There’s so much to do and see in Las Vegas, but if you’re not careful, it can really cost you. Here’s a list of the Best free and cheap things to do in Las Vegas that the whole family can enjoy.
Image by Paul from Pixabay
Some are located right on the Las Vegas Strip, and some are a short drive away, but all of these attractions will make your visit worth while and keep some money in your wallet.
Free and Cheap Things to do near the Las Vegas Strip
Go casino hopping (but stay off the floor)
Las Vegas is filled with elaborate casinos that are attractions in and of themselves. And it’s free to go inside and look around (as long as you don’t feed the machines). For example, the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino has a replica of the Eiffel Tower out front, which you are free to look at without spending a dime.
Inside the Venetian, you’ll find Venetian streetscapes, balconies, cafes, and even a Grand Canal (complete with gondola rides). It’ll cost you $18.95 per person for a gondola ride, but it’s free to just go in and browse.
Image: Pixabay
The Welcome to Las Vegas Nevada Sign
This historic piece of Las Vegas has been seen over and over again in the movies, and everyone needs a photo in front of this iconic sign! Located just south of Mandalay Bay on Las Vegas Boulevard, it’s open 24 hours a day and always FREE. There’s now a small parking lot, but it’s usually busy, so expect to spend a small chunk of time here.
The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo
15 acres of trees, ponds, and waterfalls house over 300 birds as well as turtles, swans, ducks, koi, goldfish, and yes, Chilean flamingos. This peaceful and quiet attraction may have you forgetting you’re even in Las Vegas.
The habitat is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is always FREE. You can find it inside the Flamingo hotel and casino, next to the pool and spa.
Attend an art walk
On the First Friday of every month, the Arts District of downtown Las Vegas holds an art walk from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. Admission is free. This event includes works by local artists, food trucks, kids’ activities, music, and artist demonstrations.
Go window shopping at Caesar’s Palace
The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace are made up of around 160 high-end stores and restaurants. One of the more fascinating aspects of the Forum Shops is the Fall of Atlantis fire and water show, which runs every hour on the hour.
The 10-minute show features Roman statues that come to life and battle over who should rule over Atlantis.
Image: Image by hollow373 from Pixabay
Catch The Fremont Street Experience
If you want to get away from the strip for a while, take a short ride to Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas for the Fremont Street Experience. There you will find old-style casinos, more than 60 restaurants, free live entertainment, and a spectacular free light and sound show that runs multiple times each night.
The Viva Vision light show is the largest video screen in the world, and recently got a $32 million upgrade! This light show runs every day on the hour from 6pm-2am. The music selection varies but you can check their calendar for the current line-up.
Go shopping downtown
Experience Downtown Container Park, an open-air shopping center filled with boutique retail shops, unique restaurants, and live entertainment for the whole family – located in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas! And yes, it’s stores and restaurants are made up of actual shipping containers.
Kids will love the interactive playground featuring The Treehouse, and adults can relax while enjoying free concerts, movies, and more on the main stage.
See a live circus performance
At Circus Circus Las Vegas, you’ll find a carnival midway with a center stage on which you can watch the world’s largest permanent circus. The midway surrounds the circus stage which showcases free world class circus acts daily starting at 1:30 PM. All performances are free.
Image: SAllgood
Walk through the flowers
While checking out the fountains, head inside Bellagio just past the front desk to the 14,000 square foot Conservatory. This is where the talented horticulture staff transforms the space seasonally using thousands of flowers and trees.
Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter are all featured—along with a special display for Lunar New Year. When the seasons change so do the displays.
This masterpiece is open day and night and is always FREE to view.
Image by Regina Shanklin from Pixabay
See a musical water show
We’ve all seen them in the movies. But, if you’ve never witnessed The Bellagio Fountains in person, they are impressive, so put it on your list. With more than 1000 fountains lit up and dancing to music, it’s a spectacle that no one should miss. And it’s FREE.
Free and Cheap Things to do just a short drive from the Strip
Visit Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon offers something for everyone. If you just want to see the canyon and take some photos, you can simply drive through and pull over when you find a good stopping place.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can go hiking, rock climbing, bicycling, or camping. The admission fee is $20 per car/truck; $8 for bicyclists and $5 for pedestrians. You will now need to schedule your visit October through May, please see the link before you go.
Calico Basin Red Springs
Located just before the Scenic Loop of Red Rock Canyon, the Red Springs Basin picnic area is a great place to stop and enjoy the majestic scenery that is Red Rock Canyon for FREE.
There’s a boardwalk, trail heads from the parking area, as well as a picnic area and restrooms. It’s also an amazing backdrop for photos. You’ll want to head out very early in warmer months, as it can get dangerously hot from May-September.
See a live circus performance
At Circus Circus Las Vegas, you’ll find a carnival midway with a center stage on which you can watch the world’s largest permanent circus. The midway surrounds the circus stage which showcases free world class circus acts daily starting at 1:30 PM. All performances are free.
Take a chocolate factory tour
Ethyl M Chocolates offers free self-guided tours of its chocolate factory in Henderson, NV (just South of Las Vegas) daily from 10am-6pm. Their breathtaking Botanical Cactus Garden is Nevada’s largest and one of the world’s largest collections of its kind.
The Cactus garden’s over 300 species of plants are especially wonderful over the holiday season when they are lit up with thousands of lights. The self guided tour and botanical garden are FREE and open to the public.
Image: SAllgood
Seven Magic Mountains
Located near Jean Dry Lake and Interstate 15, approximately ten miles south of Las Vegas, internationally renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s Seven Magic Mountains is a large-scale site-specific public art installation worth visiting.
Comprised of seven towers of colorful, stacked boulders standing more than thirty feet high, it’s a site to see in the middle of the desert. It is FREE and open to the public, but please visit the webpage for all of the details, including directions, before you visit. I recommend visiting when the sun starts setting, it’s beautiful.
Hoover Dam
Located about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, this structure is worth the drive. Built during the Great Depression, the Hoover Dam is an impressive piece of American history. You are able to drive over the dam to the Arizona side, where you’ll find free parking, but be prepared to walk.
Parking closer to the dam costs, and there is a parking structure on the Nevada side for $10. The tours and visitors center all cost money to access, but walking onto the dam or viewing the dam from above on the massive Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge is free. Tour times, ticket prices, as well as more dam information can be found at the link.
With the many attractions abound to visit in Las Vegas, be sure to put these free and cheap things to do on your calendar right away.
If there’s anything on here you haven’t seen yet, put it on your to-do list. If you happen to be traveling with kiddos in tow, you’ll want to check out this list of 10 Best Free and Cheap Things to do with Kids in Las Vegas.
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