Time Out from the Tables
TWENTY-ONE WAYS TO HAVE NO- OR LOW-COST FUN IN LAS VEGAS
By Barbara Nathan
In the adrenalized atmosphere of Las Vegas, tearing yourself
away from the tables or machines isn’t always easy. When
we’re winning we want to keep playing, trying to squeeze
every last dollar from our hot streak. When we’re losing
we tell ourselves it’s only temporary, and that we’re
due for a run of good luck any moment now. In either case,
it’s all too easy to spend too much time playing in a
single stretch—and as many of us have learned the hard
way, that’s not conducive to good results.
Besides, if you spend all your time in a gambling frenzy,
you’re missing out on some of the best bargains that
Las Vegas has to offer. Taking frequent breaks to partake
in other activities not only makes sense financially but also
makes your trip more enjoyable and memorable. And you certainly
don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on entertainment,
whether you’re out on the town with your spouse or traveling
with the whole family. Las Vegas remains a place where you
can keep yourself and your children occupied and entertained
inexpensively, provided you know where to look. And in some
cases, the fun is absolutely free.
Here are 21 suggestions for no- or low-cost fun things to
do in Las Vegas.
1. Cut coupons.
Although none of the suggested activities in this article
are expensive, why pass up the opportunity to save even more?
The Friday “Neon” section inside the Las Vegas Review
Journal and free weekly guides like What’s On, Showbiz
and Today, which you can pick up in any casino hotel, are
filled with coupons for discounts and freebies. You’ll
often find 2-for-1 show tickets, $5 restaurant discounts and
free or reduced admission to popular tourist attractions.
If you’re vacationing in Las Vegas with your family,
you can even make coupon cutting a joint project. Have each
family member thumb through a different magazine looking for
bargains. Many casinos also have their own fun books and promotional
flyers. Just check at the front desk or at casino services.
2. Ride the trolleys and monorails.
First-time visitors, looking at a map of the Strip or out
the window during the cab ride from the airport to their hotel,
usually misjudge the distance between properties. Although
the casinos may appear bunched together, they’re farther
apart than you think. Venturing from one Strip resort to the
next is a journey that often requires you to navigate escalators,
bridges and walkways. (You didn’t think they were going
to let you get away that easy, did you?) You probably want
to check out a number of the magnificent Strip resorts, but
in the scorching heat of summer, walking up and down the congested
Strip can quickly become exhausting. Taxis are expensive,
and buses usually entail long waits in the heat and are crowded
and slow moving.
Fortunately, you have other options: trolleys and monorails.
Strip trolleys cost $1.75 per ride or $5 for an all-day pass
(exact change required), and run a loop between the Stratosphere
and Mandalay Bay at 15-minute intervals between 9:30–1:30
a.m. daily. Another trolley, costing 50 cents a ride, runs
between the Stratosphere and downtown between 7 a.m.–11
p.m.
Currently there are only two free monorails in Las Vegas.
One goes back and forth between the Mirage and Treasure Island.
The other makes stops at Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur.
Or for $3 a ride, or $10 for an all-day pass, you can take
the Las Vegas Monorail, which is now operational after a series
of setbacks and delays. It stops in back of the Sahara, Hilton,
Convention Center, Harrah’s/Imperial Palace, Bally’s/Paris
and the MGM Grand.
The monorails are a quick and easy way to get from one casino
property to another while avoiding the heavy Strip traffic.
The chief drawback is the long walk to get to them. Also,
the schedules are subject to change and, like the trolleys,
the monorails might not be running very late at night or early
in the morning.
As of this writing, the Flamingo Hotel is offering LV Monorail
riders $5 in free slot play (limited to one redemption per
day) upon presenting a same-day monorail ticket stub and a
Connection Card at the Promotions Booth.
3. Take a trip back in time.
Not everything in Las Vegas is ultramodern and high-tech.
There are places where you can sample a taste of life in another
era. How does making merry in a medieval castle sound? Head
for the Excalibur. Watch jugglers, musicians and puppets perform
on the Court Jester’s stage and play medieval carnival
games in the Fantasy Faire.
To travel even further back in time, enter the 30-story pyramid
next door, the Luxor, and fork over five bucks to see a museum
replica of King Tut’s tomb.
If the glory of ancient Rome intrigues you, head for the recently
expanded Forum Shops shopping mall within Caesars Palace.
Just steps away from upscale retail emporiums, statues of
ancient Roman gods “come to life” next to spectacular
hourly fountain shows. At the Festival of Fountains, the statues
talk and move as Bacchus, the god of wine, throws a party.
