Things to do in Vegas when you're dead...stupid

[Dave Potts]

Oh dear, oh dear oh dear....

Well I've booked and paid for the flights, hotels, car hire and I fly to LA tomorrow morning to go and watch my best mate compete in the 9-ball world championshipos in Vegas. One slight snag came to light yesterday during a panicky call from Spain, however. We're going a month early. The tournament at the Riviera isn't until next month. How we laughed. Hey ho.

SO other than the usual casinos, shows and distractions of the strip, can anyone suggest any interesting alternatives that might allow me to stretch my (admittedly rather meagre) budget over more than the first couple of days? We'll have a car and are only booked into Vegas for three nights so Nevada is our oyster. I will send you a virtual postcard...

[Jim Bob]

I have just returned from 5 days in the City of Sin! Would recommend the Blue Man Group show at the Luxor and also a trip out to the Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam (preferably by helicopter - not the cheapest, but absolutely awesome). Check out lasvegas.com for information about all things Vegas. Have fun...

[sft42]

Apparently Lake Mead is beautiful.....a hiking trip around there wouldn't take much cash......other than that how about trying to land some work? There are many courier services that use temps and this could let you see a bit more of the country......other than that you could always sell your body on the strip and make a few bucks!

[AllYourBase]

About 100 miles out of Vegas on Interstate 15 towards LA are two massive designer outlet mall/villages. This is not as far as it sounds when you consider the quality of the road/scenery. The prices are fantastic and the journey, past the famous zzyzzx road, is a joy. There is also the death valley national park visitor centre out that way, which is free if I recall corectly. It's name escpaes me, but out that way is also the remains of an old prospecting settlement and some abandoned Indian villages, which are eerie but fascinating and free. A trawl around some heritage webistes will guide you. If you're interested in military/avaiation I think somewhere near Vegas is that big place where hundreds of unused jets and airliners lie in a varying states of abandon. LA is not a too difficult journey from Vegas (3.5 hours) and has many free or cheap attractions such as the hollywood sign, hollywood boulevard, rodeo drive, santa monica beach, tours of the film lots. 2 hours further south and you hit Tijuana (check you car insurance covers this) where booze and all manner of other (often illegal), entertainments can be had for a few dollars. Further to sft42's answer, there are also low cost airlines operating out of LV, so watch their offers for good vaule trips around. Finally, don't forget to watch the film "Swingers" before you go ....."Vegas baby, VEGAS!"

[Dave Potts]

Ta all (and a big TA to SimonC) for all the info, which has given me lots of useful starting points to browse through after I've packed me bag and found me passport. I'm only there until the 22nd so that should be plenty to do after I've lost my money, shirt and self-respect - if I get any spare time left over I'll just sit in 'Jack-in-the-Box' and gorge myself into unconsciousness. Typically I can't afford to go again next month when my mate's actually playing so shall have to see if he qualifies again next year so's I can see him take on the Big Boys of the Blue Beize. The wally. Many thanks again for the input!

[apricot]

The only way to win at the casino 1) Decide how much money you can afford to lose 2) Take no more money with you 3) Place all that money on one bet 4) If you lose walk away 5) If you win place your original stake in the other pocket and play with the casino's money. My son is in the casino business in the USA - it is good advice!