Birthday Deals and Freebies in Las Vegas

I am spending my birthday in Vegas and I am wondering if there are any deals of freebies?  This is a common question for Vegas travelers. We have a list of current birthday deals and freebies in Las Vegas. Many of them entail you signing up for membership cards, an email list or online newsletter. If you follow our guide you should be able to get yourself a few specials and birthday freebies.

Updated June 2023

Shameless Self Promotion

There is not shame in self promotion. Tell everyone it’s your birthday and see if they offer any special deals or freebies available. Let people know you are in Vegas to celebrate your special day.

  • When making your hotel reservation make sure they put a birthday note on your reservation and mention it upon check in. They may give you an upgrade when making the reservation or when checking in. For example, we were given a room on the 53rd floor with a strip view at the Aria.
  • Mention it to your bartender, waitress or hostess. You may just get a free drink, entree or dinner.

Birthday specials and freebies in Las Vegas

Sign Up For Players Club Cards

Sign up for players club cards and their email lists. They will email you promotions for your birthday. It may something as small as a free drink or it could be freeplay credit. Last year I was given $10 free play plus a bonus of $30 for any stay during my birthday month. If you don’t get a special via email I would still go to the players club ask if there are any promotions or freebies.

Sign Up For Email List or Fan Clubs for Restaurants

Many restaurants will give you a 2-1 coupon or freebie on your birthday simply for signing up for their email list or fan club. If they ask you for your date of birth when signing up you will more than likely get a freebie.

  • Hash House a Go Go offers a 2-1 Dinner Free Dessert Coupon for joining their Facebook Club. Coupon has an expiration date.
  • Holsteins sent me a free alcohol shake for joining their Club (halfway down the page).
  • Grimaldi’s Pizzeria offers a free pizza on your birthday. I just signed up so I cannot confirm what they offer as of yet. They also offer a $5 off coupon but it expires within a month of signing up.
  • Hexx sent a coupon for a 1/2 price signature drink or free appetizer with entree purchase.
  • Lettuce Entertain You puts $15 in your account every year for your birthday that does not expire and is good at several Las Vegas restaurants.
  • Margaritaville sends you a birthday coupon when you sign up for their “Fins Up” club. The coupon is $10 off $30
  • Bin702 located in the Container Park will offer a free drink during the week of your birthday. Go to website and a box should open allowing you to sign up for club with your birthday information.
  • BOGO free entrée at Magnolias restaurant at Four Queens in the month of your birth.
  • BOGO free entrée at Binions Cafe in the month of your birth.
  •  50% off a zodiac cocktail at Venetian/Palazzo
  • Free Shot at Nacho Daddy’s.
  • Cheesecake Factory free dessert on you birthday.
  • Yard House free mini dessert on your birthday,

These are just a few examples of freebies you can get in Vegas from joining restaurant clubs or email lists. If you plan on going to a restaurant check their website for a list and join it. If not mention to your server that it is your birthday and see if they give you something.

Vegas Specific Birthday Freebies

These are the Vegas specific freebies that have been reported on various websites, chat boards and forums. I can’t speak for the validity of them so please report any that are not active.

  • The Eiffel Tower at Paris is free on the day of your birthday.
  • Excalibur offers $20 Free Play through the week before and after your birthday.
  • Luxor offers a free spin $5 – $100 within a week of your birthday. Reports of offering $10 loaded onto players card so no more spin.
  • Park MGM offers $25 Free Play.
  • Ellis Island offers $10 Free Play on the day of birthday.
  • Sahara offers Free Play and possible other food discounts during birthday month. Also $10 FP for new sign ups.
  • Four Queens gives a two-for-one dinner voucher for Magnolia’s during your birthday month.
  • Orleans earn 1 point and swipe for prizes at kiosk booth.
  • Wynn: $10 Free Play within 48 hours of b-day (not sure if still active).
  • The Plaza has a number of bday offers including discount rooms.
  • Both Wynn and MGM are sending emails for FreePlay during birthday month but it might be tied to Tier Status

Cypress Pool at Bellagio Review

This summer we had the opportunity to spend three days at the Cypress Pool at the Bellagio. The Cypress Pool is the private adult pool at the Bellagio. The area is roped off from the rest of the pool area and seats are reserved. If you are looking for an intimate adult pool experience at The Bellagio in Las Vegas this is a must.