At the Fall of Atlantis show, Atlas’s children fight
for control of the legendary lost city.
4. Look at memorabilia.
Las Vegas is a paradise for fans and collectors of memorabilia.
For $16.95, until October 31, you can view Titanic, the Artifact
Exhibition at the Tropicana. Or visit the Las Vegas Historical
Gambling Museum and Store inside the Neonopolis mall (located
downtown) for just $2.50. A mere $2 will get you inside the
Houdini Museum at the Venetian.
Elvis fans won’t want to miss the Elvis-A-Rama Museum
on Industrial Road (behind the Fashion Show Mall), where you
can browse a huge array of the King’s possessions (including
some of his most beloved cars), then duck into the tiny showroom
to watch an Elvis impersonator perform a few famous tunes.
Another Las Vegas icon, Liberace—whose tastes in jewelry
and costumes made Elvis look frugal—has his own museum
on Tropicana Avenue, down the street from the MGM Grand. And
for those interested in rock ’n’ roll through the
ages, a trip to the Hard Rock is mandatory. This casino, located
on Paradise Road around the corner from the Strip, is filled
with memorabilia displays. The walls and walkways surrounding
the casino are filled with famous stage costumes, guitars
and rare photographs of music stars past and present.
Last, for anyone interested in vintage cars, more than 200
antique and classic automobiles, including ones that once
belonged to celebrities, are on display at the Auto Collections
at the Imperial Palace. Before you go, cut out the free admission
coupon appearing in most weekly Las Vegas magazines, or go
to www.autocollections.com/free.cfm and print one out to save
$6.95.
5. See an art exhibit.
If you appreciate fine art, check out the world-class offerings
at the Wynn Collection, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art and Guggenheim
Hermitage Museum at the Venetian. If the $15 admission price
is too steep, stop by the Centaur Art Galleries in the Fashion
Show Mall. Here, a free exhibit features paintings from some
of the art world’s most famous names.
6. Hang out with (wax) celebrities.
Chances are, some very famous people are visiting Las Vegas
at the same time you are. But the likelihood of an actual
up-close encounter with any of them is rather remote—unless
you let Madame Tussauds handle the introductions. Madame Tussauds
Interactive Wax Attraction at the Venetian allows you to interact
with more than 100 sports, music and Hollywood celebrities
(or an eerily similar wax reproduction, at least); you can
say “I do” to George Clooney, or sit down at a game
of hold’em with Ben Affleck. Admission is $22.95.
7. Attend a fashion show.
With its multitude of A-list retail stores, Las Vegas is becoming
a world-class destination for fashionistas and high-end shopping.
But you don’t need to spend a fortune on designer threads
to keep up on the hottest new fashions. Instead, head over
to the spectacular Fashion Show Mall (across the street from
Wynn Las Vegas). Every Friday–Sunday, six or seven times
a day, a free live fashion show takes place along its retractable
runway, with gorgeous models prowling the catwalk.
8. Experience Venice in Vegas.
One surefire way to set a romantic mood is to pretend you’re
in Venice, Italy. For $15 per person, why not take a gondola
ride down the replica of the Grand Canal inside the Venetian,
while a gondolier serenades you. For couples, this striking
attraction is sure to be one of the more memorable moments
of their Vegas vacation. Hours of operation are Sunday–Thursday,
10 a.m.–11 p.m. and until midnight Friday and Saturday.
9. Sharpen your table skills.
Many casinos have scheduled times of day when free lessons
for beginners are offered for games such as blackjack, craps,
roulette and poker. Circus Circus, Excalibur, Imperial Palace,
Palms, Stardust and Tropicana are a few of the casinos where
you can receive a free crash course; just inquire with casino
personnel about the types of lessons they offer. If you’re
a novice player, or haven’t played in a while, attending
these lessons may help you fare better. The casinos are glad
to offer this kind of free instruction, since it encourages
more players to take a shot.
10. Watch a poker or blackjack tournament.
While tournaments can be expensive to enter, they’re
free to watch. In addition to being good entertainment, watching
tournaments will help you pinpoint the shortcomings in your
own play.
Although this year’s major poker tournament, the World
Series of Poker, is over, smaller tournaments take place daily
all over town. High-stakes hold’em tournaments are a
frequent occurrence in the large poker rooms of the Mirage
and Bellagio. Or check out the daily no limit hold’em
tournaments (with lower entry fees, if you want to play) at
the Imperial Palace, Binion’s, Harrah’s, the Rio,
Sahara, Circus Circus and other casinos.
