Sin City is full of activities, entertainment venues, and attractions, but there are also plenty of free things to do in Las Vegas.
We covered a few budget-friendly options in our guide to the best things to do in Las Vegas, and now we’re going to focus on all the top free Las Vegas attractions.
The first time we visited this city was during our 10-day West Coast Road Trip. We knew we had to budget accordingly for the entire trip, so we were keen on finding cheap things to do in Las Vegas.
Well, I’m pleased to tell you that there are lots of fun things you can do around here without spending a fortune. While there are many free places and activities in Las Vegas, if you’re traveling on a budget you may want to check out the Go Las Vegas All-Inclusive Pass (the best CityPass in Las Vegas), which covers more than 45 attractions, so you can make the most of your time and money.
Now, here are the 15 best things to do in Las Vegas for free!
1. Take a photo at the Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the Strip
Your trip to Las Vegas begins with a visit to the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. This iconic landmark has been greeting visitors since 1959, so it’s one of the top free places to visit in Las Vegas.
1. Take a photo at the Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the Strip
The sign sits at the southern end of the Strip and stands 25 feet tall. It’s one of the most photographed places in the city, so you must snap a shot of it! Not only is it one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas, but you’ll have a photo souvenir to remember your trip by.
2. Enjoy the Fountains at Bellagio show, the best free thing to do in Las Vegas
The Bellagio is among the most luxurious and well-known Vegas resorts. One of its most famous attractions also makes for a fun free thing to do in Las Vegas.
2. Enjoy the Fountains at Bellagio show, the best free thing to do in Las Vegas
The Bellagio Fountains are comprised of over 1,200 nozzles, sprayers, and water jets that create an amazing free show in Las Vegas. The water show uses special lighting effects, choreographed movements, and music, and performances occur every 30 minutes in the afternoon (every 15 minutes after 8 pm). It’s one of the main attractions in our guide to the best things to do in Las Vegas at night.
The resort also has a Conservatory and Botanical Garden, which is another awesome free thing to do in Las Vegas with family. On your way inside, stop and marvel at the Fiori di Como blown-glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly.
3. Fremont Street Experience, one of the top free things to do in Las Vegas
For the best free activities in Las Vegas, check out the Fremont Street Experience. Located in the city’s historic center, Fremont Street is quite an experience in itself. Every night, you can see a performance or concert here, and it’s usually free. If anything, it’ll be a cheap thing to do in Las Vegas and a nice way to mingle with the locals.
As we mention in our guide to the best things to do in downtown Las Vegas, the Fremont Street Experience offers something for everyone. Along with concerts and musicians, you can see the Viva Vision Light Show, which is comprised of over 12 million LED lights and accompanied by sound.
3. Fremont Street Experience, one of the top free things to do in Las Vegas
If you have some money to spare, you can take a ride on the SlotZillla zipline or go shopping at the pedestrian mall. I also like this Fremont Street walking tour, which takes you to the most legendary spots in the area.
Without a doubt, Fremont Street is the best place to visit in Las Vegas for free entertainment, and it’s open 24 hours a day.
4. Walk the LINQ Promenade, a free attraction in Las Vegas
Without a doubt, the LINQ Promenade is one of the first free places to go in Las Vegas. This pedestrian promenade is in the center of the Strip, so it’s a haven for entertainment, food, and leisure activities.
While the Promenade itself is a free attraction in Las Vegas, you’ll have to pay for several of the events and activities here. It’s worth it though, as you can find something for everyone at the LINQ.
4. Walk the LINQ Promenade, a free attraction in Las Vegas
One of the coolest things to do is ride the High Roller, the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. At 550 feet high, it’ll give you the most spectacular views of the Strip, especially at night. You can get a skip-the-line ticket here. The LINQ is also home to the Brooklyn Bowl, a huge bowling alley and music venue.
Even if you just stroll through, the Promenade is close to many hotels on the Strip, so it’s a nice free thing to do in Las Vegas.
5. Browse the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian
If you’re looking for things to do in Las Vegas during the day, check out the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian.
This luxury shopping mall may have some of the most extravagant stores in the city, but it’s still a free place to visit in Las Vegas. You can stop by while you’re waiting for a show to start or if you have an hour or two of leisure time during the day.
5. Browse the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian
Here, you can window shop or people-watch as couples glide down the artificial canal in a gondola. The shopping center is also where you can find Streetmosphere, a free show with elaborately-costumed performers.
While you’re at The Venetian, be sure to stop by the Palazzo Waterfall Atrium and Gardens, which changes decorations every season. In the Palazzo lobby, you’ll also see the Aqua di Cristallo water sculpture, another free must-see in Las Vegas.