Cypress Pool at Bellagio Review

The Cypress Pool at the Bellagio in Las Vegas is the only adults only pool on the property. It is located on the left side as you enter the pool area. Between the large pool and the bathroom and bar area. The area is roped off from the other pools and the staff are very proactive on escorting people out of they have not paid. It is a very relaxed vibe with most people just sunning and taking their swims.

The pool itself isn’t massive by any means but just comfortable enough for the amount of chairs they offer for sale. The photo below shows the Cypress Pool area so it gives you an idea of the number of chairs relative to the size of the pool. There are a number of other pools exactly like this but they are open to the public.

Cypress Pool at Bellagio Review

Benefits of the Cypress Pool at The Bellagio

  • Dedicated staff that attend to you every need such as food and drink orders, moving your shade umbrella or providing towels. They really go the extra mile to make sure you are looked after.
  • A dedicated chair for the day. The first day I lined up about a half an hour early so we could pick our chair out. As we had reservations for several days they automatically saved our chairs for us over the three days. We didn’t have to line up early each day. This was a change from The Mirage Oasis Pool which did not save them each day.
  • Flavoured water and small snacks during the day. Snacks were nothing major but they brought little fresh fruit and ice cream snacks.
  • Located close to the washrooms and bar area.
  • No kids.
  • Proactive on keeping people out that did not reserve a chair. It’s funny to watch people jump over a rope and set up camp only to be escorted out.
  • Very laid back vibe.

Price to Reserve Chairs

This may be the only thing that we have to complain about and that is the cost. The price of chairs are over $100 a day per chair. They are also subject to Surge Pricing depending on availability. The price of chairs kept increasing as we were deciding to reserve them a month out from our trip. After we arrived there many empty chairs and people booked theirs for much less than us or they reserved later in the day for a much reduced price. That’s Vegas for you.

We can’t say enough about the Cypress Pool at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. After spending a luxurious pampered day at this pool you wont want to go back to the regular. The regular pools look like a scene from Caddy Shack after spending a day at The Cypress Pool. See our Las Vegas Swimming Pools Guide for more information on Vegas Pools.

Las Vegas Strip Flooding Aug. 23rd, 2023

This is the video that of the Las Vegas Strip flooding on our recent trip. The massive storms that were expected never materialized on this trip until this moment. We left Crystals/Aria and it started to rain. We went into the Cosmo for a very quick drink and came out to what you see in the video.

This is taken from the walkway into the Bellagio from The Strip on the Cosmo side of the property. The walkway into the Bellagio was also flooded and the crews were pushing the water away as we took this video.

Many people have asked if this caused the temperature to drop or if the rain caused humidity. The temperature did not noticeably drop, nothing more than your normal rainstorm. The rain did however cause a rise in humidity which is something you just don’t get in Las Vegas.

Binion’s Million Dollar Display Coming Back

A staple display on Fremont Street is coming back. Binion’s famous Million Dollar Display is opening again for photo opportunities.  The famous display was taken down during the pandemic but it back up with lots of bells and whistles.

Binion’s Million Dollar Display

Binion’s Million Dollar Display dates back to 1954. The original display was in the shape of a horseshoe and held one hundred $10,000 bills. The million dollar display was then change to form the shape of a pyramid and was placed on a poker table. Visitors to Binion’s could take their photo with the stack of cash. We had ours taken back in 2014.

