Is Las Vegas on a Budget doable?
Viva Las Vegas! It’s hard not to fall in love with the neon lights, world-class entertainment, international cuisine and amazing attractions that make this city special. And with so many glitzy casinos and high-rise penthouse suites, it’s easy to think that a Las Vegas vacation is uber expensive. Think again! We’re going to tell you how to visit Las Vegas on a budget and still get the five-star experience. So, yes! Las Vegas on a budget is in fact doable.
Maximizing Your Las Vegas Experience on a Budget
There are so many things to do in Las Vegas on a budget. We aren’t all about gambling, you know! In fact, the city is actually a mecca for art enthusiasts, outdoor lovers and foodies.
The biggest thing to do is plan ahead and know what you want to get out of your trip. Are you looking to sightsee, tour museums, experience entertaining or shop? If you’re doing things in Las Vegas with kids, then you have to take those costs into account.
Mapping out your itinerary first will help you set a clear budget for your vacation. This means you can take advantage of all the fun free things to do in Vegas and still afford some other priced attractions and Las Vegas package deals without breaking the bank.
Some of the top things to do in Vegas on a budget include:
- Check out the Las Vegas Strip
- Tour the beautifully designed Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
- Watch the Fremont Street Experience
- Visit the brilliant Neon Museum
- See the famous High Roller
- Tour the LINQ Promenade
- Explore immersive shows, events, and concerts at The Sphere
There are also affordable day trips from Vegas to consider, like Red Rock Canyon, Death Valley National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Hoover Dam. Visiting the amazing national parks near Las Vegas lets you experience the breathtaking Nevada scenery for free. Get ready for amazing sunsets — you might want to bring some tissues, because they’ve been known to move people to tears.
Finally, when it comes to enjoying the best entertainment Vegas has to offer, you can look for happy hours at bars or lounges, which typically feature live music, and attend matinee — daytime shows that are cheaper than evening performances.
If you’re visiting Las Vegas as a family, there are plenty of kid-friendly options to discover. The Adventuredome, Shark Reef Aquarium, Las Vegas Museum of Natural History and Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix are just a few!
Recap: Getting the most out of Vegas involves planning early, making an itinerary to set a clear budget and timing your visits to get the cheapest rates on shows.
Discovering Affordable Accommodations
The sought out Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is one of the most affordable Vegas hotels with an incredible history — it was originally the International Hotel that opened in 1969 and home to none other than the great King himself, Elvis Presley.
Elvis’s legacy still lives on at the resort, where you can see a show featuring a first-class impersonator who knows how to croon, swing his hips and stir up a crowd just like the King.
Let’s talk about the rates. The secret to getting a cheap room at a good resort in Las Vegas is booking early. If you’re planning a family vacation or romantic couple’s getaway, book 30-60 days ahead of your travel date to score awesome deals.
That’s not your only option, though. Westgate also offers fabulous Vegas vacation deals that pack everything you’d ever want out of a Vegas trip into one affordable bundle. You can also book last minute and still find incredible prices! Not all resorts can say the same.
For example, you can book a 3-night Viva Las Vegas getaway for just $99/night! You’ll have access to the Las Vegas monorail onsite, free parking, and access to all of the restaurants and stores in the resort. Oh, and did we mention you can book up to six months in advance? Score!
Vacation packages are an epic way to save big on top destinations like Vegas. Packaged deals can include cheaper rates for a longer visit. When you can book a room for multiple nights, it’s much easier to lock in a lower rate.
Avoid booking on a night-by-night basis, especially at resorts near the Strip. These will cost a lot and the rates can drastically change from one day to the next. Also be sure to get an idea on what your desired hotel or resort will look like! You can easily view Westgate Las Vegas photos to reference what your experience can entail.
Recap: Get the best rates on Vegas hotels by booking at least 60 days in advance, and look for travel specials to get better rates and exclusive discounts.
Mastering Public Transportation
The Las Vegas Monorail is a low-cost way to get around the city. It’s connected to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Children 5 and under ride for free; tickets cost $5 per ride, $13.45 for 24 hours, $23.75 for two days and $29.95 for a three-day pass. Nevada residents can also get a single-ride discount by showing a valid ID at a customer service booth.
Vegas also has some totally free public transportation options to consider:
If you prefer private accommodations or need to get somewhere that public transportation doesn’t allow, you can book a rideshare like Uber or Lyft or rent a car. Since many resorts offer free parking, you can still save money with a rental or drive your own vehicle into the city.
Where to Eat
You can eat at the best buffets in Las Vegas to get the biggest bang for your buck. Many of them cost $30 or less per person and host special deals for breakfast, brunch and weekend meals.
