Everyone knows that Las Vegas, the city of sin, can be very expensive. From the hotel room costs to the meals out and bar bills. Not to mention the amount you lose gambling! But what if you’re not “rolling in it” and can’t put it on the business expense account? Well, then you’re in luck; there are tons of free things to do in Las Vegas.
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Walking ‘The Strip’ is the first on the list of free things to do in Las Vegas
The big hotels and casinos are located along one long road, known as The Strip, but actually called Las Vegas Boulevard. So take a morning to walk from one end of The Strip – starting at Mandalay Bay, to the other end – as far as Stratosphere. Enjoy looking at and photographing all of the fantastic looking hotels, like Excalibur, and pick your favourite.
Free things to do in Las Vegas: Watch the Bellagio Fountains
Outside the Bellagio Hotel and Casino are the famous fountains which are free to watch. During the day the show is every half hour. From 8pm until midnight, they perform every 15 minutes. Best enjoyed after the sun’s gone down, this spectacular aquatic performance is set to music (it was Michael Jackson for us) and is not to be missed. However, it gets busy at night, so get there early to get a prime spot.
Free things to do in Las Vegas: Take a Craps Lesson
Any idea how the game Craps works? We didn’t, but we’re desperate to know. This is the table game you see in the movies, with dice flying across an oval, high sided table; surrounded by crowds of people celebrating or commiserating together. All of the casinos offer free “lessons” in how the table games (and slots) work and how the betting works. The croupiers running the sessions are funny and throw in some anecdotes too. So now you can stride up to a table knowing exactly what to do, start playing and act all “Vegas”.
Things to do in Las Vegas for free: Get yourself tickets to a show
As well as the casinos, Vegas is well known for its plethora of live shows, from magic acts and comedians to full-on theatre productions and naughty dance shows. You will find people everywhere trying to sell you tickets and offering you massive discounts on the total ticket price. Just agree to attend a time-share style presentation at one of their newest hotels. They put on the ‘hard-sell’, but there is no obligation to commit to buying anything, you get a free tour around a resort complex, and they will probably throw in a free snack too. For the sake of a couple of hours out of your day, it’s well worth it to get some free tickets. This will depend on the show, more popular shows you may have to pay a small amount for – we paid $20 for Cirque do Soleil’s Ka.
Free things to do in Las Vegas: Gaze at the Las Vegas Sign
The famed sign that welcomes visitors to “Fabulous Las Vegas” is a must-see, although if you walk to it, make sure you take some water – the heat here is crazy. You will typically find a crowd of people on the island in the middle of the two-way highway, queuing up to take their pictures in front of it. Gatherings usually bring out a busker or two as well, so enjoy the scene, grab a photo and read the plaque detailing its history.
Things to do in Las Vegas for free: Explore the hotels & casinos and watch the mini-shows
Hotels and casinos here are free to enter. So go and explore! There are miles upon air-conditioned miles in each casino. See the insides of the hotels you’ve only seen in movies, stroll through the casinos watching other people throw their money away, and window shop in all the malls that are also part of each complex. There are also thousands of photo opportunities, and you can even fool your friends into thinking you’ve travelled across the world!
Many hotels and casinos have free mini-shows that occur throughout the day for people to enjoy. From circus performers at Circus Circus to an animatronic/pyrotechnic show called ‘The Fall of Atlantis’ in Caesars Palace. From an erupting volcano at Mirage to a Pirate Ship at Treasure Island. My friend was even gutted to miss the medieval-themed performers at Excalibur! Each show is only around 10 minutes long, but they are great fun to track down and watch.
Free things to do in Las Vegas: Enter the Skyfall lounge at Delano
When in Vegas, you cannot miss out on seeing the city lights from high. What better place than a sky bar that is free to enter, and there’s no obligation to purchase a drink! The Delano Hotel has a bar with an outside balcony on its top floor, offering 180-degree views over the Las Vegas skyline. What’s better is the lift up to the top floor is glass, so you get to look out over the side of the city you can’t see from the balcony! Note there is a dress code of smart casual – no flip flops!
Free things to do in Las Vegas: Ride the trains
There are free trains that run between the different groups of hotels. So jump on to save yourself a walk to the next hotel or just enjoy the ride!
Free things to do in Las Vegas: Walk the Fremont Street
Head on down to Fremont Street in the area known as ‘Downtown Las Vegas’. This is where some of the old classic casinos are located – like the Golden Nugget. As well as exploring these casinos, you can enjoy some live music across three stages, all for free.
Finally, there are many other things to do for free in Vegas, which is just our Top 10. It means you can save the pennies to put towards a nice hotel room, a nice meal out, or you can place the odd bet or two!