The upgraded Binion’s Million Dollar Display consists of 42,000 in $1 bills, $688,000 in $20 bills and $270,000 in $100 bills totaling exactly $1,000,000.  Upgrades include an automatic photo machine that can send your photo to your email address or phone. The display also has a Fremont St background for photos and a tv that shows the history of the display itself.

You can read more on their website: Binion’s

Million Dollar Baby
The above photo is from the old display. We will try to get a good photo on our upcoming trip to Vegas.

MGM Casino’s Update Photo and Video Policy

MGM Casino’s have now implemented a new photo and video policy. This policy essentially allows guests to take photos and small videos of their own casino gaming play as long as it’s for personal use. There are stipulations in place that would be considered YouTubers or using the data for more commercial purposes.

It’s no surprise that the move is to entice the younger crowd of casino visitors that can’t tie up their shoes without documenting it with a smart phone. In all seriousness we have been taking photos and videos or our play for years and never been told different in any casino we have been in. Interesting move.

MGM Casino’s  Photo and Video Policy

The  new policy can be summed up in these points:

  • Guests playing a slot machine may take photos and short video clips of their own slot play with their own personal devices. The photos and videos must be for the guest’s personal use only. Prior approval is required for live streaming and long videos of slot play.
  • At the discretion of table games staff, guests playing at a table game may take photos and short video clips of their own hands with their personal devices. The photos must be for the guest’s personal use only. Prior approval is required for live streaming and long videos of table games play.
  • At the discretion of poker staff, guests playing at a poker table may only take photos of their own play with their own personal devices. The photos must be for the guest’s personal use only. All video recordings, regardless of length, require prior approval. Live streaming is never allowed in the poker room.
  • Guests who are recording for the purpose of distribution, such as vloggers, streamers, and YouTubers, as well as any guests wanting to use equipment like external lights or tripods, always require prior approval before recording anywhere within the casino. Guests interested in getting approval to shoot can contact MGM at gamingstreaming@mgmresorts.com

 

 

Free Parking in Vegas

There is still plenty of free parking in Vegas. Not all are convenient or located right on the Las Vegas Strip but it’s easy to get to the The Strip from practically anywhere in Vegas. Besides outright free parking some resorts or casinos offer free parking for being members of their players club. This usually entails hitting their second tier which really doesn’t take much to achieve. We will discuss the free parking locations in Vegas and then talk about how you can achieve free parking through players rewards.

Free Parking in Vegas

The Strip

  • Wynn Las Vegas and Encore
  • Treasure Island Hotel & Casino
  • Venetian/Palazzo Hotel & Casino
  • Tropicana Hotel & Casino – may charge for parking when there are events at T-Mobile.
  • The Shops at Crystals – valet parking during business hours and no overnight parking allowed.
  • Fashion Show Mall – only during business hours and no overnight parking allowed.

Northern Strip

  • The Strat Hotel & Casino
  • Sahara Las Vegas
  • Circus Circus
  • Resorts World

Off Strip

  • Oyo Hotel & Casino

Free Parking at MGM Resorts and Casinos

There are two ways to achieve free parking at MGM Resorts and Casinos in Las Vegas. Both ways involve reaching Pearl Status with their players club program. Pearl is the second tier of the MGM Rewards Program. Pearl is relatively easy to acquire through either spending or gambling and once achieved is good the year it was achieved and the following year. Pearl Status can also be achieved by getting the MGM Rewards Mastercard. The MGM Rewards Mastercard is a “no fee” credit card which automatically gives you Pearl Status.

Free Parking at Caesars Resorts and Casinos

Much like MGM, free parking at Caesars Resorts entails reaching status in their players club program. Free parking is available to those that reach Platinum Status. Platinum Status can be achieved through either gambling or spending or by getting the Caesars Rewards Visa card. The Caesars Rewards Visa card is also a no fee credit card.

las vegas parking

Parking for Locals

Sadly free parking for Nevada Residents on The Strip is a thing of the past. At time of writing this Caesars Resorts (excluding Planet Hollywood) offers 3 hours free parking for locals but this seems to be a promotion that isn’t always active.

