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Check out this list of things to do in Las Vegas

Free and Not So Free Things To Do in Vegas

Updated on January 23, 2023

 Lifestyle

CASH 1 doesn't always blog about saving money and alternative bad credit loans. Instead of writing about payday loans in Las Vegas, we thought we'd share with you some of our favorite Las Vegas attractions and what to do there.

Las Vegas, located in Nevada’s Mojave Desert, is one of the most well-known holiday destinations popular for its never-ending energy, 24-hour casinos and endless enjoyment options. It's famous for the Strip, more than 4 miles long and filled with elaborate luxurious hotels. It has numerous places that are a must-go for any tourist that steps into this lively city. Check out these Las Vegas fun facts.

Las Vegas is a town designed to separate you from your money, though it does promise to give back some amount of entertainment in return. Many people avoid Vegas altogether for this reason; the idea that Vegas just isn’t a destination for those on a budget. We disagree, and we’re going to show you a few things you can do in Vegas that are relatively inexpensive (other than transportation and other incidental expenses). First, we’ll profile a few things you can do for free with the kids, and then some things you can do as adults that won't cost money. We also have recommendations for you that do cost money - Some are a little pricey, but you can decide what best fits your budget. First, let’s take a look at what you can do with the kids in Vegas without spending your money.

Free Las Vegas Attractions for the Family

Bellagio Fountains

There are lots of free shows on the street, and outside the hotels and first Vegas casino you may see. And people may spend, maybe even waste, a lot of time watching these shows. However, there is only one that is actually worth watching: The Bellagio Fountains. They run every half hour, from 3:00pm to 8:00pm and then every 15 minutes until midnight. An 8.5-acre lake dances with more than 1,200 spritzers which shoot water up to 460 feet high, perfectly choreographed to various tunes.

Hoover Dam

Road trips are fun if you can save money on your car rental. Once called one of the great manmade wonders of the world, Hoover Dam – about a half hour drive southeast of town – was a project of the Depression designed to put men to work, even if temporarily. Today there is a paid tour of the interior of the structure, but you can still walk across the top for no charge and there is a visitor center (also free).

The Fremont Street Experience

Fremont Street used to be the main Vegas strip for decades until the big resorts moved in a couple of miles south. The resorts on Fremont Street responded with an amazing electronic canopy that displays all kinds of really cool and fun to look at displays, like virtual fighter jets flying overhead or virtual fireworks displays. In addition, there’s a zip line which does cost money, but it can be fun to watch people virtually fly overhead superman style. Celebrity impersonators roam up and down the experience, and you just might see your favorite Hollywood star (impersonated). Be warned, however, there are a couple of strip clubs which have billboards of dancers in skimpy attire, and some of the roaming celebrity impersonators can also be dressed in revealing outfits, though this is usually just on Friday and Saturday nights.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

A fifteen minute drive on highway 159 west of town will land you in one of the most striking painted desert landscapes in the United States. Plenty of opportunity to explore, hike, take pictures and maybe bring along a picnic lunch. Make sure you bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. So there’s an idea of what you can do with the kids without having to spend more than gas money and maybe a picnic lunch if you go to Red Rocks. But are there things you can do for Free in Las Vegas that are just for adults? Why yes there are:

Free Fun for Adults in Las Vegas

The Container Park

Just east of Fremont Street is the Las Vegas Container park; a mall of shops and boutiques made entirely out of reclaimed shipping containers. Obviously the shops and food stands will cost, but there’s no charge for admission and there is plenty to look at, like a giant fire-breathing Mantis out front, or free musical acts on the stage. Friday and Saturday Nights there is a 9pm curfew for children so adults can enjoy the park.

Taste Some Whiskey At The Venetian

Vom Fass is a nifty little craft whiskey bar at the Venetian. ON Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, you can sample different craft whiskeys and even attend a free tasting class (very similar to wine tasting classes at the Napa Valley Vineyards). Learn the difference between Scotch, Canadian, and American whiskeys, and discover some great bourbons from exotic locations.

Louis Vuitton Maison

Experience the art of Light at Louis Vuitton Maison at the City Center. This is an experience that requires an appointment made through Louis Vuitton, but is said to be something of a mind blowing experience in art using light. Essentially, you step into a small spherical room, and experience one of the artists preprogrammed displays of light and color. Adults only, see the information counter at Louis Vuitton Maison.

Hard Rock Hotel

Take a stroll through Rock and Roll history at the Hard Rock Hotel. Sure, the kids could join you for at least part of the free walking tour of rock and roll memorabilia, but they won’t get to see the stuff on display in the bar, so it might be best to do this one without the young’uns.

The Conservatory At The Bellagio

Not a strictly ‘Adults-Only’ experience, but with all there is to do in Vegas, we imagine the kids won’t have much patience for looking at floral displays. But for you horticultural fans, the Conservatory is emerging as one of the great garden spots in the world. If you are willing to spend a few bucks, a glass of wine is the perfect complement to a stroll among the flowers.

Buy A Bottle Of Wine At Otto In The Venetian

OK, so that one isn’t exactly ‘free’ per se, but if you purchase a bottle of wine between 3 and 6 pm, you will be rewarded with a platter of complimentary hors d’oeuvres custom made to be paired with your purchase. You’ll get everything from fruit to cheeses, bruschetta (if you know how expensive bruschetta is, that alone might motivate you to get the bottle) and all kinds of other tasty morsels handpicked by the head chef to go with your wine. Bon apatite.

