6 Reasons to Stay at the Horseshoe in Las Vegas

 If you're in the midst of planning an upcoming Las Vegas vacation, one big decision you'll need to make is about where you will stay. There are more than 30 hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, and there are even more on Fremont Street and elsewhere around the Las Vegas valley.

Of course, the right hotel for you depends on your needs, preferences, budget, and more. For many, the Horseshoe hotel in Las Vegas is a great choice! These are six reasons why it might be the perfect hotel for your upcoming trip.

1. It's Budget-Friendly

If you're here looking for travel tips, there's a good chance you're planning on visiting Las Vegas on a budget. One great way that you can slash your vacation costs is by choosing an affordable hotel. Horseshoe is a great option. Room rates are often very affordable. Just make sure that you choose your dates carefully, since this can have a big impact on how much your room rates are. Additionally, be mindful of daily resort fees and incidental holds.

2. You Get to Enjoy 2 Resorts at Once

One unique thing about Horseshoe is the fact that it's connected to its neighboring property, Paris, through an interior walkway. This means that you're just steps away from even more restaurants and amenities.

Paris is typically a relatively affordable hotel, but their rates are often higher than the rates at Horseshoe. If you've been thinking about booking Paris because you like its vibe or amenities, but if you're hoping to save a little money, booking a room at Horseshoe can be a great compromise.

3. It Has a Great Location

For some, location is everything when on vacation. If you're interested in spending time on the Las Vegas Strip, Horseshoe is a great jumping-off point, since it's literally in the middle of the Strip. It's also a fast and easy walk to Ellis Island, an off-Strip casino that's a favorite among locals and that's well-known for its better gambling odds and cheap steak specials.

4. The Rooms are Big

If you prefer a little more space in your hotel room but aren't really looking to book a suite, Horseshoe might offer just what you're looking for. Their rooms are some of the biggest standard-sized rooms on the Strip, giving you plenty of room to spread out and move around.

5. There Are Plenty of Amenities

Horseshoe Las Vegas offers a variety of amenities that you can enjoy as a guest. There are multiple restaurants at various price points, whether you're interested in splurging on a fancy dinner at Jack Binion's Steakhouse, or if sticking to the food court is more your speed.

Even though it's not really known as being one of the more high-end or party pools, there is a pool that hotel guests can access. If you'd prefer a more quiet pool than a pool party, it might be just your speed. 

There's an arcade, Real Bodies exhibit, Twilight Zone mini golf, and Dino Safari, a dinosaur-related attraction. Plus, you're close to plenty of other amenities, both in the neighboring Paris Las Vegas and other surrounding casinos and businesses. Basically, you shouldn't have a hard time finding something to do while you're staying at Horseshoe.

6. It's Easy to Navigate

Many people underestimate just how huge some of the major Las Vegas casino-hotels really are. Some of them (I'm looking at you, Caesars Palace!) are difficult to find your way around in, even if you're a seasoned Vegas traveler. If you're a first-timer, you may find yourself overwhelmed by navigating your way around some of the Las Vegas Strip properties.

In my opinion, Horseshoe is a very easy and straightforward property to navigate. It may take you a minute to find your bearings, but in no time, you should have it mastered. If you want to be able to get in and out of your hotel quickly and easily while you're staying, and if you'd like to be able to get around the resort with relative ease, it's a great choice.

Of course, before booking your vacation, it's a good idea to check out all of your different hotel options. If you're interested in staying on the Las Vegas Strip and are on a budget, though, I highly recommend the Horseshoe hotel and casino.

5 Cheap Things to Do at the Flamingo Las Vegas

 There are many things to love about the Flamingo hotel in Las Vegas. In fact, it's one of my favorites, and I find myself staying there over and over again. Room rate-wise, the Flamingo is generally a fairly affordable hotel compared to some of the other Strip properties, although this does depend on when you stay and which room you book. If you're planning on spending time at the fabulous Flamingo in Las Vegas, you could be wondering about a few budget-friendly activities so you can stretch your vacation budget. These are five free or cheap things you can do to have a great time at this classic hotel and resort.

