Things to Do in Las Vegas for Free – 19 Can’t Miss Activities

Follow along to discover the 19 best things to do in Las Vegas for free. Kooky characters, giant mantis metal sculptures, and world-famous fountain shows along Las Vegas Boulevard come together to make any getaway to the Glitter Gulch memorable.

Put away that wallet and enjoy a free attraction such as the rosy-hued Chilean flamingos at their namesake hotel, or spirit yourself off the strip for a sojourn to the Hoover Dam. From checking out antique pinball machines to sampling luscious treats at a real chocolate factory, there are endless ways to see the City of Sin for free.

Las Vegas Hotels

Hold up there high roller! Before we tell you how to bankroll your Vegas vacation for free ninety-nine, you’ll need to reserve some epic lodgings. Unfortunately, we can’t promise you a gratis luxury suite in downtown Las Vegas. However, we can offer you the best rates on Las Vegas hotels online.

Whether you are seeking wave pools and lazy rivers, or the classic charms of the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, we offer a wide array of accommodation options. Savor budget-friendly options that sit directly on the Strip, or treat yourself to kitschy medieval or Egyptian-themed digs. From full-service spas to cozy inns, we provide options for every type of traveler.

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Things to Do in Las Vegas Free

VIP-worthy pool parties and endless rounds of roulette can add up quickly. Give your vacation budget a break when you check out some of the best free things to do in Las Vegas.

No matter if you’re angling for some world-class people watching or would rather abscond from the casino scene to peek at some magical art, the Neon City promises to dazzle.

Tour the Las Vegas Strip

There’s a reason what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! Visitors from all over flock to this city of glittery lights to let loose and get wild. This makes Sin City one of the most entertaining places to people watch and absorb the local atmosphere.

Whether it’s your first time visiting Las Vegas or your fiftieth, walking down the Vegas Strip is a must-do. It’s one of the best free things to do in Vegas.

While it may cost a few bucks to see certain famous attractions, strolling through this iconic area is entirely free. Keep your eyes peeled for flashy costumes, street performers, and more as you take in:

• New York New York
• Mandalay Bay
• The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas
• The Fremont Street Experience
• MGM Grand
• The High Roller Observation Wheel

Sightseeing and upping your photography skills are two of the best things to do in Las Vegas Strip free.

The Grand Canal Shoppes

Open in Maps: 3377 Las Vegas Blvd S Suite 2600, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Who says a European vacation isn’t in the cards? Skip the transatlantic flight and get your fill of Venetian charm when you swing by the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Hotel & Casino. First opened in 1999, this upscale mall features an array of luxury retail and indoor canals a la Venice.

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Watch in wonder as shoppers are gondola to and fro. Or admire the colorful waterfall and garden in the signature Atrium. For a lavishly free feast for both your eyes and ears, tourists can take in the Streetmosphere.

Captivatingly charming, you’ll want to carve out an hour or two to witness shows ranging from pop art-inspired opera to avant-garde performers sheathed in exquisite Venetian couture. Shows take place daily and are always complimentary.

Watch the Bellagio Fountain Show

Open in Maps: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Arguably as iconic as the famous ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign, the Bellagio Fountain Show features some of the best bang for your non-existent buck. Replay your favorite Ocean’s Eleven scene when you stop by for a praiseworthy performance of the Bellagio Fountain Show.

Designed to romance your senses, this awe-inspiring display of water, music, and sound contains the most ambitious, complex water feature ever constructed. It’s one of the best free activities in Las Vegas!

Completely free to enjoy, visitors and locals alike can settle in and watch these enchanting streams of water squirt and spray almost 500 feet high. Each performance is unique, so no matter how many times you’ve been mesmerized by the Bellagio Fountains you’ll still be surprised by this amazing aquatic spectacle.

Monday through Friday the fountain show is every 30 minutes from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. On weekends and holidays, the Fountain display is every 30 minutes from noon to 6:30 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 7:00 p.m. to midnight.

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Open in Maps: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Swear you’ve been whisked away to wonderland when you stop to smell the roses at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Each season a dedicated team of green-thumbed horticulturalists transforms the 14,000-square-foot Botanical Gardens into a riot of vibrant fauna.

