I will be going to Vegas in just under 2 weeks and I am looking for suggestions for the trip. We know about the strip, we will not be going to any of the big shows. We’ll be there for 2 full days plus a little more. What we are interested in are the sorts of things tourists normally miss out on. Preferably low cost or free - to save our money for the craps tables. 
Speaking of craps is our game and we are hoping to find that there are still $1 tables downtown. We are going to be staying at the Golden Nugget. So anyway, if you have any suggestions I’d love to hear them.
There are free circus acts at Circus Circus every hour, as well as a nice arcade. There is also the free laser show in the forum (also every hour)at Caesars Palace as well as the pirate ship battle in front of Treasure Island (again every hour).
I have heard the simulated ride at the Luxor is really good, though I have not gone on it. It was still being built back when I lived there as was the MGM. The jousting matches at the Excalibur are fun and inexpensive, you even get fed while watching… 
I think it is still free to visit the dolphins and the Siberian tigers at the Mirage, and there is also a gigantic shark tank in the lobby. And the fountain shows are free at the Venetian…
The buffets are large and cheap and the steak and egg breakfast at Binions is good and cheap.
All that Omra said…but the fountain shows are at the Bellagio! Gondola rides at the Venetian. 
Loved the dinner show at Excalibur! The cast picked on me (front row) for rooting for the bad guy. He was nice looking but his horse was an awesome black Belgian…so I rooted for him.
The hub and I used to go to Vegas at least twice a year- always on the lookout for something ‘other’ than the usual!
We loved tramping about the Neon Museum! If you get enough people to share the cost of a tour (at least you had to when we went) it’s a bunch of fun- bring your camera! We have a frame full of arty shots the hub took hanging in our poker room! There is also a scavenger hunt to find the restored neon pieces around Downtown!
The Atomic Testing Museum really blew us away (cheap rim shot)! Fascinating and air-conditioned!!
The Pinball Hall of Fame may end up on our list for next time- we grew up playing them! Does anyone remember a little tv movie with Brooke Shields called Tilt? lol!
And of course, there’s always the Liberace Foundation and Museum for true cheesy Vegas fun!
Whatever you decide to do- have a great time!!
Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I will share these ideas the J.
J used to go a couple times a year when he lived in LA but that was over 6 years ago. He hasn’t been back since he moved to NY. I have never been there. I’m really excited
If you can choose to visit Las Vegas in the year 2007 through some means, be sure to catch the Star Trek Experience. You can safely skip the Borg 3D show, it’s not as good as the original attraction (also present up until a few years ago).
One of my favorite authors lives near Vegas so I go there quite often. I miss the Star Trek Experience 
I feel for you it is going to be really really hot 
I think seeing dolphins at the Mirage cost money but you can see the lions for free at the MGM. Also I would check online because they feed them at certain times of the day. When we went they had baby lions which were extremely cute.
The Bellagio water fountain show is really cool but I would also go inside for the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. They change them through out the year and they are very pretty.
The volcano eruption at the Mirage is fun. Also inside they have rainforest gardens
Also check out Fremont street that is in the older part of Vegas here the street is covered with basically a big tv screen and they play music videos. Also when we went there was an artist that did paintings with stray paint and I was very entertained watching him. We bought was it is a mountain scape and it was just awesome to watch him do it. While you are there go to Binion’s and get your free picture with One Million Dollars.
I have never been but I hear there are Flamingos at the flamingo.
Check out this website: http://www.vegas4locals.com/free.html it has all the info for the free stuff.
Have fun!!
Very depressed = just found out that the Liberace museum is closed. sniffle
Being a purveyor of all things bad and cheesy. I do remember that film with her. Goes right up there with those Titans of the time Roller Boogie and Xanadu. 
If you had more time in Vegas, I would highly recommend visiting the Hoover Dam and taking the interior tour. It’s fascinating.
The Hoover Dam was on my “must” list when we were going to be there for 3 days but it had to go when it ended up being only 2. I’ll just have to go back again. J wants to take me to LA next year for a week or so and wants to maybe take time then to go back to Vegas. Will have to see if I can get a week trip into my schedule