When people think about Las Vegas, they think of fancy clubs, glamorous vibes, and overall luxury. But, you don’t have to be a high-roller to enjoy this city. If you’re looking for the best free things to do in Vegas, you’ve come to the right place.
There’s nowhere in the world quite like Las Vegas. After all, it’s not called Sin City for nothing. From exciting nightclubs to exhilarating casinos, Las Vegas is definitely a unique destination.
And while many Las Vegas activities can be quite pricey, there are also a shocking number of free things to do in Vegas as well. You can watch the famous Bellagio fountains, say hello to friendly flamingos at the Flamingo Hotel, and feel like you’ve traveled to Italy with a visit to The Venetian – all without spending a dime!
Whether you’re in Las Vegas for just a quick weekend getaway or for a whole week, these 21 activities will keep you entertained without breaking the bank.
For more money-saving tips for Las Vegas, this mega Las Vegas travel guide has you covered!
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In This Post:
21 Awesome Free Things to Do in Vegas
1. Watch the Fountains at the Bellagio
One of the most popular things to do in Las Vegas for free is to watch the fountains at the Bellagio. With thousands of lights, hundreds of water features, and the magical music of top artists, it’s definitely a stunning show. The shows take place every 30 minutes in the afternoon and every 15 minutes in the evening.
2. Visit M&M’s World
There are quite a few free chocolate-centric attractions in Las Vegas, including M&M’s World. This four-story building was actually the first M&M’s store location ever built, and it’s filled with all things M&M-related. While there, you can browse walls stacked with colorful candies, say hello to the M&M’s mascot, and even watch a free M&M’s 3D movie.
3. Window Shop at the Miracle Mile Shops
Las Vegas is filled with amazing shopping areas, including The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Fashion Show Mall, and The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. But the most famous shopping district may be the Miracle Mile Shops.
With retailers ranging from Swarovski to Urban Outfitters, you’ll find everything you’re looking for at the Miracle Mile Shops. And while actually purchasing the items will cost a bit of cash, you can definitely window shop for free!
4. Take a Tour of the Ethel M Chocolate Factory
If M&M’s World isn’t enough to fulfill your chocolate cravings, you can add the Ethel M Chocolate Factory to your itinerary as well. You can take a self-guided tour through the factory and learn everything you’d like to know about the chocolate-making process. You can even watch the machines and chocolatiers at work!
As an added bonus, the Ethel M Chocolate Factory also boasts the largest botanical cactus garden in all of Nevada. Be sure to make time to admire the 300 different species of plants. And if you’re lucky enough to visit around the holidays, the lovely cacti will be decked out in over one million colorful lights!
5. Stop by Seven Magic Mountains
Seven Magic Mountains is one of the few free things to do in Las Vegas that is not on The Strip. This attraction is essentially an art installation set out in the middle of the Mojave Desert.
Created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, Seven Magic Mountains consists of seven columns of neon-colored stacked rocks. It was originally displayed at the Nevada Museum of Art in 2016, and it was only supposed to be showcased for two years. But Seven Magic Mountains gained so much popularity that it was given a special permit to remain in the Mojave Desert until the end of 2021.
6. Watch a Volcano Erupt at The Mirage
With lava simulations, huge explosions, hurling fireballs, and a soundtrack from The Grateful Dead, the volcano show at The Mirage is quite an exciting experience. As a matter of fact, it’s so heated that you can actually feel the heat of the fire when you watch the show! The shows take place every hour on the hour after dark.
7. Take a Picture with the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign
The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign is an iconic part of the city. Built in 1959, it has been since featured on everything from souvenirs to movies to even the Nevada license plate!
To reach this famous sign, you’ll want to make your way to the south end of The Strip. There’s even a designated parking area for the sign, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait in line to finally take a picture with the sign.
8. Feel Like You’ve Travelled to Italy at The Venetian
If you do it right, a trip to The Strip can feel like a vacation around the world. And you don’t even have to spend a dollar! First up on your international journey: Venice, Italy.
At The Venetian, you can experience many of Venice’s most famous attractions. You can take a stroll alongside the canals, wander around St. Mark’s Square, listen to the ringing of St. Mark’s Campanile, and admire the architecture of the Doge’s Palace.
9. Or Take a Trip to France Instead with a Visit to the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
After your trip to Venice, you can make your way to France at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. The most famous attraction – both in Paris, France, and at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino – is the Eiffel Tower.
Like the real Eiffel Tower, Paris Las Vegas’ replica puts on a light show every night – although the Las Vegas version obviously adds a little more spectacle. While the Paris Eiffel Tower romantically sparkles at midnight, the Las Vegas Eiffel Tower includes energetic music, colorful strobe lights, and more!
In addition to the Eiffel Tower, the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino also boasts replicas of the Arc de Triomphe, the Montgolfier balloon, and La Fontaine des Mers.
10. Or Even Head to Egypt with a Visit to the Luxor Hotel & Casino
But your adventure doesn’t have to be limited to just Europe. You can cross the Mediterranean (or in this case, the street) and pay a visit to Egypt.
Named after the riverfront city of Luxor, Egypt, the Luxor Hotel & Casino boasts replicas of many of the most famous Egyptian attractions, including the Sphinx, one of the pyramids of Giza, and Luxor’s Grand Avenue of Sphinxes. While there, you can take pictures with all of these sites and even take a slanted elevator ride inside the black glass pyramid!
11. Catch the Fall of Atlantis Show at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace
Not all of the destinations on your around the world tour have to be real. For example, you can visit the fictional underwater city of Atlantis.
