Las Vegas, Nevada, has reinvented itself many times in the past few decades. From the posh, upscale Rat Pack days through the rejuvenation of The Strip through it's brief (and, let's face it, ridiculous) flirtation with being a "family destination" to the return to its "Sin City" roots. Depending upon the economy and the marketing strategy of the day, Vegas has been a huge bargain (well, for the non-gambler) or a pricey indulgence.
Today's Las Vegas has taken a decided tilt toward the "pricey indulgence" end of the spectrum. Say goodbye to 99-cent buffets and endless free cocktails for low-stakes gamblers. Say hello to $14 well drinks (sometimes in a plastic cup), $100 per person steakhouse dinners, and $200 tickets to premium shows. These might work for those tourists who can afford the $300 facial creams ("with diamond dust exfoliant!") that are hawked in the boutiques connecting The Strip hotels, but the average Jane like myself needs to seek out a little sanity in this playground of overpriced indulgences.
Here are a few of my favorite Las Vegas bargains as of late Spring 2012.
Bargain Eats And Drinks Without resorting to convenience store fare from the north and south fringes of the Strip, I did manage to find a few great deals that were also high quality. The crepe shop in the "Rue de la Paix" walkway between Paris and Bally's hotels has a variety of sweet and savory crepes for $9.99 -- one easily splits between two for a light breakfast/lunch or a dessert or snack. My favorite breakfast is sharing a ham and cheese or mushroom/spinach and cheese crepe accompanied by a pair of the $5 Skyy Bloody Marys from the booth just across the "Rue."
Toward the south end of The Strip, you'll find a pair of tenderloin sliders at Gallagher's bar in New York New York for just $10. Considering these sliders are made from the same loin dry aged to perfection for Gallagher's steakhouse customers, and you're getting about 2/3 of the portion that sells for $45 in the restaurant, it's a helluva deal. Tender and topped with Bernaise.
For a raucous bargain, also on the south end, check out Dick's Last Resort at Excalibur. Smart-mouthed waiters serve up sarcastic wit along with rotating specials such small buckets of wings with fries for $5 and bargain-priced ultra-giant double well drinks.
Perhaps my favorite mid-Strip indulgence is "Trevi Time" at the Trevi restaurant bar located amidst the perpetual twilight of the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. From 2 p.m. til 6 p.m., those seated at the bar can enjoy a selection of signature cocktails (e.g., Negronis, martinis) and elegant appetizers (e.g., calamari, bruschetta) for just $6 an item. Frozen peach-and-sparkling-wine Bellinis, only $3, are a great way to beat the Vegas heat.
Bargain Entertainment Some of the best "free shows" in Vegas are no secret: the fountains at Bellagio (every 15- to 30 minutes afternoons and evenings); the pirate show outside of Treasure Island (every 90 minutes in the evenings); the costumed aerial Show In The Sky at the Rio (hourly evenings Thursday through Saturday); the amazing, ever-changing floral fantasies and the Dale Chihuly glass sculptures on display at Bellagio.
Take a bus downtown and experience "old Las Vegas" at Fremont Street, including the overhead light-and-music shows and the highest density of celebrity look-alikes. You'll also find hilarious celebrity look-alikes acting as dealers in a special section of Imperial Palace. If you find yourself at the extreme south end of The Strip, take a look at the fish tanks and Mandalay Bay and the faux Egyptian ambiance at Luxor. At the north end, Circus Circus offers acrobats and other circus acts plus inexpensive carnival games at the upstairs midway. Where else in Vegas can you play for an hour on five dollars and win a stuffed animal?
Finally, don't be afraid to take the flyers that are constantly being handed out as you walk down The Strip. Now, I'm not talking about the "Live Nude Girls Direct to Your Room!" flyers -- I can't vouch for those. But some amazing bargains can be found on those flyers. Check the fine print, of course, for drink minimums and add-on fees, but some of those shows are genuine bargains. I attended the Frank Marino "Divas" female impersonator show at Imperial Palace for just $15 bucks, and it was fabulous. Check the Tix4Tonight booths for last-minute show bargains as well.
Bargain Transportation The best way to get around the Las Vegas Strip is on your own two feet. Wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, and you can easily log 10 miles of walking as you take in the sights. Taxis are very expensive, but public transportation is not. An all-day pass on the Duece and Express buses is just $7, and it goes downtown as well. The monorail runs parallel to The Strip on the east side and is $5 for a fast single ride -- not a bad way to get from one end of The Strip to the other in a hurry.
Sally O'Neal is a travel and outdoor writer who lives and writes in Washington State. She writes weekly for sportsmansguide.com.