OT: Cheap things to do in Vegas

[budafam]

Does anyone know if they still have the buffet at Bellagio and how much it is? Last time we went (I was 17 so 11 years ago), we ate there and it was $25 a person (which was CRAZY expensive to us... haha, compare that to Disney now.. lmao!) But it was an excellent meal and I always wanted to go back. Just curious as to how much the prices went up.

We always stayed at Circus Circus but it's so far away from anything cool, I feel like next time we go, we'll stay farther down on the strip. They used to have 99 cent shrimp cocktails at the place next door... along with yard glass margaritas for $10... I'm sure those have gone up too

 

[libinatorsmom]

WOW keep the tips coming - I am going for my 1st trip ever to Vegas in April with my bestie and we are looking for things to do other then gamble... Keep it up

 

[Bren's Mom]

No matter what hotel/casino you go in...take the time to sign up for their player's club card. They will often give you a coupon book. It may have some free bets, show discounts, restaurant discounts in that hotel, freebies like a baseball cap, deck of cards, etc.

Also, my dh likes to gamble but I'm a 'sit at the $.01 machine and play with the same $20 for 12 hours' kind of gal. LOL But neither of us knew much of anything about cards (except dh knows poker) or roulette and the other table games. So we did the 'classes'. They're free at nearly all the casinos, usually in the morning. You'll find a brochure with a list of them all, perhaps in your hotel. Ask someone. We'd go to whatever casino was convenient time-wise, or was near where we wanted to be. They teach you to play the games, then open up the tables with a really low bet (like $2) so you can practice. Nearly everyone else is new too, so it's a very low stress, low budget way to learn.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

We're big Cirque fans and do plan on a Vegas trip sometime in the next few years where we go stay about 6 nights and hit up every Cirque show that we can get into during that week. I prefer to buy tickets from the box office where I can choose what seats I want to sit in. I have found the UP CLOSE GOOD SEATS aren't always that good. You have to look up too much and strain your neck to see everything going on. At least with Cirque La Nouba in Orlando, the HIGHER UP seats were the better seats. It allowed you to see the whole theater. I won't ever choose close to the stage again.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We were in LV in Jan. We played a ton of blackjack at the Sahara - they have $1 tables. Tons of fun!

 

[bearzabout]

We spend weeks in Vegas on the cheap each year.

Check out Las Vegas Advisor's website for its top 10 values (free for viewing by non-members). Their message board "Free For All" has some interesting posters. Very different vibe than Disney. Their coupons can be fantastic but vary each year and they have not posted the ones for 2012 yet.

Favorite free things to do:
MGM: See the lions. Go 11am - 11pm. Free
Sign up at CBS Television City to review a new show or movie. We've been paid as much as $250 for our opinions. There is also one across from the V theater in Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile Shops. Sometimes they are set up by other companies at other casinos. Sometimes they only give out worthless coupons, but we usually luck out and earn some money every trip. Poor hubby had to endure a beer tasting last year and only got paid $15 for all that the suffering . We have had them give us free tickets to the Wax Museum on top of the monitary payment. One time, Microsoft was beta testing. My hubby and I got the new version of Office and Small Business accounting out of that deal. We've previewed some great shows by doing this and some real dogs (I told them Chaos was not going to last).

From MGM, walk to and explore NYNY.

Make sure to see City Center. Take advantage of the lunch special at the Cosmopolitan, - Mon.-Fri. - $20.11 The lunch special at Cosmopolitan is a three-course meal in Estiatorio Milos that runs from noon to 2:30 pm.

You must see the gardens at Bellagio. Check out the Dale Chiluly display and store. Don't pass up on the chance to try one of Jean-Phillippe's pastries.

Since you will be staying at Paris, it will be easy to see a few of the fountain shows at Bellagio. They have many different shows and some are fantastic.

From there, head to Ceasars and go the Forum shops. They have free fountain displays and a tour of the aquarium area is usually offered once a day. The Cheesecake Factory is a popular food stop in the Forum Shops.

The Mirage is worth a quick stop and their nightly volcano show is OK (free). The night show at TI is often cancelled due to high winds so don't bother if the wind is blowing.

I love the entertainment at Circus Circus. They alternate between about 8 different shows every 1.5 hours or so. The costume changers are amazing (free).

