For many hardworking Americans, a day at the office consists of emails, meetings, and work ... and subsequent daydreams about throwing one's tie in the trash and letting loose. This week, we're romanticizing about Las Vegas, that extravagant playground for adults. If the notion of running wild in a city with delightfully garish lights, legal gambling, and ridiculous entertainment helps get you through a drab work day, then a tight budget shouldn't keep you from fulfilling your travel fantasy.First things first: getting to Sin City. One of the cheapest ways to travel to Las Vegas is with Spirit Airlines' current sale on 1-way fares, with prices as low as $9. (Note that select fares are reduced further once you begin the booking process.) Or, if you're a fan of the perks that come with flying Virgin America, you can instead check out their selection of 1-way fares starting at $49. Virgin America takes a "club"-like approach to flying with its décor, which is perfect for getting into the Las Vegas mindset.
And now, welcome to fabulous Las Vegas! Lots of visitors prefer to book their stay at a hotel on or very near to the Las Vegas Strip. The Strip is a hot spot with access to all the top casinos, bars, and restaurants. This flight and 3-night hotel package for two to the Mirage Resort and Casino (from $878) offers a significant discount on a 4-diamond hotel that embodies the over-the-top Vegas feel: it features a waterfall-laden atrium, aquarium, several pools (including a "Bare" one), and a spa. Alternatively, if you don't mind being off the Strip, you can book a getaway at one of the Las Vegas Marriott Hotels and receive a voucher that takes 30% off Red or Blue Zone seating at a Blue Man Group performance (from $154 via coupon code "EB7"). There are 10 Marriott properties in the vicinity, so take your pick.
Speaking of Blue Man Group, you can't visit Vegas without indulging in at least one form of outlandish entertainment. While there are quite a few ways to get discounted tickets to shows like Tony n' Tina's Wedding, and Cirque du Soleil, we'd recommend catching one of the final performances of The Lion King at Mandalay Bay before it closes on December 30 (from $56.30 via coupon code "TRZ40"; most seats are available for $63.65).
Although visions of clubs and blue men may be dancing through your head, think realistically about your threshold for late-night fun; if you're likely to need at least one day of low-key daytime activities, consider renting a car and seeing one of the natural or manmade wonders nearby. Red Rock Canyon offers a glimpse of the scenic landscape of the southwest (not to mention wild horses, burros, bighorn sheep, and coyotes) while Lake Mead features swimming, water skiing, and cruises.
There's also the Hoover Dam, which affords you the opportunity to insert numerous juvenile Dam jokes into conversation. Hertz is currently offering 500 bonus points (good for a weekend day car rental) for free when you sign up for a free Hertz #1 Club Gold 1-Year Membership. Or, if you're booking a flight through Priceline anytime soon, you could snag $30 in Car Rental Bonus Cash. (However, the bonus must be applied in $3 increments per day.) You could always just spend some downtime pampering your body back to good health with this 60-Minute Swedish Massage at La Riva Massage (for $39).
Although it’s hard for Las Vegas to live up to the monumental hype surrounding it, everyone should try Sin City at least once. If you’re a savvy bargain traveler however, and you land with a few strategic deals in your pocket, it’s not that risky of a gamble.
At the time of publication, these travel deals offered the lowest prices we could find. Deals may include blackout dates, additional taxes, and fees. Double occupancy may be required.
Front page/Top photo credit: Jess1820 via Flickr
Hoover Dam credit: Tumbleweed:-) via Flickr
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