Las Vegas on a Budget

[jsmla]

We (couple in our mid-50s) have the opportunity to spend a week in a Las Vegas timeshare (Wyndham Grand Desert) this August. Our flights are also covered thanks to getting bumped on an earlier trip to Boston. Since this is an unplanned thing I'm trying to keep costs down.

We've already decided to splurge on a rental car and overnight trip to the Grand Canyon so are looking for budget-friendly ideas for our other days. We don't really gamble.

DH is looking at Zion National Park but I'm a little concerned about the heat. Any advice would be deeply appreciated!

 

[kymom99]

If you are going to the grand canyon, I wouldn't plan any other side trips. You won't need a car while in Vegas. There is a monorail and bus system that works pretty well. If I remember right, you can buy a ticket for unlimited on and off privileges for a day.

There is plenty to see without spending money. The hotels are amazing. I am not a gambler either and probably spent a total of $20 on slots while I was there. The Beatles Love Cirque show was very good. This was included in my package and I know tickets aren't cheap if you have to pay for it, but it is worth seeing if you are going to do a couple special things. There is a Coke store with some neat things to look at and an M&Ms store too.

There was a convenient store type place on the strip across from our hotel (New York New York) that had inexpensive coke, snacks, etc. Way less than buying from the hotels. We didn't have a car but hired a limo to take us to Hoover Dam for a few hours. He stopped at a liquer store on the way there, which let us stock up on drinks and a foam cooler. With a large group, the limo wasn't that expensive.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We were in Zion last July. It was hot, but doable. We love national parks and you can use Las Vegas as a jumping point to several. One of our favorites is Death Valley, but of course I wouldn't recommend in summer. Zion is gorgeous. We would chose Zion over GC South Rim. North Rim is beautiful in the summer and a lot less crowded.

 

[jsmla]

Thanks for the reply. Right now DH wants a car. Our son got married there a few years ago and we did see most of the Strip then (We were at Caesar's Palace.) I'm thinking one night there will be enough this trip. I should have mentioned that DH is a nature guy (NOT a WDW fan by the way, Wyndham Bonnet Creek was our other choice and he nixed that fairly quickly!) and more interested in seeing outdoorsy stuff. I like history and art but do enjoy easy-mid range hikes. I just think he's underestimating the heat. DS's wedding was in November and this is August!

We'll definitely be making a grocery stop and eating in quite a bit. This isn't our big vacation for the year, just a spur of the moment thing due to getting the condo. I'm hoping for some serious pool time but DH is going to need to get more active after a while.

I wouldn't mind a show but we'd probably need something less expensive. Does Las Vegas have day-of discount tickets like Broadway?

Thanks again!

 

[jsmla]

We were in Zion last July. It was hot, but doable. We love national parks and you can use Las Vegas as a jumping point to several. One of our favorites is Death Valley, but of course I wouldn't recommend in summer. Zion is gorgeous. We would chose Zion over GC South Rim. North Rim is beautiful in the summer and a lot less crowded.

I think we'll probably be doing both Zion and the Grand Canyon. We have reservations at a hotel (El Tovar?) inside the national park. That's my doing, I refuse to drive that much in one day! I have visions of watching the sunset with a bottle of wine then having dinner.

Can you drive through Death Valley?

 

[disneyfab]

I wouldn't mind a show but we'd probably need something less expensive. Does Las Vegas have day-of discount tickets like Broadway?

Thanks again!

Try http://www.tix4tonight.com/ They have a number of location along the strip.

 

[Lewisc]

I think we'll probably be doing both Zion and the Grand Canyon. We have reservations at a hotel (El Tovar?) inside the national park. That's my doing, I refuse to drive that much in one day! I have visions of watching the sunset with a bottle of wine then having dinner.

Can you drive through Death Valley?

This is the budget board. El Tovar is the most expensive hotel in the area. El Tovar is on the (popular) south rim. Zion is north of the Grand Canyon. You're looking at a 6 hour drive. That means at least one more night lodging. One option is to change your entire trip. Do Sedona, Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion. Otherwise you should either skip Zion or skip the south rim.



Consider Red Rock Canyon. Its about a 20 minute drive from the Las Vegas strip. Red Rock Casino is nearby. One of the best buffet deals (quality vs price). Get the slot card.

 

[jsmla]

Try http://www.tix4tonight.com/ They have a number of location along the strip.

Thanks for the link!



We went to Red Rocks, Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire when we were there for our son's wedding.

Not interested in any buffets. They don't suit the way I prefer to eat. We will be having breakfast in the condo and a lot of picnics.

We wouldn't do Zion and GCNP on the same day/outing. I google-mapped it and it looks like Zion is a 3-3 1/2 hour drive from Las Vegas and we're comfortable with that. We do a lot of beach day trips from home which involve a longer drive than this. I want to spend the night (with AC and my own shower) on the rim at the Grand Canyon. It was my condition for going in the first place

We are really planning on mostly day trips, don't think Las Vegas itself will be the main focus. We could get a Wyndham timeshare for Las Vegas, Orlando (BIG no from DH-we were there on business in February and are returning in October) or Willamsburg where we have family nearby and wouldn't need accommodations.

I'm thinking:
2 days at GCNP
1 day at Zion
1 day driving Death Valley (not 100% sold on this one yet!)

That leaves a couple of days for Las Vegas itself-pool during the day and maybe a show or the Strip at night.

What about the Freemont Street Experience?

 

[vegasnative]

I would flip it, 1 day at GC is all you need. 2 days at Zion would be better. Zion is AMAZING! We are going in July, have been several times before.