It is best to visit the Venetian in the evening when they have more free entertainment. We like the food at Grand Lux. You also must see the Wynn. The mosaics are beautiful. You can walk accross the street to a really nice mall.

The best daytime show is Mac King at Harrahs. Many 2 for 1 coupons circulate. The Flamingo gives away free tickets to Nathan Burton's show. You can download a coupon right now from Vegas4Locals.com. Reservations for the balcony seats need to be made ahead of time so make a reservation as soon as you arrive.

Free tickets to the car collection at Imperial Palace can be printed here: http://autocollections.com/print_pass.cfm

Our favorite cheap dining venues include Lotus of Siam's $10 thai buffet lunch, Ellis Island's unadvertised steak special with a salad, beer, and potato for $7.95, and any of the buffets at Red Rock or Green Valley Ranch casinos (get discount with club card). We eat the food cooked to order at the Mongolian BBQ area. Only $7.99 for all the shrimp you can eat at lunch.

Buy the American Casino guide. We have always been able to save a few bucks by using the free gambling coupons with club signups. We also use the B1G1 coupon for the prime rib at Ellis Island. What a deal. There is also a coupon for 4 free drinks and $10 in free slot play after you play $10.

I buy cheap show tickets from Las Vegas or Locals on Ebay. I've seen some great shows for less than a dollar for each of us when I get lucky and no one else bids on their auctions. Check out show reviews on Tripadvisor to see what is best. You can also pick up cheap tickets for the Atomic Testing Museum from them (great little museum). The Pinball museum in closeby.

We like Downtown. Try to catch a few of the canopy shows. They play on the hour 6-10pm. Try Firefly at the Plaza for a hip tapas place. Fremont Street Experience's web site usually posts coupons good for the month by the 6th of each month. Hopefully, they will continue to do this next year.

Car rental rates are cheapest through Costco - we just booked a full size for less than $10/day plus taxes. Taxes add $10/day. Use the $30 off per week coupon and see who is cheapest.

My favorite activities include driving trips to Red Rocks and Valley of Fire. Do a search on V of Fire and see how amazing sunset can be. We go one way through Lake Mead to check out what we call "puddle Mead". The water level is scary low. We saw big horn sheep on the drive last year.

If you find yourself in Henderson, make sure to stop by the Ethel M chocolate factory to see the cactus garden and to sample the chocolate (free).

Las Vegas is the opposite of Disney. It is so strange that we feel like we are travelling to another planet when going there.

 

[eliza61]

Does anyone know if they still have the buffet at Bellagio and how much it is? Last time we went (I was 17 so 11 years ago), we ate there and it was $25 a person (which was CRAZY expensive to us... haha, compare that to Disney now.. lmao!) But it was an excellent meal and I always wanted to go back. Just curious as to how much the prices went up.

Actually it didn't go up that much then in 11 years. We didn't go in but checked out the menu last January and it was 30 bucks a head. I read on their website they now have a "gourmet" buffet for 36 bucks.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We were in LV in Jan. We played a ton of blackjack at the Sahara - they have $1 tables. Tons of fun!

Sahara closed earlier this year.

 

[KS_Disney_Dad]

No matter what hotel/casino you go in...take the time to sign up for their player's club card. They will often give you a coupon book. It may have some free bets, show discounts, restaurant discounts in that hotel, freebies like a baseball cap, deck of cards, etc.

Second this! DW and I were there in October and obtained 15 different players cards. We took a lot of free stuff home to the kids! I suggest setting up another email address because they'll ask for one. Fremont St Exp was great and the slots hit more often.

Take a laptop and research your tickets from your hotel room. Sure, 40% off at the local ticket place is great, but not so great when it's off the regular price of $120 and the venue website has them for $55. This is what we did for "KA" at MGM and loved it (the show and the savings!). Tickets were ready that afternoon for that nights show.

 

[Kae]

We really enjoy emerils Fish House in MGM. But this trip I would like to try one of Bobby Flays place. We also love the Seafood Buffet at the RIO it is $40 but I got some $10 off coupons. I have heard good things about the Wicked Spoon at the Cosmo Hotel might try that buffet. We are stay at the Flamingo, again I like it and always get a great rate.

