With extravagant shows and exciting attractions at every step, a trip to Las Vegas can break the bank in a hurry if you are not careful.
And of course, if you enjoy gaming, there’s always the likelihood of losing at the tables or the slot machines.
But if you are going to Vegas to enjoy a variety of experiences rather than just for the gaming, you can fill up a weekend (or more) with FREE things to do in Vegas that are actually worth the time.
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There are several cool attractions on the Las Vegas Strip that won’t cost you a penny. Like Rome, which is a living museum, Vegas is a pulsating potpourri of entertainment no matter where you look.
We’ve visited Vegas several times, and we carefully pick a few splurges for each trip, filling up the rest of our time just enjoying the Strip and nearby places for free.
If you are planning your first trip to Vegas, we’ve compiled some suggestions for the top free things to do in Sin City. We’ve enjoyed them on every trip so far and they never get old for us.
The Best Free Things to Do in Las Vegas
1. Go on an around-the-world trip along the Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is the heart of the city. This stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard, just a little over four miles long, is where you’ll spend most of your time in Vegas.
Lined with glitzy resorts, the Strip is worth strolling to gawk at the stunning facades.
And if you like photography (or posing for photos), you’ll be spoiled for choice on the Strip.
The Strip is very walkable, especially if you do not try to cram its entire length into one day.
We like to split the walk into sections, because the distances are much more than they seem and you have to walk up and down pedestrian crossings or sometimes cross busy Las Vegas Boulevard to get to your next destination.
Many of the facades of the resorts on the Strip take you to different parts of the world, from the Eiffel Tower in Paris to a pyramid in Egypt and Brooklyn Bridge in New York to the Doge’s Palace in Venice.
Below are the seven best resort facades we think are worth the walk, from south to north. And here is a map to get oriented:
The Luxor, which has an Ancient Egypt theme, features a gigantic pyramid and a replica of the Sphinx. The coolest thing to see here is the beam of light that shoots out from the tip of the pyramid into the sky after dark, but it’s worth visiting during the day as well.
Next door is the medieval-themed Excalibur, where the bright red and blue tower tops and castle turrets make for photos that pop.
New York New York, which features the iconic Manhattan skyline, is one of our favorite resort exteriors in Vegas. Admire replicas of famous Big Apple landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square.
In the middle section of the Strip, the most exciting facade has to be the Paris Las Vegas Hotel, where a half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower rises gracefully up into the sky.
Across the street, the man-made lake at the Bellagio makes for nice photos, especially if you are here when the fountains are playing (see below for more detail!)
At Caesars Palace next door, don’t miss the replica of the famous Trevi Fountain of Rome. The gardens with the formal fountains and cypresses are also worth admiring.
And finally, the exterior of the Venetian Las Vegas is gorgeous. You’ll see a part of the Grand Canal, the facade of the Doge’s Palace, and replicas of the Rialto Bridge and the Campanile from Saint Mark’s Square.
The details on these seven Las Vegas resort exteriors are absolutely worth racking up the steps, so put on those walking shoes, lather on the sunscreen, and hit the pavement!
Tip: If you’d rather not walk so much, get a monorail day pass. It costs $13.45 for a 24-hour pass, with unlimited rides.
2. Be mesmerized by the lights of Las Vegas after dark
If there is one thing Vegas does better and brighter (literally!) than anywhere else, it’s the neon.
The lights of Las Vegas are spectacular, and while they look sensational from above (think a spin on the High Roller, a visit to the viewing deck at the top of the Eiffel Tower, or a helicopter ride over the Strip at night), they can also be admired at street level, or even from your room if you’ve chosen a stay on the Strip.
Enjoying the Las Vegas lights at street level for free requires walking, so prepare to stroll a section of the Strip after dinner. If you’ve indulged with a decadent dessert (or three!) you’ll walk off some of those calories as you take in the lights.
We like walking the center of the Strip at night: think the Bellagio, the Paris Hotel, Caesars Palace, and the Flamingo-LINQ area. The lights are arguably the best in this section and there’s a LOT of foot traffic, so it feels safer.
Be sure to take the time catch a Bellagio fountain show: after dark, the lit dancing fountains look especially magical.
And watch for the special lighting effects on the Eiffel Tower. The free light show happens every thirty minutes from sunset until midnight.
If you have a room with a view of Las Vegas Boulevard, you may also be able to enjoy the ever-changing lit displays on the Sphere, the latest big thing on the Strip.