Fremont Street and Downtown

If you are staying or visiting Fremont Street you may be able to get free parking in a couple of ways. Many casinos downtown offer free parking for guests. Others will also waive parking fees by getting your slip validated for eating or gambling at their premises. This may not apply when there are events on. It’s best to contact the hotel you are staying at or visiting for more information.

Las Vegas is ever changing. We try to keep our lists updated as best as possible. Please see our other Las Vegas Guides to help you make your next trip a great one.

Vintage Vegas Photos

Enjoy this collection of vintage Vegas photos. It doesn’t take long for Las Vegas to change.  The Las Vegas strip is always changing with new bars, restaurants and resort casinos. Thankfully we can look back at old school Las Vegas through nostalgic vintage photos.

Vintage Vegas Photos

Vintage Vegas Photos

Vintage vegas

 

Las Vegas Bellagio Fountains Schedule and Music Listing

The Bellagio Fountains are one the most popular and iconic attractions in Las Vegas. The Fountain show is a combination of music, lights and water which dazzles thousands of spectators every day. The 8.5 acre lake that sits at the front of the Bellagio Resort features 1,200 sprayers that shoot water up to 460 ft in the air. The Fountains can be quite busy during the evening shows and less busier during the day. Even a day show is recommended to see.

Las Vegas Bellagio Fountains Schedule and Music Listing
View from atop the Eiffel Tower at The Paris

Las Vegas Bellagio Fountains Schedule

Monday – Friday

Fountain display is every 30 minutes from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Fountain display is every 15 minutes from 7:00 PM to midnight

Saturday, Sunday & Holidays

Fountain display is every 30 minutes from noon to 7:00 PM
Fountain display is every 15 minutes from 7:00 PM to midnight

The schedule is subject to change. On our last trip we took the video below around noon or even earlier. The official Bellagio Fountains website will have the most up to date schedule.

Las Vegas Bellagio Fountains Songs Playlist

The Bellagio Fountains Songs Playlist features a large number of songs. The list below may not be a complete list and songs may have changed. There are also a mixture of songs for holiday themes such as Christmas Themed music.

Believe – Cher
Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
Up Town Funk –  Bruno Mars
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds – The Beatles
Viva Las Vegas – Elvis Presley
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
This Kiss – Faith Hill
Luck be A Lady Frank Sinatra
Fly Me to the Moon –  Frank Sinatra
Singin’ in the Rain – Gene Kelly
Your Song – Elton John

The Bellagio Fountains is a must do when travelling to Las Vegas. You can’t go wrong whether you visit during the day or at night but the night is much better. For other reviews and guides see our Las Vegas Attractions page.

Las Vegas Buffets Currently Open

Due to the Covid19 Pandemic that large majority of Las Vegas Buffets were closed. There however a number of Las Vegas Buffets currently open. There are only 12 Buffets currently open. The list below will be a work in progress as there more buffets preparing to open.  There is a link to each buffet page as hours and pricing changes often.

Las Vegas Buffets

Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace

Reservations can be booked using OpenTable. Although you do not need a reservation it is highly recommended as line ups and wait times are being reported on social media sites.

  • Dinner is available from 4 pm – 10 pm
  • Brunch is available Friday – Sunday from 9 am – 3 pm

    Bacchanal Buffet photo
    Photo by kennejima

The Buffet at Bellagio

  • Brunch is available Monday – Sunday from 8 am – 3 pm

Wicked Spoon at Cosmopolitan

  • Breakfast available Mon – Fri from 8 am – 11 am
  • Lunch available Mon – Fri – 11 am – 3 pm
  • Weekend brunch available 9 am – 4 pm

    Wicked Spoon at Cosmopolitan photo
    Photo by kennejima

The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas

  • Breakfast available Mon – Fri 8 am – 10 am
  • Lunch available Mon – Fri 10 am – 3 pm
  • Dinner available Mon – Sun 3 pm – 9 pm
  • Brunch available Sat – Sun 3 pm – 9 pm

    The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas photo
    Photo by inazakira

MGM Grand Buffet at MGM Grand

  • Brunch available Mon – Sun 8 am – 3 pm

The Buffet at Excalibur

  • Brunch available Mon, Thurs – Sun 8 am – 3 pm

Circus Buffet at Circus Circus

Previous information stated they were open weekend for Brunch and Dinner but currently there is limited information on their website.

