Calico Basin - Free Things to do in Las Vegas

17 Interesting and Free Things to do in Las Vegas for 2023

Las Vegas is one of the top destinations for those looking for fun and amusement as it is renowned for its amazing things to do, incredible places to visit and exciting activities to perform.

For many reasons, people pack a few hundreds of dollars, before booking a ticket to Las Vegas, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t find some amazing free things to do in Las Vegas.

When you say Las Vegas, you think of the casinos, gambling, fancy hotels, classy restaurants, etc, but if you really visit the city, you will know that Vegas is much more than these.

Actually, in your tour to discover the city, you will be amazed by the erupting volcanoes, free curbside shows, performances of artists on the street and plenty of other things to do in Vegas for free, so enjoy your vacation without spending all your money.

Even shopping malls in Las Vegas are not just stores to buy stuff and pay money, as their Artful interiors with elaborate building facades, wandering performers, and features like water-filled canals and rain storms make them incredible destinations which worth a visit.

To be honest, the fantastic views of nature, parks, picnic areas, fireballs, dancing waters, and hiking trails make it very hard for the passengers to pass by them and keep their eyes on the road.

Stopping the car in the middle of the street to watch the shows is a common scene in Las Vegas. So if you are preparing for a vacation to Las Vegas without spending so much money, we recommend reading this list of the “Las Vegas free things to do”:

As said above, there is a variety of free things to do in Las Vegas, so you can enjoy your day without losing the budget. These places include:


1- Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Palace Forum Shops

Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Palace Forum Shops - Free Things to do in Las Vegas

For all tourists, especially those having younger kids, the fall of Atlantis at Caesars Palace Forum Shops is considered one of the top locations in Las Vegas.

When you enter the Caesars Palace Forum Shops, you can watch at least one collection of statues regularly coming to life in a free show.

As everything in this city, the show is accompanied with special lighting and sound effects, including thunder, and a fireball or two.

The Fall of Atlantis welcomes a big number of visitors daily, so try to arrive as early as possible to secure a good viewing position around the fountain.

Although they allow taking pictures, the dimmed lighting will not help you much. You will spend a good time strolling through the Forum Shops and exploring an abundance of re-created ancient statues as well as enjoy the great window shopping.


2- Aria Campus Fine Art Collection

Aria Campus Fine Art Collection - Things to do in Las Vegas For Free

Among the free attractions in Las Vegas, the ARIA Fine Art Collection is considered one of the best with all its lavish rooms and suites, acclaimed painters, sculptors, installation artists and many more.

Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg, and Coosje van Bruggen, Frank Stella, Henry Moore, James Turrell, and Richard Long, and many others are the genius members whose work is featured in ARIA Fine Art.

This fascinating destination encompasses a multitude of styles and media. It displays all the meanings of arts which engage visitors on a visual and intellectual level including the sculptures and paintings like valuable, existing pieces of cultural significance as well as large-scale installations like site-specific installations for which the artist commanded their vision over the space.


3- The Park

The Park - Las Vegas Free Things to do

The Park, located adjacent to the T-Mobile Arena, is a vast area between the Monte Carlo and New York as well as one of the amusing things to do in Vegas for free.

This place acts as a walkway and a place to get a break from the Strip due to its variety of restaurants and shops.

In the first place, this landscaping reflects the Mojave desert as it was carefully designed from drought-tolerant plants; additionally, you can also find free seats, free outdoor entertainment (like acoustic guitarists and performance artists), amazing features (like giant shade structures) as well as free public WiFi.

That is all what you need, right? It is obviously one of the best free attractions in Las Vegas.

Here are also two incredible features which are deeply considered two of The Park’s signature features. They represent much of the public art in this area of the Strip; The Bliss Dance sculpture and water walls.


4- Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Bellagio-Conservatory-Botanical-Gardens

What is a conservatory? Many people don’t know what is this place, neither those in Las Vegas did before opening the Bellagio.

The Bellagio displayed the reality of the “conservatory” as a way to call the “fascinating indoor garden display,” and it is one of the best free things to do in Vegas.

The Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are the best indoor gardens in Las Vegas, they captivate the visitors from every place in the world to visit this natural heaven.

This place opens every day. They have a talented, dedicated staff who swoops in and adds everything according to every season and holiday. The flowers, gigantic Christmas trees, winter features and everything you wish for will be there just on time.