We stayed in a fountain view room at the Vdara on our last trip to Vegas and watched the Bellagio fountains and the Eiffel Tower light show from our room each evening!
Tip: If you head over to downtown Las Vegas after dark, you’ll see lots of lights there at street level as well. The Golden Nugget Casino is a great after-dark photo spot!
Getting there from the Strip isn’t free. You can take the local bus or an Uber, or join a Big Bus tour.
3. Watch the Bellagio Fountains dance to music
For us, the fountains of Bellagio are a highlight of every trip to Vegas.
No matter what other exciting things to do in Vegas are on our itinerary, we make the time to catch the iconic fountain show at least a couple of times during each stay. Each show lasts just a few minutes, but never fails to make an impression!
The show occurs on the large lake that’s right in front of the Bellagio and is a dramatic combination of water jets and music during the day, with lights added after dark.
The fountains cover more than 1,000 feet and rise as much as 460 feet into the air, dancing and swaying as the music rises and ebbs.
For a full-on view of the Bellagio fountain show, stake out a spot on Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the hotel.
On our most recent visit we were in the Bellagio when the skies got colorful just after sunset so we ran outside and caught a show from the ramp leading from the hotel to Las Vegas Boulevard. Our photos turned out great!
If you splurged on a stay on the Strip overlooking the fountains, you can also watch the show from your room or suite. No crowds, but you can’t hear the music, which is a big part of the grandeur of the performance.
Watching this mesmerizing fountain show is without a doubt one of the best free things to do in Vegas.
On weekdays, shows usually start at 3 p.m. and come on every 30 minutes until 7.30 p.m. From 8 p.m. until midnight you can catch a show every 15 minutes, On weekends, shows start earlier, at noon.
4. Enjoy the colorful displays at the Bellagio Conservatory
You can enjoy not one but two really worthwhile free things to do at the Bellagio!
Other than the epic fountain show, a stroll through the colorful Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is a must when you visit.
The 14,000-square-foot space is transformed several times a year into a symphony of colors, shapes, and textures. Not only is there a lot of live plant material to view, you will also see large exhibits and even special effects.
And if you are wondering if all that lovely plant material gets thrown away when a display changes over, staff try to repurpose as much of it as possible.
We’ve visited in the fall to displays of gigantic mushrooms and at Christmas to exhibits that included a miniature train and giant polar bears. The display changes every season, and there’s a fifth one for Lunar New Year.
The Bellagio Conservatory is open 24/7, so if you’d rather avoid the throngs of visitors that you’ll find here during the day, stop by early or late.
Note that at the time of every changeover, there are a few days when the conservatory is closed. Check the resort website to avoid planning your trip to Vegas on these dates!
Tip: If you enjoy gardens, the smaller Wynn Conservatory is also worth a visit! It features colorful plants, large globes of flowers hanging from the ceiling, a charming carousel, and decorations that change with the season. It’s free!
5. Take a stroll through the Venetian
While there are several stroll-worthy resort interiors on the Vegas Strip, the one you just can’t miss is the Venetian. Just walking through the resort is one of the best things to do at the Venetian Las Vegas!
Start by spending some time in the lobby and Great Hall, where the Armillary Sphere, a large gilt-covered sculpture, will wow you.
Then turn around and be stunned by the Great Hall.
The colonnaded walkway features a frescoed ceiling that will transport you back to Venice. The tiled marble floor has a striking geometric pattern. There are so many details to absorb!
As you walk through the resort on your way to the Grand Canal Shops, keep your eyes open: there are beautiful ceilings and art on the walls to appreciate.
The walkways along the Grand Canal are lined with shops to browse, and you’ll see very authentic gondolas plying on the blue water of the interior canal. The gondoliers are dressed just like in Venice and if you are lucky you may even hear one serenading the passengers as they float down the water!
The replica of Saint Mark’s Square is stunning, reflecting quite a bit of the architecture of the original square in Venice. Grab a gelato or a drink and relax for a bit at one of the tables in the square to appreciate all the details around you.
Pose for a photo at the red LOVE sculpture, with its backdrop of a dramatic two-story cascading water feature. In the Palazzo, the Wishing Tree is another popular photo spot.
We never tire of wandering the Venetian Las Vegas, and we almost always find something new to admire in the architecture and art.
Strolling through the Venetian is definitely among the best free things to do in Las Vegas!
6. Admire all the art at the City Center
If you enjoy art, you will find excellent artworks to study in Las Vegas, and a lot of it for free.