  • Website link down.

The Buffet at Luxor

  • Brunch available Wed – Sun 8 am – 3 pm

Garden Court Buffet at Main Street Station

  • Brunch available Mon – Sun 8 am –  2 pm
  • Dinner available Fri – Sat 4 pm – 9 pm

Garden Buffet at South Point

  • Breakfast available Mon – Fri 7 am – 10 am
  • Lunch available Mon – Fri 11 am – 3 pm
  • Brunch available Sat – Sun 8 am – 3 pm
  • Dinner available Mon – Sun 4 pm – 9 pm

Fresh Buffet at Westgate Las Vegas

  •  Brunch available Thurs – Sun from 7 am – 2 pm

Market Place Buffet at Rampart Casino

  • Prime Rib Dinner available Thurs – Mon 4 pm – 8 pm
  • Champagne Brunch Sat – Sun 9 am – 2 pm

Las Vegas Food Porn

Las Vegas is known for it’s attractions, shows, gambling and luxurious resorts but also love the food choices. When we visit Las Vegas we love trying different restaurants and trying different foods. While we are not high end foodies we do try to visit different venues. We present some of our personal photos of food and drinks from the various restaurants and food places we have visited in Vegas. We present our collection of Las Vegas food porn.

Las Vegas Food Porn

We present photos of the restaurants and places we have visited in Las Vegas to sample food. Some of the places listed may no longer be in business. Restaurants can change pretty quick in Vegas.

Carnegie Deli at The Mirage

The Carnegie Deli The Mirage is now closed but it was a stop we enjoyed on our trips. The server suggested we split our clubhouse sandwich and we are glad we did. It was massive.

Carnegie Deli The Mirage Las Vegas

Heart Attack Grill on Fremont St.

The first place we ate at in Las Vegas. The Heart Attack Grill. Burgers, fries and a few drinks. If you don’t finish your food you get a paddling from one of the servers.

Heart Attack Grill Las Vegas

The Hexx

One of the best people watching patios in town and the food is a home run. Chicken Sandwich, fries and a Vodka Caesar.

The Hexx Las Vegas

In-N-Out Burger at The Linq

Our first experience with In-N-Out Burger. We enjoyed the food but didn’t see what all of the fuss was about. We have had better and we have had worse. Still it’s worth it to give it a try.

In-N-Out Burger Linq Las Vegas

LVB Burger at The Mirage

LVB Burger is no longer in business at The Mirage. We ate there a couple of times and I enjoyed their gourmet burgers. I do not recall what this monstrosity was called but it did the trick after a night of drinking on The Strip.

LVB Burger The Mirage Las Vegas

Sliders from The Still at The Mirage

The Still Sports Bar at The Mirage in Las Vegas is one place we stop at often in Vegas. The atmosphere is great for grabbing quick bites and drinks and the staff have always been amazing. The Burger Sliders are our go to but we love the wings as well.

The Still at The Mirage in Vegas

Tourist Scams in Las Vegas

There are lots of different tourist scams in Las Vegas. Many of the scams might be obvious but some of them are pretty clever. Nothing is free in Las Vegas and if it sounds too good to be true it’s probably a scam.

A few years back we were walking into the Planet Hollywood Mall. We were asked if we wanted a coupon book. I know that the mall offers shopping booklets with coupons so I said sure. The man wasn’t with the mall and immediately began harassing us to go to a time share presentation. A scam.