26 days til Vegas Baby

Kae

 

[reginaastralis]

Pastamom, we're going to Vegas in Jan as well, and staying at the Paris. It's my first trip, so thank you for the thread. I had no idea where to start, and now I'm even more excited to go!

 

[malibuconlee]

We spend weeks in Vegas on the cheap each year.

Check out Las Vegas Advisor's website for its top 10 values (free for viewing by non-members). Their message board "Free For All" has some interesting posters. Very different vibe than Disney. Their coupons can be fantastic but vary each year and they have not posted the ones for 2012 yet.

Favorite free things to do:
MGM: See the lions. Go 11am - 11pm. Free
Sign up at CBS Television City to review a new show or movie. We've been paid as much as $250 for our opinions. There is also one across from the V theater in Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile Shops. Sometimes they are set up by other companies at other casinos. Sometimes they only give out worthless coupons, but we usually luck out and earn some money every trip. Poor hubby had to endure a beer tasting last year and only got paid $15 for all that the suffering . We have had them give us free tickets to the Wax Museum on top of the monitary payment. One time, Microsoft was beta testing. My hubby and I got the new version of Office and Small Business accounting out of that deal. We've previewed some great shows by doing this and some real dogs (I told them Chaos was not going to last).

From MGM, walk to and explore NYNY.

Make sure to see City Center. Take advantage of the lunch special at the Cosmopolitan, - Mon.-Fri. - $20.11 The lunch special at Cosmopolitan is a three-course meal in Estiatorio Milos that runs from noon to 2:30 pm.

You must see the gardens at Bellagio. Check out the Dale Chiluly display and store. Don't pass up on the chance to try one of Jean-Phillippe's pastries.

Since you will be staying at Paris, it will be easy to see a few of the fountain shows at Bellagio. They have many different shows and some are fantastic.

From there, head to Ceasars and go the Forum shops. They have free fountain displays and a tour of the aquarium area is usually offered once a day. The Cheesecake Factory is a popular food stop in the Forum Shops.

The Mirage is worth a quick stop and their nightly volcano show is OK (free). The night show at TI is often cancelled due to high winds so don't bother if the wind is blowing.

I love the entertainment at Circus Circus. They alternate between about 8 different shows every 1.5 hours or so. The costume changers are amazing (free).

It is best to visit the Venetian in the evening when they have more free entertainment. We like the food at Grand Lux. You also must see the Wynn. The mosaics are beautiful. You can walk accross the street to a really nice mall.

The best daytime show is Mac King at Harrahs. Many 2 for 1 coupons circulate. The Flamingo gives away free tickets to Nathan Burton's show. You can download a coupon right now from Vegas4Locals.com. Reservations for the balcony seats need to be made ahead of time so make a reservation as soon as you arrive.

Free tickets to the car collection at Imperial Palace can be printed here: http://autocollections.com/print_pass.cfm

Our favorite cheap dining venues include Lotus of Siam's $10 thai buffet lunch, Ellis Island's unadvertised steak special with a salad, beer, and potato for $7.95, and any of the buffets at Red Rock or Green Valley Ranch casinos (get discount with club card). We eat the food cooked to order at the Mongolian BBQ area. Only $7.99 for all the shrimp you can eat at lunch.

Buy the American Casino guide. We have always been able to save a few bucks by using the free gambling coupons with club signups. We also use the B1G1 coupon for the prime rib at Ellis Island. What a deal. There is also a coupon for 4 free drinks and $10 in free slot play after you play $10.

I buy cheap show tickets from Las Vegas or Locals on Ebay. I've seen some great shows for less than a dollar for each of us when I get lucky and no one else bids on their auctions. Check out show reviews on Tripadvisor to see what is best. You can also pick up cheap tickets for the Atomic Testing Museum from them (great little museum). The Pinball museum in closeby.

We like Downtown. Try to catch a few of the canopy shows. They play on the hour 6-10pm. Try Firefly at the Plaza for a hip tapas place. Fremont Street Experience's web site usually posts coupons good for the month by the 6th of each month. Hopefully, they will continue to do this next year.

Car rental rates are cheapest through Costco - we just booked a full size for less than $10/day plus taxes. Taxes add $10/day. Use the $30 off per week coupon and see who is cheapest.

