I recently returned from a weekend-long vacation in Las Vegas. Over the past few days I’ve been discussing inexpensive ways to enjoy Vegas from the airfare, car rental, lodging and food and today talking about entertainment. There is never a shortage of entertainment in Las Vegas. Whether its people watching on the strip or on Fremont Street, taking in a show, watching a bride and groom and their wedding party celebrate the joyous occasion. Entertainment

I was never one for shows in Las Vegas. When I first turned 21 all I wanted to do was gamble. As I got older my interest turned from gambling to the shows. Shows can be very expensive if purchased directly from the box office. A website that I stumbled upon several years ago has saved me money and allowed me to see shows that 1) I never knew they existed or 2) shows that I normally wouldn’t watch. This website www.vegas4locals.com offers coupons for shows, dining and nightlife, tours, attractions, hotel, health and wellness, shopping, wedding and event and services and products.

Some examples of the savings from this website include free ticket to a show with a two drink minimum or 2-for-1 admission. If it’s a 2-for-1 admission my fiancée and I will split the cost of the one ticket, let’s say $50, whereas we both only pay $25. We’ve seen everything from magic shows, impersonator shows, game shows, and so on…shows we normally would not see. Another great website is www.cheapovegas.com/promo-shows. This website offers percentages off shows such as Jabbawockeez, Cris Angel, Rock of Ages, O, and Love.

Additionally, upon check in at your hotel ask the clerk at the front desk for coupons or show specials. Many hotels also offer 2-for-1 show deals or dramatically reduced show rates.

Here are some other free entertainment options in Las Vegas:

The Aquarium at the Silverton
Bellagio Conservatory
CBS Television City Research Center at MGM Grand
Circus Acts at Circus Circus
Ethel M Chocolate Factory
Hershey World at New York New York
Fall of Atlantis at Caesars
Fountains of Bellagio
Freemont Street Experience
Liberace and the Art of Costume at The Cosmopolitan
M&M’s world
P3 Studio at the Cosmopolitan
Grand Canal Shoppes
Sunset Stampede at Sam’s Town
Volcano at The Mirage
Welcome to Las Vegas sign – I recommend going at 4:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. We went and not a soul was out there.
Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo
Shops at the Stratosphere

Whatever you may choose to do in Vegas I know you will have a memorable time and save money for your next trip!

Hello my name is Annette, and I’m a Backstreetaholic. If you know me then you know I’m in love with the boy band ─ The Backstreet Boys. Admit it…we’ve all had celebrity crushes growing up, whether it was Michael Jackson, Cher, New Kids on the Block, Shaun Cassidy, and so on. Luckily for me I never grew out of that crush. I’ve been a fan for the last 21 years, and started following them on tours about 16 years ago. About four years ago while on a tour in Las Vegas my fiancée dared me to get a tattoo. Not one to back down from a dare I sat through the pain and got a tattoo that read I heart (it’s an actual blue heart to signify the album “Black and Blue” and the song “Shape Of My Heart”) Backstreet Boys. Several years later I decided to make the tattoo even greater and added their faces and signatures (after years of collecting the signatures). I wrote a book “The Girl with the Backstreet Boys Tattoo” to tell my story of why I loved Kevin, Howie, Nick, Brian and AJ so much, and to show that I was not a creepy/stalker fan, which I am not. To purchase a copy of the book visit, www.thegirlwiththebackstreetboystattoo.com.

This past weekend my fiancé Robert and I traveled to Las Vegas and Albuquerque to join in on the “In A World Like This World Tour.” It’s been neat to grow up with the band. Sixteen years ago I was asking my parents for money to go to the concerts, sleeping on hotel sidewalks to meet them, and even having my parents drive me to their shows. Now, the boys offer incredible access by offering meet and greets, after parties and even a cruise (Visit www.backstreetboyscruise.com). If you look closely in the picture you will see Robert and I behind the guys at the after party in Las Vegas, held at Chateau nightclub in the Paris.

Furthermore, over the course of 16 years the band members start to recognize you, and even acknowledge you at the concerts, afterparties and meet and greets. Additionally, 16 years ago I was going to marry every member of the band, whereas now I view them as family. As us fans have grown up we recognize the importance of friendships. I met up with my Backstreet Sisters, Julia and Roxanne, whom I met a year ago at the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony, and have already done two tours with them. We stay in touch via social media including the band in our conversations on Twitter and Facebook. To continue the fun this weekend Robert and I are headed to Kansas City, MO and Omaha, NE to see the concerts and partake in the events.

Each one of us has a passion for something whether it is art, humanitarian work, or politics. Whatever that passion is I suggest you follow it. You never know what once in a lifetime opportunities may come your way, and the people that you meet that have the same desire. The Backstreet Boys have allowed me so many experiences following them on tours, and meeting amazing people that will forever be friends.

Photo Credit: Backstreet Boys, Julia Brown, Roxanne Schmidt, Annette Perez