Five thoughts for a better Las Vegas trip (from a reluctant expert)

Wherever you go, there you are. Or so the saying goes. So look beyond the Vegas stereotypes and make the experience your own.

I have been to Las Vegas five times in two years (all on business). That's a lot - especially when Las Vegas is not my favorite city by a long shot. But like most things, you can make the most of it by tailoring it to your likes and interests. Here's a few tips on what I've done to make Vegas more enjoyable.

(Please note: This post contains no gambling tips. You would be insane to take them from me, anyway. I think I am about - $30 over the span of five trips. Probably wagered $90 total. I'm too cheap and my A.D.D. is too strong to spend much time gambling.)

1. Do not pay full price for Las Vegas show tickets.

My wife and I saw "Love" at the Mirage last week. It's a Cirque Du Soliel show set to Beatles music and it was great. We paid about $40 under face per ticket. So can you.

Use a service called Tix4Tonite. You can't order from them on the Internet. You can't order from them on the phone. You go and get in line at 10 AM at one of their locations throughout Vegas and get a voucher for the show you want. You will likely save a substantial amount of money. And then you will go from Tix4Tonite to the box office at the hotel where your show is playing and stand in another line to get your actual seats.

Totally worth it. We had great seats to a great show at a low price.

2. Looking at a mid-tier hotel? Go with the Monte Carlo or MGM Grand.

Over the years I have stayed at New York New York, Circus Circus, the Luxor, Bally's, Harrah's, the Stratosphere, the Monte Carlo and the MGM Grand. Of that group, the MGM Grand had the best service ... and best flowers. Tons of roses sit in the lobby and cut through the disgusting gaming floor smoke. Nice touch.

The Monte Carlo probably represented the best bargain, with a decent room and atmosphere at a rate a notch below the MGM.

Extra thought: If you stay at the Luxor, try to get into the newer business tower. Much nicer.

3. Try something different at dinner time.

Las Vegas is great for unique dinner experiences. On my last trip, we had sushi at Koi in Planet Hollywood and loved it. In a lounge setting, we kicked back, munched on sushi and an amazing warm baby spinach and mushroom salad and watched the Belligio fountains do their thing across the street.

So forget the buffet for dinner. Be a little adventuresome. Trip Advisor can help you. So can Yelp. If your mobile has Google maps, use its locator to find you, then find restaurants near you and read the reviews.

(Whatever tool you use, find the spinach and mushroom salad at Koi. And send me some.)

4. If you are a shopper, now's a pretty good time for deals.

Las Vegas has a lot of higher-end retail shopping. (The Forum Shops at Caesar's and The Grand Canal Shops at the Venetian being amongst the most prominent - and pricey.)

Buying retail out there is expensive -- usually. But it's bargain time right now.

5. Fremont Street is worth the cab ride

Downtown Las Vegas has a different vibe. Seedy isn't quite the word -- I never felt unsafe there. Let's try this: If Las Vegas were the Titanic, the Fremont Street area is probably the deck where Leonardo DiCaprio was supposed to stay. Which is why you should visit. It's fun without stuffy pretense.

The VivaVision overhead light show is pretty unique. Free music plays in the street in a couple of areas. And you should check out the Golden Nugget pool and aquarium, too. A water slide that goes through the middle of a shark tank? That's classic Vegas weirdness.

So there you have it. I don't think Frommer's is in danger of me usurping them anytime soon. But hopefully, these tips can help you save a little and make the most of your Vegas visit.