13 Amazing Free Things to Do in Las Vegas
Las Vegas dazzles with neon lights and high-roller tables, but the best parts of Sin City won’t cost you a dime!
Toss the notion that Vegas requires big spending – these free activities deliver maximum thrills without touching your vacation budget.
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1. Wander Through the Venice Canals
Skip the flight to Italy and stroll through a stunning recreation of Venice right on the Las Vegas Strip.
The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian offer canals filled with water, gondoliers serenading passengers, and cobblestone streets under a ceiling painted to look like the sky.
While gondola rides cost money, watching them glide by and listening to the beautiful singing costs nothing.
2. Watch the Bellagio Fountain Show
The dancing waters in front of the Bellagio Hotel are a Las Vegas icon for good reason!
This massive 8.5-acre lake erupts into action with 1,214 powerful water nozzles shooting streams up to 460 feet high, all choreographed perfectly to music.
Shows run every 30 minutes from 3 PM to 7:30 PM (12 PM to 7:30 on weekends and holidays), then every 15 minutes until midnight. For the best views, grab a spot at the railing early or head up to the footbridge nearby.
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3. Watch the Circus Show at Circus Circus
Who needs expensive tickets to Cirque du Soleil when you can catch amazing circus acts for free?
At Circus Circus, you’ll see talented trapeze artists flying through the air and skilled jugglers keeping impossible numbers of objects aloft.
The one-hour performances showcase a variety of acts that will have you holding your breath one minute and clapping wildly the next.
4. Visit the Fall of Atlantis Show at Caesars Palace
Hidden deep within the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, this free show is a hidden treasure you shouldn’t miss.
The Fall of Atlantis features incredible animatronic statues that tell the dramatic story of Atlantis.
King Atlas must decide which of his children should rule, leading to an epic showdown with real fire shooting into the air – you’ll actually feel the heat! The show runs hourly from noon to 8 PM Thursday through Monday.
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5. Tour Ethel M Chocolates & Cactus Garden
Take a quick drive to Henderson for a sweet treat at Ethel M Chocolates. Walk through the free, self-guided chocolate factory viewing aisle to see skilled chocolatiers at work.
Then step outside to discover Nevada’s largest botanical cactus garden, spanning 3 acres with more than 300 species of cacti and desert plants.
During the holidays, the garden becomes a magical display with millions of twinkling lights wrapped around every cactus.
6. Visit the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art
Art lovers, grab your cameras and head to UNLV’s campus for this hidden gem. The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art offers free admission and showcases a rotating collection of exhibits from local and national artists.
Despite its modest size, this cultural hotspot packs a punch with thoughtfully curated exhibitions representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM – perfect for escaping the midday heat while feeding your brain!
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7. Explore Downtown Art Murals
Skip the casino crowds and hunt for photo-worthy street art instead! Downtown Las Vegas is an outdoor gallery filled with huge, colorful murals painted by some of America’s top artists.
Many of these stunning works were created for the annual Life is Beautiful Festival and stay up year-round for everyone to enjoy.
Local artist Gear Duran’s impressive pieces like “Spirit of Nevada” and “Vegas Rising” are particularly worth finding.
Spend about 45 minutes wandering through the Arts District (nicknamed “18b” for its 18 blocks) and downtown streets to discover these giant masterpieces.
8. Marvel at the Mermaid Show at Silverton Aquarium
Real-life mermaids in Las Vegas? You better believe it! At Silverton Casino’s 117,000-gallon aquarium, professional swimmers don glittering tails and perform underwater acrobatics alongside thousands of tropical fish.
Shows run Thursday through Saturday from noon to 8 PM and Sundays from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Arrive early to grab a good viewing spot, and don’t miss the interactive stingray feedings at 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM daily.
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9. Visit the Shelby Heritage Center
The Shelby Heritage Center showcases over 25 legendary automobiles spanning decades since 1962, including the original Shelby Cobra with plate number 1.
This over 10,000-square-foot facility lets you get up close to these powerful machines during completely free self-guided tours.
Located just west of Las Vegas Boulevard across from Town Square, the museum is actually part of a working 150,000-square-foot production facility where new Shelby vehicles are still made today.
10. Check Out the Pinball Hall of Fame
Gaming fans, grab your quarters! The Pinball Hall of Fame holds the world’s largest collection of pinball machines – over 650 vintage games.
This huge 25,000-square-foot museum on the southern Strip costs nothing to enter.
You’ll find perfectly restored machines from the 1950s through 1990s, plus classic arcade games like Pac-Man and Frogger.
Older machines only cost 25 cents per game, while 1990s machines are 50 cents per game making this spot perfect for budget-conscious families looking for old-school fun.
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11. Walk the Park MGM Promenade
Need a breather from casino noise? The Park MGM Promenade gives you fresh air and greenery right on the Strip.
This leafy outdoor walkway connects big hotels like Aria and New York New York with the T-Mobile Arena.
A waterfall wall lines the path, with shade structures that glow with colored lights after dark. Snap a selfie with the huge neon-lit Bliss Dance statue that towers 40 feet high!
12. The Lake of Dreams at Wynn Las Vegas
The Lake of Dreams at Wynn Las Vegas puts on a free light show that most tourists miss. Shows start at sunset and run every 30 minutes until midnight.
Each performance uses 5,000 LED lights projecting onto a 45-foot waterfall with stunning special effects.
Take the escalator near the lake, turn right at the top, follow the hallway to an outdoor door, and find the free family-friendly patio with seating.
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13. The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
The Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens wows visitors with incredible displays that change five times yearly.
This massive 14,000-square-foot indoor garden uses thousands of real flowers and plants to create stunning seasonal scenes.
A team of gardening experts spends a week transforming the space for Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Lunar New Year celebrations.
You’ll find it just past the hotel’s main entrance – look for the giant glass flower ceiling, then head straight ahead.
