This city of neon lights, plush hotels, casinos, chef-led restaurants, and top-name entertainment is a favorite destination, and visitors also come for its spas, swimming pools, dance clubs, and family-friendly attractions. The Sphere, the Neon Museum, amusement park rides, the Fremont Street Experience, and shopping malls bring visitors to the city. There’s also golf, professional sports teams, and hiking and rock climbing in nearby Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Top 5 Can’t Miss
- Visit the legendary Fountains of Bellagio water show during the day and also after dark to see it in all its illuminated glory.
- Snap a souvenir photo in front of the legendary “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.
- Stroll through hotels inspired by Paris, Venice, and New York City for a “trip around the world” without ever leaving Sin City.
- Catch the Viva Vision Light Show and watch people zip-line overhead at the Fremont Street Experience.
- Admire impressive works by Nancy Rubins, Maya Lin, and Masatoshi Izumi at the Aria Fine Art Collection.
Between the dizzying array of slot machines at each casino and the endless supply of world-class entertainment, Las Vegas might not seem like the ideal destination for travelers on a budget. Thankfully, you don’t have to be a high roller to have a great time in Sin City, as there are dozens of fun things to do for free. You just have to know where to go.
With fantastically themed hotels, free performances, and interesting attractions on and off the Strip, planning the ultimate Vegas vacation without breaking the bank is easier than you think. Here’s our list of the best free things to do in Las Vegas.
Catch the Fountains of Bellagio water show.
One of the most famous attractions in Las Vegas can be enjoyed free of charge. At the sumptuous Bellagio Las Vegas, the Fountains of Bellagio runs throughout the day, with an impressive display shooting water up to 460 feet in the air. Catch a show every 30 minutes from 3 to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, from noon to 7:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays, or every 15 minutes daily from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Stop by the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.
If you haven’t stopped for a photo op with the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, have you even been to Sin City? Whether you’re visiting solo, with the whole family, or as part of a bachelor or bachelorette party, it’s a great way to commemorate your trip. You’ll find it near the bottom of the Strip, just outside Harry Reid International Airport.
Travel the world without leaving Las Vegas.
With so many shopping and dining options, you’ll want to spend time checking out Sin City’s casinos, even if you don’t feel like gambling. Stroll through specially themed hotels inspired by Paris (Paris Las Vegas), Northern Italy (The Venetian Resort and Bellagio Las Vegas), and New York City (New York–New York Hotel & Casino), among other locales, as you casino-hop your way along the Strip. The replicas of St. Mark’s Square and the Campanile (Venice’s famous bell tower) at The Venetian Resort and the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas are quite impressive and worth a look.
Watch the light show at the Fremont Street Experience.
A visit to the Fremont Street Experience is another thing to add to your Las Vegas must-do list. Comprising several blocks of hotels, casinos, shops, and restaurants downtown, it’s home to attractions like the SlotZilla zip line, which lets visitors fly Superman-style over the crowds walking below. Stick around for the free nightly Viva Vision Light Show, which you can view on the 1,375-by-90-foot video screen at the top of the hour between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. There’s also free live music each night beginning at 6 p.m.
Peruse fine art at Aria.
As you stroll through the Aria Resort & Casino, The Shops at Crystals, Veer Towers, or the Vdara Hotel & Spa, pay attention to the beautiful works of art around you. The full Aria Fine Art Collection includes 23 works by artists like Maya Lin, Nancy Rubins, and Masatoshi Izumi. To better appreciate what you’re looking at, check out the e-brochure on the website for more information about the pieces and their creators.
Explore shopping malls designed to look like Rome and Venice.
In Las Vegas, even the shopping malls are over-the-top spectacles. At The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, visitors will find high-end stores in an incredible, Roman-inspired setting. Don’t miss the Atlantis Show, which uses animatronic statues to portray the dramatic fall of the ill-fated empire. You can catch it once an hour between noon and 8 p.m. from Thursday to Monday. It’s also worth stopping by the impressive 50,000-square-foot Atlantis Aquarium, located near The Cheesecake Factory, to see all the colorful, tropical fish. A few blocks farther up the Strip, the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian is home to more than 160 stores and 40 restaurants, all set in a replica of Venice’s scenic Grand Canal. Snap a photo or two of the gondolas going by as you window-shop ’til you drop.
See the floral displays at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.
It’s free to explore the vast floral arrangements at the 14,000-square-foot Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, which change seasonally. Pictured here, for instance, are the Year of the Snake decorations during 2025’s Lunar New Year celebrations. Spring, summer, fall, and winter also bring extravagant themed displays.
Gawk at the Hand of Faith golden nugget.
Make time to stop by the Golden Nugget Las Vegas to check out the Hand of Faith, a 61-pound golden nugget that’s on display in the lobby. Originally discovered in 1980 in Wedderburn, Australia, by the luckiest person ever to hold a metal detector, it was later sold to the casino for over a million dollars. But you can take a peek at it for free.
