Las Vegas is one of the most popular travel destinations in the United States right now, and it is easy to understand why. There are hundreds of things to do in Vegas, and you can cater to nearly any interest you may have. But taking part in a lot of the tourist attractions can get expensive. We think we have the absolute best list of everything there is to do in Las Vegas, but it’s time we shared a list of all the free stuff to do in Las Vegas. And there are lots of free things to do in Las Vegas.
We have more than 50 free attractions in Las Vegas, separated by the type of trip you are having. Whether it is your first trip to Las Vegas or a family trip, whether you want to stay on the strip, or have a locals experience, whether you are an art lover or a history lover, we have things to do in Las Vegas for free.
Free is always good! If you are traveling on a shoestring, the free attractions in Las Vegas will still enable you to have a great trip. If you want to save some money for the tables, the free stuff to do in Las Vegas will help you do so. On the other hand, if you have some bad luck on the tables, all the things to do in Las Vegas for free will let you still have a fun trip. So, with no further small talk, let’s get on with all of these free things to do in Las Vegas!
Free Things to Do in Las Vegas for Any Kind of Traveler
Free Stuff to Do in Las Vegas on Your First Trip
Get Your Picture at the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign
Perhaps the most quintessential of all the free things to do in Las Vegas. Because have you even been to Las Vegas if you don’t?
Walk the Strip
It will never again seem quite as impressive as it does that first time, making it a must of the free stuff to do in Las Vegas. See as much of it as you can, and let the wonder wash over you.
Watch the Bellagio Fountains
The movies have made the Bellagio Fountains the most well-known of free attractions in Las Vegas. That makes seeing them in action a must for your first trip!
Take Iconic Photos
You can do a lot of this while you are experiencing the strip. You’ll know the right places when you see them- the Excalibur drawbridge, the Trevi Fountain, the Rialto Bridge, the Eifel Tower, etc.
The Flamingo Habitat
My favorite of all the free attractions in Las Vegas, in fact my favorite place to go on the whole strip, the Flamingo Habitat is a good place to regain your zen when the city of sin gets overwhelming.
See the Fremont Experience
If the strip doesn’t wow you, Fremont Street will. It is quite an experience during the day, but the light show takes it over the top at night. Your friends will ask you if you went there!
Watch Live Concerts at Fremont
You don’t have to go to the free concerts on Fremont Street, but if you’re going downtown, might as well schedule it so you do two of the free things to do in Las Vegas at one time.
Free Things to Do in Las Vegas for Families
Be Entertained at the Circus
One of the most surprising of the free things to do in Las Vegas is the live circus performances at Circus Circus. Ladder Man, trapeze artists, acrobats, and all types of other circus acts are performed every hour, starting at 1:30 on weekdays, and 11:30 on weekends. It is a different act every hour, so there is a lot of entertainment here!
Visit the Silverton Aquarium
The Silverton calls itself the most family friendly resort in Las Vegas, and that is probably true. The aquarium is a showstopper. Watch live feeding shows at 1:30 or 4:30, and the mermaid swims at 12:00, 2:00 or 5:00. Kids and adults will love this free stuff to do in Las Vegas.
Visit the Bass Pro Shops
It probably wouldn’t even cross your mind among the free stuff to do in Las Vegas, but kids love Bass Pro Shops. It’s just the way it is. There are a bunch of aquariums with fresh water fish, various taxidermy animals, and a lot of unique displays.
See Outdoor Movies on a Big Screen
On Saturday nights in the summer The District at Green Valley Ranch hosts free family movies on the green. Bring a blanket and a picnic or take out dinner, and enjoy the show! It’s one of the things to do in Las Vegas for free that can make your trip feel like a real family vacation.
Ethel M. Chocolate Factory Tour
At Ethel M. Chocolate Factory you get two free attractions in Las Vegas, or the price of one stop. Take the self guided factory observation tour to see delicious chocolates and candies being made by hand, then explore the very cool 30 acre cactus garden. Kids are fascinated by both.
See Mystic Falls and Sam’s Stampede
Sam’s Town is another family friendly resort, and everyone will enjoy the roaring waterfall and chirping birds of Mystic Falls. It plays live at 6:00, 8:00 and 10:00 every day.
Find a Geocache
If you are a Geocaching family, Las Vegas is a geocacher’s city. There are caches to be found downtown, on the strip, in the parks, and the rural areas surrounding town. There are even several cache trails in the rural areas surrounding town.
Learn Where Your Milk Comes From
One of the more surprising free things to do in Las Vegas, kids from 4 to 10 will love this indoor tour through a farm filled with animatronic animals, the Barnyard Buddies, who share the story of how Anderson Dairy takes milk from the cow to the refrigerated aisle of the supermarket. Important topics such as ice cream are included too!