The City Center complex, right in the heart of the Strip boasts a large collection of art of all kinds, and you’ll want to allow for time to find and enjoy the many works that are scattered about the resorts here.
The Aria actually has a designated art walk with a brochure that will help you find the fine art pieces on the property. At our most recent visit, we were told that some of these pieces had been replaced, but we could not find an updated brochure.
Outside, as you walk from the Vdara to the Aria, is a giant sculpture made of canoes. It’s part of the collection and worth a stop for a photo!
The Cosmopolitan has a large collection of modern art, both paintings and 3D art. At the Shops at Crystals is a three-story sculpture called The Treehouse that will leave you awed.
Even at the Vdara, a non-gaming part of the City Center, the lobby features some colorful art pieces on the walls.
Tip: Art enthusiast? You can also find great art pieces at the Bellagio, where the Chihuly ceiling sculpture is renowned, and at the Wynn, where we saw Jeff Koons’ Tulips on our last visit.
7. Go window shopping
Although actually shopping at resorts along the Las Vegas Strip may set you back a pretty penny, the shopping areas of many resorts are worth walking!
Not only is it fun to ogle the window displays of the likes of Bottega Veneta, Prada, and Hermes, the shopping arcades are often tastefully done, with lots of architectural details, sculptures and more.
At the holidays, many stores have stunning window displays and holiday decorations.
These are some of our favorite places to go window shopping along the Strip:
The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace is a huge area, with over 150 luxury stores. Set under a faux sky, the Forum Shops also feature lots of sculptures, columns, and fountains.
The Via Bellagio Shops are laid out along a promenade with a tall glass ceiling that makes it bright and airy. With gorgeous marble columns and art, this shopping area is home to brands like Gucci, Fendi, Tiffany & Co. and much more.
The Shops at Crystals is a multi-level affair, with many top brands represented. You will see quality art work as well, and since it’s standalone, it is often not as crowded as the shopping areas in the gaming resorts.
The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian make for a wonderful stroll. You’ll find art galleries and boutiques here rather than brands, which you can browse in the Palazzo.
The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood are housed in a fun indoor mall that is just over a mile long: hence the name. Look for brands like H&M, Lululemon, and Guess, and sweet shops like Sugar Factory.
8. Pose for a photo under the Las Vegas sign
The “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, located a short distance south of Mandalay Bay Resort along Las Vegas Boulevard, is a must-visit if it’s your first visit to Vegas.
Posing for a photo under this iconic sign is the time-honored way of memorializing a trip to Sin City!
Designed by Betty Willis, an employee of Western Neon, the sign was installed in 1959. It is 25 feet tall and lit along the edge at night.
There’s almost always a line to pose under the sign during the day, so visit early or late, or take a quick photo standing to the side of the sign.
9. Tour a cactus garden…and a chocolate factory!
If you’re like us, you need respite in nature during Vegas visits, which can overwhelm the senses, making it difficult to appreciate what you see after a while.
The Botanical Cactus Garden at the Ethel M Chocolates Factory in Henderson is the nicest free natural spot we’ve found relatively close to the Strip.
Yes, you have to take the bus or an Uber or a cab, but the garden is free to tour, as is the chocolate factory.
The 3-acre garden has several hundred varieties of plants, with lots of cacti and succulents from the Southwest US.
While it’s a nice visit any time of the year, it’s especially beautiful when the plants are in bloom, usually in the spring, or during the holidays, when the garden is lit up with more than one million lights, making it a magical fairyland. It is also lit for Valentine’s Day.
You can also peek into the workshop to see chocolate being produced!
BONUS: Visit Red Rock Canyon on a Free Day!
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a gorgeous natural area just a 30-minute drive from the Strip.
There is a fee to enter, but there are a handful of fee free days during the year, and if you happen to be in Vegas on one of those days, go! You can rent a car for just the day.
For outdoor enthusiasts, visiting Red Rock Canyon on a fee free day is one of the best free things you can do in Vegas.
Enjoy the scenic loop drive through the park to admire the stunning red rock landscapes. Stop at designated lookouts and take in the views at leisure.
If you are able, and you visit when it is not too hot, plan to hike a trail or two. Calico Hills is a moderate hike that takes you through the heart of a gorgeous area of the park.
And if your visit to Vegas doesn’t include one of the free days but you still want to get out into the area, try the fee-free Red Springs boardwalk trail in Calico Basin, which is very near the fee-based Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Hiking the short boardwalk trail here is among the best Las Vegas outdoor adventures for families!
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