Visiting Las Vegas on a budget? Check out these free things to do!
Sometimes it seems like the only way to enjoy Vegas is to risk losing money gambling, paying a lot for shows, or eating at expensive restaurants. But there are tons of free things to do if you know where to look. Most of these are family friendly too!
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Last Updated: February 6, 2023
25 Free Things to Do in Las Vegas
When visiting Las Vegas, you can easily go crazy with over-the-top meals and spending, but you can also visit on a budget. There are a lot of amazing free things to do!
1. Area 15 →
3215 S Rancho Dr, 89102, map
This is the hottest new attraction in Las Vegas that’s a mix of art, shopping, and food. It’s free to enter (though it requires tickets to control capacity) and there are plenty of murals and free art installations to browse. If you want to see certain exhibits, you can purchase tickets separately or as a bundle on the AREA15 site.
Local Tip: Don’t miss the murals on the back of the building!
See More: 5 Things You Can’t Miss at Area 15 Las Vegas
2. Pinball Hall of Fame →
1610 E Tropicana Ave Las Vegas NV 89119, map
Located just off the strip, the Pinball Hall of Fame is a 10,000-square-foot building filled to the brim with pinball machines! It was fascinating to see pinball machines from the 1950s all the way to the present day, and there were a handful of other classic arcade games too.
If you don’t want to spend any money you can go take photos and watch others play. Who knows? You might even find a quarter lying around! If you do spend money here, also know that all your money goes to charity.
See More: Las Vegas Pinball Museum
3. Fremont Street Experience →
Fremont Street Las Vegas NV 89101, map | Hours: Every hour on the hour from dusk to midnight
Just a few miles from the strip is a strip of old vegas on Fremont Street that they’ve turned into a great area to walk around. One of the attractions there is the Fremont Experience where they have a lit canopy overhead with nightly light shows. There are 12.5 million lights up there!
Local Tip: They recently redid the ceiling and the screens are so much brighter and clearer now!
See More: Fremont Experience Las Vegas
4. Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
3555 South Las Vegas Boulevard Las Vegas NV 89109, map | Hours: 8AM-Dusk
Amidst all the flashing lights and noise of Vegas is a small piece of paradise. Check out the flamingo, exotic birds, fish, and turtles at Flamingo Hotel & Casino.
5. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area →
3205 Nevada 159 Las Vegas NV 89161, map | Hours: Dawn til Dusk
Although the main entrance has a fee (and currently a reservation system for a $2 extra fee to control capacity), you can check out the Red Springs Loop and the Kraft Boulders area, which has a free parking lot outside of the Scenic Loop. Check out our post for more details.
Local Tip: If you’re going to Red Rock to climb, please make sure it hasn’t been raining within 48 hours (sometimes longer). Wet sandstone breaks easily. Come climb at Refuge Climbing instead (come say hi to us at our home gym!).
See More: 7 Things You Can’t Miss at Red Rock Canyon
6. lawn Games at Gold Spike
217 Las Vegas Boulevard North Las Vegas NV 89101, map | Hours: Open 24
This is a favorite hang out spot amongst locals! It’s free to enter and they have a backyard with giant lawn games and fire pits. With so much to do, you can easily have a great time here without spending a penny.
7. First Fridays →
Arts District Las Vegas, NV, map | Hours: Evening, varies month to month.
First Friday Las Vegas is an art walk / art festival that takes place in downtown Vegas once a month. It’s a great way to see the local side of Vegas and hang with the natives.
See More: First Friday Las Vegas Art Walk
8. Las Vegas Welcome SIgn
S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89119, map | Hours: Open 24 Hrs
Touristy, yes, but you can’t visit Vegas without taking a photo next to the iconic welcome sign!
Local Tip: They sometimes change the color of the sign for specific holidays.
See More: 101 Things to Do in Las Vegas – The Ultimate Bucket List
9. Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens →
3600 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV 89109, map | Hours: Open 24 Hrs
The Bellagio does an amazing job on their Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. We go every season (there are 5 new displays per year), and you can see them all on our post linked below.
Also, don’t forget to check out Dale Chihuly’s Fiori di Como glass sculpture in the Bellagio Lobby.
