Drink plenty of water...
This is the desert, after all, and it’s very easy to get dehydrated here. I always bring a bottle with me wherever I go. If you don’t want to spend $2-4/bottle at hotel sundry stores, you can buy cheaper water at the ABC stores in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, at the Fashion Show Mall, and on Fremont Street; or at Walgreens on the Strip; or you can buy cold water for $1 from street hawkers on the overhead walkways. (It’s perfectly safe, I do it all the time.)

Upscale spas...
Nearly every resort in Las Vegas has a luxurious spa. Do take advantage of them. You don’t have to be staying at a hotel to use services at its spa. Some of the more upscale spas include Qua at Caesars Palace, Canyon Ranch at the Venetian and Palazzo, the Spa at Bellagio, and the Bathhouse Spa at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. Be forewarned: prices for spa treatments in Las Vegas may be higher than your home town. But the spas are probably a lot nicer than your hometown, too.

Everyone loves a good show...
No trip to Las Vegas would be complete without seeing a show. Luckily, there are shows to fit every budget, as well as a variety of entertainment for all tastes: You can catch a headliner act, a concert, several different Cirque du Soleil shows, Broadway acts such as Phantom of the Opera and the Lion King, magicians, comedians, and more. If there’s a show you really want to see, book your ticket in advance. If you don’t mind playing it by ear, you can get same-day discounts at the Tix4Tonight booth, which has 10 locations on the Strip and Downtown. (They don’t always have tickets for the top-tier shows, though.)

Shop, shop, shop...
Ladies, if you love to shop, you are going to love Las Vegas! High end retail stores abound on the Strip, such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, and more. You can spend many hours (and much money!) at Caesar’s Forum Shops, the Fashion Show Mall, the Venetian Canal Shoppes, and the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood alone. The Las Vegas Premium Outlets (150 outlet stores) are available via the Gold Line bus from the Strip. For inexpensive souvenir shopping, I recommend the Showcase Mall on the south end of the Strip next to MGM Grand; the Bonanza Gift Shop on the north end of the Strip; or Fremont Street.

Pools are outside...
Most Vegas hotel pools are located outside, not inside. If your idea of a vacation involves pool time, you might want to avoid the winter months. Also, not all Vegas pools are created equal. Some of the best pools in town (the Flamingo, the Mirage) can also be the most crowded, requiring you to get in line an hour before opening just to get a lounge chair. For party pools, head to Rehab at the Hard Rock or Wet Republic at MGM Grand. If you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxing pool experience, go to one of the upscale hotels (Bellagio, Palazzo/Venetian, or Wynn/Encore) or to a hotel whose pool tends to fly under the radar (Paris, Ballys). If you’re looking for a good pool Downtown on Fremont Street, go with the Golden Nugget.

Lots of money saving coupons...
Solos are mostly out of luck when it comes to using coupons to save money in Vegas, since most coupons are two-for-ones. But if you’re traveling with a girlfriend (or a few), do take advantage of them. You can find them in the in-room magazines and coupon books you will see all over town, including the back seat of cabs. Even solo, though, you will see lots of happy hour and meal deals all over town that you can take advantage of.

It pays to be a woman in Las Vegas...
You will generally be allowed into adult pools for free, while men will have to pay. You stand a better chance of getting into the nightclub of your choice than your male counterpart. And there are ladies-only specials you can take advantage of, including happy hours. For instance, on Tuesdays, the Las Vegas Hilton offers 50% off spa services from noon to 6pm, and ladies drink free inside the Tempo Lounge from 6pm to 9pm.

Catch a free show...
There are a number of free and not-so-free attractions on and off the Strip. If you only have time to do one, let it be the Bellagio Fountain Show. The Bellagio, inspired by the Bellagio resort on Lake Como in Italy, has a man-made lake out front where you can watch fountains that are choreographed to music. There is nothing quite like standing on the Strip at night, listening to Andrea Boccelli and Sarah Brightman singing “Con Te Partiro” and watching the water jets swaying to the music and soaring several stories in the air. Best of all, it’s free.

Free drinks in the casinos...
Yes, it’s true: You can get free drinks while gambling in the casinos! Cocktail waitresses will come around asking if people want cocktails. Just get their attention and order what you want. Even though the drinks are free, do be sure to tip the waitress when she brings you your drink. $1-2 per drink is fine.

BONUS - Botanical Gardens change with seasons...

If you want more than gambling while in Las Vegas, Nevada, head to the Bellagio Casino. Their 13,000 plus square foot Conservatory and Botanical Gardens changes with the seasons and is an absolute pleasure to behold. Specially designed lighting spotlights every flower to accentuate its best features. To ensure that the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens maintain magnificence 365 days a year, 140 expert horticulturists theatrically arrange gazebos, bridges, ponds, and water features uniquely for each season. For example Fall brings a water wheel cider mill, an apple tree that winks at you, wood sprites, huge scarecrow, and so much more. Enjoy it everybody!
(Wendy, Sergeant Bluff, USA)