The Rainforest Cafe at the MGM isn’t too expensive and a fun themed restaurant. I could spend all day at the MGM’s pool, though… plus, be sure to go visit the lions (free!) Another tip, when you go into the casinos sign up for the players club, you will get a coupon book, these varies from casino to casino, but you’ll get some for free match plays, free drinks, and at the Monte Carlo, they have a daily free slots tournament. The pirate show at Treasure Island is really neat and free, you can also walk through the garden areas at the Tropicana and see all sorts of exotic wildlife (I remember lots of penguins) Have fun!!

If you want to see something that’s not man-made, you can drive about 15 miles out to Red Rock Canyon for some nice views and fun rock hopping. I ate at a great buffet at The Rio, but it was about $25 a person.

Valley of Fire State Park is close by.

Visiting all the different Casinos for a look will take up a lot of time. There are lots of places to eat at a reasonable price, there are loads of coupons – so check them out.

There are so many great places to eat! I’m not a huge buffet fan, but I like the Golden Nugget’s. Also, The Rio has a buffet with EVERY type of food imaginable. It’s pretty good. If you like mexican food, there is a wonderful place off the strip on Tropicana called Macayo. It’s VERY reasonably priced, has great food and awesome service. I never miss it whenever I’m in town.

Most of the big casinos have interesting things to do and see for free, like the others mentioned above me. One not mentioned yet is the dolphin tour at The Mirage – it’s fun and free. Just ask around once you get there, because EVERYONE will have something to recommend.

Have a fun trip!

There are a lot of great things to do in Vegas. I would suggest buying a day pass for the monorail and going up and down the strip, visiting all the major hotels & casino’s. Each one, of course, has it’s own theme, and they’re all very beautiful. You can also take the monorail to Sahara Hotel & Casino, walk a few blocks down to the Stratosphere and for a few bucks go up to the observation tower and get a breathtaking view of the city. I would recommend doing this at night when it’s all lit up. As for food, buffet’s are the way to go if you are on a budget. You pay a flat fee, eat all you want, and not have to worry about being hungy for hours, especially if you get up in time for breakfast. Eat a big buffet breakfast, have a nutritional snack for lunch, and then eat an early dinner. Some hotels have a dinner and show package for under $40 per person. It’s a pretty nice deal.

You can check out cheapovegas.com for other tips and recommendations.

Have fun!

If you have transportation I HIGHLY suggest going to the Ethel M. Chololate Factory off of Sunset and Mountain Vista. You can get an easy to follow map from www.ethelm.com (click on factory tour at the botton). These chololates are irresitable and they are always giving you free samples the entire time you are there :) The tour is self guided and not that long, but the chocolate is free and tastes great. There is also a cactus garden that features cacti from around the country and world.

everything everyone else has said is on point. But remember that you are going to be in the Desert in the sunny season, lol. If you leave now it wouldn’t be a bad idea to pack a light jacket for the evenings. Don’t do too much walking in the day (more like don’t underestimate the distances), and get a car if you plan on seeing the sights of the City rather than just the strip. There are so many great suggestions mentioned. Mandalay Bay has a great shark reef/aquarium that’s not too expensive. I’d say take in some comedy shows at local casino’s for dirt cheap like Palace Station if you get real bored and you’re there for a long spell. If not you will have plenty to do, esp if it’s your first time.

First off wear your comfy shoes. Sometimes us ladies think that we have to go all out and floss our new kicks, but all you’ll get are blisters and we all know that’s not cute.

That being said, I often pass my time by going from casino to casino (be sure to check out the distances between them, it sure is deceiving) and doing some window shopping, although I would always caution one to not fall into the trap of buying stuff you can totally buy at home. Wynn? Great new casino, fun to see all the foxy people. Venetian, Bellagio and others have art galleries you can go into and feel like you’re in a legit museum. Take in a spa day as well (I know you said to not break the bank, but hell, why not). And those in the know know that the spas OFF the strip are much cheaper. I

Buffet tip: breakfast is more like brunch (I once ate a hot dog at 9AM because I could and because it was just there. weird), so eat up. I prefer Bellagio brunch. It’s a little more pricier but food is so good!

Feel free to lounge poolside, but don’t make the mistake of going at noon in the summer. You’ll see more than your share of lobster people who were left out in the sun a little too long, so don’t be one of them. If your pool opens early, don’t be afraid to go early because the sun isn’t as harsh. If you have the spare change, get a cabana, and you’ll feel like you have a ton of privacy and shade when you need it. Make a deal with hubby…first $500 in winnings go to you!

Don’t discount going off the strip like Umtbowsa said.

If all else fails, just people watch. I could get into what you’ll see there, but I think it’s best discovered on your own ;-)

I lived here all my life! First like psychogasm said wear comfortable shoes because your gonna wanna walk around and see the strip.

I suggest going to Caesars Palace Cypress Street Marketplace it’s a pretty good place to choose want you want to eat. Offering a wide variety of cuisines and specialty foods – infused oils, specialty sauces and exotic mustards, to name a few – it’s the perfect place for an interactive culinary experience, dining on the go or gift hunting. Cheap probably for the both of you 30-40 bucks.