Blackjack tournaments are harder to come by, but the Silverton
has one every Wednesday at 6 p.m., and the Cannery in North
Las Vegas has one every Friday with a mere $10 entry fee.
Casinos also hold special invitational tournaments that are
often open to the general public for viewing. If all else
fails, you can always watch champion and celebrity poker and
blackjack on the Travel Channel and other cable stations in
the privacy of your hotel room.
11. Enjoy the beauty of nature.
Las Vegas may be smack in the middle of a sun-blasted desert,
but that hasn’t prevented its casinos from creating (or
re-creating) beautifully scenic environments—from tropical
jungles to lush gardens and forests. In the garden behind
the Flamingo Hotel, you’ll find a unique and tranquil
setting filled with waterfalls and foliage. You can have your
picture taken with flamingos, penguins, swans and other wildlife.
Try to time your visit so you can watch the penguins being
fed, at 8:25 a.m. or 2:55 p.m.
Perhaps the most stunning display of natural beauty on the
Strip is found within the Bellagio Conservatory, which features
amazingly creative displays of flowers and plants that are
changed with the seasons. The mastermind behind that enduring
attraction, casino developer Steve Wynn, took the concept
even further with his new multibillion-dollar resort, Wynn
Las Vegas. Inside, you can stroll past remarkable floral displays;
outside, a towering mountain, surrounded by a forest of trees,
creates a man-made barrier between the property and the Strip.
Once you’re inside the resort, for the price of a beverage
you can gain admittance to an outdoor patio on the edge of
Wynn Las Vegas’s man-made lake that overlooks the mountain
and forest. Sipping a cocktail in these miraculous surroundings,
you might forget you’re in Las Vegas altogether.
12. See amazing animals.
Las Vegas does have a zoo, but it may be too far off the beaten
path for most visitors, especially on a hot summer day. Instead,
you and your family can enjoy a similar experience within
certain casinos. From the Lion Habitat at the MGM Grand to
the White Tiger Habitat at the Mirage, there are plenty of
opportunities to view and photograph an array of beautiful
creatures.
Bird lovers, don’t miss the free bird shows that take
place daily in the Tropicana Tropics Lounge (11:30 a.m. and
1:30 and 2:30 p.m.) and outdoors in the Hawaiian Marketplace,
Thursday–Tuesday (11 a.m. and 1, 3 and 5 p.m.). Then
go see the Bird Girls of Mandalay Bay parading around the
lobby daily (except on Tuesday), showing off colorful, exotic
birds.
If you don’t mind spending a few bucks ($15 for adults,
$10 for children 4–12 and free for kids 3 and under),
I highly recommend the guided tour of Siegfried and Roy’s
Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. The Secret
Garden is home to a variety of rare animals including white
lions, Bengal tigers and an Asian elephant. The Dolphin Habitat
features big underwater windows where you can watch the spellbinding
dolphins at play in their clear blue pool. Allow yourself
at least an hour for an unforgettable and highly educational
tour that will leave you in awe of some of the world’s
fascinating creatures.
Another fascinating animal habitat worth visiting is Shark
Reef at Mandalay Bay. Shark Reef is the only “predator-based
aquarium” in North America and home to some 2,000 aquatic
animals, including 15 different species of sharks. With hallways
made of glass where you’re literally surrounded by sharks
of all sizes, kids will absolutely love it (and will go bonkers
once they reach the gift shop). Open daily 10 a.m.–11
p.m., Shark Reef is well worth the $15.95 admission price.
13. Be a kid again.
Whether or not you’re traveling with children in tow,
sometimes you feel like being one yourself. In Vegas, you
can indulge those fantasies to your heart’s content.
What kid doesn’t enjoy the circus? From 11 a.m.–midnight
daily, aerialists, trapeze artists and clowns perform right
before your eyes from the Midway Stage in the Circus Circus
hotel-casino.
And what kid (or kid at heart) doesn’t love Coca-Cola,
M&Ms and video games? Next to the MGM Grand, get your
fill of all three at the World of Coca-Cola, M&M’s
World and Gameworks.
If you prefer an educational activity, visit the Las Vegas
Museum of Natural History or the Lied Discovery Children’s
Museum, both located on the far north end of Las Vegas Boulevard.
Be sure to partake in some of the hands-on interactive exhibits.