The Bellagio is choked with visitors all the year round especially those who love taking pictures. Whether you are alone or with family, visit Bellagio early in the day to encounter the fewest people and get the best photos with your beloved ones.


5- Streetmosphere at the Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes

Streetmosphere at the Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes - Free Attractions in Las Vegas

People usually enjoy visiting some of the free attractions in Las Vegas like The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian to explore the miniature Venetian canals which is a recreation of St. Mark’s square, but that is not the case here.

Actually, the staff here decided to make things special by adding some street performers, which are also called “Streetmosphere.” Yeah, we all love those singers, performers, and living statues who regularly entertain people in public places.

Although it is not allowed, most parents send their unsuspecting kids up to the “statues” to take few pictures with them, but your camera must be ready as they will move when your children approach.

Don’t even think of missing these special scenes and scheduled performances of singers, jugglers, and other entertainers as well as the costumed singers wandering through the streets.

You don’t know when you will meet them as they take place many times a day in St. Mark’s Square.


6- Fremont Street Experience

Fremont Street Experience - Things to do in Las Vegas

Another free thing to do in Las Vegas with kids is to tour in the Fremont Street and sight the amazing street performers, impersonators, and artists who are known there as buskers and found all along the street level on Fremont Street.

Many features are set in Fremont Street including SlotZilla at night which is a zip line ride zooms riders under the canopy and over the heads of the people below.

However, during the day, the FSE is a bit more sedate. Tourist can wander there from casino to casino and check out the shops, souvenirs, etc. They can just view the place or buy from any of the inexpensive places which sell trinkets and tee-shirts.


7- Palazzo Waterfall Atrium

Palazzo Waterfall Atrium - Free Things to do in Las Vegas

For those Who think that Las Vegas is just about casinos and gamblings, you’re so wrong. To prove it, we introduce you one of the top free things to do in Las Vegas,  just come inside the Palazzo Waterfall Atrium and Gardens.

This incredible place will make you forget that you’re just a few steps away from two major casinos in Las Vegas.

The Palazzo Waterfall Atrium and the colorful indoor gardens offer a refreshing respite at Venetian and Palazzo. Everything seems natural and peaceful from the lighting, thoughtful displays and the gorgeous arrangement of flowers as well.


8- Mirage Volcano

Mirage Volcano - Things to do in Las Vegas For Free

In the past, Mirage volcano was the first Vegas exterior entertainment of its kind and one of the rare free things to do in Las Vegas, and till now, it still brings the life to the entire lagoon area around it when it is erupting.

The Mirage volcano rumbles into life twice or thrice a day, it spews flames and does a great impersonation of the real thing. The scene attracts the tourists as well as the locals to get a glimpse of this iconic curbside attraction.


9- Fountains of Bellagio

Fountains of Bellagio - Las Vegas Free Things to do

If you are one of those who loves to spend their vacation at a romantic place, then fountains of Bellagio is the best choice.

Imagine the scene of the dancing waters of the fountains shooting hundreds of feet into the air and racing around in patterns on the surface of the lake.

This amazing view is accompanied with a classical, romantic and toe-tapping music. All the audiences in the location are captivated with the exquisite fountain, plus it’s a free attraction in Las Vegas which is appropriate for all ages.

Believe me, you will be captivated with the enchanting show so that you will keep coming again and again.


10- Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign

Fabulous Las Vegas Sign - Las Vegas Free Attractions

This landmark in Las Vegas was designed in 1959 by Betty Willis.

Each Year, millions of tourists come from the different places in the world to visit this incredible place which became synonymous with Las Vegas and appears on all kinds of souvenirs and in the artwork. So your trip will never be complete unless you visit this landmark.

This famous neon sign welcomes millions of visitors to Las Vegas each year. Although it was designed since more than 50 years, the sign’s design was not officially copyrighted until May 1, 2009, then it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, the location became so popular and surrounded by hotels and a parking lot was built just for it, so never forget to include it in your free things to do in Las Vegas


11- CBS Television City Research

CBS Television City Research - Free Attractions in Las Vegas

CBS Television City Research is located inside the MGM Grand hotel-casino at the south end of the Strip.

CBS Television City Research Center is one of the unique places as it puts you in the network TV show process, to give your opinion.

The idea is really amazing, you pick up tickets and register in the front of the center. You watch some of the latest offers of CBS and give your opinion.

