Vegas is a city of whales, high rollers who come into town to spend a lot of money and have a good time. But it can be a fun city for those on a budget. All you need is to know where to find good deals and how to save money.

If you are driving into Las Vegas, be sure to stop at the Visitors Center on I-15 in Jean, NV. You can find plenty of coupons, discounts and other freebies to help you save money while in Vegas. If you arent driving, you can contact the Visitors Convention at 1-800-332-5333 and they will send you the information before you travel.

One of the most expensive things about visiting Vegas is staying at a hotel. Strip hotels tend to be more expensive then those slightly off the strip just because they are in the center of the action. But, staying at one of the smaller hotels off the strip can save you a bundle. Check out the rates at a place like Hotel San Remo. What would have been viewed as a luxury hotel in the sixties and seventies, the 711 room Hotel San Remo has been overshadowed by the likes of the The Venetian and Bellagio. But, it is within reasonable walking distance from the strip and usually has much lower rates than the larger hotels. Other smaller hotels to check out include The Orleans, Stardust and The New Frontier. When you stay in Vegas is also a factor. Most hotels offer a discounts on rates if you stay during the week. Summer dates often cost more than other times of the year because people are vacationing and rates go up.

After you get unpacked in your hotel, you will probably want to get something to eat. Vegas restaurants range from very swanky to cheap, cheap, cheap. But, you will be able to find a place to eat at a reasonable rate. Theres always McDonalds and In and Out Burger, but remember, Vegas is THE home of buffets! Buffet at Bellagio is the best, but if you want to stay cheap, eat at lunch. Lunch buffet runs $15 a person, but it is worth it if you are hungry and wanting items like duck. Cheaper buffets include The Buffet at Golden Nugget and the Boardwalk. If you cannot decide what kind of cuisine you want, check out the French Market Buffet at The Orleans. It features Italian, Chinese, Mongolian, Barbecue, Seafood, Mexican and just plain old American cooking.

After youve filled your belly, you will want to play some games. Some casinos have cheaper tables and slots than others. You cannot get any cheaper than the penny slots and they can be found at the Boardwalk and Flamingo. Bigger spenders can find nickel slots at the Palms, Fitzgeralds, Barbary Coast, Excalibur, San Remo and Terribles with Palms having the loosest slots. If you want to play some cheap table games, check out the dollar blackjack, dollar craps and fifty cent roulette at Slots-A-Fun casino (next to Circus Circus).

If youve spent all your money, there are free things you can do in Vegas as well. The Bellagio has a fountain show every half hour Monday through Friday from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm until 8:00 pm. After the fountain show, you can visit the exotic plants found in the Bellagio Botantical Garden, just behind the lobby. Excalibur has a free Court Jesters Stage with such acts as magicians, jugglers and comedy. Freemont Street has a four block long canopy that displays different animated backgrounds. Background themes include Area 51 (comets, stars and other celestial beings), The Drop (colorful animals and flowers) and American Freedom (a patriotic theme). If you like tigers and lions, visit the MGM Grand Lion Habitat from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm. The Hard Rock Casino, a few blocks off the strip, is filled with rock-n-roll memorabilia that can be seen for free. The Silverton, also off the strip, has a 120,000 gallon aquarium with over 4,000 fish that can be viewed Monday through Thursday from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm, Friday from 5:00 pm until 10:30 pm, Saturday from 2:00 pm until 10:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Take in the Friday 10:30 pm show to see mermaids swimming with the fish.

As you can see, there is plenty to do in Vegas that will not break your bank. Sometimes, the most fun can simply be walking up and down the strip and seeing other people.