1. Party at the Pool

If you've ever looked into the pool parties that are hosted on the Strip, such as at Wet Republic or Encore Beach Club, you might've found that they can be exorbitantly expensive. One little secret about the Flamingo is the fact that it actually has an exciting party pool known as the GO POOL Dayclub. There's loud music and a fun, party vibe; basically, you can enjoy the pool party experience for a fraction of the cost. If you're a guest at the Flamingo, you can enter the GO POOL Dayclub for free!

Be aware that, like any Vegas Strip pool, drinks and snacks can be quite pricey. You are allowed to bring one unopened, non-alcoholic beverage into the pool area, so keep this in mind to save a few bucks. Renting a daybed or cabana will drive up the cost of spending time at the pool, too, so you may want to skip it if you're on a budget.

2. Visit the Wildlife Habitat

One of my favorite things about the Flamingo is its wildlife habitat. The habitat spans four acres and is filled with lush gardens and water features. It's home to flamingos and other exotic birds, as well as turtles and fish. If you visit at 8:30am or 2:00pm, you can witness a "Keeper Talk," where you can learn more about the wildlife that lives in the habitat. 

The habitat is free, even if you aren't staying at the resort. There are no long lines, tickets, or reservations required...you can just walk right outside into the habitat. When I stay at the Flamingo, I typically start my morning at the habitat. I'll grab a coffee at Club Cappuccino (there are two locations, including a smaller one that is near the entrance to the habitat. I've often found the lines are shorter at this location than the one near the Spa elevators, but YMMV.) and walk around the habitat for a little bit. It's a relaxing, nice way to start the day.

3. Enjoy Happy Hour at Carlos 'N Charlie's

I'm a big fan of Carlos 'N Charlie's, which is located right on the casino floor of the Flamingo. It's a "Mexican" restaurant that serves fajitas, burritos, and whatnot, but to be completely transparent, it isn't authentic Mexican food...it's more of the Tex-Mex variety.

In particular, I like to visit Carlos 'N Charlie's for their happy hour, which actually spans over four hours, from 2pm to 6pm. During this time, you can get buy one-get one margaritas. The drinks are tasty and surprisingly potent. The vibe is really fun, and the restaurant is colorfully decorated. You can sit inside if you want, but I prefer to sit outside on the patio.

If you're hungry, there is an extensive menu. Remember that you're on the Las Vegas Strip, so prices aren't the cheapest, but honestly, they aren't too bad at Carlos 'N Charlie's. My favorite thing to get there is the "Parmesan Swiss Chicken." It's a large and juicy chicken breast covered with ham, Swiss cheese, Alfredo sauce, and Parmesan cheese. It comes with deliciously seasoned fried potatoes and is $27.50. You can get a 14oz T-Bone steak with veggies and fries for $37, or a burrito bowl for $15-20. If you just want something small (and cheap), a cup of tomato basil soup is $5, a cup of chicken tortilla soup is $7, and an order of chips and salsa is about $8.

Basically, it's not super super cheap, but you can have a sit-down meal at Carlos 'N Charlie's without spending a lot more than you would at the food court.

4. Explore the Linq Promenade

Next door to the Flamingo is the Linq hotel. In-between the two is the "Linq Promenade." It's home to a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment. There's even a zip line!

The Linq Promenade is home to "I Love Sugar," which is a two-story candy shop. It has basically every kind of candy you can think of, and there's a bar upstairs with candy-inspired cocktails. It spans 14,000 square feet of retail space and is advertised as "the largest candy experience in the world." The cocktails are a little pricey, and you can obviously spend a lot if you've got a sweet tooth, but browsing is free, and there are some affordable candies you can buy, too.

If you're looking for cheap eats, In N Out Burger in the Linq Promenade should definitely be on your radar. It's one of the most affordable dining options in the area. The smashburgers at In N Out Burger are out of this world. I fell in love with this California-based fast food restaurant after ordering a "double-double" (their version of a double cheeseburger) and fries.

Another affordable dining (and drinking) option in the Linq Promenade is Tilted Kilt. It's a "breastaurant" type of place with scantily-clad servers and bartenders. That's not usually my kind of thing, but they have a fabulous happy hour. If you visit during happy hour, you can get great prices on food and drink. Their wings are delicious!

I find the atmosphere of the Linq Promenade to be a lot of fun, so I grab a tall, slushy drink right there on the Promenade, then walk around.

If you're interested in ziplining, you can do that on the Linq Promenade, too. It's called "Fly Linq," and it's the only zip line on the Las Vegas Strip. You can buy tickets online before you go; they start at $35. Sometimes, you can get a good deal on Groupon.

