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Cruising
Las Vegas Without Getting Ripped-Off or Going Bankrupt
by Bob Lowe
April 8, 2005
I
recently returned from a 10-day excursion to Las Vegas, "the
gambling and entertainment capital of the world," if
you believe the hype.
While
The Strip contains a lot of fascinating attractions, like
an outdoor gondola ride, Madam Tussad’s Wax Museum,
performers such as Wayne Newton and Celine Dion and, of course,
non-stop gambling emporiums and major resort hotels, it is
becoming too big, too overcrowded, too busy, too impersonal
and too corrupted by easy money to be the pleasant vacation
spot it once was.
But
it still remains a major destination stop for people from
all over the
world. It is one of those spots that you have to experience
at least once and decide if it is your kind of place.
Here
are some suggestions and guidelines on how to tour Las
Vegas, especially
if you are on a tight budget.
* Before making a hotel reservation, know about other policies
and charges besides the room rate, such as check-in and check-out
times, taxes, high-speed Internet connections, local and
long-distance phone charges, early departure and arrival
fees, in-room safe cost, if any, minibar and restocking fees,
mail and package delivery handling fees, cancellation fees
and health club charges.
*
You can still find reasonably priced hotels, like the Westward
Ho, on or
right off The Strip for between $35 and $45 dollars a day.
And they lavish
you with free drinks and great service, like a shuttle
bus to your room. If you have an extended layover during
your stay, some hotels offer half-off the regular room rate
for an additional 7 hours.
*
Take a lot of $1 bills, which are useful for tips and riding
the local bus. Bus drivers demand an exact fare of $2.
If you don’t mind waiting for 10-15 minutes, the
bus is the best and least expensive way to get around. Some
hotels offer free shuttle service to and from The Strip.
The new monorail costs $3 but only covers a limited route.
* Wear comfortable shoes. You may have to walk a lot. Flip-flops,
sandals, Hush Puppies and flat-heeled shoes are especially
popular, although more than a few women walk in pointed 3-inch
stiletto heels.
* The temperatures around this time of the year were a
comfortable 65-75 degrees. But it can get breezy, requiring
a light jacket or sweater. It gets hot and humid in June,
July and August so dress accordingly.
*
Restrooms are often located deep inside the casinos or
hotel, encouraging
you to play the slots or gaming tables along the way. Some restrooms
are located on the second floor and not all restaurants
have them.
At some establishments, only patrons can use the bathrooms.
So keep this in mind as you travel from place to place.
* Purchase foods or beverages for your room from a grocery
store or national outlets. Bottled water in some hotels cost
as much as $4 and a small box of crackers nearly $5.
*
When offered free beverages, go for a beer or on-the-rocks
liquor. If not,
you might get a watered-down drink.
*
Don’t
take wallets and purses with all your credit cards, license
and other documents into the casino. Travel only with your
license, one credit card and as much cash as you are prepared
to lose.
*
Finally, for those who go to Vegas with unrealistic dreams
of coming back
rich, take this advice that was offered to us by many local residents: " Las
Vegas was not built on winners."
For
comments or questions, boblowe@juno.com or by phone
at (920) 731-4603. |