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Whether you visit during winter, spring, summer, or fall you are guaranteed an epic display of sight, sound, and color. Always free to enter, guests may be treated to a floral-based tunnel of love, or ogle at elaborate plant-based polar bears frolicking in fields of Poinsettia. So, add this to your list of things to do in Vegas for free!

Seven Magic Mountains

Open in Maps: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Looking for adventurous and free Las Vegas activities? Escape the buzz of the busy strip and imbue your Vegas getaway with color, whimsy, and fun when you tour the Seven Magic Mountains. This large outdoor art installation is free to visit and contains seven, 30 to 35-feet dayglow painted totems of locally-sourced boulders.

Located just 10 miles south of the strip, around 15 minutes by car, these towering figures make an otherworldly impact on the otherwise stark landscape of the Mojave desert. A unique statement on the interplay between the natural and the artificial.

This renowned piece by Ugo Rondinone was only on schedule to be displayed for two years. However, due to their massive popularity, these neon boulders will be on display indefinitely.

The Golden Nugget

Open in Maps: 129 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

All that glitters is gold at one of Vegas’s most legendary casinos and hotels. An integral fixture of the Las Vegas scene since 1946, the Golden Nugget is overflowing with entertainment and Vegas history. For a fun detour from day drinking and pool hopping, you can hightail it here to spot the biggest gold nugget in existence.

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Known as the ‘Hand of Faith’ this 61-pound beauty was discovered in 1980 by Kevin Hillier in Australia. Hiller would go on to sell this behemoth nugget which eventually made its home at the casino.

Watch Circus Acts at Circus Circus

Open in Maps: 2880 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

High-flying trapeze talent, juggling, and aerial amazement oh my! There’s never a bad time to run away with the circus. Save your hard-earned dollars for some Vegas swag and scurry on over to Circus Circus for some death-defying feats.

Known as Vegas’ only circus-themed hotel and casino, visitors can congregate here to experience the world’s largest permanent circus. Which highlights the center stage of the Carnival Midway daily. A trip to Circus Cirus is one of the best free things to do in Vegas for adults.

Every Circus Circus performance is free and promises to wow. Settle in for trapeze tricks, feats of strength and skill, ladder dances, and wacky clowns. From German wheels from Russia to juggling twins, you never know what madness you’ll encounter next.

The Pinball Hall of Fame

Open in Maps: 4925 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Calling all pinball wizards! Take things back to the days of soda shops and old-school arcade fun when you take on pinball machines ranging from AC DC to Iron Man and the Flash. The Pinball Hall of Fame is a mecca for pinball enthusiasts young and old. Always free to enter, this museum features nothing but pinball for over 20,000 square feet.

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Opened in 2009, this Vegas favorite now has a new home right across from the famous ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ landmark. Featuring pinball machines from the 1950s through the 90s. Pinball professionals will be blown away by games ranging from Ghostbusters to The Flintstones.

Best of all, the machines have all been lovingly restored and are ready for play! All older pinball models are set to 25 cents per play, and newer 1990s models are set to 50 cents per play.

Free Things to Do in Las Vegas with Kids

The setting for many a bachelor party might not seem like the ideal place to travel with kids in tow. Nonetheless, those who dig below the surface of slot machines and strip clubs will discover countless complimentary activities to enjoy with kids in Las Vegas.

See the Hoover Dam

Open in Maps: 81 Hoover Dam Access Rd, Boulder City, NV 89005

Powerful, steeped in history, and boasting spectacular views, kids of all ages will be enthralled by the Hoover Dam.

Known as one of the engineering wonders of the world, this testament of electric power was once the world’s largest concrete structure. Today the facility is the world’s 34th largest hydroelectric generating station.

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Come here to soak in sweeping Arizona lookouts or walk on the amazing Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. For an even more in-depth look at the Dam’s history and significance, feel free to book a Hoover Dam Bus Tour, which includes Vegas transportation.