Also, you can't mention the Linq Promenade without mentioning the high roller, which is a huge observation wheel with breathtaking views of the city. Daytime tickets are more affordable; they're $8.50 for kids and $23.50 for adults. At night, tickets are $17.50 for kids and $34.75 for adults. There are also happy half hour tickets that include an open bar for the entire 30-minute ride; these start at $60.

5. Play Penny Slots

Are you hoping to try your luck on the slots without breaking the bank? It's actually pretty easy to do at Flamingo. It's hard to find true penny slots at many of the Strip casinos these days, but there are still some at the Flamingo. Cocktail servers will even bring you free drinks while you're playing, and you can make your dollars really stretch. Plus, maybe with a little luck, you'll even win a little something!

As you can see, you can have a great time at the Flamingo Las Vegas without breaking the bank. These are just some of the fun things you can do on a budget. Add some or all of these ideas to your itinerary to keep your budget in check while having a great time at this iconic property.

Why You Don't Need a Rental Car in Las Vegas

If you're currently planning a trip to Las Vegas, you could be wondering if you need to rent a car. In some cities and towns, not having access to a car can make things very difficult. If you're wondering if this is the case for Las Vegas, well, it depends. Vegas locals often prefer to have vehicles rather than relying on other transportation options, unlike some cities, like NYC. Still, it isn't usually necessary for the average tourist to have a rental car while visiting Sin City. Of course, this depends on your particular travel plans, itinerary, and preferences, but these are some of the reasons why a rental car may not be a necessity for your upcoming vacation in Las Vegas.

Rental Rates Are Often High

If you're reading this blog, chances are good that budget is at least somewhat of a concern. You could be wondering if it's worth it to spend a significant percentage of your travel budget on a rental car. As is the case in any market, rental car rates vary based on when you're renting, which company you're renting from, and which car you're renting. Rates can be pricey at times, though. If you're hoping to save money whenever possible on your Las Vegas trip, you may find that skipping the rental car makes sense. Of course, you can check out rental car rates while you're doing your research and planning. If you can find an affordable rental car, it may be worth it. If you find that rates are higher than you hoped and you're concerned about budgeting, there's a good chance that skipping the rental car makes sense.

It May Be a Hassle

Depending on the situation, you may find that renting a car for your Las Vegas vacation is more of a hassle than it's worth. During busy times, waits at the Rent-a-Car Center (which is located a few miles from the airport and is the place where most travelers go to pick up and drop off their rental cars) can be long. When you arrive in Las Vegas, you'll have to deal with these waits before you can begin your vacation. When it's time for you to fly home, you'll have to leave early to get to the Rent-a-Car Center in time to drop off your rental, take the shuttle to the airport, and make your flight.

You Can Use Uber, Lyft, or a Taxi

One good thing about Las Vegas is that there are plenty of transportation options for tourists. Uber and Lyft are very popular in Sin City. During the pandemic, it was often difficult to get a rideshare, but that's not the case now. You should generally be able to grab an Uber or Lyft without a long wait time. There are also plenty of taxis around the city that will get you where you need to go.

You Can Try the City Bus System

During the pandemic, because of the shortage of Uber/Lyft/taxi options, I decided to try out the city bus system. I'm from a place where public transportation isn't really a thing, so I had zero experience with city bus systems. I did find some things confusing at first, but if you have a little more experience with buses, you'll likely find it's a lot easier for you. The bus system is very cheap. As of 2023, a 24-hour all access bus pass is $8, and a 3-day pass is $20. You also have the option to purchase single-ride or two-hour passes, if you prefer. You can get to pretty much anywhere in the city with the bus system.

If you're wondering if the buses in Las Vegas are safe and pleasant...well, that depends. The buses are comfortable and climate-controlled. There are times when they're busier and crowded, but that's not always the case. Sometimes, you can get to your destination without a lot of walking and without many bus changes. Generally, when I've had to walk a lot or get on multiple buses, it was when I was traveling from the Strip to suburban areas. "The Deuce" bus will take you up and down the Strip and back and forth from Fremont Street without the need to change buses.

