Goldenbackpacker.com

LAS VEGAS - STAY FOR LESS "$$"

LAS VEGAS, the “ CITY OF EXCESS” for over indulgence,visual effects & physical endurance as the Casino/Hotels on the 7 Mile STRIP & DOWNTOWN, never close - it's a 365 x 24 x 7 place. It can also be an expensive stay if you get carried away & GAMBLE with your money as you can easily “Lose your Shirt” but GB's Policy “Stay for Less” can be achieved when you have the “Knowledge” to find the "Freebees" - Shows, Food & Enjoyment.

ACCOMMODATION

Yes! LV has some of the most spectacular Hotels in the World, but for the individual traveller the rooms are isolated along empty, risky, corridors, so GB's place to stay is:

NO 1 – USA HOSTELS LAS VEGAS at 1322 Fremont St. (near the original DOWNTOWN Las Vegas area) tele 1 800 550 8958 – www.usahostels.com - $20 pn in 6 bunk unisex dorms (some with air/con & TV) incl. linen plus free pancake breakfast facilities. Secure front & inside key card system door control. Ground floor self-catering kitchen/ diner (micro, fridge etc) then poolroom & popular “Pops Bar”. Outside swimming pool & bbq in secure area to provide a great party atmosphere with travellers from all over the World.

Reserve – Sin City Hostel at 1208 Las Vegas Blvd. South (between Strip & Fremont St) tele 1 702 868 0222 – www.sincityhostel.com - E-mail: party@sincityhostel.com - $18 to $20 p.n. in 4 x dorms (no air con. so beware!) free breakfast. Fully equipped kitchen & laundry. Motel style Hostel inspected from Bus top only, looked ok! but a little isolated from the bright spots – report back please.

FOOD – in LV there's are a lot of tasty food inducements on the STRIP to get you into the Casinos - RIVIERA $1 Cafe with great selection of snacks & drinks but SLOTS A LOT across the road has the best "yummy" Mega Hot Dog with relish/ ketchup for only $1 & Beers, Margaritas $1. In the Casino's all the drinks are provided Free! just pretend to play the slots & call a waitress to order & wait, all you have to do is tip the girl $2 as they don't get any pay except tips. For self- caterers there are large (air con.) Supermarkets behind the STRIP but the best value is from the DOLLAR STORE ,on Charlston Street near No1 Hostel with frozen, dry, fruit & veg, & essential drinks to keep cool!

TRAVELLING AROUND – up & down the STRIP is easy with the main tourist DUO BUSSES which operate 24 hours a day for $2 a trip or a bargain $5 day pass for all busses. There is also the Monorail, whch links MGM with Sahara, covering 4miles, stopping at other Casino/Hotels for $3. The GB motto for LV is “Pace Yourself”, take it easy & plan your day with plenty of rest & drink stops. Oh! get here by Greyhound Bus from Los Angeles it takes 7 hrs, through authentic "Wild West" Country & it's the best deal.

FREE SIGHTS TO SEE

1. THE STRIP – Walk day & night, past Vast Towering Hotel/ Casinos with Spectacular Facades & Amazing Illuminations!
2. THEME HOTEL/ CASINOS – Look inside Luxor, New York NewYork, Paris, Venetian, Circus Circus for starters.
3. DAY EVENTS – Get a STRIP guide to find out whats going on & where the "Freebees"are - Riviera, mugs & t-shirts
4. CASINO'S – Run free introduction courses in the mornings to teach Card Games & explain the "House" rules
5. FREEMONT ST – Original Downtown Hotel/Casinos where it all started, see "Real" Golden Nugget & Main Street Antiques
6. PUBLIC LIBRARY – Break time Downtown in an Oasis of calm, find out about the community + free Internet
7. GUN SHOP – Something different on Fremont St., look through the barred windows & see how you could start WW3 !
8. EVENING SHOWS – the most spectacular is Treasure Islands"Pirate Show" then Mirage "Fountains" & many more.
9. WEDDING CHAPELS – Observation only, see part of the LV life cycle, call in to look but be careful not to get "Hitched"
10. NIGHTIME - FOR THE GREATEST FREE - LIGHTS, EVENTS & ACTION SHOWS IN THE WORLD - WOW!

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. STRATOSPHERE TOWER - visit 1hour before Sunset to get two amazing views, day & night
2. GRAND CANYON (See GB Page) - by Hostel Tour if you are not going there, shame to miss as you are so close!

* Pops, Emma, Owen & Elvis 2004 - Yans, Nick, Daisha, Linda, Dr Michael, Max, Ryan 2006