Take the Kids to Story Time
There is lots of free stuff to do in Las Vegas at the Clark County Wetlands Park. It hosts a number of interpretive programs, including free Storytime on Sundays, and Nature Tales on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Programs last about an hour. Afterwards, the park is a great place to pick up a trail, and do some bird watching.
Play at the Park
Like any other metropolitan area, Las Vegas has dozens of community parks available. Centenial, Lorenzi, Anthem Hills and Gardens Park are all spoke highly of, but we love the Aliante Nature Discover Park. You’ll find grassy fields, multiple playgrounds, splash zones, a duck pond and waterfall, along with the Discovery Trail with its dinosaur theme.
Visit ShangriLa Prehistoric Park
Speaking of dinosaurs, if you are driving out to Hoover or Lake Mead for the day, might as well stop on the way in Henderson. Let the children interact and enjoy the giants at Shan-gri-la Prehistoric Park. It’s one of the kitschier free things to do in Las Vegas, but little kids love it.
Hike Boulder City Discovery Trail
Another nice stop to break up the drive to or from Hoover, the Boulder City Discovery Trail is a family sized trail with larger than life desert animals, and accompanying educational information.
Get the View
Another of the free things to do in Las Vegas that are better when the children are a bit older, say young teenagers, is to look down over Hoover from the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Definitely not for those with a fear of heights though!
See the Cool Cars
If the children are old enough to be interested in vintage or souped up cars, they will enjoy visiting Counts Kustoms, one of the super cool free attractions in Las Vegas. While it is a working shop, it is also a museum for the personal collection of Danny “the Count” Koker. Free tours are available daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00.
** You’ll also want to include the Bellagio Fountains, the Flamingo Habitat, one of the fabled ghost towns, and the Old Mormon Fort!
Free Attractions in Las Vegas if You Want to Stay on the Strip
Get Your Country On
You don’t have to go to the Nashville strip for country music, you can get it right on the Las Vegas Strip. Gilley’s in Treasure Island has free line dancing lessons at 7:00 every night, followed by free country and bluegrass music most nights.
Watch the Volcano Erupt
One of very few outdoor on the strip free things to do in Las Vegas, the Mirage Volcano is a classic. Watch it spew it’s fiery rath every hour on the hour, starting at 8:00 in the evening. Just inside the Mirage you’ll also find a 20,000 gallon saltwater tank filled with 450 brilliantly colored fish.
Hear the Fall of Atlantis
The Greek themed Fall of Atlantis show may be among the most dramatic of free stuff to do in Las Vegas. King Atlas seeks to chose an heir, but will full children are making it difficult. The story is told with lights, water, fire, 9 foot talking statues and a 20 foot winged dragon. The show begins at 11:00, and is performed every hour on the hour. There is also a 50,000 gallon aquarium thriving with 300 fish nearby.
Breathe in the Bellagio Conservatory
Another of the iconic free things to do in Las Vegas, the Bellagio Conservatory is quite a treat, and offers lovely photo opportunities. Displays change seasonally, so it closes for a week 4 times a year to install the new season wonderland. Be sure to get a photo with the Chihuly chandelier on the way in.
See the Bellagio Chocolate Fountain
One of the newer free attractions in las Vegas at the Bellagio, but I am told the Bellagio Chocolate Fountain is not only the world’s largest, but also quite hypnotic. Watch several colors of melted chocolate wind their way through 25 different suspended glass vessels, with a visible 14 feet height, at the Jen Phillipe Patisserie.
Help Make TV History
Visit the CBS Research Center at the MGM Grand to be one of the many deciding what plays, and what does not. Visitors go to a cubicle to watch an episode scheduled for potential airplay. The consensus among reviewer responses will determine what is aired, and what is not. There are shows for various age levels and interests. Not only is it one of the cool free things to do in Las Vegas, you’ll get a reward as a thank you.
Get Caught in The Rain Storm
Las Vegas is hot and dry, but the Miracle Mile Shops have rainstorms every hour on the hour, starting at 10:00. Hear the thunder, see the lightning, and feel the raindrops to cool off. It may be the most refreshing of the things to do in Las Vegas for free.
Light up the Skyhttps
One of the simplest and easiest to overlook of free attractions in Las Vegas, but pretty either way, is the Eifel Tower Light Show. Starting at sunset, the show runs every 30 minutes until midnight.
Watch the High Roller Light Show
While the lights on the High Roller can be seen from many places, it is best watched from the Linq Promenade. Music plays down the promenade, and the lights on the High Roller are choreographed to the songs that play.
