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If
you haven't been to Las Vegas lately, you're in for quite a surprise.
This ain't your Uncle Bennie's LV anymore. Sin City has grown up,
gotten spiffy, and embraced the finer things: high art, haute cuisine,
ecotravel, Cirque du Soliel.
The
building boom of the 1990s dramatically altered the city's landscape,
as plush new properties like Bellagio, Paris-Las Vegas, the Venetian,
and Mandalay Bay replaced worn-down classics, ushering in upgrades
citywide.
Today's
entertainment options extend far beyond the tables, with the usual
suspects (shows, buffets) alongside new attractions with cross-demographic
appeal.
That
said, Las Vegas remains ripe with deals, discounts, and bargains.
Smart money says to shop around, and take advantage of the city's
freebies. In Vegas, you don't need to be a high roller to feel like
a million bucks. Some of the city's top draws are cheap, or free:
Cruising
the Strip:
The heart of Las Vegas remains its top sightseeing draw, with prime
peoplewatching and free casino spectacles. Take in the Mirage's
erupting volcano, homing pigeons and gondoliers at the Venetian,
New York New York's Manhattan Express supercoaster, and the built-to-scale
Eiffel Tower at Paris-Las Vegas. The elaborate Pirate Battle at
Treasure Island has the strip's top choreography, while the elegant,
dancing Bellagio Fountains have grown to symbolize New Vegas.
The
Bellagio:
What's great about Bellagio, the $1.6 billion ode to the finer things?
You won't need big bucks to relish in its accoutrements. From the
$10 million Dale Chiluly glass installation above main reception
to the glass-ceilinged, seasonally-varying Conservatory of Flowers,
the upscale, smoke-free poker room to high-stakes shopping (Hermes,
Tiffany, Gucci) along Via Bellagio, Bellagio casts an enchanting
spell, one easy to adopt.
Fremont
Street Experience:
Glitter Gulch gleams better than ever with the Fremont Street Experience,
the $70 million electric canopy charged by 540,000 watts. This cafe-
and kiosk-laden promenade stretches five blocks downtown beneath
a 90-foot steel mesh cage that transforms into the Sky Parade at
night. Around the corner, the Neon Museum lights up vintage hotel
and casino signs from the bygone days.
The
Buffets:
Some things never change - you can still stuff your face in Vegas.
Like the rest of the city, many buffets have gone upscale lately
(but not too pricey), with healthy, exotic choices alongside tried
LV classics like Beef Wellington and shrimp cocktail. Of note are
the Mirage, Bellagio, or Paris-Las Vegas' provence-tinged Le Village.
Save some bucks by troughing at lunchtime, which is cheaper.
Outlet
Shopping:
Las Vegas's bargain climate extends to its shopping options. The
Fashion Outlet harbors Donna Karan, Kenneth Cole, and Versace; Robert
Redford's Sundance Catalog Outlet offers western-themed clothes
and accessories. Locals hunt for new and used goods at the huge
Broadacres Swap Meet, while chocoholics make a beeline to tour the
Ethel M. Chocolates Factory.
Booking
Bargains:
When booking for Vegas, the usual budgetary rules apply. Be flexible,
shop around, and keep your eyes open. Last-minute and mid-week deals
can be ridiculously cheap, as the casinos are after full occupancy.
And always inquire about freebies for shows, meals, and accessories;
such is the norm. Check www.vegas.com or www.lasvegas.com for weekly
deals and events.
Sports
Books:
Whether betting or not, casino sports books are an unheralded best
buy, with comfortable seating areas, walls of TVs screening national
games and horse races, and cocktail waitresses delivering complimentary
drinks. Fall weekends equal football frenzy. Among the best: New
York New York, Treasure Island, MGM Grand.
Gaming
Deals:
Frequent players should investigate casino slot clubs and players’
cards, which tabulate your table time and lead to meal, show, and
room deals. For cheap minimums try penny slots at downtown's Gold
Spike, $1 blackjack at Casino Royale and the Sahara, 25-cent craps
at El Cortez.
Road
Trips: Escape the bustle with a tour group, or venture
on your own. Scamper over sandstone boulders at Red Rock Canyon,
hike amid spring wildflowers at Valley of Fire, inspect the industrial
marvel Hoover Dam, or luxuriate in soothing cool waters of man-made
Lake Mead. Venture solo, or join one of the many tours companies
housed on the Strip.
Museum
Breaks: Change your pace in the city's kitschy, fun museums.
Vegas history carries on at the Casino Legends Hall of Fame, honoring
bygone structures (The Sands, The Dunes) since demolished, and visionaries
from Bugsy Siegel to Steve Wynn. Catch up with Vegas icons at the
Liberace Museum, with 13 grand pianos, and the Elvis-O-Rama Museum,
a veritable Graceland West. Auto buffs will devour the Auto Collections
at Imperial Palace, while TV fans and detractors alike can voice
their opinions on upcoming pilots and episodes at the CBS Television
City Research Center.
–
Jay Cooke is a San Francisco-based travel, food, and culture writer.
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