Spring Break in Vegas on a Student Budget…

This spring break my boyfriend and I decided to head across the country from NY to Las Vegas. I'm a college student and he's a recent grad, so we were looking to save money where we could without sacrificing too much.

As a New Yorker, I didn't expect to be impressed by much, especially what I thought would be completely cheesy attractions and over-the-top gaudiness. We found some of that, but also saw some beautiful sights, ate some amazing food, took in a bit of theatre, and gambled without losing too much. Las Vegas is a town made for and supported by tourists, so people are friendly and looking up at big buildings and snapping photos is expected.

We did all of this on a budget by going off season, arriving Saturday instead of Friday, using coupons where we could, and taking advantage of plenty of free stuff.

Quick Tips:

JetBlue to Las Vegas was great and wound up being cheaper than any other airlines. Their fares are not listed on any of the travel sights, so book direct on their website JetBlue.com. Also, if you don't have any luggage to check, you can use their kiosk check-in system on the second floor right before security.

I would also suggest wearing comfortable shoes.

Also, ask for directions, as casinos are the only easy thing to find in this town. Hotel staffs are extremely friendly if you're looking for a specific restaurant or theatre.

Best Way To Get Around:

From the airport to your hotel, to .50 shuttles are really simple and fairly inexpensive. They also come quite frequently: just follow the signs in the airport to ground transportation/shuttles and purchase your ticket at one the booths. They'll then tell you which route/shuttle stop to wait for. The shuttle also stops at the major hotels every half-hour to return you to the airport, with no previous reservations required.

Public transportation is a lot cheaper than cabs, which cost .25 to just get in, and they also charge for being stuck in traffic (traffic is inevitable on the Strip, especially at certain times).

Once you are in Las Vegas, if you don't rent a car (like we chose not to do), you can use their bus system system, called "The Deuce," which runs all along the Strip. One ride costs dollars and a 24-hour pass, which expires 24 hours from your purchase time, costs dollars. This system of double-decker buses is extremely simple, with announcements made listing the attractions at each stop. Unfortunately, the buses get extremely crowded at certain times of day and at certain stops, and they will sometimes drive by without stopping or not let all the people on. Other times the bus is great and will come every 7 minutes, like the bus drivers claim. With the same , the buses that run throughout the rest of Las Vegas can be used. These run along most of the main roads that intersect the Strip.

A trolley that runs from hotel to hotel and costs a ride is another option, as is the tram system, which which has more limited stops.

Walking is another possibility, but the hotels are deceptively far away, as the New York Times wrote in their Las Vegas review, "Man Small: Casinos Big," so be forewarned. There are also pedestrian walkways that run over the Las Vegas Strip so tourists don't get run over.

Some walking is unavoidable, but the buses, despite being crowded at some times of the day, worked out to be a good and economically sound option.

So this isn't a luxury hotel, there are no pretensions made about that. Then again, $54 a night, a decent room, clean sheets, plenty of entertainment, and a location right along the Las Vegas strip is pretty good. There is a bus stop right outside, plenty of stuff right nearby (although you aren't in the center of the trip near the fanciest hotels) plenty of restaurants, with most that seemed to be on the less expensive side. An entire enclosed amusement park, arcade, and circus.

This place is for the budget minded and for families, the lines to check-in were long. There was a long and winding maze through not one but two casino floors, and a mini mall just to get to our room, but we spent so little time in the hotel it didn't really matter.

The rooms were comfortable and clean enough and the price was right, being next-door to Slots O'Fun with it's $1,$2, and $3 black tables was also a plus.

Oh, and the free table lessons every weekday morning were also pretty cool. The dealer giving the instructions gave good and straightforward run-down of the rules and strategy tips for craps, blackjack ,and roulette for newbies (like we were).

During our stay in Las Vegas we ate at both The Spice Market Buffet at Aladdin, and the Buffet at the Bellagio. We had Sunday champagne brunch at the Spice Market Buffet ($20.50 a person) and lunch at the Buffet at the Bellagio ($21.00). Both were excellent, although ambience and house specialities varied.

We had lunch at the Bellagio buffet on a Tuesday, the resteraunt was busy but there were no lines to get in. We avoided the $34.00 weekend dinner and $22.50 weekend brunch, which are supposedly always crowded (understandably so.)

The massive room itself is beautiful, you are provided with silver utensils and unlimited soft drinks (alcoholic drinks are extra... there is a bar inside). The crowd ranged from business people, to those dressed more casually.

The buffet is expansive and laid out very well with different stations. Almost everything I tried was amazing. Each dish could easily stand out on its own in any fine restaurant.

