Ten things to do during NFR, on a budget!

Ten things to do during NFR, on a budget!

By Pollie Williams, Owner Double P Tack

1) Yeah it’s is not cheap, but hey your going for the rodeo. So go to the rodeo! There are a few ways you can do this on the cheap.
a. First, there is a resale ticket booth at the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, but while your there look around because sometimes people will sale their extra tickets through the vendors.
b. Second, there is the mad dash. Ok not the greatest way and you may spend loads of time on the concourse, but better than nothing.
c. Lastly the scalpers, well there went your entire budget!
d. Oh one last thing, many hotels in Las Vegas offer ticket packages to the biggest events in Las Vegas including NFR, so prepare for next year.
2) Caesar’s Palace and the Animatronics show in the middle of the Caesar Mall. Ok so I can’t afford even a sniff of the cologne in any of the stores. But one can always dream and the animatronics show makes it all worth while.
3) The Fountains at the Bellagio. One of the biggest free spectaculars in Las Vegas. Set to music these Fountains put on a show that is hard to rival.
4) The Venetian, again not a place where I can afford to buy a whole lot but the environment is well worth the walk through on your way to the gift show at the Sands Convention Center.
5) The nightly awards show. After each performance there is an awards show for the round winners. This use to be one of the biggest draws at The Gold Coast but has moved down to the South Point.
6) Well we alluded to Cowboy Christmas in number one, but where else can you find well over 200 booths of everything cowboy and western? From trucks and trailers to Cowboy Silver (http://www.ednaharper.com) and fur coats, there is no better place to do your Christmas shopping.
7) So maybe there is a better place to do your Christmas shopping if you’re on a tight budget. Yep I found it, the outlet mall. Right across from Boot City on the South end of the Strip it’s a must see for those needing to get some shopping done on the cheap. Of course be careful, there is a store called Fry’s Electronics on the way down to the Outlet Mall, don’t let the kids know.
8) Las Vegas Fashion Mall – Fashion Mall and budget don’t seem to be the same thing you say? Well how wrong you can be. Sure we can’t afford 90% of the stuff in there but I like to buy a cheaper gift from one of the BIG name stores. So maybe I can’t afford much, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know quality names.
9) Lights and faces – Ok so lets get away from shopping for a second. Walk the strip and check out the lights and the people. Yes we’re not in New Mexico anymore I’m not sure if there is anything like it in the world. Have fun, be careful and take it all with a grain of salt and a smile.
10) Freemont Street, while this might be “old” Vegas, this sure isn’t Vegas #2. Freemont Street Experience is a spectacle that everyone should check out once. The street is pretty well closed off and the hotels are wide open. Have a bite to eat at Binnions or one of the other classics. But for the wildest ride I’d suggest being there the night before the first performance when it is party central.
Well we’re going to give you a couple of more points to ponder before we go get our bags out of storage. Shopping is at a premium during NFR, not just the places we’ve mentioned above, but you have 3 huge gift shows (Convention Center, Sands Convention Center and Mandalay Bay Convention Center) a couple of big tent sales (Sam's Town and Boot City) but just about everyone has something special during NFR. Next will come the food in our list of things to do, Philip’s favorite. From buffets to fine dining to “In ‘N Out Burgers,” Vegas has a whole lot of everything for everyone, so try it out.
Lastly a couple words of caution. Taxi Cabs in Las Vegas can be a religious gaining experience as well as VERY expensive. So yes it will be much cheaper then a DWI, but be careful. Check out the Tram’s and the Deuce bus system.