Visiting Las Vegas on a Budget - A Simple Way to Save on Your Vacation
To many people, Las Vegas is practically synonymous with gambling, but those in the know are well aware that there’s more to this neon-drenched oasis than blackjack and video poker. The smart bet is on the valley’s mega-spread of family-friendly attractions, museums, cultural exhibits, and world-renowned sightseeing opportunities. Check out our list of some of the best ways to visit Las Vegas on a budget. The memories you’ll make at these must-see spots are likely to last a lot longer than a 99-cent shrimp cocktail.
Save on Admission to Tourist Attractions
Admission to many of these Las Vegas tourist attractions and available on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass. Las Vegas Explorer passes give you the flexibility to choose as you go from dozens of top attractions to create a vacation tailored to your family's interests. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. A few of the attractions include:
- Big Bus Las Vegas Hop-On Hop-Off Day Tour
- Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
- High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ: Daytime Pass
- Hoover Dam Tour
- And more!
Top Attractions to Visit for a Budget Friendly Trip Big Bus Las Vegas Hop-On Hop-Off Day Tour
Check out Sin City courtesy of these double-decker rides that take intrepid tourists up and down the famous Las Vegas Strip. You’ll be able to see many of the city’s hotels and casinos, shop at the Fashion Show Mall or Miracle Mile, check out museums, and more, and thanks to the “op-on hop-off pass, you can sight see at your own pace. Getting In: Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Las Vegas Day Tour tickets are available on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass.
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is the world-famous interactive wax attraction on the Las Vegas Strip in front of The Venetian and features eight unique rooms. Relive “The Hangover” with Alan, Phil and Mike Tyson in “The Hangover Experience,” pose for paparazzi with Lady Gaga, get on the red carpet with Sandra Bullock, and fight crime alongside Spider-Man in the amazing Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experience. With more than 100 wax figures, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas allows guests to take pictures, touch and get up close in a themed setting. Getting In: Madame Tussauds Las Vegas tickets are available on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass.
Hoover Dam Tour
Hoover Dam is often called the “greatest dam every built” - one look at the sheer scale of this marvel of modern engineering and you’ll quickly understand why. If the mere appearance of this National Historic Landmark isn’t impressive enough, you’ll soon get a feel for the dam’s importance thanks to the exhibits and museum in the nearby Visitor’s Center, though the real attraction may well be incredible views available to those who take the time to walk the Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Getting In: Hoover Dam Tour tickets are available on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass.
High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ: Daytime Pass
With a height of a whopping 550 feet, the High Roller is the world’s tallest observation wheel. It’s also a moving bar of sorts, offering passengers a chance to step into one of the glass-walled pods and sip on a cocktail while enjoying a 30-minute ride and sweeping panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley. Each cabin holds as many as 40 people, making this ride the perfect out-of-the-box activity for a family reunion, bachelor or bachelorette party, or even a super unique wedding reception. Getting In: Las Vegas High Roller Observation Wheel tickets are available on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass.
V - The Ultimate Variety Show
There’s a reason that V - The Ultimate Variety Show regularly wins the title of Best Variety Show in Vegas. The show’s ever-evolving cast of characters is both diverse and endlessly interesting. Enjoy death-defying stunts, mind-boggling magic, side-splitting comedy, and plenty of other entertaining bits courtesy of some of the city’s best and brightest entertainers – Melinda The First Lady of Magic and The Skating Aratas included. It’s good fun for the whole family, right in the heart of The Strip. Getting In: V - The Ultimate Variety Show tickets are available on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass.
Fun Options to Visit During Your Trip:
There are plenty of other fun options to choose from in Las Vegas, including these activities available on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass.
Stratosphere Observation Deck
Visit the tallest freestanding observation tower in the entire U.S. Here you can enjoy breathtaking, 360-degree views of the scenic Las Vegas Valley from a pair of indoor/outdoor observation decks.
Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas
This replica of the Eiffel Tower brings a little Parisian charm to sunny Las Vegas, complete with plenty of picture-taking opportunities. A selfie with the Arc de Triomphe is a must – and a killer view of Las Vegas from an observation deck on the 46th floor.
VEGAS! THE SHOW
If classic Vegas is your thing – you can’t miss this musical tribute to the people, songs, costumes, and dance extravaganzas that helped put Las Vegas on the map. From the Rat Pack to showgirls covered in glittering sequins, the stars of this show are as legendary as the city itself.
Vegas Rockstar Club Tour
Want to party like a rock star? Jump onboard this limo party bus and enjoy the complimentary open bar while your VIP Host takes you around to some of Sin City’s most exclusive nightclubs, gifting you with the power of VIP access and a front-row seat (no need to wait in line!) to some of the best DJs in the world.
Free Activities for a Budget Friendly Vacation
Downtown Container Park
Made entirely out of repurposed shipping containers, this “only in Vegas” style shopping center is packed full of unique restaurants and other storefronts. There are also children’s play area, giant tree house, and an outdoor amphitheater that plays host to a variety of musical acts. Check out our post on Container Park in Las Vegas for more.
Bellagio Conservatory
Once every season, the 14,000-square-foot Bellagio Conservatory undergoes a magical transformation, thanks to the staff of horticulturists that use a bevy of flowers, trees, and other plants to create a living and breathing floor-to-ceiling art display that draws tourists from around the world.
Fountains of Bellagio
Whether you watch them from the street or enjoy them comfortably ensconced in one of the Bellagio’s waterside restaurants or lounges, the Bellagio Fountains multi-sensory water-and-light show will delights adults and children alike.
Fremont Street Experience
In the heart of “Old Vegas” sits the Fremont Street Experience, a pedestrian-only walkway featuring an incredible overhead light show, street performers, and plenty of restaurants and shopping. And, if all that wasn’t enough, stages along the main drag frequently feature big-name performers from the last several decades performing their hits for free. Guess what, a Fremont St. Walking Tour is available on the Explorer Pass.
Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Forum Shops
A mall is never just a mall in Las Vegas. Deep inside the luxury Forum Shops at Caesars you’ll find The Fall of Atlantis. An animatronic show that uses water, fire, and a few really tall statues to tell the story of the kingdom of Atlantis and the two rotten kids that (spoiler alert!) ultimately caused the downfall of the ill-fated realm.
Let's Recap on Visiting Las Vegas on a Budget
There you go - a few great recommendations for things to do when visiting Las Vegas on a budget. Remember, many of these great budget friendly attraction options and more are included on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. So when you are planning your trip, consider including some of these options to your Las Vegas vacation itinerary.