Dance the Night Away
Carnaval Court is the Harrah’s Resort contribution to the free things to do in Las Vegas. Tucked into the corridor between Harrah’s and the Linq, this circular venue features live DJs and bands day and night. This may be what you had in mind when you thought about things to do in Las Vegas for free.
See the Royal Performers
Streetmosphere performers are trained to entertain the Italian royalty, with operatic singers, dancers, stiltwalkers and jesters. They perform in St. Marks Square of the Grand Canal Shoppes every hour on the hour starting at 11:00.
Watch the Wynn Fountains
A lesser known fact about the strip is that the Wynn also has a performing fountain in front of the resort. The smaller, less assuming dancing fountain, is often overlooked among the free stuff to do in Las Vegas.
See the Lake of Dreams
The Wynn’s inside free performance, Lake of Dreams, combines lights, sounds, music and puppets surrounding the lake, with a 90 foot waterfall and forest of pine trees. It runs every 30 minutes, beginning at dusk.
** Don’t forget to include the Bellagio Fountains and the Flamingo Habitat on the strip!
Free Things to Do in Las Vegas for a Locals Experience
Play Board Games at Meepleville
Definitely one of the surprising free things to do in Las Vegas, Meepleville opens at noon every day for table gaming. From Euchre to Dungeons and Dragons, they have over 2,600 games in stock. Join an event, or just bring a couple friends, and play the game of your choice.
Mingle at First Friday in the Down Town Arts District
First Fridays have become a big community event in many communities across the country, and Las Vegas is no exception. Head to the Down Town Container Park for artists, musicians, and food trucks. Follow the crowds!
Discover the Water Fowl
Over 250 different species of migratory birds and water fowl can be seen at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. With 9 ponds, various trails, and even binoculars to borrow, it is one of the quite educational things to do in Las Vegas for free. Bird Mobile Tours are also available for a very small fee for those who do not wish to do so much walking.
Attend an Event at UNLV
Like any other university town, Las Vegas residents support their home teams. The University of Nevada at Las Vegas Lady Rebels compete in 9 different sports, while the Men participate in 7, and there are various intramural and academic events. If school is in, you can probably find an event to enjoy during your visit. Some have a ticket price, while others are among the free stuff to do in Las Vegas.
Browse at Cactus Joes
Perhaps you are never going to have a cactus or succulents garden, but Cactus Joes makes it fun to pretend like you might. While it is a garden store, it is equally a quirky yard art outdoor museum, and it is just a fun place to look around. It stands out among free attractions in Las Vegas, if you don’t buy anything.
Get Out on the Trails
The community takes full advantage of the abundance of natural areas surrounding the city, especially the trails. A local favorite is to hike the tunnels, which is the Lake Mead National Recreational Area Historic Railroad Trail. It offers plenty of shady hiking space on sunny days.
Cool Off in the Mountains
Locals beat the heat when they can with one of their favorite free things to do in Las Vegas, a trip up Mt. Charleston in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. There is a visitors center with exhibits, grassy meadows, wildflowers, forests, streams and waterfalls.
Make a Knock Out Punch
Join in community fitness classes on Sunday mornings at the District at Green Valley Ranch that are quite unexpected among the things to do in Las Vegas for free. Classes last 1 hour and rotate weekly, progressing through yoga, barre, and cardio-boxing.
Eat Something Fresh and Local
There is nothing quite as delicious as fresh farm produce, except maybe fresh hot street food. You may find both, plus a little entertainment, at one of the cities many Farmers Markets. Any day but Monday, there is a market somewhere in town, and they may be among the healthiest of the free stuff to do in Las Vegas.
**Don’t forget to also include Bass Pro Shops, The District at Green Valley Ranch free movies, Ethel M. Chocolate Factory, Anderson Dairy, local parks, and Clark County Wetlands Park.
Free Stuff to Do in Las Vegas for Art Lovers
Explore the City Galleries
The city of Las Vegas maintains 4 separate display galleries at various city buildings. Exhibits change frequently, but often feature community call competitions, and other unusual means of creating a cohesive composition. It is one of the things to do in Las Vegas for free that is often overlooked even by locals.
Take a Street Art Tour
Over the last few years Las Vegas has become the home to a number of outstanding and intriguing murals from artists of various styles, a group of stunning and thought provoking free attractions in Las Vegas. Everywhere you look in the downtown area you are likely to find a huge and inspiring work of art. So you don’t miss any of them, Find MASA has mapped them out for you!
See University Arts
Located on campus of UNLV, the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art features 3 different galleries. Exhibits include the work of students, a permanent collection representing a diverse community of artists, and temporary showings that demonstrate an understanding of the environment.