Walking is an Option

If you're staying on the Las Vegas Strip and don't have mobility issues, you'll likely be able to walk to wherever you want to go. It's easy to walk from one resort to another, or even to walk the entire Strip. Be aware that it's more walking than it sometimes seems, though; each resort is huge! Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, wear sunscreen, and drink plenty of water, especially during the hot and dry desert summers. There are lots of things to see and do as you walk, so don't hesitate to take a break here and there.

Parking Can Get Expensive

In the past, all of the resorts on the Strip had free parking, so you didn't have to worry about parking charges like you do in many cities. A few years ago, this changed, and now most of the casino hotels on the Strip charge for parking. This can really add to your travel costs. Be aware that in some cases, you can get free parking, such as if you have a certain status with the casino's player's club, or if you're a veteran. If you do need parking while you're staying in Las Vegas, contact the resort where you'll be staying to see if you qualify for free parking.

There's a Monorail You Can Use

If you're looking for a fast, easy, and affordable way to travel up and down the Las Vegas Strip, you should definitely check out the Las Vegas Monorail. The Las Vegas Monorail runs on one side of the Strip, and it has seven different stops, running from the MGM Grand at the south end of the Strip, all the way to the Sahara at the north end. As of July 2023, a single ride on the Monorail costs $5.50 if you buy online, and a 24-hour pass is $13.45. You can also buy multi-day passes, all the way to a seven-day pass, which is $57.50.

You Can Make Use of a Free Tram

In addition to the Monorail system, on the other side of the Strip, there are a couple of free trams that you can use. One tram runs from Mandalay Bay to Luxor to Excalibur. When traveling in the opposite direction, it runs from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay, without a stop at Luxor. If you're staying at Mandalay Bay and want to be able to easily move around the south end of the Strip, this tram is very useful!

There is also a tram that runs from Park MGM (near the entrance to Aria) to The Shops at Crystals to Bellagio, near the spa.

Finally, there's a free tram that runs in-between Treasure Island and Mirage. This is a very convenient tram; the stops are both near the entrance to the casino, so you can get to the action right away, without a lot of stopping.

Some Activities Include Free Transportation

If you're planning on going horseback riding in Red Rock Canyon or otherwise going off the Strip for fun activities, you could be wondering how you'll get to your destination. Some of these companies actually offer free transportation to and from the Strip or Fremont Street as a part of their packages. This is definitely something to consider when you're booking off-Strip activities.

Drinking and Driving is a Concern

Finally, there's a pretty big drinking culture in Las Vegas. Even people who don't drink a lot at home might find themselves sipping on a mimosa at breakfast, enjoying a margarita by the pool in the afternoon, or walking around in the evening with a tall slushy drink from Fat Tuesday's. You definitely don't want to put yourself or others at risk by driving while intoxicated, nor do you want to ruin your vacation by getting charged with a DWI. If you're planning on partaking in legal marijuana use while you're visiting Sin City, there's a safe and legal driving concern with that, too. If you don't have a rental car, you can enjoy adult beverages or cannabis without worrying about safety or legal issues.

Of course, I'm not saying that you shouldn't rent a rental car if you really want one. There are legitimate reasons to rent a car, such as if you're planning on spending a lot of time off-Strip or if you want to take a road trip to California or Utah while you're visiting the southwest. For the average tourist, though, it's often unnecessary and may prove to be more of an expensive hassle than it's worth. Naturally, as a part of your travel planning, you should weigh out the pros and cons of renting a car so you can make the right decision for you and your vacation.

11 Ways to Save Money on Las Vegas Hotels

Whether it's your first time traveling to Sin City or if you've been dozens of times, you'll obviously need to find accommodations for your upcoming trip. For many people, the cost of the hotel takes up a significant amount of their travel budget. You'd probably like to save as much as possible for gambling, shopping, dining, or shows, but of course, you'll want to stay in a decent hotel, too. The good news is that there are many ways you can save money on Las Vegas hotels. These are 11 tips that can help get you started in the right direction.

1. Choose Your Dates Carefully

One of the biggest things you can do to save money on your Las Vegas hotel is by choosing your dates carefully. Vegas is a popular destination all year long, but there are times when travel is at its peak. If you choose the right non-peak dates, you can typically save a significant amount of money. Plus, many people prefer to visit Las Vegas when it's not quite as busy, since this can help you avoid crowds, long lines, and bad traffic during your stay.

