There are many who call Las Vegas "sin city," but Anthony Curtis has another name for it: "bargain city."
For more than two decades, Curtis has been seeking out values in the Nevada city of gambling, glitter, and glamour, and he has found some that are impressive indeed. He proved that last month by taking me and a few other writers for a ride during the annual convention of the Society of American Travel Writers. Before the afternoon was over, I had dined on steak and shrimp, had my photo taken with Elvis, and seen a show filled with magic and hilarity.
Here's how it went:
First stop: $4.95 steak dinner. Curtis, who publishes a monthly newsletter about deals and events called the Las Vegas Advisor, says the big bargains aren't going to be in the glossy new casinos such as Bellagio and Wynn Las Vegas, which have added an upscale layer to the city in recent years. To get great deals, you sometimes have to go off the Strip. Case in point: the Ellis Island Casino and Brewery on Koval Lane, behind Bally's. At the restaurant in this clean and cozy casino, a steak dinner with potato and vegetable goes for $4.95 -- but you have to ask for it because it is not on the menu. The quality was excellent.
Second stop: a free photo. The Imperial Palace, right on the Strip, snaps souvenir pictures at the photo area in front of the casino from noon-8 p.m. daily. If the casino's Elvis impersonator is in the building, he may even pose with you. By the time you walk to the slot club booth at the back of the Imperial, your photo will be there. (This is just one of many ways casinos get you into the gambling area.)
Third stop: magic and comedy. For the price of a cocktail ($8), you can enjoy the Mac King Comedy Magic Show at Harrah's Las Vegas on the Strip Tuesday-Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. The trick is to get a coupon, handed out at the adjacent Carnaval Court, about an hour before the show; otherwise the admission is about $22. The show is worth seeing. Despite his plaid suit and aw-shucks manner, King is no rube. The jokes came as fast as the tricks, and both were top-notch.
Fourth stop: a 99-cent shrimp cocktail. We were off to downtown and the nicely renovated Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, which originally opened in 1906. One of its claims to fame is the 99-cent shrimp cocktail served in a sundae glass and filled with ocean shrimp and cocktail sauce. (A cocktail with bigger shrimp is available for $2.99.) This was a tasty way to end the excursion, which cost a grand total of $13.93 a person. Of course, there are tips and taxes, and you'd probably want a beverage with your steak, but this was definitely a day for deals.
Like most people, Curtis gets a buzz out of a bargain, and he lists his Top Ten Values at www.lasvegasadvisor.com. A full membership to the Las Vegas Advisor is $50 and includes 12 issues of his monthly newsletter, a book with discount coupons, and access to special online features. A sample copy of the newsletter is $5. Details are available on the website or by calling 800-244-2224.
Those are some of Curtis's recommendations. I have favorites of my own, and all are free:
The Sirens of TI. This is a spectacular and somewhat racy battle of beauteous belles and nasty pirates in Sirens Cove, outside Treasure Island, on the Strip. Shows are nightly at 7, 8:30, 10, and 11:30. Arrive early or all you will see are the spectators in front of you (Treasure Island guests, however, have a VIP viewing area).
Visit www.treasureisland.com.
The fountains of Bellagio. Classical and whimsical music mix while light plays across the fountains as they rise and fall and delight. Showtimes are Monday-Friday, every half hour 3-8 p.m. and every 15 minutes 8 p.m.-midnight; Saturday and Sunday, every half hour noon-8 p.m. and every 15 minutes 8-midnight.
Visit www.bellagio.com.
The cars of the Imperial Palace. Fans of old-time autos can while away many a minute viewing this collection of more than 250 antique, classic, muscle, and special-interest vehicles. Theoretically, there is a $6.95 charge to see the collection, but free-admission coupons are widely available or you can print your own at www.imperialpalace.com/autos.php.
The lights of Fremont Street. Downtown Las Vegas, especially Fremont Street, has its own kind of charm, and should be visited at least once during a Vegas vacation. One highlight is the Fremont Street Experience Light and Sound Show, a high-tech canopy 90 feet overhead that plays nightly, with different shows on the hour, 7-midnight. You'll be dazzled all right.
Visit www.vegasexperience.com.
The performers of Circus Circus. Nearly everybody loves a circus, and this casino on the Strip has live acts going every half hour 11 a.m.-midnight. Circus Circus bills its performance area as the world's largest permanent circus.
Visit www.circuscircus.com.
Want even more freebies? Visit www.vegas.com/attractions/freeattractions.html for a list. But let me add that while freebies and cheapies are fun, sometimes it's nice to splurge, too. Tickets to Cirque du Soleil's ''O" at Bellagio start at nearly $100 and you'll spend at least $65 to see ''Jubilee" at Bally's, but most of those who have seen stunning shows like these consider the admission money well spent. (Of course, if you spend too much time at the tables and slots, you may not have much left to spend, well or otherwise.)
Vegas websites In addition to the casinos' own websites, you may find these handy: www.vegas.com for booking and tips; www.vegashotspots.com for nightlife; www.vegasfreedom.com, the Convention and Visitors Authority site, which has information and special offers; the Web's big three, Orbitz.com, Expedia.com, and Travelocity.com, which all devote plenty of space to Vegas deals such as $39 hotel rooms; and Site59 (www.site59.com), which offers last-minute deals. Don't forget travel agencies, which often have good packages, too. In fact, sometimes it seems difficult not to get a good price on a Vegas trip.
The monorail The Las Vegas Monorail rides up and down the Strip, so $3 each way (4 miles) or $10 for a one-day pass doesn't seem too costly. But be advised that you may have to do a lot of walking, often through a hotel casino, just to reach the monorail. (Another clever way to get you into the gambling areas.) Daily 7 a.m.-2 a.m.
Visit www.lvmonorail.com.
When not included, hotel taxes, airport fees, and port charges can add significantly to the price of a trip. Most prices quoted are for double occupancy; solo travelers will usually pay more. Offers are subject to availability and there may be blackout dates. Richard P. Carpenter can be reached at carpenter@globe.com.
