I didn’t gamble a dime on my trip to Las Vegas, and yet it was one of the best stops that I made on a recent cross country road trip from Maine to California. As a female traveling alone I was a little unsure about exactly what to do in the city by myself and if I could get by on a budget. It ended up being an unforgettable, totally affordable couple of days on my 11,000 mile journey around the country.

 

Traveling during the shoulder season meant extremely reasonable hotel rates. A two night stay on the strip cost less than $100 total. I’m not much for gambling, so I knew I needed to find other things to do in Vegas. It is possible to spend time in Las Vegas and never once double down, ante up, or spin a wheel.

 

There are plenty of things to do in Vegas, even if you're not a gambler.
There are plenty of things to do in Vegas, even if you’re not a gambler.

I felt safe during the day walking around, and I always felt like I could find my way back to where I needed to be. I began my exploration by seeing what the strip was all about. The architecture all around me was breathtaking. I could really appreciate the unique hotels and buildings that surrounded me. There seemed to be these beautiful attractions everywhere, like the Fountains of the Bellagio. It was intimate and absolutely stunning at night.

 

The Freemont Street experience provides a mixture of vintage Las Vegas with the ever-changing, high tech innovations we see today. The Viva Vision canopy light show is worth checking out. It’s a free experience that locals and tourists alike seem to love.

 

Food trucks are always an affordable, quick way to try some of the local eats. In Maine, the law makes it difficult for food trucks to run, but it was exciting to see Vegas with a variety. I ended up at the Roamin’ Dough. I found myself wanting to try one of everything on the menu, but with the help of the lovely ladies working the truck, I was navigated to the dates wrapped in bacon; a full flavored treat that was quite tasty.

 

As someone that was searching for much more than the risk of losing the money I needed for my travels, it was evident that there is so much more to life in Vegas than what you see and hear about on the strip. When driving up into the city, it was completely breathtaking. For miles and miles there is nothing around but desert, and when you suddenly pull up into a giant city of lights and magic, you know that you are in for a treat. Las Vegas is the perfect place for thrill seekers and relaxers alike. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, you won’t be disappointed in your options.