We began with custom tossed salads. I chose a mesclune green combination with walnuts and cranberries topped with croutons that tasted as though they were freshly baked. There was a bread and soup station with a plethora of freshly baked choices.

For my main course(s) I tried a chicken roll encased in a filo dough with spinach and feta cheese, not bad, but not a highlight. I had freshly carved prime rib with some sort of mustard sauce, the meat was medium rare and absolutely spectacular. Other freshly carved meats were offered, including turkey and ribs. Huge cocktail shrimp were available (larger than those at Aladdin—if that’s your thing) as well as seafood pastas. There were Italian specialities which were also delectable, and the most amazing pizza I have ever tried. There were lots of varieties with new types constantly being removed from the oven. The crust was thin and topped with different fresh vegetables, herbs, meats, and even seafood. Asian foods were also offered Mahi Mahi and fresh rolled sushi were among them. The choices seemed endless.

The dessert station was spectacular and outdid the desserts offered at Aladdin (although they were very good as well). Highlights included pistachio and chocolate mousse cake, unlike anything I had ever tasted in my life. It defined perfection. A delicate chocolate cake that resembled the inside of a godiva chocolate in consistency and taste, but elevated to an entirely new level also stood out. We were to full to try anything else and left extraordinarily satisfied with the food, ambiance, and service. So full in fact that it wasn't until almost 24 hours later that we had any desire to eat again. (This almost made the meal a bargain, since the $25 dollar lunch with tip, served as both our lunch and dinner).

The Bellagio buffet offered some of the best food I have ever eaten, it is well worth the money considering the quality and choices. If you only eat one fancy meal in Vegas make this it.

Amazing. This show was our entertainment splurge. We bought seats for $75 dollars the night before. These weren't the up close and personal $100 seats, but there are really no bad seats in the house, except perhaps the seats on either side of the stage with an obstructed view that run for $60 dollars. The action takes place all around you anyway, so you aren't missing much.

If you have never seen a Cirque Du Soleil show, the show is like nothing you have ever seen... in a good way. It has so much to offer that something should appeal to everyone. The acrobats are amazing, the sets are complex and technical, and the effects are borderline miraculous. The live music is mysterious and each act is filled with whimsy. The entire stage moves and changes, and there are always lots of things taking place all around you. You can hear the audience gasp as they are presented with stunts that seem physically impossible. The show also interjects comedy and a bit of silliness so as not to take itself too seriously despite its artsy persona. This is a must see. I saw La Nouba in Florida and Mystere far outdid it.

Oh, and watch out if you buy popcorn. :)

Located in the Desert Research center, about a 15-minute bus ride from the strip this nearly empty museum was a definite must see with highly interactive displays and tons of memorabilia, movies and photographs.

The museum was easy to reach, we took the bus that runs along the strip to Flamingo road and transferred to the #22 bus line which runs along it, our bus driver told us when to get out for the museum. (the same bus pass will work for the strip busses and off strip busses)

When you first enter the museum you are actually in a functioning research center, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for kids and seniors. The museum is filled with original equipment, signs, memorabilia, videos, etc... There are also volunteers who were part of original nuclear testing projects there to answer questions, although you are free to wander on your own. There is also a high tech screening room that lets you experience a nuclear blast. This modern museum is well designed, interesting and filled to the brim with interesting exhibits and artifacts. It is definitely worth the trip. It's a great way to take some time out from typical Las Vegas activities and learn something new.

As a New Yorker, and a roller coaster fan I had to see New York, New York and ride the roller coaster. This glitzy New York mock up, had a traditional casino floor, restaurants etc.. It's special attractions included "Coney Island" a large (kid friendly) arcade complete with midway games, rides, simulators and full roller coaster complete with upside-down loops running through the hotel, winding through the building as well as over the glowing strip.

The Manhattan Express roller coaster definitely beats out Circus Circus's enclosed coaster, offering a better, more exciting ride. The ride costs $12.50 but if you take the coupon books they hand out on the strip you can find discounts for this somewhat over-priced ride. Even if you can't find a coupon it might still be worth it, this ride reaches speeds up to 70 miles an hour and is supposed to be a sort of wild cab ride. The way this ride weaves through the building and over the strip is also a thrilling draw. Ride this coaster at night for the best views of the illuminated strip.

The arcade will offer hours of entertainment for kids, with tons of coin operated arcade games and rides. I was particularly fond of the 25 cent Pac-Man game. New York, New York, offers the best roller coaster on the strip and a decent arcade, if that's your thing.