14 Tips for Cheap Trips to Vegas

 

Street Art on a building near downtown Las Vegas (photo by Clocks)

Vegas is a destination that I definitely enjoy but couldn't see myself spending more then a few days here. I have been to Vegas before, by myself, but this time enjoyed it with my close friend and cousin. Being with someone definitely made it more enjoyable the second time around. Below are some new lessons that I learned the second time around (over here's some of the things I learned the first time).

1. If there's a sports match going on chances are the pub/bar you're looking to go to is packed. Reservations are needed at even the most modest establishments. Head to the MGM Grand to watch the fanatics go wild at the Sports Book, after watching the monkeys head to lounge and watch the game in peace.
2. The line for Starbucks is out of control at 10am, but empty at 9am.
3. The Hilton is still my favorite/friendliest place (and where I make all my money!)
4. Circus Circus is a waste of time. Unless you're 8 - then it's magical. The lack of tables here and the shady way they seem to suck you dry in 3 minutes turned us off here.
5. The closest Monorail stop to Circus Circus is 5 blocks away at Sahara. Although it seemed counter-intuitive to walk back to Sahara and take the metro it ended up costing us dearly - instead of 5 blocks we walked 2.5 miles because it looked the same distance on the map.
6. Riviera is home of the British Pub, which was my favorite place to drink with lots of draft beers and ciders (including Pear and Magners).
7. If you try to find the Monorail entrance without walking through the casinos good luck - you're more likely to get run over by a car then find it.
8. Finding a table to play at with a group of people who already know each other/are friendly makes gambling 100x more fun. 
9. Freemont Street is far from the strip, a 40+ minute bus ride but is well worth it. It's probably what Vegas once was and is far more pedestrian friendly than the strip. Watching the graffiti artists create masterpieces in minutes while people zip-line overhead is a trip. $1 blackjack, bingo and other less serious gambling is always a plus. The drinks and food are cheap and delicious.
10. When taking the shuttle to and from the airport don't pay the roundtrip fare when you land - we saw plenty of passengers get screwed on the way back when their brand shuttle was absent/tardy. But be cautious and give yourself extra time to get to the airport - the shuttle is going to drive up and down the strip trying to fill up with more passengers.
11. Jack-in-the-Box, In-n-Out, and a plethora of eating options is just behind New York New York. It can all be seen right there from the road but the highway and lack of sidewalks prevents you from getting there without spending $4 RT on the bus. There's also a Carl's Jr. on the way to Freemont that the bus stops right in front of.
12. It may be the most pedestrian unfriendly places I've seen but sneakers are an absolute must. If you forget a pair, like I did, the Adidas store has surprisingly cheap sneakers.
13. Lastly, Foursquare is your friend. If it wasn't for Foursquare I wouldn't have known about half of the little things that you normally have to find on your own - like where to eat, what to eat, where the best deals are, etc. It was the most invaluable tool I had just after Google Maps.