Wondering how to explore Las Vegas without breaking the bank? Sin City might be known for its glam hotels, glitzy casinos and Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are plenty of ways to experience it without overplaying your hand. Drawing on decades of experience as USA holiday specialists, here are our top tips on how to visit Las Vegas on a budget in 2024 and beyond...
Sights You Can See for Free
There are lots of Las Vegas must-sees that don’t cost a penny or a dime. First off, you’re going to want to grab a selfie with the iconic ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign. The 25-foot-tall sign is found at the bottom of Las Vegas Boulevard South, AKA the Strip. Right across from the sign, you’ve also got the Pinball Hall of Fame museum. It’s free entry here, so the only thing that’ll cost you anything is playing a retro game of pinball, which will set you back 25 cents a play. Another free thing to do in Vegas is the Wildlife Habitat at
Flamingo Las Vegas. The four acres here are home to turtles, fish and exotic birds, like flamingos. There are keeper talks at 8.30 am and 2 pm, as well.
Catch a Free Show
This place is like Disney World for adults. There's an abundance of shows and you don’t have to fork out on Cirque du Soleil or the latest Vegas residency act either. Practically every hotel on the Strip has something to offer.
The Mirage Hotel & Casino’s volcano erupts on the hour every night, from 6 to 11 pm. Then, a bit later, you can head to the
Bellagio’s famous dancing fountains. Like the name suggests, these jets of water light up and sway in sync to music every 15 minutes from 8 pm until midnight. They also put on a show every half an hour in the afternoon – but it’s much more of a spectacle after dark.
For some daytime entertainment, head for the aquarium at Silverton Casino. This place hasn’t been crowned the ‘Best Free Attraction in Vegas’ for nothing. Its 117,000-galloon tank is home to tropical fish, stingrays and sharks. And mermaids join them every half an hour throughout the day – check the casino’s website for timings. They also hold interactive stingray feedings at 1.30 pm and 4.30 pm. Meanwhile, at Circus Circus, you can watch acrobats and trapeze artists take to the ceiling from 1.30 pm on weekdays and 11.30 am on weekends.
Work Your Way Around the Hotels
The Venetian,
Caesars Palace,
New York-New York – Vegas’ themed hotels are iconic. But the best part is that you don’t even have to check in to check them out. And it won’t cost you a thing. You can walk through the Grand Canal Shoppes in The Venetian and watch the gondolas glide past. Follow the Sky Beam to the
Luxor Hotel & Casino and stroll past gold statues of King Tutankhamun and a gigantic Sphinx.
Stare up at the half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower outside Paris Las Vegas. Admire the over-the-top flowers at the Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, which change every season. Take the kids to see
Excalibur Hotel and Casino – a fun, fantasy-themed hotel with a castle façade and turrets. Or watch the Big Apple Coaster whizz past the mock skyscrapers at New York-New York.
Make the Most of Happy Hour
There are loads of cheap eats to be had in Vegas. You just need to be savvy. As with most things, Vegas goes big on happy hours. You’ll find them on offer at lots of places, generally between the hours of 3-6 pm. And you can expect discounted drinks and food – often half the normal price. So if you can eat or drink early, you’ll be saving a pretty penny. Depending on where you choose, you’ll be able to tuck into oysters for $1.50, washed down by a glass of wine or a beer for $5. The dining options are endless, too – burgers, pizza, pasta, sushi. They can all be found at happy hour somewhere. Plus, some places even offer all-day happy hours, so more of a ‘happy day’.
Drink in the Casinos
If you’re already thinking of having a flutter, we’ve got some good news for you. It’s a well-known Vegas ‘secret’ that you get free drinks while you gamble at most casinos. You heard us right. There’s no catch, you just have to be actively gambling. Keep your eyes peeled for the waiters and give them a good tip, so they come back to you first.
Another top tip – stick to the low-value games, otherwise, you could end up spending more than the drinks would’ve cost in the first place.
Head downtown
Budget travellers need to stray from the Strip to get more bang for their buck. And there’s plenty to see here, too. The Fremont Street Experience is worth a wander. It’s got some of the city’s oldest casinos, as well as a spectacular light show every night. Downtown Container Park – a shopping centre made of shipping containers – is a must-see, whether you come to snap photos or bargains. Plus, time your visit right and you could be feasting on street food at the First Friday festival. It’s a big block party held on the first Friday of every month, with local art, food trucks and music.
Sweet talk the promoters
You’ll need tickets to get into most of the city’s nightclubs. And they often don’t come cheap. But speak to one of the on-street club promoters – you’ll find them all over the Strip. They can usually put you on their guestlist and get you in for free, or less. What’s more, they might throw in a free drink or two. Just make sure you’re dressed the part. No one wants to vouch for holidaymakers in their flip flops or souvenir tees.
Sin City breaks this way… check out our holidays in Las Vegas today. 
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