Local Tip: Between seasons, there are dark days when they are changing the decor. Check our post below for those dates.
See More: Bellagio Conservatory Botanical Gardens – What You Need to Know
10. Fountains of Bellagio
3600 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV 89109, map | Hours: Every ½ Hr M-F 3-8PM / S-S 12-8PM; Every 15 Min 8-Midnight
This is probably one of the most iconic attractions in Vegas and they keep it fresh by creating new fountain shows with new music.
11. Gold Strike Hot Springs or Arizona Hot Springs →
Great Basin Highway Boulder City NV 89005, map | Hours: Dawn til Dusk
There are two hot springs near Las Vegas, Gold Strike and Arizona Hot Springs. See more about each hike and how they are unique at the links above.
Local Tip: Do not do these hikes in the summer. It’s too hot and exposed.
See More: How to Hike to Arizona Hot Springs Near Las Vegas
12. Ethel M Chocolate Factory Tour and Botanical Cactus Gardens →
2 Cactus Garden Drive Henderson NV 89014, map | Hours: 8:30AM-6PM Daily
Whether it’s Snickers, Dove, Twix, or M&M’s, we’ve all had Mars chocolate before. But did you know that after Forrest E. Mars, Sr retired, he created Ethel M Chocolates in his mother’s honor? This boutique chocolate shop is located in Henderson, NV and focuses on producing gourmet premium chocolates.
Outside the building, there is a four-acre botanical cactus garden which features over 300 species of desert plants. It’s one of the world’s largest collections of its kind.
Local Tip: The botanical garden holds special events during Valentine’s day and Christmas where it’s lit up!
See More: Visiting Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens
13. Circus Acts at Circus Circus
2880 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV 89109, map | Hours: Performance starting at 11AM daily
What’s better than a free circus? With acts flying through the air, jugglers, clowns, freestyle BMX, and more, there is plenty to keep you entertained.
14. Ponte Vecchio Bridge →
41 Costa Di Lago Henderson NV 89011, map | Hours: 24 Hours
There is a replica of the Ponte Vecchio bridge (original one is in Florence, Italy) at Lake Las Vegas. Take a stroll around the lake, browse the shops, and if you do want to take the romance up a notch, book yourself a romantic gondola ride so you can steal a kiss under the bridge.
15. The Aquarium at Silverton
3333 Blue Diamond Rd Las Vegas NV 89139, map | Hours: Open 24 Hrs
With over 4000 fish and 160 species from around the world, this aquarium is a great way to pass time. Kids especially love to interact with mermaids. Mermaid Swims are scheduled. Check their site for the most up-to-date info.
16. DOwntown Container Park →
707 Fremont St Las Vegas NV 89101, map | Hours: M-T 11:30 am to 8 pm; F-S 11 am to 8 pm
See a piece of Burning Man, shop, and catch a show. Check out the musician line up and events here. The praying mantis sculpture also breathes fire from Wednesday to Sunday. The times are random.
Another free thing you can do is add a love lock to the heart sculpture in front or to the DTLV sign inside.
See More: Your Guide to Downtown Container Park Las Vegas
17. Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Forum Shops
3500 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV 89109, map | Hours: Sun-Thurs 11 am tp 11 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am to Midnight
The Fall of Atlantis show is located in the heart of the Forum Shops and uses animatronic displays of fire, water, and nine-foot-tall talking statues.
18. The Linq promenade →
3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, map | Hours: 24 Hrs
Tucked between the Linq and Flamingo, the Linq Promenade is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment area. It’s also home to the High Roller. It’s a great spot to walk around and people watch, and if you decide you do want to spend money, there are tons of options for you.
See More: The LINQ Promenade – Your Ultimate Guide on What to Eat, See, and Do
19. Paris Eiffel Tower
3655 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV 89109, map | Hours: 24 Hours
Although you have to pay to get to the top, you can take pictures out front for free. A fun fact: this remake was initially planned to be an exact replica, but because the airport is so close, they were forced to make it smaller so it wouldn’t interfere with air traffic.
Local Tip: Our favorite shot is from the Bellagio.
