11 Free Things to Do in Las Vegas You Won’t Want to Miss
While it’s definitely a city for high rollers, there are still plenty of free things to do in Las Vegas. There are the famous Bellagio fountains to visiting the Eiffel Tower replica and so much more. Plenty to do in Vegas that doesn’t cost a penny.
In recent years, Las Vegas has been trying to ditch its Sin City image to rebrand itself as the Entertainment Capital of the World. It’s easy to spend a ton of money here (the house always wins, right?), but it’s possible to be thrifty and still enjoy yourself.
This detailed guide will show you how to have a great time in Vegas without breaking the bank. Read on for some of the best free things in Vegas and be sure to add them to your 3 day Las Vegas itinerary.
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Free Things to do in Las Vegas on the Strip
Many people only know about one thing in Las Vegas: the Strip. And why not? It’s the most famous area of the city. Here’s a list of some of the most popular free things to do on the Strip.
Wander the Strip
When you think of Las Vegas, what comes to mind? It’s most likely casinos, neon lights, and non-stop entertainment. That’s precisely what you’ll find on the Strip—a 4-mile stretch of road that’s home to dozens of massive casino resorts.
Wandering the Strip easily tops the list of free stuff to do in Vegas. Use the air-conditioned walkways and escalators to meander in and out of the casinos. There are tons of fun free things to do along the way, and the people-watching is epic.
Bellagio Fountains
One of the quintessential free things to do in Las Vegas is checking out the Bellagio fountains. More than a thousand fountains sync up to lights and music to create a breathtaking experience, which is totally free!
You can see the show every 30 minutes from 3 to 8 p.m. during the week and from noon to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays. It also happens every 15 minutes from 8 to midnight every day. Try to get there a few minutes early to secure a good spot at the front.
The Bellagio Hotel & Casino is located at 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
Grand Canal Shoppes
One great thing about visiting Las Vegas is that you can transport yourself to different regions. Take a stroll through the streets of Venice by visiting the popular Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian.
This is an excellent spot to do some window shopping, with around 160 stores. You don’t need to empty your wallet to have a good time here, as you can check out the colorful waterfall and garden in the atrium or just snap photos of the gondolas going up and down the canal.
The Venetian Resort is located at 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
Eiffel Tower Replica
After visiting Italy, why not head to France? Cruise over to the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino to check out a 46-story Eiffel Tower replica. Tickets cost $24.50 to go up to the observation deck, but it’s totally free to view from the street.
There are lots more to see here, including an Arc de Triomphe and Le Boulevard—a Parisian-themed shopping street. A leisurely walk around here is definitely one of the top free things to do in Vegas.
Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino is located at 3655 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
Volcano at the Mirage
One of the coolest Las Vegas free shows you can catch is the volcano at the Mirage. The fiery show is set to music created by the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart and Indian tabla artist Zakir Hussain. It definitely has a volcanic vibe to it and makes for an awesome show.
You can catch the eruption every hour on the hour from 8 to 11 p.m. A good strategy is to check it out either before or after you hit the Bellagio fountains to cross a few things off your list.
The Mirage is located at 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
Snap a Pic With the Las Vegas Sign
If you don’t get a post for the ‘gram with the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, did you really even visit the city? This iconic sign is located at the south end of the Strip and is one of the top Las Vegas free attractions.
There is limited free parking around the sign if you have your own wheels. It’s also a stop on the Deuce bus line, which is way cheaper than catching a cab.
The Las Vegas sign is located at 1373 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119.
Pinball Hall of Fame
While you’re down in this part of town, you might as well drop by the Pinball Hall of Fame. While it’s not technically free if you want to play the games, it’s certainly one of the top cheap things to do in Vegas.
Here you can play classic pinball games from the 1950s through the 90s. The older ones only cost a quarter, while newer ones will run you a cool $0.50.
The Pinball Hall of Fame is located at 4925 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119. It’s open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Free Things to do in Las Vegas Downtown and Beyond
Believe it or not, Vegas is not just about the Strip! It may be the most famous and maybe even the most popular area, but there are other fun things to do in Vegas. Here are some favorites.
Fremont Street Experience
The Strip is definitely the most famous area of Vegas, but there’s plenty of action happening downtown as well. This includes the amazing Fremont Street Experience, which is definitely a Las Vegas must-see.
Fremont Street is full of free stuff to do in Vegas. There are nightly concerts as well as tons of street artists and performers. It’s also home to Viva Vision – the largest video screen in the world. You can catch an awesome sound and light show every hour on the hour from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Fremont Street Experience is located at E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101.
Downtown Container Park
Las Vegas is definitely one of the most unique cities to visit. Case in point—you can see a giant, fire-breathing praying mantis synced to music. This is exactly what you’ll experience at Downtown Container Park.
One of the coolest free things in Vegas is the sunset drum circle here. It happens from Thursday to Sunday and goes from sunset until late. The park also has live music from time to time, in addition to a bunch of shops, restaurants, and bars.