The month of December is a great example. The National Finals Rodeo is hosted annually in Las Vegas in early to mid-December. Hotel prices are generally on the higher end during this time of year. Once NFR is over and it starts getting closer to Christmas, though, rates are some of the cheapest that you'll see all year. This is the case until a couple of days before New Year's Eve, which is perhaps the most expensive time of the year to visit Sin City. Long holiday weekends and certain popular sporting events can really impact pricing, too.

The days of the week that you stay will heavily impact the cost of your hotel, too. Sunday through Thursday nights are generally much cheaper than Friday or Saturday nights.

If you have some flexibility in your schedule, play around with different dates when you're looking at different hotel sites. This can help you get an idea of when pricing is most affordable.

2. Join the Casino's Player's Club

Every casino hotel in Las Vegas has a casino player's club or loyalty program. These programs are designed with gamblers in mind, but even if you aren't going to be gambling a lot on your trip, it's worth signing up. Most casinos will allow you to sign up for an account online, and this will sometimes help you save a few bucks on your hotel. Plus, by signing up ahead of time, you can save time when you arrive. Just stop by the player's club desk in the casino to pick up your physical card.

3. Sign Up for Email Lists

Sign up for the email lists for the hotels that you're interested in possibly staying at. They may send you offers in your email for signing up. Casinos often send out emails when they're having sales or promotional events on hotel rooms, so this is a good way to find out about the best deals.

4. Stay Off-Strip

For many people, the idea of staying off the famous Las Vegas Strip just isn't an option. If it's your first time visiting Las Vegas and you want to have a typical tourist experience, I would recommend that you stay on the Strip. If you've been multiple times or are visiting for other reasons (like if you're more interested in hiking in Red Rock Canyon or spending time in the more residential areas of the city), or if you just plan to send most of your time gambling inside the resort, though, it's worth considering staying off the Strip. There are many nice off-Strip casino hotels that are more affordable than the ones on the Strip.

5. Check Out Budget-Friendly Strip Hotels

Put simply, some of the hotels on the Las Vegas Strip are much more high-end and expensive than others. The Cosmopolitan, Aria, and Wynn are a few examples of this. On the other hand, there are some properties that are well-known for being more affordable, such as Circus Circus, Excalibur, Luxor, Flamingo, Linq, or Harrah's.

In my experience, the budget-friendly hotels are just fine. I've never stayed at Circus Circus, but it gets a lot of hate from many Vegas enthusiasts. I personally tend to stay at budget-friendly properties that are operated by Caesars Entertainment: Flamingo, Linq, Harrah's, or Horseshoe (which was formerly known as Bally's). Each of these hotels have rooms that have been renovated fairly recently, and they have all of the amenities that I'm interested in. I've never had an issue with the cleanliness of my rooms, I've always felt safe, and staff have always been friendly.

Of course, it really depends on what you're used to, how luxurious of a vacation you want to have, and what your budget is. It's a good idea to compare rates for different Las Vegas Strip hotels to get an idea of which ones have the more affordable prices. You should also check out pictures and read reviews of the property so you know what you're getting into.

6. Consider Booking Through Priceline

For the most part, I prefer to book Las Vegas hotels directly with the hotel that I'm staying at. It's often more affordable, and it's usually easier to make changes to your reservation, if necessary. If something goes wrong when you book through another site, it can be harder to straighten things out, since you'll have to work with a middleman instead of working directly with the hotel.

With all of that said, though, hotel booking sites can sometimes be useful when you're on a budget. Priceline has always been my go-to when it comes to hotel booking sites, although Hotwire is another option.

Priceline offers "Express Deals" on hotels (as well as flights and maybe other things) that can sometimes save you some serious coin. Basically, with Express Deals, you won't know which hotel you're staying at until after you book. Priceline does tell you basic things like the general location, review score, etc., so you aren't going in totally blind.

The downside of this is that, well, you won't know where you're staying until you've already paid. (And it's non-refundable). The upside is that you can often get a significantly cheaper rate. Priceline advertises that you can save 60% on your hotel costs with this option. Plus, you can sometimes figure out which hotel you're going to get by comparing the information that Priceline gives you about the "Express Deal" hotel vs. their hotel listings.