6. Find a bargain in the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
If you’re a fan of the TV series Pawn Stars, then you must visit the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. It’s a popular attraction and usually very crowded, but if you can get in, it’s one of the most interesting places to visit in Las Vegas for free.
6. Find a bargain in the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
Here, you can find all kinds of intriguing knick-knacks, furniture, games, jewelry, collectibles, and more. The shop is open daily from 10 am – 5 pm, and the Pawn Stars guys occasionally make an appearance on the shop floor.
If you’re a superfan of the show, consider this half-day VIP tour that takes you behind the scenes to several of the stores where the pawn stars buy their strange and unique items. You could even meet the cast of the show, depending on their schedules.
7. The Mirage Volcano, one of the most popular free shows in Las Vegas
The Mirage is another Vegas hotspot, and it’s especially famous for its volcano eruption light show. This is an awesome thing to do in Las Vegas for kids, as the show is specially choreographed to lights, music, steam, and even piña colada fragrance. The show happens every night at 8 pm, 9 pm, and 10 pm.
7. The Mirage Volcano, one of the most popular free shows in Las Vegas
While the Mirage volcano is a free must-see in Las Vegas, that’s not all that the resort offers. It has other things to do in Las Vegas on a budget, such as the Cirque du Solei show, LOVE, which is based on the story of the Beatles.
Another cool part of The Mirage is the atrium’s tropical rainforest full of palm trees, lagoons, orchids, and other tropical plants and flowers. There is also a very popular dolphin habitat, although I advise against visiting it. The hotel has plenty of other beautiful places to visit in Las Vegas for free.
8. Caesars Palace, another free place to go in Las Vegas
Among the most prominent casino hotels in Las Vegas is Caesars Palace, which also has one of the best free shows in Las Vegas.
8. Caesars Palace, another free place to go in Las Vegas
The Fall of Atlantis show is part of the Forum Shops at the hotel and tells the story of the underwater city of Atlantis. It’s one of the top free things to do in Las Vegas with family, as kids of all ages will enjoy watching the animated figures and special effects.
Speaking of the Forum Shops, taking a stroll through this mall is one of the best free things to do on the Las Vegas Strip. It has over 150 stores, so it’s perfect for window-shopping. Moreover, if you’re looking for one of the top places to stay in Las Vegas, Caesars Palace is one of the most pristine and comfortable.
9. Visit New York-New York Hotel, another fun thing to do in Las Vegas for free
Believe it or not, you can visit the Big Apple while you’re in Vegas. Well, not exactly, but the New York-New York Hotel is a cool resort and offers plenty of fun things to do on the Las Vegas Strip.
This themed hotel replicates the classic NYC skyline, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Chrysler Building. They’re right outside the resort, so you can see these Las Vegas attractions for free.
9. Visit New York-New York Hotel, another fun thing to do in Las Vegas for free
You may also enjoy listening to the dueling pianos at The Plaza bar inside the hotel. It’s another free thing to do in Las Vegas as long as you get there before 8 pm, after which they start charging an entrance fee.
For some cheap things to do in Las Vegas, see the Zumanity Cirque du Soleil show or take a ride on the Big Apple Coaster. It’s a popular attraction, so I recommend purchasing a ticket in advance.
Just a 5-minute walk from New York-New York is The Park MGM, where you’ll find cool public art like the Water Walls and the Bliss Dance Sculpture.
10. Eiffel Tower & other free light shows in Las Vegas
Without a doubt, among the best free attractions in Las Vegas are the many light shows you can see each night. I already talked about the Bellagio Fountains and the shows at The Mirage and Caesars Palace, but there are a few others you should check out.
The Paris Hotel has a beautiful replica of the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas that illuminates in a lovely display. It has a romantic vibe, so it’s a great free place to go in Las Vegas for couples, too. You can even climb to the top of the viewing deck, but it’s a popular activity, so I suggest purchasing a ticket in advance.
10. Eiffel Tower & other free light shows in Las Vegas
The Lake of Dreams show at The Wynn is ethereal and another spectacular attraction you should see. Also, kids will love the Sirens at Treasure Island Hotel and the mermaids at the Silverton Hotel Aquarium, which incorporate special effects and music. Finally, the Rainstorm Show at the Miracle Mile Shops is worth seeing, too.
Whichever show you watch, you can’t go wrong because they’re all fun, free things to do in Vegas as a family.
11. Circus Circus, the best place for Las Vegas entertainment on a budget
Circus Circus is another iconic landmark on the Vegas Strip. The resort is the largest permanent big top in the world and, as such, offers loads of entertainment.