20. Venetian Streetmosphere →
3355 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV 89109, map | Hours: Noon, 1PM, 2PM, 4PM, 5PM, 6PM Daily
Created by classically trained singer, actors, and musicians, this “street” show in the Grand Canal Shoppes is a lot of fun and really gives you the vibe that you’re in Italy seeing street performers.
Local Tip: A few of the restaurants in St Marks Square have “patio” seating where you can enjoy the show from your table.
See More: 15+ Fun Things to Do at Venetian Vegas
21. M&Ms World
3785 S. Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV 89109, map | Hours: 9AM-1AM
Their four-level store is full of color and wonderment. Create personalized M&M’s, take photos with their full-sized 18 NASCAR, and check out the free 3-D movie.
22. Hershey’s CHocolate World
3790 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV, map | Hours: 9AM-10PM Daily
This 13,000-square-feet store makes its home at New York-New York Hotel. You can browse through all the Hershey’s products and if you can’t resist buying something, you can make customized chocolate bar wrappers and choose your favorite Kisses or Jolly Ranchers.
23. Hand of Faith at Golden Nugget
129 East Fremont Street Las Vegas NV 89101, map | Hours: Open 24 Hrs
Found in Australia, this 61-pound golden nugget makes its home in the Golden Nugget lobby. It’s the biggest golden nugget in existence and second biggest ever discovered.
24. Seven Magic Mountains
35.8384138,-115.2731037, map | Hours: 24 Hrs
One of the most popular photo spots in town, Seven Magic Mountains is about 30 minutes away from the city. There’s a short hike to the sculptures where you can then roam around and shoot to your hearts content.
Local Tip: Cell service can be spotty so do not rely on ride share.
See More: 25 Best Las Vegas Photo Spots with Tips from a Local
25. Gold & SIlver Pawn Shop →
713 South Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV 89101, map | Hours: 9AM-9PM Daily
Famous for the TV Show, Pawn Stars, the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop is free to visit. There’s a gift shop and you can see items that have appeared on the show.
Map of Free Things to Do in Las Vegas
More Free Things to Do in Las Vegas
- Aria’s Fine Art Collection
- Coca Cola Store
- Eiffel Tower Light Show
- Gateway Arch – right outside the Strat.
- Lake of Dreams Show, Wynn – you can see it at Aft, Parasol Lounge, Lakeside or SW Steakhouse.
- Love Sculpture, Waterfall Atrium at Palazzo
- Million Dollar Photo (map) – Take a photo with a million dollars. I’m not sure why I imagined that I could lay on top of the cash like in Breaking Bad, but because my expectations were off, it was one of my least favorite free attractions in Vegas. But free nonetheless! Sorry, I can’t hide my disappointment below. haha
- Mirage’s Floral Atrium – it will be gone once Mirage turns into Hard Rock.
- World’s Largest Chocolate Fountain at Bellagio Patisserie.
- Wynn Botanical Gardens
- Wynn Fountain Show – it’s way smaller than Bellagio’s
- Downtown Las Vegas Murals – Check out this video for some of our favorites.
Essential Tips
- If you’re local, you can get up to 3 hrs of free parking on the strip at MGM and Caesars properties with your Nevada ID. Just scan it when you’re leaving the parking deck.
- Check out these free events in Las Vegas.
- Each casino has its own character and if it’s your first visit, you can spend all day just walking through the different casinos.
- If you like discounts and free things, download myVegas by Playstudios. They are free to play and you can earn points to redeem for discounts and free activities. They update their rewards regularly so you can collect points and then redeem them when you are ready.
- Eating and drinking off the strip will save you money!
Best Places to Stay
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Find a great deal on Las Vegas hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a Las Vegas travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
How many of these free things to do in Las Vegas have you done? Anything else you think deserves to be on the list?
SEE MORE LAS VEGAS GUIDES
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow along on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.
Thank you for this post. Going there in may. Will look into some of these places. Only have as week. :)
Hope you had a great time, Yolanda!
Lovely post! I think the one part of Las Vegas people seem to forget about s how beautiful the surrounding desserts are and etc.
Thank you, Tim. Totally agree. There’s so much more to Vegas than the strip. :)