Flip Side of Bad Times
Even during normal Las Vegas years, a downtick in tourism marks the days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.
This is anything but a normal Las Vegas year, however, thanks to the economic woes of Americans with things on their mind other than a gambling vacation.
Slow times for tourists spell good times for locals, though. And just about the only silver lining to this black cloud is that rates for rooms, entertainment and dining at valley hotels are lower than they’ve been in years — in some cases, perhaps, decades.
"There are economic pressures on Las Vegas from the national economy," says Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority spokesman Jeremy Handel. "And right now there is great value in Las Vegas.
"The hotels are providing opportunities to take advantage of some tremendous deals."
We don’t have space to print all these deals, but here’s a representative sample.
ROOMS
Bally’s: Tuesday night stay for 2 cents with purchase of a two-night stay (nights start at $59), (877) 603-4390.
Circus Circus: Third night free with the purchase of a two-night stay (nights start at $32), (866) 815-4365.
Luxor: Third night free with the purchase of a two-night stay (nights start at $65), (877) 386-4658.
MGM Grand: Third night free with the purchase of a two-night stay (nights start at $80), (800) 929-1111.
The Signature at MGM Grand: Third night free with the purchase of a two-night stay (nights start at $149), (800) 929-1111 (offer code SIG004).
Monte Carlo: Third night free with the purchase of a two-night stay (nights start at $60), (866) 919-1960.
New York-New York: Third night free with the purchase of a two-night stay (nights start at $80), (866) 815-4365.
Station Casinos: $49 on weeknights and $79 weekends (normally as high as $200) at eight of its 11 hotels (not including Fiesta Rancho, Fiesta Henderson and Wild Wild West). Included are $30 off food and beverage, $10 off bingo and four free games of bowling.
Tropicana: $39 rooms weekdays through Dec. 23 (normally $45), www.tropicanalv.com (Internet-only rate).
SHOWS
"Blue Man Group": $85 tickets for $42.50, and $120 tickets for $60 for locals, The Venetian, 414-9000 (mention code PB1 LOCALS 241).
Lance Burton, "Master Magician": $38 for $75.55 tickets for locals, Dec. 2-13 only, Monte Carlo, 730-7160.
Cirque du Soleil: $49 tickets through February for "Ka" (regularly $99 or $125) at the MGM Grand, "Mystere" (regularly $60 or $75) at Treasure Island and "Zumanity" (regularly $69 or $79) at New York-New York, 531-2000. (Callers must mention the word "local," and show a Nevada license upon pickup.)
The Improv: Two-for-one $29.05 tickets for locals, Harrah’s Las Vegas, 369-5111.
"Jubilee!": Two-for-one $70 and $90 tickets for locals, Bally’s, 967-4567.
"Legends in Concert": $25 for locals (regularly $45), Imperial Palace, 794-3261.
Nathan Burton, "Comedy Magic": $19.95 per ticket including entrance to Paradise Garden Buffet, Flamingo Las Vegas, 733-3333. (Show tickets are normally $34 or $44, the buffet normally $14.99-$21.99.)
Penn & Teller: Two-for-one $75 tickets with coupon from the R-J Neon section (the next one runs Friday), Rio, 777-7776.
"Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular": $50 off either $120 or $150 tickets for locals, The Venetian, 414-9000.
Steve Wyrick, "Real Magic": $46 for $79.95 tickets for locals, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, (box-office pickup only).
"Stomp Out Loud": Two-for-one $79 or $99 tickets for locals, Planet Hollywood, 785-5000.
"Tournament of Kings": Two-for-one $49.95 tickets for locals, Excalibur, 597-7600.
RESTAURANTS
Margaritaville: 20 percent off your check by showing your Costco card, Flamingo Las Vegas, 733-3302.
Origin India: Two-course dinner for $18 (normally $30); three-course dinner with wine $25 (normally $40), 4480 Paradise Road, 734-6342.
Woo: 25 percent off for locals, Palazzo, 414-4300.
Contact reporter Corey Levitan at clevitan@review journal.com or 702-383-0456.