Ethel M Chocolates Tour

Open in Maps: 2 Cactus Garden Dr, Henderson, NV 89014

Decadent and deliciously sweet, is there anything better than a box of chocolates? Take a peek behind the curtain of Las Vegas’ best chocolate factory when you treat yourself to a self-guided tour of the Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson, Nevada. Head on over to the free & self-guided viewing aisle to uncover the tips and tricks behind their famous pecan brittle, caramel, and more.

Lucky guests will see chocolatiers in action. Or perhaps even spy on them preparing their signature small batch fillings of satin crèmes and peanut butter. After your heavenly adventure into the world of confection, why not splurge and savor a yummy surprise from their Cactus Garden Café?

Less interested in chocolate and more interested in cacti? Take a peek at the 3-acre botanical cactus garden. Boasting over 300 species of cacti and succulents, this hidden gem in Nevada is a can’t-miss for any budding biologist. So go ahead, add this to your list of free things to do in Vegas with kids!

Hike Red Rock Canyon

Open in Maps: 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161

Get your mini mountaineer suited up for a day of hiking, geology, and wildlife when you plan a day at Red Rock Canyon. Immerse yourself in the red-hued rocks of the Mojave desert when you visit this park.

Containing over 20 numbered hikes and trails and a scenic one-way 13-mile drive, Red Rock Canyon is the ideal place to unwind in nature.

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Cuddle up with Jackson, the jovial adopted burro. Or go on a mission to spot the dinosaur tracks in the Aztec sandstone. Be sure to pack that sunscreen and hat, as you’ll want lots of protection before taking pleasure in conquering elevation gains of 1,000 feet or panoramic views of the Wilson Cliffs.

Please note that a small fee for parking and/or pedestrians applies to entering this national recreation area.

See the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo

Open in Maps: 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Who needs a zoo? Go get wild when you and your brood learn all about the Flamingo’s most famous feathered, scaled, and furry guests. The Flamingo Wildlife habitat is a lush oasis showcasing 4 acres of gardens, waterfalls, streams, and animals.

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Free to enter and enjoy, visitors of all ages will flip over seeing Chilean flamingos, Koi fish, turtles, hummingbirds, and more. Swoon over multiple species of exotic waterfowl or watch the Sturgeon swim on by. Listen up for the hum of local songbirds, or stay put for daily keeper talks.

The Aquarium at the Silverton Casino

Open in Maps: 3333 Blue Diamond Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89139

Under the sea is the place to be! Spoil your little Aquaman (or Aquawoman) with a free tip to a 117,000-gallon aquarium teeming with tropical fish. The Aquarium at the Silverton Casino is a watery nirvana that has been deemed the “Best Free Attraction in Las Vegas. ” This all-ages attraction is overflowing with stingrays, sharks, and jellyfish.

In addition, Silverton is well known for its mermaids. These long-locked beauties swim gracefully through the aquarium interacting with all manner of sea creatures. From turtles to manta rays there’s tons to see. Don’t forget to check out the aquarium schedule to stay abreast of the daily interactive stingray feedings and mermaid swims.

Can You Get Free Hotels in Vegas?

Las Vegas is not just notorious for its limitless casinos, but also for its magnificent hotels and resorts. If you’re a gaming enthusiast and frequent player, chances are high that you could secure a comped or free room at a casino.

To clinch this offer, remember to always use your player’s card, be a consistent gamer, and don’t hesitate to request your comps – that’s your ticket to a complimentary Las Vegas hotel room.

Maximize Your Vegas Experience Without Spending a Dime

Partying it up at Marquee, shopping the forum shops at Caesars, limo rides, and bottle service make it too easy to blow your Las Vegas budget.

Thankfully, there’s way more than blackjack and big-name residencies to discover in Vegas. Thrifty travelers can sleep easy, knowing Sin City boasts more than her fair share of cheap activities.

Get your blood pumping with an early morning Red Rock Canyon hike peppered with Triassic fossils and desert flora. Or, let your brain be flabbergasted by the physical strength of international acrobats and trapeze artists at Circus Circus.

Snag a selfie with a real-life Ariel, head to the downtown container park, or relish the grandeur of a Venetian opera performance.

From light show-infused concerts to H20-filled escapes, there’s always something wonderful to try in Vegas!

Things to Do in Las Vegas for Free FAQs

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