city, go sky-high on the Big Shot ride which launches you to the top of the STRAT Hotel – 1,049 feet above the ground. The Big Apple Coaster at the New York-New York Hotel is a perfect thrill ride located right in the center of the Strip. If you have a need for speed, try out the ziplines at the Fremont Street Experience and get an adrenaline rush like no other.
Las Vegas is an amazing destination with so many things to do, and price should not be the limit as there are many options for every traveller and every budget. If you’ve enjoyed this reading, check our article on exploring Europe without breaking the bank.
