Las Vegas Basics: Strategies for a Winning Stay

(photo credit: DouglasCole/flickr)

USA Today's Kitty Bean Yancey may not offer tips to hit that million-dollar jackpot but she does offers some basic information for anyone wanting to get the best out of their Las Vegas Vacation. Below are highlighted versions of these great tips.

• Know When to Go
• Rates are generally lowest Sunday to Thursday when big conventions aren't in town. July and mid-December often are slow.
• Deal Yourself the Right Resort
• Strip hotels tend to be pricier than those downtown. Consider what hotels charge for internet and if rates include resort fees. It all depends where you want to spend your money: Do you want to save money on a room and go to great shows and restaurants, or have a five-star (resort) experience? (or possibly both).
• Get a Deal On Wheels
• Taxis aren't cheap when the Strip is gridlocked. Remember this phrase when traveling between the airport and the strip "don't take the tunnel" to avoid running up the fare. Rental car rates can be as low as $10 a day and self-parking at casinos is free.
• Be a Player
• Always join the players club at the casino or resort where you'll spend most of your time. Membership is free and bonuses include free gaming and buffet and lodging discounts.
• Slurp at Happy Hours, Shovel in Restaurant Deals
• Eat cheap...find where the locals eat which means finding restaurants off the Strip. But the strip can offer meal deals (pre-fixe meals) or all-day buffet passes.
• See a Show Below the Going Rate
• Tix4Tonight outlets (tix4tonight.com) is one such service which offers heavily discounted tickets.
• Don't forget Vegas' Free Attractions
• Bellagio fountains; the Sirens of TI; the Bellagio conservatory; The Mirage volcano; "Show in the Sky" at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino; and Freemont Street Experience are among some of the free stuff to see and do.
• Skip the Velvet Rope
• Call clubs and pools to avoid a wait and see if you can get on "the list".
• Pack Like a Vegas Pro
• You can get away with most anything in Vegas. Looking for better treatment? Dress the part.
• Don't Be Late at the Gate
• Be at the airport at least two hours early especially on busy Sundays as security lines can at McCarran Airport can get unwieldily long and move slow.

Click HERE to view the full description of these Vegas 101 Tips on USAToday.com.