The Downtown Container Park is located at 707 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101.
Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden
Have you ever dreamed of having an experience like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Here’s your chance! A short drive from the Strip will take you to the Ethel M Chocolates Factory.
It’s free to see the factory via a self-guided viewing aisle, and you can also check out their 3-acre botanical cactus garden. There are over 300 species of plants here that are all drought-tolerant and capable of flourishing in the hot Nevada desert.
The Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden is located at 2 Cactus Garden Dr, Henderson, NV 89014.
Seven Magic Mountains
One of the coolest free things to do in Las Vegas is visiting the art installation called Seven Magic Mountains. Created by renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, it’s a collection of Day-Glo painted boulders stacked 30-35 feet high.
Seven Magic Mountains is located in the desert just outside of the city. You’ll need to rent a car or jump in an Uber to get out there. No reservations are required, and it’s totally free to visit.
Seven Magic Mountains is located on S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89054.
How to Get to Las Vegas
Chances are you’ll arrive in Fabulous Las Vegas at the McCarran International Airport (LAS). There are direct flights to Vegas from most major cities in the US, as well as a few international destinations.
The airport is right near the Strip and is easy to get to and from. There are plenty of cabs available, and rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft have their own designated pick-up area. If you’re balling on a budget, it’s possible to catch the bus.
Speaking of the bus, you can also get to Vegas via a few different companies like Greyhound, Megabus, and FlixBus.
How to Get Around Las Vegas
How you choose to get around Vegas depends largely on where you’re staying and what you want to do.
For those staying on the Strip who want to mostly experience that side of Vegas, it’s possible to just get around on foot. There are walkways and escalators connecting the major resorts, so it’s easy to move between them.
The bus system is pretty good in Vegas as well, especially the Deuce line that runs up and down the Strip and to downtown. Check out the RTC bus schedule and map to plan your trip. It’s worth it to grab the 3-day pass for $20 if you’ll be there for a weekend.
If you’re hoping to add some day trips to your itinerary, you may want to look into renting a car. It can be a pain driving around town and finding parking, but you’ll be able to visit places like the Red Rock Canyon or Hoover Dam without signing up for a tour.
Cabs are also really easy to hail, especially at the big casinos. Uber and Lyft are readily available and usually pretty affordable.
When to Visit Las Vegas
There really is no bad time to visit Las Vegas. It’s the Nevada desert, though, which means it can be really hot in the summer and a bit chilly in the winter months. Spring and fall are the most pleasant times weather-wise.
Prices tend to skyrocket on weekends, holidays, and during special events like festivals and conventions. It’s a good idea to check the calendar and see what’s going on before you book your trip.
If possible, try to visit mid-week. That’s when you’ll find the best deals on flights and accommodation.
Where to Stay in Las Vegas
There are so many options for places to stay in Vegas it’ll make your head spin like the roulette table. You can find options for every budget, ranging from youth hostels up to 5-star resorts.
Here are a few options for where to stay in Vegas:
- Budget—Hostel Cat: When it comes to budget options in Vegas, it’s hard to top Hostel Cat. This is one of the cheapest places to rest your head in Sin City and it’s also a lot of fun, as it’s more social than the casinos. Hostel Cat is located at 1236 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104.
- Mid-Range—The D Casino & Hotel: This downtown casino is a great choice for taking advantage of lots of free things to do in Las Vegas. You’ll be just a short walk from the Fremont Street Experience and container park if you stay here. It’s located at 301 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101.
- Luxury—Aria Resort & Casino: This is definitely where the fabulous people stay in fabulous Las Vegas. If you’re looking to splurge and be spoiled, rest your head at Aria. It’s located at 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89158
Where to Eat in Las Vegas
Just like accommodation, you’re spoiled for choices when it comes to places to eat in Vegas. This place is seriously a foodie’s paradise!
Whether you’re looking for something quick and cheap or a Michelin-star fine dining experience, Vegas has got you covered. Here are a few of the best options broken down into different categories:
- Breakfast: Hash House a Go Go, The Egg & I
- Buffets: Jazz Brunch at Wynn, Bacchanal at Caesar’s
- Fast Food: In ‘N Out, Tacos el Gordo
- Pizza: Pizza Rock, Secret Pizza
- Mexican: Madero Street Tacos, Border Grill
- Sushi: Mizumi, Nobu
- Asian: Lotus of Siam, Yunnan Garden
- Fine Dining: Joel Robuchon, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Le Cirque
Enjoy All the Free Things to Do in Las Vegas
There you have it, folks—a bunch of awesome and free things to do in Vegas! As you can see, you don’t have to drain your bank account to have a good time in Sin City.
It’s actually possible to have tons of fun in Vegas on a shoestring budget, believe it or not. Wander up and down the Strip to check out the various attractions like the volcano and fountains.
Then head downtown for Fremont Street and the container park and maybe even add a fun day trip to the Seven Magic Mountains. The sky really is the limit here!
Do you have a recommendation for some fun free things to do in Vegas? Leave a comment and let us know!
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