Hit the jackpot with free entertainment in Vegas

Some travelers will spend hours trying to save money on airfare, when plane tickets actually represent only a fraction of the cost of their trip. Unless you're paying for first class, you probably won't be able to save more than a few hundred dollars - at most - by following all of my strategies for getting a good deal. It's much easier to keep your travel costs down by finding a good hotel rate. Whether you're getting a top-quality room for a cheaper price, or choosing a less expensive property, it's not impossible to save $500 or more on a week's vacation.

Set foot in Las Vegas, however, and your savings could suddenly vanish into thin air. One spin of the roulette wheel, one stroll through the ritzy Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace, or one bad decision to see Celine Dion - at up to $225 a ticket - and you could blow your travel budget in minutes.

However, you don't have to spend a dime to enjoy the sights of Sin City. Stroll up and down the Strip and marvel at the whimsical architecture of the casinos: the Egyptian pyramid-like Luxor; the New York, New York, with its faux skyline including the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building; or the King Arthur-themed Excalibur, with its turrets and colorful flags. Or you could enjoy the vibrant street theater, whether your tastes run toward the penthouse, or, um, Penthouse. But if you're looking for free entertainment in Las Vegas that's suitable for the whole family, be sure to check out these top 10 attractions:

• The Sirens of TI: A 15-minute extravaganza in Pirates' Cove at the Treasure Island casino, in which a band of pirates battles the seductive sirens in a dazzling display of pyrotechnics and high-diving acrobatics. The show, which runs 4 times a night, is sometimes canceled because of high winds.
  
• Volcano Eruption: Located in front of the Mirage, a volcano erupts every 15 minutes after dark, shooting flames up to 100 feet in the air.




• Bellagio Fountains: The dancing fountains in front of the Bellagio are choreographed to music in a spectacular show that repeats every 15 minutes after dark. Then stroll inside the casino to see its elegant lobby and colorful glass ceiling.
  
• Fremont Street Experience: Head downtown for this hourly light-and-sound show nearby some of Vegas' oldest casinos. There's plenty of neon to marvel at, too.
• White Tiger Habitat: Siegfried and Roy's famous white tigers are in residence at the Mirage. No need to worry: they're behind glass and are well fed.
  
• Lion Habitat: You can see more majestic felines at the MGM Grand, where the lions can be found batting around their big red rubber ball or chewing on a rawhide bone. Hmm, sounds like my dog.




• Wildlife Habitat: Step into a tropical rain forest at the Flamingo, where you can see lush foliage, waterfalls, and hundreds of birds. Don't miss the penguin feeding twice a day.
• M&M's World: Check out the wall of colorful candy and the 3-D movies atop this giant retail store on the Strip.
• Air Play: Pairs of acrobats swing from the Tiffany glass ceiling at the Tropicana, as hundreds of gamblers watch from their slot machines below.
• Casino Legends Hall of Fame: Also at the Tropicana, this museum features dozens of exhibits on gaming and famous gamblers. You'll get free admission when you sign up for the casino's Players Club.

And that's just the best in free entertainment. You could pay just a few dollars and entertain the kids at Circus Circus' Adventuredome, or take a ride on the roller coaster at New York New York. So instead of spending hundreds to hear Celine Dion wail the theme from Titanic, why not enjoy some of Vegas' free shows? You'll ensure your budget will go on, too.