Fabulous Las Vegas: The Sin City Experience on a Dime

You may have heard the famous adage: "If you aim to leave Las Vegas with a small fortune, go there with a large one." However, with these travel deals to Las Vegas, you won't need a fortune of any kind to enjoy the glitz, ritz, and razzamatazz that America's playground has to offer. So leave your uniform of holiday sweaters behind and welcome 2012 with a bang, Frank Sinatra style.

OK, Sinatra probably had a private plane, but you can take your pick of domestic airfare sales to Las Vegas. Act fast and get 50% off select flights on Southwest Airlines (via coupon code "HALFOFFDEC"). Alternatively, Fly.com is offering discounted roundtrip flights to Las Vegas for as little as $64.

Upon arriving in fabulous Las Vegas, you'll probably want to unload your bags. There's no shortage of hotels in Las Vegas — in fact it would take you nearly 300 years to stay one night in every hotel room within the city limits. Feeling like a high roller? Why not try the 5-Star Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino's Octavius Tower Deluxe Room (although the landing page says from $219, we found rates from $175.20 per night, a low by $44). The new $860 million Octavius Tower addition to Caesars Palace is the perfect place to channel that baller Vegas attitude. All of its rooms feature separate living areas, a 42" flat screen TV, marble-tiled bath with granite vanities, and a whirlpool tub.

If you prefer something a little more down to earth, book a 2-night stay at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino (from $80, a low by $36). The resort is situated on the famous Las Vegas Strip, nearby to world famous restaurants and casinos. Your accommodation also includes a voucher for a breakfast or lunch buffet for two at any MGM resort, free of charge.

Perhaps you'd like a deal that conveniently bundles your flight and room together, leaving you free to focus on remembering your lucky rabbit's foot. Check out the 3-night hotel and flight package for two to the pictured Vdara Hotel & Spa (from $579 via coupon code "TZUV14714", a low by $5; click through to the sale, enter your departure and return dates, and then select this hotel) for a vacation that places you in the center of it all. Situated between the famed ARIA and Bellagio hotels, this 4-diamond, all-suite resort provides a genuine escape, as it's non-gaming, smoke-free, and eco-friendly. So after visiting the nearby casinos, you can come "home" to solace and beauty rest.

So you've arrived in fabulous Las Vegas. You've put your bags down in a swanky (yet surprisingly affordable) room, and you've donned your Christmas stretch pants snazziest pair of shorts — now what?

Aside from the quarter-million slot machines, endless miles of casinos, zillions of restaurants, art galleries, aquariums, comedy acts, live shows, shopping malls, bars, and night clubs, there really isn't much to do in Vegas — you might as well just stay in your room. But if you're hell-bent on going out, then check out these discounted entertainment deals. You can score tickets to Phantom of the Opera (from $66.45 via coupon "99ZOO" for mezzanine or "50ZOO" for orchestra), Michael Jackson by Cirque du Soleil (from $64 via coupon "TZOO), or the ever-popular Blue Man Group (from $55.92 via coupon "TZ40" for 4 pm or 7 pm shows or "TZ50" for 10 pm shows). Nevada Magazine calls the latter a "rollercoaster of comedy" and a "stunning mix of technology and raw imagination."

So, now that you've planned an opulent vacation in Vegas on a shoestring budget, there's just one more thing you must know before you set off on your glamourous adventure: It is illegal to pawn your dentures in the state of Nevada — no matter how badly you need the cash for the slot machines.

If livin' it up in Las Vegas isn't currently on your to-do list, be sure to check out our weekly roundup of the top travel deals from the past week for additional discounted flights, hotels, and vacation packages.

^{At the time of publication, these travel deals offered the lowest prices we could find. Deals may include blackout dates, additional taxes, and fees. Some of our prices may be based on mandatory double occupancy.}

Photo credits top to bottom: Caesars Palace Hotel & Resort, Terry's Review and Bonus, and Best Las Vegas Deals Now