Vegas, baby…Vegas.

by the lovely Ms. Jennifer W.

If you’re looking to get clued in on the happenings in Vegas for your upcoming trip, and you like to party in clubs that are playing the latest 50 Cent song, or if you shop at Prada on a regular basis, read no further.

I’m going to tell you about some frugal and funky ways to spend your time in Sin City. Getting there is not cheap, but once you check in your room there are deals to be had for sure. Let me start by saying, there is something for everyone depending on what you like to do, so I suggest you buy a travel guide . The best I’ve found is Frommer’s Irreverent Guide to Vegas because it covers everything for every budget and taste. You will need to be informed on where you are going and the cheapest and easiest way to get there before you waste your whole trip spinning your weary wheels.

That leads me to Tip No. 1: Mobility. Taxi cab fares will break you—be prepared!! You may think you can walk everywhere, but your feet will be pissed at you if you don’t strategize your moves. There is a great new monorail system that will drive you down practically the entire Strip, but of course you have to pass through every hallway and by every slot machine to get to and from the street. It’s 3 bucks a ride, or $10 for an all day pass, and still beats cab fare or blistered heels.

Car rentals are a little spendy, so unless you're prepared to spend $90 a day, skip it. I’ve also driven there in my own car (4,000 miles thank you), which is by far the best way to go freedom and moneywise, but not everyone can do that conveniently. But it did supply my hubby and I with some great drunk driving pics of neon eye candy…did I say that???

Tip No. 2: Deals. Be prepared to drop some dough when you least expect it. Almost everything in Vegas — on the Strip, at least — has Disneyworld prices, so try to spread it out. But there are great deals and here are a few:

• Souvenirs are everywhere in every style, but I have found that fridge magnets, postcards and great pictures leave the most lasting memories for the value.

• Booze. There are 99 cent 16 oz. margaritas on one side of the Strip, and 2 for $2 margaritas on the other. Of course you will only find the food and drink deals at the “smaller”, older casinos that don’t cater to the American Express-hair gel & implants crowd. Look for drink deals at the Bourbon Street, Barbary Coast, The Flamingo, Imperial Palace and anywhere in the older downtown area. And, of course, as long as you are gambling, drinks are free. So sidle up to the slot machine and flag down that waitress every chance you get.

• Food. Buffets can range from $7.99 to $ 19.95 depending on place, time of day and quality. Again, it all depends on how you want to treat yourself and what’s important to you while you are there. Are you on your honeymoon or just a trip with the girls? The Circus Circus and Main Street Station buffets are under 11 bucks and plentiful, but not very tasty. Other cheapies are Fitzgerald's at $10; Fiesta Ranchero at $9; Paradise buffet at $10; and the Golden Nugget at $13.

If you want to splurge for dinner but don’t feel like waiting at Emeril’s, I have firsthand advice that MGM Grand’s buffet is exquisite for $22.95 at dinner. (We received one complimentary buffet admission upon check-in. Cool!!!) The Flamingo actually puts on a top notch buffet with as many steamed shrimp and desserts as you can eat, plus a view of their Pink Flamingo aviary. It's $17.95 for dinner, and was voted one of the Top 10 in Vegas.

• Accommodations. The question is this do you prefer to vacation in the lap of luxury by a winding lazy river pool with waiters who deliver drinks poolside, or are you more of the nostalgic “that vintage No Vacancy neon sign looks AWESOME when it reflects on the Elvis bust!!!” type?

If you want to pay for a luxury stay, take your pick because it's on every corner in every theme. This is where the Frommer's guide comes in handy to get the specifics on each hotel. I have taken that route twice, but have decided next time I will opt for the more old-school trappings like the Flamingo, which is still in the heart of the new Strip, or the Golden Nugget which is in the old strip Downtown.

Rooms on the new strip regularly run $200 a night at places like the Luxor, MGM Grand and the Bellagio. Wow-ee. Don't fret. You can find a deals on the strip. The Flamingo has 'stay and play' deals with rates starting at $75 a night. If you stick with the older hotels like the Barbary Coast, Bourbon Street and Imperial Palace, you can find rooms for about $60. And of course... the Tropicana — yes, the hotel where Elvis married Priscilla — has rooms for as little as $45, and you can basque in mid-1960s glory right on the strip.

Downtown is definitely the way to go for the frugal minded. Binion's Horseshoe has awesome, slightly retro rooms. They run a lot of discount specials on their Web site, so you can often book a room for as little as $39 a night. The Golden Nugget has rooms for $59 and up.

And, downtown has a lot of perks, like the FREE Fremont Street experience (awesome LCD light show), FREE vintage neon signs in abundance for excellent photo ops and more concentrated action in general. Play poker at the original Binion’s Horseshoe, watch pretty ladies dance at the famous Glitter Gulch, or take in a live cover band at Fitzgerald’s Hotel & Casino—you may be lucky enough to catch a FREE street party like the Mardi Gras tribute complete with zydeco bands and parade that we stumbled upon! Downtown is about a 10 minute cab ride from the “new” strip and there is no monorail, but it’s absolutely worth it.

More can't miss things to do... I have tried twice unsuccessfully to catch the volcano eruption at the Mirage and the dancing fountain show at the Bellagio, but I know it’s worth a stroll to attempt it—because they’re FREE and gorgeously romantic. Bikini Bull Riding at Gilley’s —Urban Cowboy anyone? — in the Stardust Hotel is a hoot, but don’t expect really hot chicks every time. Great kitsch factor and worth the trip for a Gilley’s T-shirt nonetheless.

The mack daddy of nightlife is the Peppermill Fireside Lounge, at 2985 S. Las Vegas Blvd. If you want to get a sexy romance vibe going, it’s full of neon on the exterior and has a Pitt Grill-styled diner in front, but stepping into the lounge is like stepping back in time. If you appreciate bubbling fire pits, pink 70’s circular couches, and hot waitresses in disco dresses,you‘ve gotta stop by. It’s open 24/7, but get there for an early evening if you want to sit around the firepit—it’s often voted “Best Makeout” destination in the city.

The Double Down Saloon rocks for the goth/rocker/I-ain’t-skeered-of anybody patron and the juke box kicks ass. They have Ween on it for chrissakes! Look ‘em up on the Web for weekly event. The Dispensary Lounge has an old-school vibe and a kooky waterwheel to boot.

During the day, check out the Liberace Museum. Off the beaten path, but well worth the $12 admission (that’s cheap by Vegas standards!). It’s full of blue hairs, but there’s a super creepy tour guide that continually refers to the deceased piano god by his common name of "Lee." All the people that work there were actually Liberace's friends. I’m telling ya, it’s got a really yummy funeral home vibe that is truly unique.

One place I always wanted to visit was Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory and Cactus Gardens, but have yet to make it. ‘M’ stands for Mars as in the candy entity, and Ethel was the mama. It’s a small ways out of town, but how can you beat the combination of succulents and aphrodisiacs???

Soooo…bring good camera, good walking shoes, and some dough—but spread it out! I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but that leaves more to discover the next time, right?