I’m going there this week and am on a tight budget. What are some fun places to see and things to do in Vegas? Any best kept secrets? Thanks! 
fyi I’m staying at the New York, NY hotel
“galaxiquestar” gave you some very good suggestions, I may repeat them in mine so just take it as an added endorsement.
Free stuff
The Fountains of Bellagio
Blown-Glass Sculptures - Bellagio
Fremont Street Experience
Sirens of TI - Treasure Island
Volcano - White Tigers - Mirage
Penguin Habitat - Flamingo
Atlantis & Festival Fountains - Caesars Palace
Statue of Liberty - Brooklyn Bridge - NY NY
Eiffel Tower - Paris
Lion Habitat - MGM
Eithel M Chocolate Factory & Botanical Gardens
Antigues & Artifacts - Main Street Station
Sprots Memorabilia - Vegas Club
Gold Nugget Collection - Golden Nugget
M & M World
Circus Acts - Circus Circus
Auto Collection - Imperial Palace>with coupon
Masquerade Show in the Sky - Rio
Carnaval Court - Harrah’s
Merlin vs Dragon - Excalibur
rides
Insanity - Big Shot - X Scream - Stratosphere
Manhattan Express - NY NY
Star Trek - LV Hilton
Speed - Sahara
Adventuredome - Circus Circus
Top of the Eiffel Tower
Gondola’s - Venetian
AJ Hackett Bungee Jumping
Flyaway indoor skydiving
for a few $$
Shark Reef - Mandalay Bay
Madame Tussauds - Venetian
Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat
Inexpensive shows
Mac King - Harrah’s>2-4-1 coupons are given out at the booth in the Carnaval Court next to Harrah’s
Larry G Jones - Fitzgerald’s
American Superstars - Stratosphere>with 2-4-1 coupons
Shopping
Forum Shops - Caesars Palace
Desert Passage - Aladdin
Grand Canal Shoppes - Venetian
For a list of all the buffets, “graveyard” specials & meal deals along with a list of all the free hotel shuttles in LV, etc
http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com “VEGAS INFO”
Best buffets for great food & good value
Main Street Station
Boulder Station
Orleans
Palace Station
If you’re into sports be sure and check out the sports book at the LV Hilton, it’s an incredible place to watch a game. Plus you can play great video poker(9/6 JOB) on nickel & or quarter machines and drink free. Caesars Palace also has a very nice sports book.
Casino Royale & Slots-A-Fun sell $1 premium bottle beer - The Westin Casaurina on Flamingo has happy hour from 5-10pm weekdays, $1 craps, if you would like to play a fun game at a low limit in a very nice casino, & of course you drink free if you’re playing.
Must see hotels
#1-Caesars Palace
#2-Venetian
#3-Luxor
#4-Bellagio
#5-Wynn
“The Reality is Vegas is not cheap” >I could not disagree more, we go to LV for 2 weeks or more at at time 2-3 times a year & have for more than 20 years. You can practically go for free once you learn how. >And come home with some of their money in your pockets.