14. Seek adventure.
I’ll admit, it’s been years since I’ve been
on a roller coaster or scary ride of any kind, but if you’re
up for a major adrenaline rush, Las Vegas is the place. Adventure
seekers of all ages will love the massive Adventuredome at
Circus Circus. Or combine your visit to the top of the Stratosphere
tower with a mind-blowing ride on the Big Shot, High Roller,
X Scream or their newest offering, Insanity. You can also
“Speed” your way around the Sahara on its winding
roller coaster, or climb aboard the Manhattan Express as it
twists and turns around the mock-Manhattan skyline of New
York-New York.
The newest twist for thrill-seekers is the virtual ride. There
are plenty to choose from: the NASCAR simulators at the Sahara,
Magic Motion Rides at the Excalibur, and motion simulator
rides like “In Search of the Obelisk” at the Luxor
and “Race for Atlantis” at Caesars. None cost more
than $10.
15. Have all you can eat for $10 or less.
While Las Vegas grows ever more expensive and evolves as a
gourmet dining destination, fear not—you can chow down
on a good buffet or coffee shop meal for less than $10. Some
of the best bargains are coffee shop “graveyard specials”
served late-night or in the wee hours of the morning.
In fact, there are still so many places in Las Vegas to grab
a cheap meal (specials are often advertised on their giant
marquees) that you should have no trouble finding some on
your own. But here are a few of my favorites.
If you want a breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet, you can’t
go wrong with any of the Station Casinos. They all serve a
nice variety, priced at under $11. At Main Street Station,
in the heart of Downtown, breakfast costs just $5.75 and lunch
just $7.75, while dinner and Saturday and Sunday brunch are
also reasonably priced at $10.79 and $9.95, respectively.
Other casinos that offer bargain-priced buffets—but don’t
skimp on quality—are Sam’s Town, Gold Coast, Sahara
and Terrible’s.
On the Strip, the Boardwalk Casino Surf Buffet’s big
selling point is that it’s open 24 hours a day. Its $8.99
steak-and-eggs buffet is served nightly from 11 p.m.–6
a.m.
The Stardust Island Paradise Cafe offers four signature specials
between 11 a.m.–11 p.m. daily: steak and lobster ($12.95),
steak and shrimp ($11.95), prime rib ($9.95) and orange-glazed
chicken ($6.95). Bring along the discount coupon you’ll
find in the weekly magazines and subtract $3 from the cost
of any of these.
For an even cheaper meal, order the graveyard special at the
Circus Circus coffee shop: two eggs with bacon or sausage,
hash browns, toast and coffee is just $3.99 (before tax).
The special is available from 11 p.m.–5 a.m., Sunday–Thursday.
16. Go bowling.
Okay, time to work off some of those extra calories. Bowling
is a fun way to work in some exercise. The Gold Coast, Suncoast,
Orleans and Sam’s Town all have bowling lanes open 24
hours a day. For night owls, the Gold Coast offers a graveyard
special from midnight–8 a.m. Games and drinks are only
$1 each!
17. Enjoy free entertainment,
24/7.
For all the various ways you can spend money in pursuit of
a good time, some of the most entertaining attractions in
Las Vegas will cost you precisely nothing. The more time you
spend here the more you’ll realize just how much free
entertainment is packed into many of the casinos—not
only in the lounges but also on the casino floor itself. The
Tropicana Air Show, featuring aerial acrobats, takes place
daily, every other hour, from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. At the Rio,
its staff of talented “Bevertainers” not only serve
drinks but also break into dance numbers around the clock.
Several times daily, the Rio also presents Masquerade Show
in the Sky. You’ll feel like you’re at a Mardi Gras
party as you watch the colorful floats go by and try to catch
one of the beaded necklaces that the performers throw out
to the audience.
At the Silverton Casino, three miles south of Mandalay Bay,
a free mermaid show (featuring synchronized swimming) takes
place hourly every evening (except Tuesday) in a gigantic
fish tank outside the Mermaid Restaurant and Lounge. At the
Hawaiian Marketplace, besides the bird show mentioned earlier,
you can check out fire-knife dancers, hula dancers and drummers.
Finally, one of the most popular free attractions is the “Sirens
of TI,” the high-octane pirate show that occurs in front
of Treasure Island four times every evening. Check the exact
show times (see our “Entertainment Listing” toward
back of magazine), then arrive at least 30 minutes early to
secure a good viewing spot.
