Tips on making out like a bandit in Sin City

1. Go easy on gambling. Easier said than done right? Stories about Vegas usually end in “and I came up (insert number here).” The reason these stories are told is because no one admits when they lose. Unless you’re a professional gambling is mainly a loser’s game, especially here. You could win a free room or free drinks if you spend enough, however the price of getting a hotel room is typically less than money spent gambling. If you must gamble for fun or as a social activity, set an amount aside in cash that you will spend during the entirety of your trip and stick to it with the expectation that it will be lost or is “fun money.”

2. Avoid the Strip. A stretch of Las Vegas boulevard, also known as “The Strip” contain those primary money suckers: gambling, shopping, dining, and alcohol. Assume everything on the Strip is twice as expensive and go where the locals go- Fremont, Downtown, and the Arts District which are just a Lyft ride away. With that being said I always recommend staying mid-strip when traveling there for the first time just for the experience and there are hotels at all price points.

3. Plan your trip on the weekdays. There’s always something going on in Vegas even on a Monday or Wednesday, and hotels and flights are significantly cheaper. You’ll still find clubs and bars open and parties 24/7.

4. Lyft is cheaper than Uber and Taxis. Rental cars can also be a good deal if you’re planning on driving to Red Rock, Hoover Dam, or other sites but parking can be costly and time consuming if you’re staying on the Strip or one of the popular resorts. Keep in mind the pick up for Lyft & Uber is at a separate location than the Taxi pickup in front of the hotel so it may be a slightly longer walk.

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5. Take Advantage of Promotions. A group of young adults (especially women) will attract promoters swarming over shoving free drink tickets and complimentary entrance to clubs and concerts. Make sure to only talk with promoters located in the hotels as ones outside are not hired by the locations and can be either scammers or expect a commission last minute which is not a normal practice. If they ask your age, invite you to a “free breakfast/show” and seem overly pushy they are probably timeshare sales reps.

6. Stop by a grocery store prior to arriving. Water is extremely expensive (cruel I know) and any convenience items or snacks have a high mark-up. Room service is time consuming, usually poor quality, and expensive so make a stop en route from the airport to the hotel to stock up on items or pick them up prior to your drive. A hotel bathtub can also double as a cooler…

7. Take advantage of free entertainment. Even if you decide not to stay on the Strip plan a night or afternoon to walk around and check out the casinos. Most of them have a special theme like the pyramid shaped “Luxor,” “Excalibur” castle or the Roman-style “Caesars Palace”  and some have shows. Don’t miss out on the Bellagio Fountains, the Mirage Volcano, the Conservatory and Botanical Garden inside the Bellagio, and Lake of Dreams at Wynn. The first Fridays of the month provide a free art walk in the Arts District.