My favorite activities include driving trips to Red Rocks and Valley of Fire. Do a search on V of Fire and see how amazing sunset can be. We go one way through Lake Mead to check out what we call "puddle Mead". The water level is scary low. We saw big horn sheep on the drive last year.

If you find yourself in Henderson, make sure to stop by the Ethel M chocolate factory to see the cactus garden and to sample the chocolate (free).

Las Vegas is the opposite of Disney. It is so strange that we feel like we are travelling to another planet when going there.

Sadly Firefly at the Plaza is no more after their remodel. They did open a Hash House A Go Go downstairs at The Plaza tho.

 

[jgates]

There is a Hash House also at Imperial Palace.

If you do a bit of googling - (I don't have the link right now) there is a coupon for the IP Auto collection for 2 free tickets. I think the last I checked it, they expired 12/31/11, but they have extended it the last couple of years.

If you want to see the Mentalist in Miracle Mile Mall he has a newsletter or website that will let you print a coupon for free ticket with a drink purchase, etc.

Paris & Flamingo are my favorites. The trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower is a wonderful one also - totally different day & night for the view of course. But it's fun to do it in the evening & watch a Bellagio Fountain show from up top.

There are a few of the CET properties restaurants at Tix4Tonite also - you pay about $3 & get a coupon for either 50% off a main course or XX off a buffet, etc. Sometimes some very good places there. Line at Tix4Tonite can get very long though..........

Jersey Boys is moving to Paris in March for the one mentioning a later trip in the spring.

Earl of Sandwich is about 5 minute walk from Paris. You enter the Miracle Mile mall from the south end by the PBR Bar & it's on your left when you go in. Nummy nummy.

Paris is nicely set up so that your elevators are in the center of a wheel spoke - so never too long to the end of the hallway. And it's an easy walk to the strip outside, unlike some hotels.

You probably have booked a standard room - they have two options - Luxury which is non-view or Premier which is View. The next level up is Red Room which also Luxury or Premier. (Red has pillow-top bed, flat screen TV, coffee maker). If you boked Luxury, you may receive an e-mail invite about 2 weeks out to upgrade to a Premier (view) for XX per night - rate varies depending on occupancy & time of year, etc. A lot of people take their first gamble & ask about 'complimentary' upgrades when they check-in - sometimes works, sometimes not. If they do upgrade you be sure to provide a tip ($20 or so). Others try the '$20 Trick' to try to sweet talk the upgrade at check-in, but Paris is iffy on that working in advance. Both rooms will have an empty mini-bar which you have use of for a fridge.

There are two ABC stores in the Miracle Mile Mall (one each end North/South) where you can buy cheaper bottled water for room, liquour etc.

Currently the 24 hour buffet is $49.99 (?) for non-card members & $45.99 for card members. It sounds like a lot, but you can make it work very well. If you are doing it on a weekend, you may spend way more time in line than you want to. But on a weekday, you can do it. If you are anywhere from east of there, try to keep on your normal 'time' for eating. This will allow you to eat early for breakfast before the lines start to form (especially at Paris!). Then earlier or later for lunch. I always do a quite late supper - 8:30 or later & lines should have disappeared again. If you stop just at the crepe stand across the hall from the Paris buffet, you would easily spend $16 for a crepe, coffee & water or juice - and they have a crepe stand right in the buffet. So I do one full buffet day & get 4 meals - eat slightly later first day & then 4th meal slightly before expiration time the next. I don't think my body could take more than one day of buffets a trip -and I don't even overeat on them.

The CET buffets are not 5 star, but they are better than Crystal Palace buffet for quantity & selection!!! That at least gives you a comparison.

Visit the area recommended on here. If you still want add'l info, come visit vegasmessageboard.com. It's my primary source & was recommended to me by someone else here a few years ago.

 

[Pastamom]

Thanks for all the great recommendations.

Got back last week.

Had a great time exploring the hotels.

Best burger of my and DH's life (or close) was at The Pub at the Monte Carlo. DH and I are still talking about it.

 

[girli565]

Yes, the pub at MC has amazing burgers. My husband still talks about the sliders and the beer wall lol.

 

[Mom2apirate&princess]

We are headed to Las Vegas in June and are staying at the MC, I can't wait to try the Pub.