Okay, this isn’t a new observation. Lots of people think about the “good old days” when hotel rooms were cheap, the food cheaper and the shows were free.
Things are different now, but not entirely. The hotels look full, but many are offering really good deals. I hadn’t even checked out of my hotel when I got an email offering me stays starting at $35 a night. It’s not a fabulous place, but it’s on The Strip. And $35 a night? I don’t think I can run my house for that amount.
Show prices are stratospheric, no doubt. I refuse to pay more than $60 a ticket for anything. So, we went down to the local half-price ticket place. It’s a bit of a misnomer. Very little was half price, but we did pick up tickets for Legends – a really fun and well-done tribute show at the Imperial Palace – for $37 with a drink.
The drink was quite tasty, and I’m sure at one point it stood near something alcoholic. The “hot” shows aren’t discounted enough to fall below $90. I’m sure that’s a deal from someone’s point of view, but not mine.
On the other hand, there are free shows, they just don’t have name performers. The dancing waters, pirate ship battles, living statues and more are provided by various hotels.
Are you wondering when I’m going to talk about the food? Your patience is about to be rewarded.
As DF pointed out in his comment to Las Vegas: Over the top — there are excellent and reasonably priced restaurants, but they aren’t anywhere near the Strip.
And, the well-priced food is available – at Fremont Street.
Fremont Street, renamed Fremont Street Experience, is what Las Vegas used to be, kinda. The hotels and casinos offer $9.95 prime ribs, $7.77 buffets, and a stroll back into Las Vegas history. And a light show nightly, and live entertainment on the centrally positioned stage.
If you’re missing the old neon signs that used to grace the streets of Las Vegas, look for them on Fremont Street. Many have been refurbished by the Neon Museum and now bring the nostalgia back to a city that rebuilds itself daily.
Read more about Fremont Street at Offbeat Travel’s Offbeat Las Vegas – Fremont Street
We’ll have to visit Las Vegas together sometime. There are also some great cheap shows. ON the strip. But they are on during the day. The arena in Primm is giving away 500 free tickets to every concert there this year, including real biggies — Bill Cosby, LeAnn Womack, Brian Wilson, etc.
Definitely!
BTW, I thought of you when I won $40 in video poker. Actually won $48 but gave some of it back before I cut and run.
Whoa, big bucks
I’m embarrassed to say when we were in Las Vegas we spent a bundle on “O.” It was an amazing show, though. (We also renewed our wedding vows in our RV with Elvis officiating, so we’re kinda crazy, anyway.)
Doreen, that’s so cool (the renewal of vows in an RV with Elvis). I love it!