Las Vegas is one of the cheapest tourist destinations to get to and it’s because they expect you to spend a lot of money while you’re there. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas that are free. As an added bonus, they are also family friendly and great for those with kids or young adults under the age of 21. Â
Walk The Strip
Walking up and down the Las Vegas strip is an experience in itself both day or night.
With a vast array of shops, casinos, hotels and street entertainment… there’s definitely an energetic vibe that is fun to be immersed in. Plus, the people watching is entertaining itself.
The Las Vegas Strip is a little over 4 miles long so it will be quite the hike it to walk the entire length. However, as I mentioned in my Las Vegas on a budget travel post… if you stay in the middle of the strip like we did, then you can easily get to the Venetian, the Mirage, The Aria, Cosmopolitan, Â and down to New York, New York without breaking too much of a sweat.
Be Dazzled By The Bellagio Fountains
If you visit Las Vegas you definitely need to stop and watch the iconic Bellagio Fountains. Â
Set to beautiful music, the fountains shoot water as high as 460 feet into the air.
Feel free to follow my Spotify playlist that features the current musical lineup.
The fountain show occurs multiple times a day, usually every half hour in the afternoon and every 15 minutes at night. However, weather can affect the schedule.Â
Check the Bellagio website for specific showtimes and updates.
Visit The Conservatory at The Bellagio
While you’re at the Bellagio, stop inside to visit Bellagio’s Arcadia —an ah-mazing conservatory and botanical garden!
Bellagio’s Arcadia is 14,000 square feet of stunning horticultural design and the display changes seasonally. Despite the seasonal changes, Bellagio is still committed to displaying beauty in an environmentally friendly way by recycling 90% of the trees, flowers and plants with each change.
Take time to walk through the Botanical Garden and Conservatory at the Bellagio. The display changes seasonally and makes for a beautiful stroll before or after dinner.
Watch Atlantis Fall At The Forum Shoppes
Take A Journey To Atlantis..And Watch It Fall at the Forum Shoppes at Caesar’s Palace.
The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace
Nestled fairly deep inside the Forum Shops is a fun, free animatronic show that tells the mythological tale of Atlantis.
The show plays every hour on the hour daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.Â
While you wait, enjoy the 50,000 saltwater aquarium that serves as the stage for the show.
Not only is this a fun little Las Vegas freebie, but it’s also a great way to rest and escape the sun during a day of shopping and walking the strip.
Stroll The Linq Entertainment Corridor
The Linq Corridor
The Linq Corridor aka the Linq Promenade is a smaller strip of unique shops, restaurant and entertainment fit snugly between the Flamingo and the Linq casinos and hotel.
Of course, attractions on the strip will not be free, but it’s a nice stroll and gives a great viewpoint of the High Roller, Las Vegas’ 550-foot tall observation wheel.
View of the High Roller from the Linq Corridor
Plus, you can grab a fairly inexpensive bite to eat at places like In-N-Out Burger, The Haute Doggery hot dog shop , Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen + Bar and more.
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Take a Trip To Italy
Imagine yourself in San Marco Square as the Venetian transports you to ‘The Floating City.”
Be transported to St. Mark’s Square inside the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
You can check out fine shopping, art galleries and Streetmosphere –Â entertainment at various parts of the walkway as you stroll.
A live mannequin is part of the Streetmosphere inside the Venetian.
Of course, if you happen to ever find yourself in the real Venice, check out my tips on how to experience it like a local.
See A Performance From Big Elvis
In all honesty, if you go to Las Vegas and don’t see an Elvis impersonator... did you really go to Vegas?
Catch the Big Elvis show at the Piano Bar at Harrah’s.
Pete Vallee is a fun one and you can check out his show in the Piano Bar at Harrah’s.
We would agree with other reviewers that Pete is one of the best Elvis impersonators in Vegas and the show is one of the best free attractions on the Strip.
Plus, he’ll take your requests!
Big Elvis performs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Visit The Wildlife Habitat At The Flamingo
If the sights and sounds of the strip are getting to be a bit overwhelming, get in touch with nature at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat.
The area is home to exotic birds ( even ones that are not of the pink variety), turtles and fish.
Plus, the waterfalls provide some stunning scenery for photos…
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Take The Obligatory Photo At The Las Vegas Welcome Sign
You pretty much HAVE to take a picture at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign to prove you were there.
The famous landmark was erected in 1959 and is now a fun, nostalgic tourist trap…that won’t cost you a dime.
I do recommend getting there early in the morning or later at night, because there is a line and parking may be limited.
The sign is located on the south end of the strip, so you likely won’t want to walk there.
But, it won’t be an expensive uber or bus fare. If you have a car, there is a parking lot available that doesn’t charge a fee.
Get your first ride Free on Uber when you sign up through my referral link!
Watch The Volcano Erupt At The Mirage
What the Bellagio does with water…the Mirage does with fire.
The Mirage Hotel and Casino- Las Vegas
Though benign looking by day, the Mirage’s front yard erupts…literally…twice nightly with is Volcano Eruption Show.
The Mirage Volcano erupts nightly to the tunes of the Grateful Dead and Indian Table player, Zakir Hussain.
You can catch the show at either 8. 9 or 10:00 p.m., but the schedule can change depending on weather.
Go Under The Big Top
If you want to check out some free circus acts, you can head to Circus Circus.
Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
Truth be told, I wouldn’t make this a priority stop unless you have kids.
Circus Circus just seems like a bit of an odd mix between Chuck E’ Cheese and a casino.
I couldn’t quite figure it out…but, then again, I am also freaked out by clowns…so my opinion of the place is already skewed.
Clowns freak me out…something I didn’t consider before venturing off to Circus Circus
The hotel was pretty old looking so I am not sure I would want to test out the rooms. Plus, it’s so far up on the north end of the strip, that it’s not centrally located to the other hotels, casinos and attractions. The Stratosphere is further north of Circus Circus, but that’s about it.
But, if you have some time to kill, the circus acts are completely free and show daily beginning at 11:30 a.m. Performers rotate, so you can check the hotel’s weekly schedule to know what acts to expect.
The seating area for the shows is pretty small…so try to arrive about 15 minutes before the posted showtime. Otherwise, there is some standing room spots with a decent view.
Check out the Cherifian Troupe perform in the video below.
Side note: If you have kids with you, they’ll enjoy the midway, though it’s not free. In fact, Chuck E. Cheese’s is cheaper…
Have you tried any of these free things to do in Las Vegas or what would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments!
Also, if you found this post helpful…definitely please share!
 
Meg
Woohooo! Viva Las Vegas! Vegas can be such an expensive place to visit, unless you do it right! Thanks for sharing!
Miranda
I did not see an Elvis Impersonator so it appears I have to return, haha. I did see the Blue Man Group, awesome show!
Shirley
These are excellent tips! I went to Las Vegas several years ago, but just drove through as it was not my final destination. If I get out there again, I will be visiting these free places!