TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

If you've blown your budget at the casino, there is still plenty of free entertainment to be enjoyed in Las Vegas.

The new Sirens Battle outside TI, formerly Treasure Island, is better than ever with sword fights, gunfire, and the sinking of the pirate galleon. Move on to the free musical fountain show outside Bellagio which begins every 15 minutes after 8pm. The best place to enjoy the fountains is from the outdoor terrace of the Fontana Bar at Bellagio.

Caesar's Palace Forum has more free entertainment with the myth of Atlantis. While you are there, visit the 50,000 gallon aquarium which includes zebra sharks and see divers feed the fish at 1.15 and 5.15pm daily.

Finish the evening being entertained by the duelling pianos at the Times Square Bar in New York, New York and vote for the best performance with loud applause!

The drastic fall in visitors to Las Vegas this year means there are some great hotel deals to be had. If you must stay on the Strip, the older hotels are the cheapest, such as the Imperial Palace or Circus Circus.

Even better value are the Casino hotels around Fremont Street. Look for internet deals for 2 or 3 night stays that offer you money-back gaming certificates which make your accommodation almost FREE!

Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas is well known for its light show after dark. Shows start on the hour from 6pm until midnight. The FREE Neon Sign Museum is here and has some historic and futuristic neon signs.

The Fashion Show Mall has Catwalk Fashion Shows all day long for fashionistas to enjoy. See what's new before heading for the shops.

Visit the City Hall in Downtown Las Vegas and ask for a leaflet on the self-guided tour of Las Vegas. You will also get a free 1959 map of the city and a copy of the 1923 city budget!

The wonderful free Botanical Gardens are an extravaganza well worth a visit, located in a 13,500 ft2 conservatory just beyond Bellagio's lobby.

Did you know that all Las Vegas gambling winnings can be taxed heavily if you are not an American? The Internal Revenue Service (also known as the IRS) will apply a 30% withholding tax at the site. Yes, that's pretty hefty. But don't worry, you can reclaim in all back.

You can get the forms you need from the casino. One will be a statement of what you won, and the other will be a blank form use to report any sort of foreign earnings, including traditional income. That's why you're taxed. Technically, your gambling winnings are considered income and you're basically paying income tax.

You fill out the second form, and include along with your regular annual income tax filing. The forms have all the instructions on them. So have no fear about losing your windfall. You just might have to wait to get a chunk of it back.

After gambling, quickie weddings are what Las Vegas is famous for. So why not take that plunge while visiting Sin City?

All you have to do is go to the County Clerk's office with ID for both parties, and the $55 license fee. No waiting period. Then you just need to find a place to get married, and there are no shortage of these in Las Vegas. There is a drive-thru chapel for people in a real hurry, and the classic Elvis impersonator wedding. Many don't even need appointments.

Just remember that even though its fast and cheap, that doesn't mean its a joke. A marriage in Las Vegas is just as legal as anywhere else in the USA.

Part of the attraction of Las Vegas is the amazing choice of Shows which are available but tickets to the top shows are not cheap.

Ticket booths along the Strip, such as Tix4Tonight, offer unsold tickets to the top shows for that night's shows, including Cirque du Soleil performances at huge discounts.

On arrival in Las Vegas, browse the local coupon book and earmark any discounted buffets or good meal deals.

Alternatively, search on the internet for "Coupons Mortons" or "Coupon PF Changs" or whatever your favorite restaurant chain is. Generally you can get some great free desserts or 2-4-1 meal offers this way.

The best months to visit Las Vegas are May, October and early November, when temperatures are pleasant and crowds are less. There should be some good deals on hotel rooms and show tickets during these months too.

The holiday weeks in Las Vegas are always busy, with higher hotel prices and almost every room is booked. Avoid Thanksgiving, Christmas, January Superbowl and March College Basketball Finals unless you actually want to join in.

From June to September daytime highs are well over 100F, so dress for the heat and cool off in the hotel swimming pool.