Vegas Q&A: How To Spend $200 For Three Days
Free Experiences Can Fill First Day
UPDATED: 10:29 a.m. EDT May 24, 2004
Question: Being a first-time visitor to Las Vegas with only three days and a budget of $200, what would you suggest I do with the limited about of time and money that would lure me to come back?
Loretta in Honolulu
Answer: First, Loretta, stay out of the casinos! That $200 will be gone quickly.
Now, $200 over three days is not a lot, but there are several things you can do that will entertain and keep your budget intact.
Since you're a first-time visitor, you should spend the bulk of your first day just walking and gawking. Visit the hotels, walk through the casinos and marvel at the architecture and the overall silliness of Las Vegas. Not only is it fun, it's free.
Be sure to stop at the Bellagio fountains, the Mirage volcano and white tiger exhibit, the MGM lion habitat, and all of the other free attractions while you're out and about. That will not only fill up your day, but you won't have to spend a dime to do any of it. Visit the attractions section of Vegas4Visitors.com for more information on fun things to do.
For food, visit one of the buffets for lunch and then maybe a theme restaurant for dinner and you'll only have blown about $25 or $30. That night, go to one of the less-expensive shows like Second City and you'll have done day one for about $60 total. Visit the shows and dining sections for more ideas.
Day two you'll have to eat cheap. Visit a food court or of the meal-deal type places -- you know, 99-cent shrimp cocktail or footlong hot dogs -- because you're going to spend money on other things. Go check out the dolphin habitat at the Mirage ($10), ride one of the thrill rides at Stratosphere or New York-New York ($10 to $20) and do some shopping at the Forum Shops, Grand Canal Shoppes and Desert Passage malls for souvenirs or maybe one special thing just for you.
That night, take a cab downtown to catch the Fremont Street Experience show and check out the history of downtown Vegas. Depending on how much you spend shopping, you'll probably go through $80 or $90 this day.
Your last day should be for relaxing. Sit by the pool, order a tropical drink, maybe get a massage at the hotel spa if you have enough money left, and take it easy before running off to jump on your plane home.
Sounds like a good Vegas vacation to me!
If you have a question you'd like to submit, click here.
Answer: First, Loretta, stay out of the casinos! That $200 will be gone quickly.
Now, $200 over three days is not a lot, but there are several things you can do that will entertain and keep your budget intact.
Since you're a first-time visitor, you should spend the bulk of your first day just walking and gawking. Visit the hotels, walk through the casinos and marvel at the architecture and the overall silliness of Las Vegas. Not only is it fun, it's free.
Be sure to stop at the Bellagio fountains, the Mirage volcano and white tiger exhibit, the MGM lion habitat, and all of the other free attractions while you're out and about. That will not only fill up your day, but you won't have to spend a dime to do any of it. Visit the attractions section of Vegas4Visitors.com for more information on fun things to do.
For food, visit one of the buffets for lunch and then maybe a theme restaurant for dinner and you'll only have blown about $25 or $30. That night, go to one of the less-expensive shows like Second City and you'll have done day one for about $60 total. Visit the shows and dining sections for more ideas.
Day two you'll have to eat cheap. Visit a food court or of the meal-deal type places -- you know, 99-cent shrimp cocktail or footlong hot dogs -- because you're going to spend money on other things. Go check out the dolphin habitat at the Mirage ($10), ride one of the thrill rides at Stratosphere or New York-New York ($10 to $20) and do some shopping at the Forum Shops, Grand Canal Shoppes and Desert Passage malls for souvenirs or maybe one special thing just for you.
That night, take a cab downtown to catch the Fremont Street Experience show and check out the history of downtown Vegas. Depending on how much you spend shopping, you'll probably go through $80 or $90 this day.
Your last day should be for relaxing. Sit by the pool, order a tropical drink, maybe get a massage at the hotel spa if you have enough money left, and take it easy before running off to jump on your plane home.
Sounds like a good Vegas vacation to me!
If you have a question you'd like to submit, click here.
This Week's Trivia
Q: What is the biggest (in terms of number of seats) concert, sporting and entertainment venue at a Las Vegas casino? ANSWER The Weekly Trivia Question is sponsored by the Online Memorabilia Museum at Vegas4Visitors.comThe Full Story
-
Guide To Las Vegas' McCarran Airport
Seven Hot Summer Concerts Coming To Vegas
'Wheel' Slot Pays Out $11.2M Jackpot
Vegas Q&A: How To Spend $200 For Three Day
Vegas Q&A: Is Vegas Terrorist Target?