Visit Seven Magic Mountains
Somehow in my mind everyon has heard of Seven Magic Mountains, and it is quite well known among free things to do in Las Vegas. But if you haven’t, it is a large scale public art installation located near Jean Dry Lake, originally planned to be one of temporary things to do in Las Vegas for free. Created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, it is a striking play of color in the desert.
Experience the Sunset Drum Circle
While not exactly an art experience, it is located in perhaps the most artsy place in the city, the Down Town Container Park, and the praying mantis is a work of art in itself. The sunset drum circle wakes the Mantis up each night, and it shoots fire balls from its antennae.
Free Attractions in Las Vegas for History Lovers
Learn How the City was Founded
Many of us have never heard of Kiel Ranch, but if it were not for the natural springs and the ranch that grew up around them, the city of Las Vegas might have never been. None of the other free things to do in Las Vegas can say that. A couple of the structures have been reconstructed, while informational panels and historic photos tell the story.
Take a Self-Guided City History Tour
The city of Las Vegas takes an avid interest in preserving some of the unique history and culture of the area, from its founding as a Mormon outpost, to its days as a divorce haven, and the era of mob rule. Various sites are preserved marking each of these periods, and the city has mapped them for easy reference.
The Museum You Almost Can’t Miss
The Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum is spread throughout the airport, so when you arrive in Las Vegas you will most likely see some of the exhibits that honor flight in Nevada, pilots, and other aeronautic influences. However, all of the displays are interesting and worth seeing. When you depart, come a little early and see them all.
Pay Respects at Veterans Memorial
The Nevada State Veterans Memorial pays homage to soldiers from the state and the country, from the revolution to the War on Terror through a number of statues and monutments. It is a thoughtful place of remembrance.
Meditate at the Healing Garden
Built to remember and honor victims of the 2017 mass shooting that took place near Mandalay Bay, the Healing Gardens is a respectful and contemplative memorial built by the community. It is the most emotional of the free attractions in Las Vegas.
Tule Springs Fossil Bed
A relatively new National Monument, Tule Springs is the site of some amazing pleistocene discoveries including a baby mammoth, camels, sloths, and Giant North American Lions. The park infrastructure is still being planned, so it is a bit underwhelming. But there is a discovery trail and informational guide. It is asked that visitors report any fossils they come across on a designated discovery page, so it is one of the free things to do in Las Vegas that enables you to play a role in the future.
Explore a Ghost Town
The southwestern desert may be home to more ghost towns than anywhere else in the United States, and several of them are only a short distance from Las Vegas. I you have a car for your stay, exploring some of these lost towns can be quite a treat. From the popular historic mining towns of Rhyolite and Nelson, to the lesser known St. Thomas that was submerged during the creation of Lake Mead, there is surely a ghost town that you will find intriguing.
Learn How Hoover Was Built
If you visit Hoover, make the stop in Boulder City and learn the detailed information about the community and builders, while this man made wonder was being constructed. The Boulder City Hoover Dam Museum tells the in-depth stories, and it is among the most interesting of the free stuff to do in Las Vegas.
Discover the Old Mormon Fort ** (Our cheat- it cost $3 per person.)
Although not one of the things you can do in Las Vegas for free, the Old Mormon Fort is extremely cheap, and worth the $3 entrance fee. The site of the first permanent European settlement in the area with a natural spring, the fort oasis served as a way point along the Old Spanish Trail for Paiute, emigrants and miners. See the reconstructed fort as well as a museum filled with artifacts.
How’s that for Things to Do in Las Vegas for Free?
Your trip to Las Vegas doesn’t have to leave your pockets empty! With 57 different free attractions in Las Vegas, and things for all kinds of travelers, there are certainly several free activities to add to your itinerary. In fact, if you wanted, you could fill your days with all the free stuff to do in Las Vegas, and save all your money for world class food and a little time on the tables!
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About Me
You know me, Roxanna Keyes, sometimes referred to as FoxyRoxyK, the founder of Gypsy With a Day Job. I was 50 before I really began to experience all the world has to offer. I really don’t want you to wait so long!
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What a fun and enjoyable post! You have made me want to visit Las Vegas and experience some of the free attractions and activities that you have shared. You have covered so many places that I didn’t even know existed, and you have given me a lot of insight into their history and culture. Thanks for sharing your experience and recommendations!
I am so happy I found your site. I just started a lifestyle blog last year and I know how much work it is. I am so glad to see two ladies team up to do this “later” in life. I have never been to Vegas, but if I ever go, I will take your recommendations. You have prepared a very comprehensive list!