Senior Contributor Susan R, San Diego CA: With good planning and careful spending, any senior can have a good time in Vegas for several days on a modest budget. We’ve done it several times. Example:

It’s tough for seniors living east of Denver to get an airline round-trip ticket to Vegas for less than $200 these days. That could take a big chunk out of the $500 budget. However, if you scan the internet daily, including official airline sites, you may find bargains and promotions. Best are air-hotel Vegas package deals.

Orlando is where it all happens. There’s SeaWorld, with live sea lion and dolphin water shows and thrilling rides. Universal Orlando is a sister park to its famous one in Hollywood, California.

Universal theme parks give visitors glimpses into how action films are made and you-are-there experiences at one of the most famous Hollywood dream factories in movie history. Universal's Islands of Adventure offers The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, guaranteed to provide magic, fun and thrills for everyone.

Let’s gather in Vegas! One very evident reason is simply because the town in the Nevada desert didn't earn its title of Sin City for nothing. If enjoying yourself while on a business trip is sinning, then Vegas is where to do it.

When in conferences and business meetings, delegates attend the required serious sessions. Then they’re free to break away to enjoy everything the glitzy town has to offer. And considering what's happening night and day, that's quite an offering!

Guest Correspondent ALMcB, Los Angeles CA: Since our retirement started a decade ago, we’ve been to casinos in Vegas, Reno, Monte Carlo, Hong Kong and other gambling joints throughout the world. We love the flashing lights, buffets, cheap rooms, big-show entertainment and other glitz.

Of course, all is designed to entice people to bet and lose their bank accounts and, for elderly gamblers, their children’s inheritances. We’re not heavy gamblers, and usually confine our bets to the 25¢ video poker machines.

We recently had an exciting experience at Morongo, located at the foot of the impressive San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Mountains, just 90 miles east of Los Angeles. As our car approached Morongo, the view was that someone had taken a Las Vegas hotel and plunked it down in the middle of the desert. The imposing 25-story building can be seen from the nearest city, Palm Springs, 20 miles away.