This was our third trip to Las Vegas as a family (me, my wife, and daughter). We are starting to get more familiar with the area and keep finding ways to enjoy the trip while staying on a budget.
Breakdown of costs:
Airfare (3 round trip tickets): $900
Hotel (6 nights at Tuscany, double room): $715
Car rental: $460
Food, gas, and activities: $1150
Total: about $3200
Hotel:
The Tuscany worked really well for us. Clean, easy to get around, and the rooms are large. Customer service was excellent. We also had a connection there that helped us get a good rate, which kept the total cost low.
Food highlights:
Marilyn’s Cafe: great breakfast, fast service, very affordable
Blueberry Hill: decent food, slightly more expensive, large portions
Flavortown: disappointing overall, slow service and food quality was poor
China Mama: excellent, especially the braised beef noodle soup
Giordano’s: solid deep dish pizza, very filling and a bit pricey
Activities:
Death Valley (Ubehebe Crater): incredible scenery and very comfortable weather
Hoover Dam: a lot of walking but worth visiting
Mount Charleston: short hike to Little Falls and scenic drives
Sunset Park: surprisingly good birdwatching spot
Swingers (Mandalay Bay mini golf): fun casual activity
Fremont Street: always entertaining
Final thoughts:
I was surprised at how affordable the trip ended up being. We do not drink alcohol or gamble, which helps control costs. Overall, we had a great experience and did not find Las Vegas to be overpriced or “dead” as some people suggest. It is still very possible to have a fun and affordable trip there.
0