Vegas on a Budget

You don’t have to be a high-roller to enjoy Sin City’s glitz, thanks to the city’s many hotels, restaurants, and entertainment options, as well as the availability of deals if you book ahead. Add any number of these wallet-friendly activities to your itinerary: Wander through City Center, sip a cocktail at any number of themed casinos, gaze up at fountains, bite into a gourmet burger, or head to Red Rock Canyon.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Many visitors bypass the club scene altogether in favor of Vegas’s more natural splendors and outdoor pursuits. Just 17 miles west of the Strip, you’ll find the enormous Red Rock Conservation Area, 195,000-plus acres with 30 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, and mountain biking—and interpretive programs such as night hikes sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management. Dedicated bikers do the entire loop in 100-degree weather.

The Platinum

A block from Las Vegas Boulevard, Platinum has 255 suites, which come with full stainless-and-granite kitchens, and—unlike most properties on the Strip—these have balconies. This hotel has everything but a casino floor: a full spa, restaurant, and rooftop pool, making it one of the most intimate hotels near (but not too near) the action. Despite the popularity of its lobby bar, the place retains a residential feel, making it the best place to stay if you’re traveling with kids, in town for more than a few days, or simply don’t feel like navigating the casino floor to get to your room.

Burger Bar Las Vegas

Build your own gourmet burger at this Mandalay Place mainstay from celebrity chef Hubert Keller, also the owner of Fleur (Las Vegas) and Fleur de Lys (San Francisco). Inside, the restaurant resembles an upscale sports bar with marble tables, rich wood paneling, and small TV screens at each booth. While sipping selections from the impressive beer list, patrons design a customized burger using prime patties, such as Kobe beef or buffalo, as well as fresh toppings like jalapeño bacon, black truffles, and fried egg. Diners also enjoy the make your own milkshake menu which includes a variety of liqueurs.

Bellagio Hotel and Casino

Most know the Bellagio for its public spaces—those fountains performing nightly, the Conservatory with its over-the-top revolving floral displays (don’t miss the Chinese New Year exhibit), and the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts. In 2015, Bellagio completed the $165-million-renovation of its nearly 4,000 rooms, a four-year project that culimated in the remodeling of more than 400 suites in its main tower, which overlooks the fountains.