We’re actually going to L.A. for a week in August, but I couldn’t use my frequent flyer miles to get there. Instead, we’re flying into Vegas and driving to L.A. I figured we might as well get a little taste of sin city while we’re there. We’ll fly in late on Saturday, stay two nights and head over to L.A. about 5pm Monday. Anyway, not a whole lot of time.

I’m hoping some of you could help me cut the list of things to see down a bit. We’re staying at Treasure Island, basically because I got a great package and it seemed to be in the center of everything.

We’ll gamble a little but are mostly interested in the bright lights, fun, and alcohol.

Here’s what I have so far:
Fountains at Bellagio
Volcano at Mirage
Stratosphere Rides
TI Pirate Show
Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
Star Trek Invasion?- Is this worth the price?

Looking for cheap things to do, see, drink, and eat, as well as general stuff not to miss.

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Las Vegas, the ‘Sin city of the world’  is a typical whirlpool which sucks in millions of tourists who come to shop, eat, party and gamble in this alluring  city. Tourists who book their flights to Las Vegas often find that the city’s urban landscape is quite impressive during the day but by night  it turns into  something really astonishing. Especially the Las Vegas Strip that appears to be a ‘Twinkle City’ after sundown and offers non-stop excitement to visitors.

Visitors should keep in mind that Las Vegas is one place where you don’t come to save money. Most tourists who return from a tour of Las Vegas confess that everything in Las Vegas costs much more expensive than it actually is. But that doesn’t mean you have to get ripped apart while touring the city.

Try an online portal that offers you a facility to book air-tickets, hotels and car-rentals as a consolidated package. These portals get you the best deals by searching the databases of airline, hotels and car rental companies and offer you the best deals in a few clicks .If you have made significant savings by making your travel arrangements through an online portal then the next expense you should look to slash is ,food, that usually occupies a big chunk of a family’s budget. Instead of dining in stand alone restaurants, opt for Buffets or else go for lunch during ‘Happy Hours’. Opt for iced water instead of mineral water; order wines by the bottle or better still head to casino food courts that are usually quite cheap. Commuting within Las Vegas can prove to be quite costly. Try if you can to ride the Las Vegas monorail or use the casino shuttles to move around within the city. And if you experiment with a bus, then there’s nothing like it. However one really exciting way to tour the city is to book cheap flights to Las Vegas for your family and use the cash saved to embark on a helicopter tour of the city that is sure to be an exhilarating experience.

Few tourists can resist the allure of gambling in Las Vegas but the trick  to enjoy Las Vegas  without getting broke is to make a daily gambling budget and stick to it. If you really want to indulge in some kinky stuff in America, then Las  Vegas won’t be the  best place. It’s a misconception that  Las Vegas being the ‘sin city’ of the world allows tourists all the freedom they desire. Prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas and being caught for solicitation carries a mandatory court appearance along with a hefty fine.

Hopefully you will keep these tips in mind on your tour of Las  Vegas and make the most of your holiday.

Wish you a safe and happy journey!

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Times are tough and money’s tight—but that’s even more reason to schedule a vacation getaway from the stress and struggles of daily living.  While many of us will be relegated to just a “day-cation” or maybe a “stay-cation,” there is a still travel destination where you can still get a really big bang for your buck.

Las Vegas.

Once upon a time Las Vegas was known as “Sin City”–famous for its casinos and show girls.  But today’s Vegas has much more to offer:  shows, shopping and plenty of family-friendly activities as well.  And you don’t need to be a high-roller to enjoy what Las Vegas has to offer; a Las Vegas vacation can be done on the cheap!

So put away the inflatable pool and pack your bags–here’s a list of tips for saving money in Las Vegas:

1. Look for Las Vegas Travel Deals

Las Vegas is a popular place for tourists so travel sites such as Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia often feature Las Vegas package deals.  I’ve seen Las Vegas hotel deals for as little as $70 per night for luxury accommodations.  You can find information about these packages–and make them even more affordable with Las Vegas coupons–at sites that specialize in deals like Savings.com.

2.  Plan in advance

Check out the Las Vegas Official Tourism Web Site for ideas on where to stay and what to see in Las Vegas.  Booking in advance can get you the best rates and making reservations for off-season or mid-week dates rather than for weekends or during holidays can save you a bundle of cash.  Also, make sure to research what shows will be in town when scheduling your vacation to help you avoid being stuck with tickets to Wayne Newton when you’re jonesing to see Bon Jovi.

3.  Don’t Gamble

…or at least set a limit and stick to it.  I know gambling has a powerful appeal to many people, although I’ve never understood the thrill of it.  Personally if I’m dropping a wad of cash, I want there to be something leather in my closet to show for it.  There are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas other than gamble–no need to spend all your time in a Las Vegas casino!

4.  Free Admission

While it will cost you a chunk of change to see Cirque de Soleil or the Blue Man Group perform, there’s a veritable wealth of amazing things to see in Las Vegas for free.  The spectacular Bellagio Fountains, the talking statues at Caesars Palace and the Shark Tank at the Mirage cost nothing and make for some great entertainment.  Maybe not quite as enchanting as Cirque de Soleil, but definitely more amusing than a Carrot Top stand-up show.  

For other cost-free forms of Las Vegas entertainment, you can have fun people-watching and window shopping–or check out this more comprehensive list of free Las Vegas attractions on About.com

5.  Deals on Meals

If you fill up at one of Las Vegas’ many all-you-can-eat buffets, you can cut down on your food costs.  One meal big meal vs. three moderate ones can save you some real money.  You can also buy deeply discounted gift certificates in advance for Las Vegas restaurants at restaurant.com.  

And, while there is no such thing as a free lunch, there are free drinks at the Las Vegas casinos–if you’re gambling.  So you can sit yourself down at a nickel slot machine and if you tip the waitress well, she’ll keep the drinks coming.  The logic behind this largess, however, is that an inebriated customer will gamble longer and lose more money.  So know your limits–for your body as well as your budget!

A Las Vegas vacation has something for everyone–from wedding chapels to art museums, shows and shopping, golfing and gambling.  By doing some research for Las Vegas packages, Las Vegas travel deals or Las Vegas coupons, you can make that Las Vegas vacation extremely affordable.  So the secret to a “winning” Las Vegas getaway is:  plan in advance, stick to your budget and never double down when the dealer has a ten or an ace!

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