Goin' to Vegas...need tips/advice please!

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 01-18-2007, 09:31 PM

We get to go to Vegas!! Hooray!! We leave Wednesday night... I can hardly believe it!!

Bein' up here in Alaska we don't have flea markets, outlet malls, or dollar stores. I'm REALLY excitd to go!

Here's my dilemma... I want to get all the guidance I can on where to look for bargains (and what to look for) in regards to outlet malls and flea markets...

I vaguely remember going to a flea market once as a young teen. Never been to an outlet mall. I got to go to some dollar stores about 8 years ago (visiting family in Oklahoma).

Any input would be very, very appreciated!! And put to good use!

Also, any tips of free or cheap stuff to do in Vegas...we're already planning to see the fountains at the Bellagio, pirate show at Treasure Island, go to the M & M factory, and see the sights in the mall at Ceasar's Palace!

And, any "frugal travel tips" would be welcome! Already packing oodles of snacks for the flights back and forth (and some snacks for in the hotel).

**Amanda W** · 01-18-2007, 10:15 PM

You're going to have tons of fun! DH went to a conference in Vegas in 2003, and I tagged along. There's soo much to do there. I'm not sure about where to find shopping bargains, but this site is really great for finding cheap restaurants/buffets and entertainment. CheapoVegas

**bumplett** · 01-18-2007, 10:22 PM

Very cool! I hope you have a blast! (my only frugal tip is to have fun playing the nickel slots)

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 01-18-2007, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by Amanda W

You're going to have tons of fun! DH went to a conference in Vegas in 2003, and I tagged along. There's soo much to do there. I'm not sure about where to find shopping bargains, but this site is really great for finding cheap restaurants/buffets and entertainment. CheapoVegas

That's a great website! Thanks! I printed out some free maps and some tips on cheap places to eat/gamble, etc. Nickel slots here I come!

hehe

**acidcookie** · 01-18-2007, 11:26 PM

Hey, hey, I'm going to Vegas next week! I love it there.

The Bellagio fountains are my favorite thing there! So cool I could watch them for hours. And M&M world is really cute. I'm going there too.

When I first went there I was 20 so couldn't gamble or drink anyway, but still had fun just seeing all the crazy casinos: the inside of the Eiffel Tower that looks like you're outside on the streets of Paris, Caesar's Palace, the Bellagio, Luxor, etc.

**frugalfoster** · 01-19-2007, 12:50 AM

Just got back from Vegas last night. It was really cold so bring a coat! Best advice I could give you is to go to Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville and split the dinner. I was with 5 other people (3 of them men) and no one could finish their meal. Be prepared for entrees to be around $10-$15 each, but then again remember they are huge! My husband ordered the cuban meatloaf sandwich and it was great.....You can eat at the Cheesecake Factory (Caesars) and split those meals too, because they are also too big. Other than that don't figure on big discounts on food...I didn't see them and I travel alot (very frugally) so I look for the deals. Play the penny machines if you are looking for entertainment and not the chance to win big money. My husband and I played for two solid days and we figured that we spent less than $250 for all our food, drinks and gambling. I was really happy with that! So we came home with money and I put that into my snowball fund! By the way... we paid for the trip with a $500 windfall from a scratch ticket at Christmas! All in all a great time....just really cold! Have fun and tell us how it went!

**sk8mom** · 01-19-2007, 12:55 AM

I love Vegas! DH and I went with 3 other couples and we had a blast. Of course, when we went, I wasn't frugal at all and spent way to much money. I still had a blast though. All I know is when I start working full-time I will be making another trip to Vegas, probably with my mom since she's never been and she loves playing the slot machines.

You will have so much fun! Just the sights alone are amazing

**Michelle** · 01-19-2007, 06:05 AM

I've been to Vegas 3 times (one of those times was my honeymoon, and the last time I went was 6 1/2 yrs ago). I was going to recommend www.cheapovegas.com as well.

Tip regarding food while there: we eat a larger-than-usual breakfast & lunch (where you can find lots of great deals on food) and only snacks or light dinner.

