23 Free Things to do in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has been one of my favorite cities ever since I stepped foot there. However, Vegas can be pricey! Surprisingly, you can save some dollars on a trip to Las Vegas and enjoy some entertainment. Over the years, my visits to the Las Vegas strip have included some free activities entertainment that everyone can enjoy. Here are only some of the free things to do in Las Vegas.
Free Things to do in Las Vegas: On the Strip
Free Things to do in Las Vegas: On the StripBellagio Fountains
My all-time favorite outdoor attraction is the Bellagio Fountains, located at the Bellagio Resort and Casino. With shows every half hour in the afternoon and every 15 minutes in the evening, you will be drawn into this fantastic water spectacle. Water canons shoot hundreds of feet into the air and dance to the beat of the music. Watch them during the day and return to watch them at night. It is one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas.
Circus Entertainment
Circus Circus Hotel has the largest permanent circus found inside its casino. Performing acts happen every half hour, and you will see acrobats high above you and stunts by unicyclists and jugglers. Your mouth will drop open during the show as you watch the highwire and trapeze artists do their tricks. Arrive 15 minutes before to get a seat on the stand and stay for at least a couple of shows.
Check out The Art at the Wynn Hotel
Where else would you have the chance to see a Jeff Koons 7-foot Popeye sculpture worth 28.2 million dollars and a Tulips sculpture made out of mirror-polished stainless steel worth 33.6 million dollars? Only at the beautiful Wynn. It has top-notch decor from the ceiling to the floor.
One of my favorite art pieces is the animated Floral Carousel and Hot Air Balloon designed by Preston Bailey. The carousel stands 13 feet tall and weighs 6,000 pounds. You can find it at the hotel’s atrium. The design is highly detailed and a pleasure to see. The hot air balloon is 20 feet tall, weighs 4,000 pounds, and sits near the hotel buffet. Last but not least, the parasols at Parasol Down are also a must-see.
Streetmosphere
Another one of our favorite hotels, the Venetian, is host to live entertainment that represents the heart of Italy. Every 15 minutes, there is a performance of opera and Italian folk music. The Carnevale di Venezia takes place at St. Mark’s Square inside the casino on the hour from 6 pm and in front of Barney’s New York at various hours throughout the day.
The performers will interact with the audience, and you’ll even have a chance to take a picture with them. You will also see dancers, living statues, and stilt walkers. Then, go at 9:50 am or 4:20 pm to see the parade of the marching gondoliers at The Shoppes’ walkways starting from the food court. Last but not least, watching the gondolas and touring the hotel is entertainment of its own.
Window Shop
Window shopping in Vegas is unlike other places. There is no need to purchase anything to enjoy beautiful hotel designs. My favorite spots to window shop are at Ceasar’s Palace, the Venetian, and Aria Resort. Each hotel has unique decor and follows a theme. If you window shop at Ceasar’s Palace, you will feel like you are in Rome. If you window shop at the Venetian, you’ll feel you’re in Italy.
Las Vegas Sign
You didn’t go to Vegas if you didn’t take a picture at the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada” sign! Okay, not really, but this sign is one of the city’s oldest symbols, and now the city even created greater access for people who take their cars who want to take their photos here. You can find it at the south end of the strip. Unfortunately, I don’t have a decent picture to share of it.
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden
The Bellagio Conservatory showcases different floral displays according to the season and unique Chinese New Year displays. Thousands of flowers, trees, and plants decorate and this 14,000 square foot place. Ten thousand are switched bi-weekly, but more than 90 percent of the conservatory is recycled, keeping this place ‘green.’ Also, don’t miss Chihuly’s glass flowers in the hotel lobby. They are breathtaking!
Watch The Fall of Atlantis at the Forums
Ceasar’s Palace has long been one of my favorite hotels because of its beautifully designed mall. Now, the Forums have a show, The Fall of Atlantis. It has special effects such as fireballs, talking water, and 9 ft animated talking statues. The show plays every hour on the dot starting at 11 am. To get the best view, arrive early and stand towards the middle front.
Watch an Erupting Volcano
The Mirage Resort has an erupting volcano sitting at the front of its property. It shoots out lava (or fire) while making loud explosions. It’s pretty fun to watch and takes place every half hour at night.
Check out the Pirate Ship at T.I
Once upon a time, Treasure Island used to hold a pirate show every night. Even though the show is no longer part of this resort, they still have the pirate ship sitting outside the property. The bar-restaurant in front of the boat, Senor Frogs, is one of my favorite places to grab a drink and dance to Latin music.
