FREE THINGS TO DO IN LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas is an exciting place to visit, and there are plenty of free things to do while you’re here! From exploring the many different attractions that the city has to offer, to indulging in some delicious eats, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular guest, here are some of the best free things to do in Las Vegas. From visiting iconic landmarks and attractions, to experiencing the city’s vibrant – all without spending a dime!
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.
2. PINBALL HALL OF FAME
1610 E Tropicana Ave Las Vegas NV 89119, map | Hours: Sun-Thurs 11AM-11PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-Midnight
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 present day, and there were a handful of other classic arcade games too
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
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.
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 native
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!
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.
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. HOT SPRINGS AT GOLD STRIKE CANYON
Great Basin Highway Boulder City NV 89005, map | Hours: Dawn til Dusk
This is a great day hike that takes you to clear hot springs near the Colorado River. It does require a bit of scrambling, but the beautiful walk is worth it.
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.
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 the mermaids. Mermaids 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.
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. VOLCANO AT THE MIRAGE
3400 South Las Vegas Boulevard Las Vegas NV 89109, map | Hours: 7PM-11PM every half hour
This volcano packs a punch with huge explosions, fireballs, and a soundtrack from The Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart and Indian table sensation Zakir Hussain.
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.
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.
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. CBS TELEVISION CITY RESEARCH CENTER
3799 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV 89109, map | Hours: 10AM – 830PM
Have a say in what goes on TV by giving them your opinion!
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.