Such an interesting idea, to have an almost unlimited amount of cash to blow in Vegas. I'm sure the casinos would like it, too. In reality, I'm a budget traveler, a grinder, the lowroller who has to make his money go as far as it will.

Some people might say that Vegas wasn't for me anymore. That if I wanted to gamble, I should stick to the tribal casinos, where my nickles and dimes were more appreciated. Vegas only wants the upscale crowd.

Baloney. If they didn't want guys like me, they wouldn't give away so much stuff for free. People stand in front of the casinos giving away free passes to all kinds of attractions. (Yes, you have to walk all the way through the casino, past hundreds of slot machines to get to them, but that's part of the game.)

One of my favorites of these is the antique auto collection at the Imperial Palace. You can see Steve McQueen's motorcycle, and Marilyn Monroe's Cadillac. Be aware that if you don't have a pass it'll cost you $6.95.

Other freebees are right on the street, like the Mirage volcano. Catch it from the other side of the Strip, at the Venetian, for the best vantage point. It goes off every 15 minutes after dark.

The musical fountains at the Bellagio bring foot traffic to a halt. No one is in such a hurry to get back to the slots that they can pass by without stopping to watch.

But if you really want to see a sidewalk where everything has stopped, go by TI, when the "Sirens of TI" show is on. The place will be jam packed, as the cannons go off, and the pirates swing through the air.

Please understand, I'm not recommending a Vegas trip made entirely of freebees. I just think you should conserve your money for more important things. Like video poker.