Enjoy a Tropical Rainforest and Aquarium
After leaving the erupting volcano, head over to The Mirage, where you will find cascading waterfalls and dolphin sculptures. Once inside, you will find a tropical rainforest atrium with rich tropical flora. It has more than 100 types of plants inside the atrium, including many fresh bromeliads and orchids. Next, wander over to the lobby and see the aquarium with all kinds of fish swimming about.
Lay Poolside
No matter what resort you choose to stay in, it will most likely have a pool. Vegas is a hot city, so what better way to relax than to sit next to the pool sipping on a cold drink or taking a cool dip. Just ask for the prices before ordering a drink, or you’ll be surprised like I was when getting the bill.
M & M World
Though this is a retail store, you will find yourself enjoying the scene inside the M & M store. Located in the Showcase Mall on the strip, this four-level store is uniquely colorful and fun. A trip inside the store may include pictures with life-size M & M’s, a free 3D movie, and colorful M & M art displaying the evolution of this delicious chocolate. You can also create personalized M & M’s and purchase all types of goodies. This store is a must-see.
Enjoy the vibe at The Linq Promenade
The Linq Promenade is one of the best places to stroll around. There is shopping, restaurants, and bars. It has a great vibe with music playing everywhere. You can sit at the fountain to watch people, or you can chill at one of the outdoor seating areas to have a drink.
See an Auto Collection
The most extensive collection of antique, muscle and special-interest cars is at The LINQ Hotel. More than $25 million worth of inventory sits on display and for sale. This auto collection showroom also serves as a museum and allows visitors to see vehicles they have only seen on screen.
Come dream about these cars as you roam by free of admission. There are about 250 automobiles displayed. Some of these cars have been driven by celebrities, such as Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy. The exhibition is located at the Linq Resort & Casino inside the 5th-floor garage and can be visited daily from 10–6 pm.
Visit the Wildlife Habitat
If you’re a nature lover or have kids who enjoy wildlife, head over to the Flamingo Hotel, where you’ll find exotic birds, fish, and turtles in the scenic Wildlife Habitat. With a colorful collection of birds, visitors can be fascinated by the Chilean Flamingos, swans, hummingbirds, parrots, and pelicans near the waterfall.
Take yourself to Egypt
At the south end of the strip, you find the Luxor Hotel with an Egyptian theme. It has a giant pyramid sitting in front of the property. There is also a statue of the Great Sphinx. Take a look inside, and you will find hieroglyphic decor. At night, you view the Sky Beam. It’s the brightest light beam in the world and can be seen 250 miles away!
Rate TV Programs
The CBS Television City Research Center at MGM Grand Hotel relies on tourists for making decisions regarding TV shows that are created. Tourists watch TV programs, shows, and pilots and help the research center give their honest rating through a questionnaire. In exchange, you receive coupons for food and merchandise as a reward.
Check out the Eiffel Tower
Although it’s nowhere near as big as the real Eiffel Tower, this fake tower is the next best thing. You can find it in front of the Bellagio Fountains. Although the building is free to see, you must pay to go up to the tower.
Visit New York City
Okay, maybe it’s not the real New York City, but it boasts similarities. Crunched all together, the hotel recreated the most famous landmarks. You can take a picture with the fake Statue of Liberty and the New York skyscrapers as you watch and listen to people scream on the New York, New York Roller Coaster.
You can also walk the Brooklyn Bridge and see Grand Central Terminal. Inside you won’t find many free attractions, but stepping inside is like walking the streets of New York. So, grab a pizza and pretend you’re in the real New York.
Walk the Strip
Make sure to bring comfortable shoes and walk the strip. It’s full of art, fountains, shows, and street entertainment. You can also take pictures with dressed-up characters, shop at the street vendors, and people-watch. It gets pretty interesting at night, so make sure you enjoy the strip both during the day and night.
Freemont Street Experience-‘the old Vegas’
A few minutes down the main strip is the Freemont Street Experience. It’s downtown and only an easy ride away via the Deuce. Freemont Street offers free entertainment by people who do magic shows, play music, and more.
At night, there is an LED light show by Viva Vision under the extended canopy. One nightly attraction is the local bands playing music on stage for free. I consider the Freemont Experience to still be part of the strip since it’s nearby and easy to get to.
Explore the Hotels
Make sure to walk into as many hotels as you can. They are stunning, unique, and have different themes that make them fun to explore. I think the reason I love seeing them is they transport me to places around the world.
However, you will also find some of the resorts focus on art, elegance, or architecture. Some of my favorite resorts are Ceasar’s Palace, The Wynn Resort, The Venetian, The Bellagio, and Aria Resort.
There are so many more free things to do in Las Vegas! All you need to do is walk around the city and discover everything there is to do.
Want to see more free things to do in the U.S?
Here are some Free Things to do in Los Angeles
Free things to do in Las Vegas
