Take the WAX (Westcliff Airport Express) Bus from the "Zero" level at McCarran International Airport. Tickets can be purchased by credit card from the ticket vending machine or bought on the bus for $2 in exact change. The WAX drops off Downtown at Bonneville Transit Center, a 15-minute walk from Sin City Hostel, a budget accommodation with dormitory-style rooms and a shared kitchen.

Walk a few blocks east to The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, for brunch at the Bronze Cafe, a vegetarian eatery serving Mediterranean-influenced fare at reasonable prices. Take a moment to talk with the staff, who can tell you about the speakers they have on the schedule for that month, or give advice on must-see local tourist sites.

Catch the "Deuce" on South Las Vegas Boulevard and check out the Strip for a walking tour of the best free attractions Vegas has to offer. Check out the Bellagio first, where the choreographed water show at the front of the hotel draws huge crowds; inside is the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a free treat that displays lavish floral arrangements amid landscaped gardens. Other free attractions include the volcano at the Mirage, and the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo.

Gambling is of course a big draw in Vegas, but you don't have to spend big bucks to have a little fun at the tables. Smaller casinos off the Strip like the Golden Nugget have dollar blackjack tables and penny slots - remember, if you're gambling you drink for free, so be sure to flag down a waitress and order a cocktail or two.

Time for an early dinner at that most venerable of Las Vegas institutions, the casino buffet. These all-you-can-eat bonanzas are all about bang for your buck, and the Garden Court Buffet at Main Street Station has nine live-action stations where you can order brick-oven pizza, freshly-carved rotisserie, and Southern soul food for prices as low as $12 a person.

Walk down the block and take the 207 bus to the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets Mall. This open-air emporium is tremendously popular, and offers discounted shopping at brands like Ferragamo, Calvin Klein, Polo, and Burberry. It can get hot here during the day, so shopping in the early evening is a good way to beat the heat and the crowds.

Finish up your day with a round of drinks at Goodtimes, a quirky, inclusive bar with a small dance floor, comfortable lounge area, and regular drag acts. This is one of the oldest and most popular gay bars in Vegas, and entertains both gay and lesbian patrons.