Fremont Street Experience is a GREAT thing to do on a budget. It is free to roam and watch the canopy show. The only thing you will have to pay for down there is parking, and unless of course you eat or drink, but not free parking like there is on the Strip. Park in the big red garage, you are right there at Fremont Street Experience. Find out when the shows go (so go at night). That's a fun free Vegas experience. On your way to/from Fremont Street, stop at Luv It's Frozen Custard. It is on the corner of LV Blvd & Oakey, behind the AM/PM. It is one of my most favorite places to get a nice cool treat. It's not frozen yogurt, but frozen CUSTARD! YUM! I always get the Banana Fudge Krumble, DH gets the Banana Split.

 

[vegasnative]

Have you ever been to Ethel M's? That's free too. Walk through the cactus garden, and then go inside and watch them make chocolates, and get a sample of course.

 

[wiigirl]

We were in Zion last July. It was hot, but doable. We love national parks and you can use Las Vegas as a jumping point to several. One of our favorites is Death Valley, but of course I wouldn't recommend in summer. Zion is gorgeous. We would chose Zion over GC South Rim. North Rim is beautiful in the summer and a lot less crowded.

 

[jsmla]

I'm getting almost 6 hours to drive to GCNP from Las Vegas and DH is going to want to stop along the way. We're from Louisiana and he's fascinated by the geography out west. The plan is to spend the day driving over, catch the sunset, spend the night and then be up early for sunrise and the drive back.

I'm not going to lie-I'm the kind of person who can give the greatest natural wonders in the world about 5 minutes before I start thinking about what's for lunch. It's VERY important to DH though. He's all giddy.

 

[jsmla]

Have you ever been to Ethel M's? That's free too. Walk through the cactus garden, and then go inside and watch them make chocolates, and get a sample of course.

Now this sounds more like me! Thanks!

 

[bookgirl]

Thanks for the link!



We went to Red Rocks, Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire when we were there for our son's wedding.

Not interested in any buffets. They don't suit the way I prefer to eat. We will be having breakfast in the condo and a lot of picnics.

We wouldn't do Zion and GCNP on the same day/outing. I google-mapped it and it looks like Zion is a 3-3 1/2 hour drive from Las Vegas and we're comfortable with that. We do a lot of beach day trips from home which involve a longer drive than this. I want to spend the night (with AC and my own shower) on the rim at the Grand Canyon. It was my condition for going in the first place

We are really planning on mostly day trips, don't think Las Vegas itself will be the main focus. We could get a Wyndham timeshare for Las Vegas, Orlando (BIG no from DH-we were there on business in February and are returning in October) or Willamsburg where we have family nearby and wouldn't need accommodations.

I'm thinking:
2 days at GCNP
1 day at Zion
1 day driving Death Valley (not 100% sold on this one yet!)

That leaves a couple of days for Las Vegas itself-pool during the day and maybe a show or the Strip at night.

What about the Freemont Street Experience?

The Freemont Experience is really cool. There are three shows and the rotate on the hour. There are some nice old school places to eat (Binnions has a steak house as does the El Cortez. Both look like old school after hours dinner clubs where you'd imagine Frank and the boys eating after a show).

If you want to see a really cool show LOVE the Beatles Cirque show is high energy and very good music. You can walk up to the box office and usually get discount tickets (better than the outlets on the streets) the day before or day of. Not a lot of choice but I really didn't see any awful tickets for LOVE except those low and up front because of a certain act in the show that it's hard to see from those seats.

Jersey Boys is still showing there I believe at the Venitian. You can probably get those for a fairly good price as well.

I like to go to the MGM and see if the CBS company is holding any viewings. You can be a test subject for new shows and stuff. It's free and wildly interesting if you like that sort of stuff. The Venitian has something similar but I can't remember what company it is.

Also check out the lounges expecially downtown. Smokey, standards music, great and usually cheap entertainment for an evening while you're waiting for the show on the canopy.

Have fun.

 

[usnuzuloose]

August is a very hot month for Vegas. When we go it is always in August. I enjoy walking around the hotels and taking pictures. I never spend a ton of money. Husband goes for golf tournaments. The last round we went I went to the Mob museum which is downtown. I really enjoyed it. I stay at the Desert Rose which is located right behind the Tropicana and Hooters. So it is very walkable to the strip. If you like Pawn Stars you can check out there shop, just go after 3 pm. The line is long during the day due to filming.

 

[jsmla]

August is a very hot month for Vegas. When we go it is always in August. I enjoy walking around the hotels and taking pictures. I never spend a ton of money. Husband goes for golf tournaments. The last round we went I went to the Mob museum which is downtown. I really enjoyed it. I stay at the Desert Rose which is located right behind the Tropicana and Hooters. So it is very walkable to the strip. If you like Pawn Stars you can check out there shop, just go after 3 pm. The line is long during the day due to filming.

Thanks so much, DH LOVES Pawn Stars!

 

[dward1961]

Bryce Canyon is a great place to visit, if you can get there at sunset and stay overnight nearby and then get there for sunrise. The scenery is breathtaking and a must see!


http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Red Rocks is an amazing park to experience while in Vegas. Check out Groupon, and use ebates to get a return on your groupon purchases. There's a booth on the strip where you can buy your show tickets for the night of the show. It's suppose to save a bunch of money.

 

[sheetz]

Check the Las Vegas Advisor's Top 10 Values for deals on food and entertainment. (Can't link to the site so you'll have to Google it.)

 

[jsmla]

Thanks everyone!