THINGS TO DO IN LAS VEGAS WHEN YOU'RE BROKE

We’ve all been there. You fly in or drive out to Las Vegas with a bankroll and it vanishes into thin air. Slot machines. Blackjack. Poker. You name it. The big score is tough to come by and nothing is worse than being broke under the bright lights. It’s happened to me plenty of times before. But what do you do when you’re completely busto and still have a day or two to kill in Sin City before your scheduled departure?

Here are some things that I have done or recommend for anyone who has gone broke in Las Vegas and you’re stuck without anything to do. Some of these things might cost you around $10.

More after the jump…

1. Visit Red Rock Canyon National Park (Cost = $5)

If you have access to a car, Red Rock Canyon is about thirty minutes away from the strip. For a small entrance fee, you can drive around the 13 mile scenic loop. It’s a great place to take pictures of the red rock formations or if you want to go on a hike there are plenty of trails. This is directly from one of their websites: “When you enter the Conservation Area, the Toll Booth Troll on duty will give you… a map of the Loop area and the hiking trails. A brief description of each trail is given which includes the distance, hiking time, elevation change, and level of difficulty.”

2. Walk down the Las Vegas Strip (Cost = Free)

There’s the Bellagio Fountains, the Treasure Island battle, and the Mirage Volcano. Those are just some of the many attractions that you’ll encounter if you wander down the Strip. In addition, there’s also the numerous porn slappers that you can hang out with. Wander inside the Imperial Palace and catch a glimpse of the Dealertainers.

3. Fremont Street Experience (Cost = Free)

Head downtown and check out the Fremont Street Experience. It’s an outdoor pedestrian mall with an expensive light display. There are a couple of stages which host free concerts from time to time. Just beware of pick pockets. Then again, if you are totally broke, you have nothing to worry about. Also, try the fried Twinkies at Mermaids.

4. Go see a movie (Cost = $10)

Did you know there’s a movie theatre on the Las Vegas Strip? It’s near MGM Grand. There are also movie theatres in the Orleans and at local Station casinos such as Sunset Station, Green Valley Ranch, and Red Rock. Great way to kill two hours of your time.

5. Midnight Bowling at Gold Coast (Cost = $10)

The bowling alley at the Gold Coast has late night specials where you get two games, shoe rental, and a free drink. There’s also a bowling alley at The Orleans with cheap bowling late night. Avoid the bowling alley at the Rio. It’s kinda pricey. Just walk across the street to the Gold Coast.

6. Bellagio Conservatory (Cost = Free)

Stop and smell the flowers. Head over to the Bellagio Conservatory and walk around their latest seasonal display. Its a great thing to do because it’s free. You’ll often find a wedding party shooting their photos there. If you have a camera, that’s a great spot to snap a few photos.

7. Ride the Deuce (Cost = $5)

See the Las Vegas strip from your upper level seat through the panoramic windows of an ultra modern European made Deuce bus. For a five dollar bill you get a 24 hour pass and can ride all over the Vegas valley all day and all night.