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.
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