Near the Cheesecake Factory at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, you can watch an enrapturing show about the Fall of Atlantis. With an intriguing story, cascading fountains, flashing lights, and intricate sculptures, this show is definitely one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas. The show takes place every hour on the hour starting at 11 a.m.
12. Gape at the World’s Largest Piece of Gold
Once upon a time, the world’s largest piece of gold was displayed at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. Today, this 61-pound golden nugget – nicknamed the “Hand of Faith” – has been transferred to the Golden Nugget Laughlin Hotel & Casino.
If you’d like to see this amazing, record-holding gem, you’ll need to take a little day trip to Laughlin, a little town that’s an hour and a half outside of Las Vegas.
13. Wander Along the Pioneer Trail
One of the most underrated free things to do in Las Vegas is to explore the Pioneer Trail. Since Las Vegas is known for its bright lights, huge hotels, and packed casinos, the interesting history of the city is often overlooked.
You can experience the 16 stops of the Pioneer Trail with a self-guided driving tour. Along the way, you’ll find many fascinating sights. You’ll start at the Las Vegas Springs Reserve, a set of historic wells used by the Paiute and Anasazi Native American tribes. And you’ll end at the Biltmore Village, a housing area built to house soldiers during World War II. A few other stops include Moulin Rouge, the Kim Produce Farm, and the Moody House.
14. Watch the Mermaids at the Silverton Casino
The Silverton Casino’s exciting mermaid shows are frequently voted as one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas. Every day at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., a few lovely mermaids perform an interactive show. Be sure to stop by the Silverton Casino’s 117,000-gallon tank to say hello to them!
15. Visit Fremont Street
Exploring Fremont Street is one of the absolute best free things to do in Vegas. Viva Vision is the overhead light show that happens here. This light show is around six minutes long and it’s displayed on the world’s largest screen. In addition to this light show, the Fremont Street Experience has live music that you can listen to for free.
16. Say Hello to the Flamingos at the Flamingo Hotel
After visiting the mermaids, you can head to the Flamingo Hotel to take a peek at the flamingos. This four-acre area boasts a flock of beautiful pink Chilean flamingos. And while these birds are certainly the highlight of the habitat, it also includes swans, turtles, ducks, ibises, pelicans and more.
17. Stroll through the Flowers at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden
If you’re looking for a nature-based activity in Las Vegas, the flower display at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden is a great idea!
This beautiful botanical garden spans a whopping 14,000 square feet. And as if that weren’t enough for the Bellagio’s team of 120 horticulturists, the display changes five times per year! There’s a new flowering display for each of the seasons, plus a bonus display for the Lunar New Year. In other words, even if you’ve seen this display before, there’s a good chance that it’ll look completely different when you decide to visit it again.
18. Watch a Concert at Downtown Container Park
While there are all sorts of free things to do in Las Vegas – from chocolate tours to fire shows – it’s rare to find free concerts. But if there is a free concert during your time in Las Vegas, odds are it’s at Downtown Container Park.
It is important to note that you must be 21 years or older to visit Downtown Container Park after 9 p.m.
19. Watch Unaired TV Pilots
Before a new TV show airs, the pilot (or first episode) of the show needs to be tested by a focus group. Depending on what this focus group says, this TV show may or may not be turned into a full on-air season.
Now, you can become a part of one of these focus groups at MGM Grand. MGM Grand is home to the CBS Television City Research Facility. You get to help make the call on a show whether or not it’s good enough for millions of people to watch! And just imagine how cool you’ll feel if the pilot you watch actually airs! As an added bonus, you’ll also be gifted a swag bag of free goodies – and sometimes you’ll even get a little cash.
20. Watch the Fountain Show at the Wynn
Another free show in Las Vegas that is worth your time is the fountain show at the Wynn. While the Wynn’s fountain show isn’t as exciting as the famous Bellagio fountain show, it’s still a great stop. With its flashing lights and catchy music, you’ll definitely stay entertained for the duration of the show.
21. Go on a Street Art Walk
One of the greatest free things to do in Las Vegas is to take a look at the amazing street art. Most major cities in the U.S., like Nashville, have started to embrace the beauty of street art, and Las Vegas is no exception.
While many of the murals are commissioned by building or shop owners for aesthetic purposes, others were actually painted as part of the fun Life is Beautiful festival. During this annual September festival, you can actually watch artists in action as they bring their creative visions to life.
The best place to see street art in Las Vegas is downtown – which is not to be confused with The Strip. More specifically, you’ll want to check out 7th Street and the Las Vegas Arts District.
Do you have any suggestions to add to this list of free things to do in Las Vegas? Let me know in the comments below!
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Disha Smith is the founder of Disha Discovers. She quit her job in 2017 to travel the world to explore new cultures and experience new adventures. She has since been to 95+ countries and counting and has lived in South Africa, Thailand, Croatia, and Australia. She has done all kinds of travel ranging from luxury to budget backpacking, and her mission is to inspire others to discover their own sense of adventure and to help them plan a life full of meaningful experiences through travel.
Barbara Mask
Wednesday 10th of March 2021
Take a drive up to Mt. Charleston. Peaceful serene beautiful Sierra's. Drive out to Red Rock or to Lake Meax Granted Las Vegas is known for bright lights, but there is alot of natural beauty there.. I lived there for 5 years and truly enjoyed taking my children to see these sites.
Disha Smith
Wednesday 10th of March 2021
Thank you for the recommendations and thank you for reading!