Also while your there you should watch “A New Day” by Celine Dion. Ticket prices are $87.50, $127.50, $175.00, and $225.00. MGM has a good spa if you don’t mind treating yourself “The Grand Spa”

And then enjoy the outdoors and take a trip to Red Rock Canyon. It’located 20 miles west of Las Vegas off State Highway 159, allows visitors to hike, picnic and view plant and animal life under 3,000-foot-high red rock formations.

Then shop around the fashion mall for forum shop at caesars.

Hope this help.

It’s really all about what you enjoy doing. There are quite a few things to do that are free or reasonably priced. I liked visiting the white tigers at The Mirage, and they even have a zoo if you want to see more animals (tigers are free, zoo costs about $15 a person). Mandalay Bay has a beach that is free. If you like to window shop (or buy) check out Aladdin, The Venitian and Ceaser’s Palace – they all have malls attached. The funnest casinos to walk through, just to see scenery, are the Paris and New York, New York. If you like Star Trek go to the Hilton, the entire casino looks like you are inside a spaceship and there is an amusement ride that is similar to something you would find at Disney World. Treasure Island has a “pirate battle” show outside the hotel in the evenings, but get there early because it attracts a large crowd. The Fremont Street Experience, futher down the strip in the older part of Las Vegas, is fun and free. Its a light show with music and there are tons of inexpensive casinos there.

For meals I highly recommend the buffets. They are pricey (sometimes $20 a person) but you can eat as much as you like. We always go around 11 am for brunch, because you can get breakfast items and lunch. Most of the other restaurants cost about the same for a meal, but you cant go back for seconds or thirds. The Paris buffet is especially good, and if you like all you can eat crab check out the Flamingo. You really get your money’s worth at either of these buffets. The food is gourmet, and like I said you can eat as much as you like.

Las Vegas is a great place to visit no matter what you decide to do. You can just walk around for hours admiring all of the luxurious casinos! You will have a great time!

If, at any point in your trip, you want to escape the tourist scene and have trasnportation, check out the Gold Rush Casino in Henderson. I moved a few years ago, so I’m not 100% sure, but you could get a great meal for somewhere around $4.00. It’s a smokey little bar and casino, and the ‘restaurant’ area is not very seperated, but over all, pretty good.

Also, late nights are a given, but the clubs aren’t all there is to do. One of my favourite Vegas memories is wandering around the (closed) Forum Shops with my friend. It’s harder to spend money when nothing is open anyways.

Last thing. If this is your first trip to Vegas, make sure not to run into anything while staring at the ceilings. ^-

• If you do want to break the bank, eat at the “Top of the World Restaurant”. Its a rotating restaurant at the top of the Stratosphere Hotel. Even if you don’t eat there you have to ride the “Big Shot” ride that is on the top of the building. Crazy!!!!
• See a show. Blue Man Group & Cirque Du Soleil.
• Vegas has some of the best clubs in the world. And new clubs opening all the time. Find a hot club and go.
• Buffets are cheap… fill up on cheap food there.
• Most important…. have fun.

A secret most people are not aware of is that in the Main Street Station Hotel and Casino in Downtown Vegas houses a piece of the Berlin wall in the men’s restroom.

Downtown Vegas is also a good place to get everything considerably cheaper then on the strip. Also they have this show that at night that they project fish and other images on the top of the overhead tunnel in downtown vegas.

As a former Las Vegas resident, here are my tips on where to go:

1. Burger Bar located in Mandalay Place (between Mandalay and Luxor). A bit pricey, but the experience is totally worth it (40+ beers on tap, too).

2. House of Blues in Mandalay. They have a “Gospel Brunch” (non-religious, live Gospel singing) on Sunday mornings. Also Godspeed on Tuesday? nights in the House of Blues Foundation Room on the top floor of Mandalay is awesome and has a great view of the strip.

3. Buffets: Treasure Island’s buffet (Dishes) is the best I’ve had hands down. Sam’s Town’s Firelight buffet gets best buffet in town every year, but it is below average if you ask me (I have a Culinary degree so I know a bit about food.)

4. Poker: I used to play poker semi-professionally and hit most spots in town. The best place to play is the Wynn hands down. I played MGM one time and never went back. There is so much technology being used in their poker room that the experience is really depersonalized. You are not a person with wants and needs to be fulfilled, you are a number in a seat with player points to award.

If you are driving, you are going to absolutely hate MGM’s parking garage. Enjoy your trip.

the excalibur hotel had a good buffet and is free, as are the other hotel buffets i think. also, burger

palace, and this place called Terrible Mike’s do the cheap burger

thing.

check out the white tiger habitat @ the mirage, it is a must see.

there is also a dolphin habitat, and other cool sights there. one

hotel, has miniature NY skyline and other mini cities. cesears palace

has a whole shopping mall area and cool effects like the ceiling and

talking statues. circus circus hotel has an indoor rollercoaster that

is suspended from the ceiling…

have fun!