Free Shows and Activities in Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas is famous for gambling, big glitzy shows, and nightlife, but did you know you can also find free things to do in Vegas? Our Las Vegas Jewelry and Coin Buyers team invites you to explore these places and activities you can check out on a budget in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Icons
To get a great souvenir of your trip, stop by the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign to take a selfie or group photo at 5100 S. Las Vegas Blvd. This spot can be busy, so you may have to wait for your turn. There’s a parking lot next to the sign and a pedestrian bridge crosses Las Vegas Boulevard so you can get there safely.
Head to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for another iconic sight, a 9-foot-tall cat statue. According to tradition, if you touch the cat’s silver paw, it may bring good fortune and a fabulous prize. You’ll find this lucky feline at 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Aquarium Mermaid Show
If you want to see an unlikely water attraction in the desert, head to the Silverton Las Vegas Hotel for the free Aquarium Mermaid Show and marvel at eight costumed mermaids swimming in the 117,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. This is also home to thousands of tropical fish, including three species each of sharks and stingrays, and there are interactive stingray feeding shows daily at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. You can also enjoy the Mermaid Lounge featuring 500-gallon jellyfish aquariums lit with LED lights.
You can see the beautifully costumed mermaids bring these mythical creatures to life at the following times:
- Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., and 5 p.m.to 8:15 p.m.
- Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., and 5 p.m.to 6:45 p.m.
If you want to spend some money, the Mermaid School provides a magical opportunity to become a mermaid and swim in the aquarium. This is available for kids, teens, and adults.
The Silverton Las Vegas Hotel, located at 3333 Blue Diamond Road, is the place to go for enchanting water attractions.
Akhob by James Turrell
Tucked away in a hidden spot on the fourth floor of Louis Vuitton at The Shops at Crystals , you’ll find a mysterious immersive art exhibit consisting of a two-chambered space that fills with slowly changing, bleeding light. This attraction is popular, so make a free reservation at least one week in advance to get your chance to view this immersive exhibit at 3720 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
The Las Vegas Strip
With hotels constructed to look like modern New York, Paris, ancient Egypt, a circus, and other attractions, there’s much to see for free on this 4-mile stretch of road. As you walk along, you’ll also encounter many street performers. This is a very pedestrian-friendly route with plenty of footbridges, so you don’t even have to cross the road. In the evening, you can see a dramatic volcano eruption at the Mirage hotel. The Las Vegas Strip is located just east of Interstate 15, which is now the major thoroughfare through the city.
The Arts Factory
At the Arts Factory in the Las Vegas Arts District , you can visit galleries and shops and see individual artists all for free. This is like a contemporary museum with a wide variety of art for you to peruse and has more than just sculptures and paintings.
Downtown Las Vegas Arts hosts First Friday, a long-running monthly cultural and arts event, which showcases local artists, musicians, makers, and food trucks. For a more laid-back and family-friendly experience, there’s also Preview Thursday, which allows for more personal interaction with local artists and greater engagement with the art they showcase. You’ll find the Las Vegas Arts District at 107 E. Charleston Blvd.
The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Crafted by 100 horticulturalists, the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is another free must-see destination. It features elaborate, elegant arrangements of flowers and plants within an airy and bright atrium, with displays that change to match the season. In the evening, you won’t want to miss the stunning Fountains of Bellagio music and water show in front of the Bellagio hotel at 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Chocolates at Ethel M Chocolates Factory
While there’s an Ethel M Chocolates Gift Shop at the California Hotel and Casino, it’s worth taking a 15-minute drive to the Ethel M Factory to visit the factory and take a free self-guided tour to see how the chocolates are made. The factory and chocolate shop site is also home to over three acres of a botanical cactus garden, the largest in the entire Southwestern U.S. It’s an excellent spot for a desert stroll after taking the tour. If you want to eat some chocolate and grab a beverage, stop by the Cactus Garden Café before you leave. Visit Ethel M Chocolates Gift Shop at 2 Cactus Garden Drive in Henderson.
Circus Acts at Circus Circus Hotel
Visit Circus Circus Hotel for the world’s largest permanent circus . Every half-hour, there’s a show featuring acrobats, jugglers, trapeze artists, and unicyclists. You and your group will marvel at their death-defying stunts and all the exciting acts the circus offers, all for free. Circus Circus can be found at 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
The Flamingo Hotel’s Wildlife Habitat
The Flamingo Hotel’s wildlife habitat is a natural oasis amidst the busy Las Vegas strip. It’s home to many animals, including the featured flock of exotic Chilean Flamingos. This serene spot is also home to turtles, birds, and koi fish. If you want a unique souvenir, you can take a photo with one of the resident parrots. The Flamingo Hotel’s Wildlife Habitat is at 3555 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
With so much to do and see for free, you can be sure to enjoy Las Vegas, even on a budget. If you know of any other great free activities in our famous city, get in touch with us at Las Vegas Jewelry and Coin Buyers and share your experience.
Las Vegas Boulevard – Las Vegas, Nevada by Doug Kerr is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
Tags: Free Shows, Las Vegas
