How to Have Fun in Vegas (Without Losing Your Money)

The mere mention of Las Vegas usually conjures up thoughts of drunken escapades, half-naked women, and gambling away your life savings on a quick game of roulette. Now, don't get me wrong, you can certainly still find all of these things in Vegas, and you don't even need to search that hard! But there are some of us that don't really enjoy being around drunk people, or who like to keep their hard earned money (mostly) in their pockets. Here are some of the awesome things Barry and I did in Vegas - without being drunk or spending tons of cash!

Flowers at The Wynn

Originally, we walked into the Wynn because of the Jay-Z lyrics "It’s looking like, I don’t know how to lose/ I’m winning again, I’m at the Wynn/ I’m at the table, I’m gambling,/ Lucky lefty, I expect a 7". But we were amazed to find this impressive floral display in the middle of the casino! in 2013, the Wynn commissioned floral artist Preston Bailey to create massive floral sculptures, and he did not disappoint! The coolest thing about the floral sculptures? That is a 100% functional carousel, music and everything!

Waterfall at The Wynn

While we're at The Wynn, make sure you venture into the back of the casino to have a peek at the massive water fall outside. THere are even some balconies where you can sit and enjoy the scenery. It is a lovely spot to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Pin-Up Pizza

Located at Planet Hollywood (with an entrance right on the strip), Pin-up Pizza is a great way to appreciate both your love for great pizza and cute rockabilly girls. The slices are as big as your face, and are served by adorable girls in winged eyeliner and bright red lips. The walls are even adorned with a collage-homage of some seriously stunning pin-ups - both modern (Katy Perry) and classic (Bettie Page)!

Blue Man Group (or: ask your concierge!)

If you're staying on the strip or in a hotel with a concierge, make sure you ask them if they have any deals on shows in the area. We got discount tickets to see The Blue Man group just by asking the concierge at our hotel! And that wasn't the only show we could have seen at a discount. It never hurts to ask, and you never know what great entertainment you could see at a discount!

BURGR by Gordon Ramsay at Planet Hollywood

Something that Barry and I do all the time is split meals. You get to try some really great stuff that you may not have gone for because it was too pricey. BURGR was a great example of this. We asked a local (always a great idea!) where their favorite spot was to eat on the strip and was emphatically told to check out Gordon Ramsay's BURGR. $15 for gourmet burger is not COMPLETELY outlandish (especially when you factor in the special ingredients combined with tourist area prices), but burgers were huge so we didn't feel guilty splitting them. We also got an order of fries with home-made curry ketchup (which was delicious! and I am completely addicted to now)!

Hell's Kitchen Burger - Asadero cheese, roasted jalapenos, avocado, oven roasted tomatoes, jalapeno pesto aioli

Shops at Crystals (Aria)

Putting a high-end luxury shopping mall on a list meant to save you money might sound counter-productive, but stick with me. Everyone loves window shopping, and the shops at Crystals has some of the best window shopping around! Why not try on a $5,000 suit jacket at Tom Ford or Tiffany necklace? Or head over to their Gallery Row to take in some beautiful art? Just because you can't afford any it doesn't mean you can't enjoy it! Get a little silly!

World's Largets Chocolate Fountain at Bellagio

Vegas is arguably to the most "decadent" city in America, and what good would decadence be without chocolate? If you head over to the Bellagio, they have one of the largest free-flowing chocolate fountains in the world! You can't dip any strawberries in this fountain, but it's really neat to see anyway! Located at the Jean-Phillippe Patisserie, the fountain is floor-to-ceiling and contains milk, white and dark chocolate. It might even inspire you to purchase some of the super-fancy, super-yummy chocolate being sold in the Patisserie (delicious but not required)!

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

While in the Bellagio, be sure to check out the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens located directly across from the equally as stunning lobby. This is a seasonal display of horticultural beauty and sculptural excellence! We were awe-struck not only by how beautiful everything was, but the artistic craftsmanship that had to go into creating such a massive exhibition!. Here are some of our favorite shots, but remember: it is always changing, so it will be different every time you go!

Vegas is a dynamic city that is constantly changing. This list doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of all there is to do there. USe this as a starting point, but make sure you do your own thing!Our best advice is to get out of your casino, get out of your tour guide and explore. The more you walk and the more you investigate, you’re sure to find many many interesting and inexpensive adventures!