There are also epic Vegas food trucks that give you amazing bites for a lower price than eating at a restaurant. And you don’t want to miss exploring the food halls! The NY-NY Food Hall looks like the streets of the Big Apple and offers first-rate NYC meals like hot dogs and fresh pizza slices.
The food halls all around the city give you an easy way to sample a lot of food for lower rates than eating at a restaurant. Plus, you can buy snacks and cook some meals in your room to save money. Just bringing some granola bars or sandwiches with you out in the city can help curb a hunger pang and keep cash in your wallet. Look for hotels or resorts that offer complimentary breakfast buffets, too.
Another suggestion we have is to stay at resorts that have their own restaurants! You pretty much get a mini vacation onsite with all the different eateries you can explore. And trust us, Vegas knows how to make resort dining a luxury experience — even at a great rate. For example, Westgate Las Vegas restaurants range from a gourmet steakhouse to an Italian eatery with windows that overlook realistic images of Tuscany. There’s also a sports bar, a glamorous cocktail lounge, a Mexican restaurant and much more.
Of course, there’s also an onsite marketplace and room service to give you easy access to anything you could want at Westgate Resorts.
Recap: Eating at buffets, food halls and food trucks, staying at a hotel or resort that offers breakfast deals and packing snacks when you’re out will help you eat well while saving money.
Entertainment That Won’t Break the Bank
Now that we’ve gotten over where to stay, let’s talk about what to do! We’ve already gone over some of the attractions, but we want to dive in a little deeper and offer some affordable Vegas entertainment ideas that are great for couples and families.
Best Things for Couples to Do in Las Vegas on a Budget
You don’t have to whisk your beloved off to Paris for a romantic vacation — Vegas has an Eiffel Tower too, after all. Even without spending a fortune, things to do in Vegas for couples include:
- Watch the Bellagio Fountains show
- See Mystère by Cirque du Soleil
- Ride a Gondola in Vegas Venetian Canals
- Check Out a David Copperfield’s Magic Show
- Go on a Scenic Drive
- Tour the Arts District
- Eat dessert at a nice cafe, like Milk Bar or Serendipity 3
Best Things for Families to Do in Las Vegas on a Budget
Las Vegas can be a fun and memorable family destination with the right mix of activities!
- See V - The Ultimate Variety Show
- Check out the Mac King Comedy Magic Show
- See Piff the Magic Dragon
- Watch a movie at Brenden Theatres
- Go to the Discovery Children’s Museum
- Stay at a resort with a game room and pool
- Go to the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck
Other Things to Do
Vegas has so much to do in the center, but there are plenty of less touristy attractions, too. Day trips to Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park, and Lake Mead are popular among locals and a great way to see more of Nevada’s scenery. If you like scenic drives, take the road to Mount Charleston 40 minutes from the city.
Las Vegas also has great golf courses just outside the city, and there are plenty of museums to explore close to the Strip. For creative activities, you can paint pottery at Color Me Mine, or visit Pinot’s Palette for some wine and fine art making. If you're visiting for the holidays, be sure to explore the best Las Vegas Christmas shows.
Conclusion
Vegas on a budget isn’t just possible — it’s pretty darn fun! You don’t have to drop hundreds a night at the casino or break the bank eating out to see all the sights. In fact, much of Vegas is totally free to enjoy.
Wandering the Strip, touring all the stores and restaurants, and marveling at the neon lights is completely free. When you stay at a nice resort, you can take advantage of the amenities — like swimming pools and arcades — to make your vacation affordably indulgent.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are tons of affordable things to do in Vegas for under $100 a day, including exploring the Strip, watching the Fremont Street Experience and going to the LINQ Promenade. You may not be able to shop as much on $100, but if your goal is to experience the city and not spend money, you can still have a great time on a budget.
Vegas resorts like the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino offer excellent vacation specials for under $100 a night. As long as you plan ahead and pick low-cost attractions, you can have fun in Vegas without spending a lot of money. Resorts are the best option for accommodations on a budget because they include a lot of fun activities and things to do onsite.
Many accommodations have package deals that will let you stay at a low rate. To get the best deal, book 30-60 days ahead of time. Consider the cost of travel as well to make sure you can stay within budget.
It depends on what you want to do — visiting casinos and eating out often will cost between $200-400 per person per day. If you don’t gamble and eat some meals in your room, you can easily lower the cost to $100-200 per person. Families that budget and choose low-cost activities can also likely spend around $300-400 per day with some in reserve depending on what they do.
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