Las Vegas began as a railroad stop in 1905 and reinvented itself again and again—from mob-run casinos to megaresorts and cutting-edge art hubs. Today the city is a kaleidoscope: classic neon, immersive art, live music, and street food alongside world-class shows.

Beyond the gaming floors, Vegas shines with free attractions and affordable eats. Stroll the Bellagio Conservatory, find hidden pizza, and hop between downtown stages where live bands perform with no cover. You can sip a $3 beer at a beloved dive one minute and wander an otherworldly grocery store the next.

Practical notes: carry a government ID for bars and casinos, hydrate in the desert air, and use transit passes or the Deuce bus to keep costs low. Many bars have no cover; clubs often do—so we’ll focus on nightlife that stays friendly to your wallet while still being uniquely Vegas.

Las Vegas

Welcome to the Entertainment Capital of the World, where vintage neon meets immersive art and late-night eats. In three days, you’ll hit iconic views, mind-bending exhibits, and the lively Fremont Street scene—without draining your bankroll.

• Top sights: High Roller at The LINQ, Fremont Street Experience, The Neon Museum, Bellagio Conservatory, Flamingo Wildlife Habitat.
• Unique experiences: Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart at AREA15, Pinball Hall of Fame, Arts District murals and indie bars.
• Budget bites: Tacos El Gordo, Pizza Rock, Ellis Island BBQ, Secret Pizza (Cosmopolitan), In-N-Out on the LINQ Promenade.
• No-cover nightlife: Stage Door Casino, Gold Spike (most nights), ReBar, Velveteen Rabbit (often), Millennium Fandom Bar, Circa’s Mega Bar, Whiskey Licker Up (Binion’s).

Where to stay (budget-forward):

• Centrally located and often deal-friendly: The LINQ Hotel + Experience.
• Classic value with big rooms: Circus Circus Hotel & Casino.
• Upscale comfort if you snag a sale: The Venetian Resort or Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
• Search more deals: Hotels.com: Las Vegas or apartment-style stays via VRBO: Las Vegas.

Getting there: Fly into Harry Reid International (LAS). From the West Coast, flights are ~1–1.5 hours; Midwest ~3 hours; East Coast ~4.5–5.5 hours. Typical roundtrip sale fares can range from ~$80–$250 depending on dates and airlines.

• Compare flights on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights).

Getting around: Use the Deuce bus along the Strip and to Downtown (24-hour and 3-day passes are budget-friendly). Rideshares fill gaps late-night. Walking is doable in zones; wear comfortable shoes and expect distances between resorts.

Day 1: Arrival, Free Strip Icons, and Sunset Views

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs with free classics: the Bellagio Conservatory’s seasonal displays and the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat (both free). Grab a quick, affordable bite at Secret Pizza (thin-crust NY slices) inside the Cosmopolitan or In-N-Out at the LINQ Promenade for burgers and animal-style fries.

Evening: Catch sunset on the High Roller for a 360-degree panorama of the Strip. Book here:
High Roller Wheel Admission Ticket at The LINQ

Night: Keep it budget and lively with no-cover bars nearby. Start at O’Sheas in the LINQ Casino (beer pong tables, Irish pub vibes). Then pop into Stage Door Casino (behind Horseshoe)—a beloved dive with cheap beers and hot dog specials. If you want music without a cover, try the Peppermill’s Fireside Lounge for throwback ambiance; then circle back for the Bellagio Fountains (free, nightly).

Late-night eats: Ellis Island BBQ (off-Strip, walkable from Horseshoe) serves wallet-friendly ribs and the famous steak special in a casual setting.

Day 2: AREA15 Immersion, Arts District, and Fremont Nightlife

Morning: Coffee at Vesta Coffee Roasters or Makers & Finders in the Arts District. Wander street murals and vintage shops, then play a few rounds at the Pinball Hall of Fame (a nonprofit museum; most machines just a few quarters). Lunch on the go: Tacos El Gordo for adobada tacos carved off the trompo.

Afternoon: Dive into an alternate universe at Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart in AREA15—part art maze, part surreal supermarket, wholly unforgettable. Your ticket also covers entry to the complex during peak hours.
Meow Wolf's Omega Mart at AREA15

Afterward, peek at Oddwood bar’s glowing digital tree (enter earlier to avoid any late-night cover at the complex).

Evening: Head to Downtown. Time your visit to The Neon Museum at golden hour for glowing photo ops and Vegas history told through rescued signs.
Admission to The Neon Museum in Las Vegas

Night: Eat in Downtown where portions are big and prices fair: Pizza Rock (award-winning pies; grab a slice at the bar), Le Thai (spicy noodles and waterfall beef), or cheap tacos at Letty’s. Then barhop no-cover spots: Gold Spike’s Backyard (giant Jenga and DJ sets most nights, usually no cover), ReBar (quirky thrift-store bar; items are literally for sale), and Millennium Fandom Bar (themed nights and film scores on weekends, typically no cover). Wander the Fremont Street Experience for free live music and the overhead light show at the top of each hour.

Optional nightlife upgrade (still no cover at clubs): Consider a VIP party bus crawl that includes express entry and covers to partnered venues—handy if you want a taste of the club scene without extra door fees. It’s a splurge compared to barhopping, but it can save money versus multiple individual covers:
Las Vegas Party Bus Club Crawl

Day 3: Vintage Vibes, Views, and Departure

Morning: Breakfast at PublicUs (Downtown) for artisan coffee and hearty toasts or at The Front Yard at Ellis Island for affordable morning plates. Snap a photo at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign early to avoid lines. If you want one more immersive fix on a budget, consider FlyOver’s seated flight ride deal-of-the-day or pop into the free Bellagio Gallery lobby art displays when available.

Afternoon (before departure): Fit in one last viewpoint: the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck often has shorter lines midday and affords sweeping Strip panoramas.
Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck Admission Ticket at Paris Las Vegas

Grab a final bite: Dirt Dog (street-style hot dogs) or Shang Artisan Noodle (hand-pulled noodles; low-cost, high-reward) if you’re passing by.

Departure: If you prefer a prebooked ride to or from the airport, you can arrange a private transfer:
LAS Airport to Strip/Downtown Private Transfer

Budget Tips That Stretch Every Dollar

• Use weekday flight deals via Trip.com or Kiwi.com; travel Tue–Thu to save.
• Stack free sights: Bellagio Conservatory, Flamingo Habitat, Fremont Street live music, and Sphere’s exterior LED shows from the sidewalk.
• Ride the Deuce bus (24-hour/3-day passes are affordable), carry a refillable bottle, and target happy hours for discounted bites and drinks.
• No-cover bars change policies for special events—check the door before ordering. Dive bars and casino bars on and around the Strip/Downtown are your best bet for free entry and cheap pours.

Approximate ticket pricing (to help plan): High Roller ~$25–$40 (day/night); Omega Mart ~$49–$59; Neon Museum general admission ~$20–$25; Eiffel Tower Deck ~$25–$35; Party Bus Crawl ~$59–$99 (includes club entries).

In three days, you’ll experience Las Vegas from multiple angles: free neon nostalgia, envelope-pushing art, sweeping skyline views, and lively, no-cover nights. With smart transit, cheap eats, and targeted splurges, this trip keeps the fun high and the costs low.