18. See a light and sound extravaganza. No trip to Las Vegas
is complete without stopping to see the majestic dancing fountains
in front of the Bellagio. The free water shows take place
every half hour, Monday–Friday from 3–7 p.m. and
on weekends from noon–7 p.m., then every 15 minutes from
7 p.m.–midnight.
Another light and sound show worth seeing is the Sunset Stampede
at Sam’s Town. This casino, very popular among Las Vegas
locals, is a few miles from the Strip but accessible by free
shuttle from several Strip hotels. The shows, also free, take
place at 2, 6, 8 and 10 p.m. daily.
Last, but certainly not least, there’s the not-to-be-missed
Fremont Street Experience located Downtown. The free “Viva
Vision” light and sound shows begin nightly at dusk (or
at 8:30 p.m. in the summer) and continue every hour on the
hour until midnight.
19. Catch an inexpensive afternoon or evening show.
Besides all the free entertainment, there are other shows
that, while not exactly free, won’t cost an arm and a
leg. Here are some of my picks; you’re sure to discover
your own.
At Harrah’s, the Mac King Comedy Magic Show takes place
at 1 and 3 p.m. daily, except on Sunday and Monday. This afternoon
delight normally costs $18.65, but if you’re a guest
of the hotel or a regular Total Rewards player, you may get
in for just the price of a drink.
Viva Las Vegas is the name of the long-running revue now taking
place at 2 and 4 p.m. daily (except Sunday) at the Stratosphere.
Tickets are $16.85, but coupons are available for free admission
with a drink.
Downtown, you can see singing impressionist Larry Jones perform
at the Plaza at 6 p.m. from Saturday–Tuesday for a mere
$6.95 plus tax. Or, if you’re in the mood for comedy,
check out the offerings at the Riviera Comedy Club, Comedy
Stop at the Tropicana, Laugh Trax at Palace Station and Improv
at Harrah’s.
Then there’s the V Theater inside the Aladdin’s
Desert Passage shopping mall. In addition to the free hourly
entertainment (and rain showers) within Desert Passage, you
can go inside the theater at 6 p.m. every day (except Friday)
to see the “Fab 4” do their dead-on Beatles impression.
The show costs $19.95.
20. See a spectacular view.
The best way to take in the glittering lights of the Las Vegas
Valley is from high above. Assuming you’re not interested
in braving the crowds and high-priced drinks of the various
nightclubs on top of hotel towers, there are a number of low-key
spots where the views are equally striking.
The Stratosphere’s tower, visible from all over town,
has both indoor and outdoor decks, which offer panoramic views
of the city. The tower is open from 10–1 a.m., Sunday–Thursday,
and from 10–2 a.m., Friday and Saturday. Admission is
$9. The Top of the Tower Lounge, which slowly rotates 360
degrees, is a nice place to relax and unwind over cocktails
while you savor views of the Strip and the entire valley.
You can also enjoy stunning views of the city from the top
of the Eiffel Tower reproduction at the Paris. The tower is
open from 10–1 a.m. daily and costs $9 to enter. Another
option is the newly renovated VooDoo Lounge at the Rio, which
has a similar cover charge but an expansive outdoor deck and
an indoor lounge where you can sip exotic specialty cocktails
and listen to music.
If you want to avoid paying an admission charge, try the Polo
Lounge on the 19th floor of the Polo Towers at Harmon Avenue
on the Strip, open most nights until 4 a.m. Enjoy a relaxed,
romantic atmosphere, live music and breathtaking views.
21. Sing and dance the night away.
There are clubs and lounges in Las Vegas that cater to every
musical taste and budget. If you seek an evening of live music
and dancing at a low cost, practically every casino has decent
(if not excellent) lounge acts where the only money you’ll
spend is on drinks. If you want to try something a little
different, here are a few suggestions.
The outdoor Carnaval Court at Harrah’s offers free live
music, singing and juggling bartenders, and other lively entertainment
from noon until the wee hours of the morning. Feel free to
join in the karaoke fun, or hit the dance floor and boogie
under the stars. Would-be karaoke stars can also check out
the nightly scene at Tequila Joe’s inside Imperial Palace.
Other recommended spots for couples who want to enjoy dancing
and cocktails (without having to contend with crowded and
expensive nightclubs) include Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars,
Roxy’s at Sam’s Town and the Shimmer Cabaret at
the Hilton.
So there you have it: 21 no- and low-cost fun things to do
in Las Vegas. The bargains (and even the freebies!) are still
available; you just need to know where to go, and be willing
occasionally to venture off the beaten path.
Here’s to good luck in the casinos and never a dull moment
between sessions.
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