Along with a 123,928ft² casino and gaming floor, the hotel has three swimming pools and the Chapel of the Fountain, one of the most popular Vegas wedding venues.
11. Circus Circus, the best place for Las Vegas entertainment on a budget
Watching the hotel’s lineup of acrobats and circus acts is one of the most entertaining free things to do on the Las Vegas Strip. You can see artists swinging on the trapeze, as well as contortionists and other impressive performers.
If you’re visiting with kids, you may also want to check out the Adventuredome at Circus Circus. This indoor amusement park has over two dozen rides and attractions, as well as mini-golf and an arcade. Along with the hotel’s Splash Zone waterpark, it’s a cheap thing to do in Las Vegas during the day.
12. Take free gambling lessons in Las Vegas
What’s a trip to Sin City without trying your hand at some gambling? Even if you aren’t big into table games and slot machines, you can still learn how to gamble like the pros. Plus, some of the best casinos in Las Vegas offer no-cost gambling lessons, so it’s a fun and free activity in Las Vegas.
While everyone is welcome at the casinos, you can get on quite well with the serious gamblers if you know a thing or two about the culture and etiquette. For example, I had no idea that it’s frowned upon to return dice to the craps table after they’ve fallen on the floor!
12. Take free gambling lessons in Las Vegas
A few of the casinos that offer lessons include Excalibur, Circus Circus, Luxor, The Venetian, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, and The STRAT. You can find lessons every day for popular games like blackjack, roulette, poker, and craps. Plus, since you can learn for free, it’s a must-do in Las Vegas.
After learning the ropes, you’ll feel more confident to hit the tables and try your hand with the professionals. Or, if you’re just curious about the jargon and rules, these gambling classes are one of the best free things to do on the Las Vegas Strip. Just keep in mind that the lessons can fill up quickly, so if you want a seat, get there early.
13. Shelby Heritage Center, one of the most popular free tours in Las Vegas
If you’re a car enthusiast, then a visit to the Shelby Heritage Center is in order. Besides, it’s a free place to visit in Las Vegas and it’s open daily for tours.
13. Shelby Heritage Center, one of the most popular free tours in Las Vegas
The Center tells the history of Carroll Shelby, an automotive designer and racer. He was the man behind the 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350, among other vehicles, and the museum includes several Mustang and Ford models. There are over 30 automobiles on rotation, and it’s a beautiful display for those who are interested in classic sports cars.
Besides, the Center is free and open to the public, so it’s a fun free thing to do in Las Vegas with family.
14. Go to The Cosmopolitan & other free museums in Las Vegas
Clearly, this city isn’t just about gambling. The glitz and glamor of the casinos are just one aspect of Las Vegas’ beauty. But there are also many museums in Las Vegas. I suggest checking out places like The Cosmopolitan, Aria Campus Fine Art Collection, and Barrick Museum if you want to see some beautiful art collections.
Best of all, taking in the art of Sin City is something to do in Las Vegas, NV for free, and you can do it alone or with friends. One of the top places to go is The Cosmopolitan. This contemporary hotel has hundreds of pieces as well as several art installations exploring painting, sculpture, photography, and more.
14. Go to The Cosmopolitan & other free museums in Las Vegas
I also recommend the Aria Campus Fine Art Collection, which includes works by some of the top artists in sculpture and installation art. If you stay at the Aria Hotel and you’re looking for free or cheap things to do in Las Vegas, be sure to stop by and see the collection.
Finally, the Barrick Museum of Art features a diverse array of works and offers free program access to low-income individuals.
15. Ethel M Chocolate Factory, the best cheap thing to do in Las Vegas for date night
Couples who are looking for things to do in Las Vegas on a budget should check out the Ethel M Chocolate Factory for gourmet sweets and a lovely atmosphere.
Whether you enjoy milk chocolate, caramel, or the whole assortment of candies, you can find it here. You can get a peek at the chocolate-making process for free or, if you’re willing to spend a bit of money, you can take a full tasting tour of the factory. It makes for a unique date and one of the top things to do in Las Vegas as a couple.
15. Ethel M Chocolate Factory, the best cheap thing to do in Las Vegas for date night
The facilities are within the Ethel M Botanical Cactus Gardens, which are open to the public at no cost. There, you can find hundreds of varieties of cacti and desert plants, as well as a holiday light show in November and December. I think it makes for a wonderful free thing to do in Vegas with kids or as a couple.
There you have 15 free things to do in Las Vegas! As you can see, there are plenty of budget-friendly things to see and do in Sin City; you just have to know where to go. Hopefully, this guide to free attractions in Las Vegas will help you make the most of your trip while saving some money. Of course, if you have any questions, leave me a comment and I’ll be happy to help you out! Safe travels!