You could spend an entire day just sightseeing the hotels. They are so beautiful and elaborate inside.

RE: the snacks on the plane--check with your airline to see what is allowed. This link is helpful too:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...-items.shtm#10

For example, if you want to bring a drink from home on the plane, it must be 3 oz. or smaller. Otherwise you need to purchase it at the airport after
security screening.

HTH

Have a great trip!

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 01-19-2007, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Michelle

I've been to Vegas 3 times (one of those times was my honeymoon, and the last time I went was 6 1/2 yrs ago). I was going to recommend www.cheapovegas.com as well.

Tip regarding food while there: we eat a larger-than-usual breakfast & lunch (where you can find lots of great deals on food) and only snacks or light dinner.

You could spend an entire day just sightseeing the hotels. They are so beautiful and elaborate inside.

RE: the snacks on the plane--check with your airline to see what is allowed. This link is helpful too:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...-items.shtm#10

For example, if you want to bring a drink from home on the plane, it must be 3 oz. or smaller. Otherwise you need to purchase it at the airport after
security screening.

HTH

Have a great trip!

Good idea to check the TSA website!

I knew about the quart size baggie rule...checked thru on all other things we're taking. All is good!

**Michelle** · 01-19-2007, 05:48 PM

Have a great trip! I can't wait to go back

**pinetree** · 01-19-2007, 07:05 PM

You might want to check out vegas.com

It also has alot of info

We usually go back every year for a trade show.. you will never see everything there is to see, and it changes from year to year.

The Hoover Dam is a sight also, but check if you have a rental car to see if you can go over the dam. Alot of car rentals won't allow the car out of state, If you go over the dam, the only way you can turn around is to drive into the Arizona part, then you're considered out of state.

Have fun, and don't forget comfortable shoes!!!

**Buckeye5** · 01-19-2007, 07:48 PM

Enjoy!!! I love to play slots, I loved the Hoover Dam, try to get there. We took a bus tour, and it was worth the time and $$. It is unbelieveable!!We stayed at the Imperial Palace, and went and saw Celine Dion at Caesar's Palace, that was the best ever!!!!

**AheeK** · 01-19-2007, 08:03 PM

Vegas is awesome! I've been twice, and both times it was a blast! I agree with the others...you can spend a whole week on the Strip going through the hotels. They're beautiful and so lavish. For entertainment, NOTHING beats the penny slots...they are soooooooooo much fun! I don't know if it's still there, but last time we went there was a slot machine prize thing in front of the Tropicana...it's free to spin, and you get coupons and stuff. A lot of people throw theirs away, and it's a great way to get excellent deals on shows. My parents got tickets to a show for half price using coupons someone had discarded. We also got 17 free decks of cards LOL. The free Treasure Island and Bellagio shows are really well done...definitely a must-see. I hope you have tons of fun!!

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 01-23-2007, 03:00 AM

Originally Posted by AheeK

Vegas is awesome! I've been twice, and both times it was a blast! I agree with the others...you can spend a whole week on the Strip going through the hotels. They're beautiful and so lavish. For entertainment, NOTHING beats the penny slots...they are soooooooooo much fun! I don't know if it's still there, but last time we went there was a slot machine prize thing in front of the Tropicana...it's free to spin, and you get coupons and stuff. A lot of people throw theirs away, and it's a great way to get excellent deals on shows. My parents got tickets to a show for half price using coupons someone had discarded. We also got 17 free decks of cards LOL. The free Treasure Island and Bellagio shows are really well done...definitely a must-see. I hope you have tons of fun!!

I'm all for free coupon books! I'll be looking at the front of the Tropicana!

Thanks for the head's up!

Well, we leave day after tomorrow! I'm so excited!

A frugal friend recommended Dollar Tree. I looked it up online and can't wait to shop there! Yeeee-ha! Anyone have any other stores I should be sure to stop in at?

Aheek - how did you get the free decks of cards? Those would be neat souveniers!