Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nearby Tix 4 Tonight booth before purchasing, just so you get a gander at all the
options (as they may differ between the two companies).
SOME GENERAL RULES
Obviously, you're going to pay a lot less to see a show on Fremont Street than you
will Elton John on the Strip. But that's not really a strategy, that's more a sad fact
of life. To save on the shows you want to see:
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See the early show.
If there are two shows in one evening, the earlier one
will sometimes be cheaper.
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Pick up coupons wherever you see them.
Don't walk blindly by the folks
handing out discount coupons on the Strip—they're sometimes for good
shows! You'll likely find these glad-handers located in front of Harrah's and
the Flamingo. You can also find valuable coupons in the free tourist maga-
zines you may find in your room or at the rental-car counter, so take the time
to flip through them.
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Gamble . . . strategically.
It's no secret that Big Rollers get lots of freebies
(though one could argue they're paid for in losses). If you're planning on hit-
ting the tables or slots anyway, and there's a particular show you're just dying
to see, make the casino that houses it your home away from home. Let the
pit boss or slot host know you're there, be upfront about your goals, and you
just might find yourself front and center at Mystère. Be realistic, though: For
a top show, this strategy could take several days, and will likely work better
midweek and in the off-season. But get to know the hosts, be friendly, dress
nicely, and see what happens. At worst, this tactic will gain you access to the
VIP line to get enter the theater. You may still have to pay, but you'll spend
less time in line, and for those showrooms that don't assign seats, you'll prob-
ably bag a better view of the stage. Every so often, guests are offered free tickets
just for signing up for a casino's slot club (Harrah's has been known to give
away freebies to Mac King, and the editor of this topic got a twofer at the
Trop for the
Folies Bergeres
).
CHOOSING WHICH SHOWS TO SEE
In his stand-up routine, Louis Anderson quips that seeing a show is a great way
to save $100. Yeah, you might pay that much to see the show, but at least you
won't have tithed it to the roulette wheel. Choose the right show, though, and
you'll get more than just an hour-and-a-half-long break from losing; you'll likely
come away with a handful of great jokes to tell your friends at home, or a vision
of remarkable beauty (if you go the Cirque route or to one of the showgirl and
guy shows around town—hey it's all a matter of taste), or a renewed appreciation
of such classic Vegas performers as Wayne Newton or George Wallace, who con-
sistently blow the roof off their showrooms. Seeing a show can be one of the great-
est delights of a Vegas vacation.
That's not to say that there aren't some dogs among the pack of long-running
shows. There are, and this section will help you cull the winners from the losers
(wish I could do the same for slot machines!).
In addition, I'll give you the real costs for many of the shows—not only the
“official” price, but the prices that the half-price ticket booths have been charging