Tourist scams are everywhere in Las Vegas and here are a few of the more common scams.

tourist scams in las vegas

Tourist Scams in Las Vegas

Update Sept 5th, 2023

We just got back from Vegas and have heard a few stories of people approaching you asking you to take out your phone to get directions or an address for a place they are to meet a friend or to borrow it to make an emergency call. Do Not take your phone out and just walk away. They are trying to install apps or use your apps to steal money.

  1. Card Slappers – The Card Slappers are all over the Las Vegas Strip. They will hand you a card advertising an escort or call girl.  Contrary to what many people think, prostitution is illegal in Vegas. Most times the escort is not going to provide you with a service. They are there to rob you. They may slip you something in a drink or excuse themselves to freshen up while they steal your items.
  2. Free Dinner Scam – The scam involves a good looking person chatting you up and gaining your confidence.  They will tell you about how they scored a big win at the tables and want to take you out for dinner. They will do the old dine and dash and leave your holding the bill for dinner.
  3. Time Share Presentation – These people are all over the Las Vegas Strip. They will offer you free tickets to a show or dinner if you listen to their presentation. You will get some crappy seats to a show. You will have wasted your day and they will do everything to keep you there and get you to sign up. It’s not worth wasting an entire day in Las Vegas to get a pair of nosebleed seats.
  4. Casino ATM’s – So not a scam in the general sense but beware of the fees. Some of the bank machine fees in Casinos are 3x a normal ATM. Try and get your money elsewhere.
  5. Water Vendors – This should be a no brainer. Do not buy water from a person off the strip. I have seen them. The coolers are filthy and people report they have filled them up with tap water.
  6. Don’t Gamble on the Street – I have never seen them but apparently Three Card Monty and other games take place in Vegas. These are obviously not fair games. You have no chance of winning them.
  7. Distraction – Stay focused in the Casino. The scammers will work in pairs. One will distract you by dropping something or bumping into you. The other will steal your purse, bag or even try to get your tito slip.
  8. The Long Haul – Taxi cab drivers are notorious for trying to long haul you from the airport. Read more on our post Long Haul Taxi Scam.
  9. Pick Pockets – There are professional pick pockets everywhere in Las Vegas. They will work in teams. One will distract you while the other loots you. They look for people flashing money, cell phones or other valuables. They also look for somebody that appears or is drunk. Keep you wallet and purses closed and close to you and do not flash your valuables out in the open.
  10. CD Scam – These guys usually hang out on the bridges along the strip or around the escalators. They will ask you if you want a free CD of their terrible music. They will ask you your name and sign the CD Case and then be very aggressive in trying to get you to buy it because they ruined it by putting your name on it. Just keep walking and ignore them.
  11. Mentor Scam – These scammers will approach you in a casino and bar and tell you a tale of how they reached some kind of financial goal or got rich and then promise to teach you as a mentor for a fee. It’s a scam obviously.
  12. Fake Marijuana Stores – Marijuana stores are not allowed on The Strip or on Fremont St. The stores that have popped up are CBD stores and they are not selling THC. They package their material and even will tell you that they are selling THC. It’s a scam. Use Google and find a real Dispensary. I have personally use Planet 18 and The Reef, both highly recommended.

How to Deal with Scammers in Las Vegas

The easiest way to deal with the scammers is to simply ignore them. When they try to hand you a card, a cd or booklet just keep walking. They won’t waste their time on you.

If you engage them then they will focus on you and begin their targeted harassing grift. If you acknowledge them they will press you. So don’t do it.

If a scammer begins to engage with you tell them you are on your way to the airport and walk away. They have heard this a million times and will usually go away.

I have personally yelled at them with a loud voice to leave me alone. They don’t want to create a scene, especially with Vegas police so they will go away.

If you feel threatened just walk into the nearest store, casino or business. They won’t follow you in there. If so grab a security guard, they are everywhere in Vegas.