Snap a photo of the “Seven Magic Mountains.”
You have likely seen these colorful stacks of boulders all over Instagram. Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s “Seven Magic Mountains” is free to visit, so add this bright art installation to your Las Vegas itinerary. Note, however, that it’s situated about a 30-minute drive from the Strip, so you’ll need some wheels to get there.
Tour the Ethel M Chocolates Factory.
Located roughly a 15-minute drive from the Strip in Henderson, the Ethel M Chocolates Factory offers a closer look at how everyone’s favorite sweet treat is made. Leave time to go for a walk through the three-acre Botanical Cactus Garden, the largest in the state—time your trip around the holidays to see it decked out in more than a million lights. Self-guided tours of the factory are free on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., though dedicated candy fans might want to splash out for the full chocolate-tasting experience.
Stroll down the Linq Promenade.
Stroll along the lively Linq Promenade, where you can window-shop and gawk at zip-liners soaring more than 1,000 feet above your head at Fly Linq. It’s also where you’ll find the High Roller observation wheel, which rises 550 feet over the Strip and makes a great backdrop for photos. There’s a fun light show and live music most nights, too, all free of charge.
Browse in converted shipping containers.
Not far from the Fremont Street Experience, Downtown Container Park is an outdoor shopping complex with stores and eateries housed in repurposed shipping containers. Take a breather in the large courtyard, where you can catch free performances by local artists and let the kiddos blow off some steam at the playground—it’s actually one of the best places to go in Vegas with kids.
Spend a day lounging by the pool.
When you book your hotel, be sure to pick one with a great pool so you can splash around for free, especially if you plan to visit during the scorching summer months. Some of the best Las Vegas hotels, like Caesars Palace, have multiple pools, while others have smaller ones offering incredible views of the Strip, so do your research. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for a day pass, if available, though these can be pretty pricey depending on the pool.
Geek out at the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop.
Pawn Stars fans, rejoice! Las Vegas is home to the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, made famous by the popular History Channel TV series, and it’s free to visit. Have a gander at all sorts of fine art, jewelry, coins, currency, and other rare collectibles that have found their way to the shop. Keep an eye out for Rick, Corey, and Chumlee, who are sometimes around for photos and autographs. On Saturdays around noon, you might find Mark Hall Patton and Antwaun Austin around for meet-and-greets, too.
Fawn over flamingos in a wildlife habitat.
If the Vegas action gets to be too much, take a break at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat at—you guessed it—the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. This four-acre garden is free to visit, so go for a peaceful stroll among the famous pink birds (and other waterfowl), hummingbirds, turtles, fish, and scenic waterfalls. Time your visit for 10 a.m. to chat with one of the keepers and learn more about these fascinating creatures.
Check out the Shelby Heritage Center’s classic cars.
Head to the Shelby Heritage Center to view a collection of more than 25 cars. Part of the massive 150,000 square-foot facility where the classic vehicles are produced, the Heritage Center shares the history of the company, founded in 1962 by Carroll Shelby, and offers a look at the many models that have been created here since. Behind-the-scenes tours are also available for a fee, but it’s free to stroll the show floor.
Watch impressive circus acts at the Carnival Midway.
performances by some of the best trapeze, juggling, and aerial artists in Las Vegas. Other acts include clowns and impressive demonstrations of strength, balance, and agility featuring props like ladders and wheels. The free shows begin at 1:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 11:30 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
Get a taste of the local art scene.
Art lovers shouldn’t miss the chance to check out the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, part of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Admission is free, which supports the organization’s goal of making art accessible to all, while the exhibits highlight contemporary artwork made by historically marginalized communities. About a 20-minute drive north in Downtown Las Vegas, The Arts Factory houses more than 30 art galleries, featuring everything from contemporary styles to more traditional forms, plus poetry readings, concerts, and live theater. It’s free to roam and you might even have a chat with one of the local artists.
Spot marine life and mermaids at an aquarium.
About a 15-minute drive south of the Las Vegas Strip, Silverton Casino’s gigantic 117,000-gallon aquarium is home to thousands of colorful, tropical fish, sharks, and stingrays—and mermaids. While the aquarium itself is open 24 hours, you can see the costumed creatures swim around the tank every half-hour in the afternoon and evening, Thursday through Sunday (check the website for current schedules). Stingray feedings also happen daily at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Let the pros teach you how to play.
If you’re unfamiliar with the rules or need a quick refresher before you hit the casino, many area hotels offer free lessons for the most popular table and card games. Head to the Excalibur to learn how to play poker, or the Luxor to master roulette, craps, and blackjack (all classes are offered at noon daily). The Venetian also offers craps lessons Monday to Friday at 11 a.m.
