What it all ultimately comes down to is flexibility. I understand not everyone has the luxury of being able to pick and choose when they can take their next vacation, but even if you have the option of two different time periods in the same month you could save yourself a lot of money. A room that costs $300 a night one week could cost half that the next.

If getting the cheapest room rates is of paramount importance then you’ll have to make sacrifices in a few other key areas, namely weather and entertainment options. The cheapest times of year in Las Vegas are the last couple of weeks in December leading up to Christmas, parts of January and February, and late July through August. In December, January, and February you’ll have to deal with cool weather when all the hotels close their outdoor pools. In July and August the pools are open but it’s often so hot it’s next to impossible to spend more than a few minutes outside enjoying them.

The weather plays a factor in keeping the crowds lighter, hence the lower room rates (in Vegas, demand = higher prices). At the same time, the lower numbers of people lead to a decrease in the amount and quality of entertainment in the city. During late December, for instance, you’ll find very few big-name headliner shows and many of the permanent production shows go on hiatus during this time period. So that means your amusement may be limited to how much fun you can wring out of a slot machine.

The best weather can be found late March through May and late September through October. With generally sunny skies and warm (but not insanely warm) temperatures, these are the times of year when Vegas has the most climatological appeal.

Unsurprisingly it’s also when the big crowds show up, driving up room rates. Leisure travelers and the convention crowd descend on the city in droves, making the lines long and the prices high. The good news is you won’t be lacking in things to do with all the production shows and showrooms open for business and waiting to take your money.