Las Vegas Activities That Do Cost Money

The Mob Museum In Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, on Stewart Avenue, the leading route of the downtown casino district, there is a history museum called the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement also known as The Mob Museum. It was opened on February 14th, 2012, and the Museum is dedicated to presenting the stories, relics, and antiquity of organized crime in the US. The actions and initiatives by law enforcement to prevent such crimes are also featured. The old Las Vegas Post Office and Courthouse are used to house the museum which were built in 1933 and were the most famous Vegas buildings at that time. Non-locals can get a discount of $4 off general admission, regularly $23.95, with your advanced online purchase through 12/30/2016.

The Neon Museum Over an area of 6 acres, in Las Vegas, historic neon signs from the area are displayed outdoors. The museum features a restored lobby from the La Concha Motel which opened on October 27, 2012. The signs that were slowly being destroyed in Young Electric Sign Company’s boneyards have been restored and placed around the Fremont Street Experience. The signs are of countless reputation and are considered by citizens, government bodies, and corporate owners to not only be creatively, but also archaeologically important to the art, music, and literature of the city. Each sign in the collection holds a story of who created it and the reason for its importance. You are encouraged to book a tour in advance.

New York-New York Roller Coaster

It is not really the wildest roller coaster in existence, but this one goes right through the New York-New York hotel and takes only a few minutes, so you will not be wasting a lot of time if you decide on checking it out and especially if you’re short on time. The hotel is also worth seeing for its brilliantly compressed version of technicolor Manhattan, and the roller coaster is a much better way to tour it than walking through it. individual tickets are $14.00, but there are family deals online.

Shark Reef Aquarium

Even at $16 for the entry ticket, this aquarium is pretty amazing. Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay is half outdoors and half indoors with a large display of turtles, crocodiles, manta rays, lots of sharks and a recent addition of a komodo dragon.

Cirque Du Soleil

This circus may not sound like what you’re looking for in Vegas, but once you go there and spend three hours of your precious evening at the Cirque Du Soleil, you will not regret a second. Despite its French Canadian origins, the show is actually pretty cool and totally reflects Vegas. The Cirque has qualified Olympic gymnasts who catapult themselves, across the stage in weird, outlandish costumes, risking their lives, all for your entertainment. Almost all the Cirque shows are equally good and quite pricey, starting at $69 a ticket, but “Love” is rumored to be the best.

Designer Dinner

If money is not a concern for you, go to Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars for probably the best, most creative, and full-on ridiculous Parisian meal in America. If you're travelling alone, though, eat at the bar-only Atelier de Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand, because if you do show up unaccompanied to a posh restaurant in Vegas, you'll certainly leave with new friends and a plan for the rest of your night. Or, if you want steak and red wine, there are lots of options available: SW Steakhouse at the Wynn, or N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms, or for something more interesting, there's Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak at the MGM. You can even try San Francisco chef Michael Mina's Nobhill, also located at the MGM, or Aureole at the Mandalay Bay if you're going with a date. If you're on a tight budget, hit Fiamma Trattoria & Bar at MGM. It is definitely one of the few Italian restaurants in Vegas and one of the few restaurants that aren't overpriced.

The Clubs

Solid choices for clubbing are the LAX at Luxor, the Bank at the Bellagio and the Tao at the Venetian, which is the highest grossing independent restaurant in the U.S.. You can try an ultra-lounge like Tabu at the MGM, Pure at Caesars, or even Cathouse at the Luxor — which will require a lot less dancing, but is going to be more of Euro-trashy and bottle-service based.

The Spas

Why would you go to Vegas to be under-stimulated? Apparently some people think massages are decadent. Vegas is, as far as a plethora of high-end options goes, the best spa place in the United States. Canyon Ranch at the Venetian or the Spa at the Bellagio are definitely the best options and you pretty much can't go wrong in choosing either. Most places have the sauna smelling sweetly of cedar, eucalyptus and alcohol from all the fruity drinks they serve alongside your pampering.

The High Roller

We’ve got one more recommendation, if you haven’t ridden it yet, the High Roller at the Linq is one of only three observation wheels in the world, and it happens to be the tallest. You’ll get a half hour rotation in a large glass capsule that puts you high above the Vegas Skyline and offers some of the most amazing views of the city. Whether you're a single person celebrating the last days of being a bachelorette or bachelor, or you need a break from that consistent, boring work routine you have developed over the years, Las Vegas is sure to be the perfect place for you to visit and have some fun you will never forget! And remember that Nevada payday loans can help you if you encounter a financial emergency.

Photograph of author Joseph Priebe

Joseph Priebe

Joseph Priebe takes pride in assisting audiences with his articles to help them make sound financial decisions.

With over ten years of experience writing financial content his goal at CASH 1 has always been creating engaging and easy-to-digest information for anyone searching for immediate or long-term monetary solutions.

When Joseph is not writing about personal finance, you can find him photographing the Southwest United States with his 4x5 Graflex Crown Graphic camera. He is based in Phoenix, Arizona.