They also offer a "Pricebreaker" option. With this option, you're shown a list of three hotels and a rate. If you book you're guaranteed to get one of the three hotels that are shown, but you won't know which one until, again, you have already booked and paid.

As you can imagine, this option isn't for everyone. If you have your heart set on a certain hotel or want to really be able to research the property before booking, you'll probably want to skip this option. If you're a little more flexible and just want to save as much as possible, though, this can be a great way to do it.

7. Book in Advance

Sometimes, you just have to book a hotel at the last minute. Hey, if you've got a chance to take a last-minute trip to Las Vegas, there's certainly nothing wrong with that! If you do know well in advance when your trip will be, though, it pays to book your hotel in advance. In many cases, prices just get higher as the travel dates get closer.

If you book directly through the hotel, you typically have the option to cancel or change your reservation later, if you need to. (Make sure you check the hotel's policies before booking so you're clear on this.) This means that if you book in advance, you can keep an eye on hotel pricing for your travel dates in the months and weeks leading up to your trip. If you see lower rates than what you booked, you can cancel and re-book at the lower rate, or you can call and ask an agent to potentially lower your rates to the current ones. Your luck with the latter really depends on the hotel's policies, and sometimes, the particular agent you speak to.

On the other hand, if you see that prices are just going up, you'll likely feel good in knowing that you booked at a good time and a good rate!

8. Check Out Package Deals

In general, I'm not a big fan of package deals that involve booking your flight and hotel together (and even your rental car, in some cases). It's usually harder to make changes if you need to, and I've sometimes found it's more expensive to book this way. However, it's worth checking out your options. I don't know about you, but I'm willing to bend on this type of thing if it's going to save me a ton of money. It's not a bad idea to at least compare a few travel packages vs. the cost of booking things separately, just to see.

9. Switch Hotels During Your Trip

If you're like many (most?) Las Vegas travelers, you're likely planning to spend your entire trip at one hotel. That may be true whether you're staying for a couple of nights or a whole week. Some prefer this; it gives you time to really enjoy the resort you've chosen, and you don't have to move your bags from place to place, either.

However, you can sometimes save money by switching hotels during your trip. For example, if you're interested in staying at one of the higher-end properties but are struggling with the price, this is an option. You can stay at a higher-end hotel like Wynn or Cosmo on the cheaper nights of your trip (like during the week), then switch to a more budget-friendly hotel for the more expensive nights of your trip (like Friday and Saturday).

In addition to saving you money, this has other benefits, too. In the above example, you could stay at Cosmo for a few nights, then move to Excalibur or Luxor. This allows you to enjoy different areas of the Strip, so you'll get a little more variety. Plus, you could stand to easily save hundreds of dollars by making this switch.

Just be mindful of check-out and check-in times; you may find yourself roomless for a few hours if you take this route. Check-out time at Wynn is 12pm, and check-in time at Excalibur is 3pm. That gives you three hours without a room. This shouldn't be too much of a problem, though. You can ask for late check-out at Wynn, but it's $100, which to me, isn't worth it. However, the bell desk at most hotels will hold your bags for you for a while, so you can go out for lunch, shop a little, and gamble a little (as they're hoping you'll do!) during the in-between times. Additionally, depending on how busy the hotel is (as well as hotel policies and even sometimes the particular check-in agent that you work with), you can sometimes check into your room a little early, with or without a fee.

10. Play myVEGAS

If you've never played myVEGAS, you're in for a treat. This addictive casino game allows you to earn real rewards that you can use in Las Vegas. This game used to have amazing rewards years ago, but they're not as great now. Still, you can book free rooms through the app, so it's definitely worth considering if you have some spare time to play the game. Be aware that you're generally still required to pay resort fees for these "free" rooms, but you can still save a lot of money.

11. Avoid Paying Extra for a View

Many Las Vegas Strip hotels will allow you to book a room with a nice view (such as of the Bellagio fountains, or just the Strip in general) for an added cost. For some, it's hard to imagine staying in a Las Vegas hotel without a nice view. It's up to you whether the premium price is worth it (the difference varies from hotel to hotel and day to day), but skipping the view is one way to shave down your hotel budget. Plus, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy great views while you're in Sin City.

As you can see, there are actually a number of different ways that you can save money on a hotel for your Las Vegas vacation. If you're willing to put in a little time and effort, and if you're at least a little bit flexible, you may be surprised by how much you can save.