It is really an incredible experience and one of the best free attractions in Las Vegas at the same time.


12- Gold and Silver Pawn Shop

Gold and Silver Pawn shop - Things to do in Las Vegas

This location is renowned as the home of the hit TV Show “Pawn Stars” which make it one of the top free things to do in Las Vegas.

Although this place is specialized in rare collectibles, art, and memorabilia, we included it in our list of the free attractions in Las Vegas because you can wander around and get amazed by the historical artifacts, fine art, jewelry and more…


13- Calico Basin

Calico Basin - Free Things to do in Las Vegas

Calico Basin is another one of the best, free attractions in Las Vegas. It usually attracts the explorers and nature lovers who come to check out the unique area.

You can get the advantage of the picnic tables, a boardwalk and hiking trails which make this place the ideal choice for a picnic with your beloved or your family. And guess what? it requires no entry fees.

The location has a lot of giant sandstone formations, hills and mountains, as well as fragile and rare springs, are found throughout the area.

Explore the main picnic area by Red Springs, and know more about the wildlife and environment from the raised boardwalk which protects the delicate desert meadow.

Furthermore, enjoy the seasonal streams and rock scrambling but check the weather before visiting as the temperatures can be very high at the summer.


14- Hershey’s Chocolate world

Hershey’s Chocolate world - Things to do in Las Vegas For Free

Hershey’s Chocolate World is one of the amazing things to do in Vegas for free. It offers marketplace shops and fancy restaurants, specialized in Hershey’s chocolate products.

This location includes many attractions like Hershey’s Great Chocolate Factory Mystery in 4D, the Hershey Trolley Works, and Wrap Happiness, but what makes it a part of our list is their free Chocolate Tour ride.


15- M&M’s World

M&M's World - Las Vegas Free Things to do

We all know the M&M’s World… an amazing place for kids and adults at the same time. However, Stepping into M&M’s World in Las Vegas is an unforgettable experience.

Describing it as the most wonderful place or like chocolate heaven might be so true especially with the four floors of chocolate.

This is one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas for me.


16- Flamingo Wildlife Habitat

Flamingo Wildlife Habitat - Las Vegas Free Attractions

Another one of the free attractions in Las Vegas is Flamingo Wildlife Habitat.

Most visitors see this place as just a short walk away from the giant neon signs and sidewalk performers on Las Vegas Boulevard; however, they will be surprised by this small burst of greenery in the middle of the bustling Las Vegas Strip.

Actually, most flamingos see this Flamingo Wildlife Habitat as their natural home, you can also find other beautiful animals and birds like swans, ducks, koi, turtles and even two rescued pelicans.

If you are one of those who loves pictures, just take your camera with you and take some shots for great pictures: waterfalls, palms trees, and many places to sit and enjoy the nature around you.

Wandering throughout the area and the walking paths, stopping for a very un-Vegasy break to let the kids enjoy their time and many other exciting activities make this habitat a great destination for couples and families, and it’s free too.


17- The Aquarium at the Silverton Hotel

The Aquarium at the Silverton Hotel - Things to do in Las Vegas

We talked about casinos, the natural places, indoor gardens, etc in Las Vegas, but there is more…the freshwater aquariums.

Guests who visit Las Vegas never miss exploring these aquariums which feature simulating Red Rocks and the Mermaids swimming and sometimes interacting with the guests and thousands of tropical fish.

Furthermore, there are other three aquariums at Bass Pro Shop feature trout, channel catfish, carp, and bass. If you visit it once, you will come again to enjoy the flowing canyon river featuring ducks, turtles, bluegills, and sturgeon.

Whether you are going alone or with the family, this aquarium attracts people of all ages.


Author:

I spent many years traveling the globe and visiting some of the world’s most magnificent cities, including Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Shanghai, London, and Las Vegas.

When I visited Las Vegas for the first time, I was immediately attracted to the glamour and magic of Sin City. It was unlike any other city I had ever visited because of its bright lights, beautiful hotel resorts, and the variety of entertainment shows and tourist activities.

One visit was all it took for me to move to Las Vegas and make it my primary residence. Since then, I have made it my mission to share everything beautiful and outstanding about Las Vegas with the rest of the world. That way, people will be encouraged to visit Las Vegas and experience the city’s magic for themselves.

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