10 Free Attractions In Las Vegas To Keep You On Budget!
10 Free Attractions in Las Vegas to Keep You on Budget!
Looking for free attractions in Las Vegas? It's true,… Las Vegas is considered by many to be one of the most enjoyable destinations in the world, and for good reason – there's a lot of winning, and spending going on! But, if you know where to look you can enjoy a great budget vacation in Las Vegas and still have a lot of fun.
From strolling through the beautiful botanical gardens to enjoying the whimsical Conservatory at the Bellagio, there are plenty of free activities and adventures to enjoy in Vegas, particularly on the strip.
From the iconic, Instagram-worthy Fountains of Bellagio, with its dancing waters and enchanting atmosphere to the loads of free activities outside of the city as well, especially along the dessert and in the great outdoors. And now, with more and more people looking for an off the strip Vegas hotel that's still relatively close to the action, there's never been a better time to plan your budget Vegas staycation or vacation!
Best Free Attractions in Las Vegas
We all love freebies, but they’re even better when you get them in a place like Las Vegas, which is supposed to be one of the most expensive destinations in the world. Aside from cheap buffets and free drinks, there are lots of opportunities to save money while having a great time in Vegas.
Despite the profit-hungry gambling operators who’re always trying their best to squeeze customers of their last penny, you’ll find that it’s easier to have fun on a budget than you think.
1 | Flamingo Wildlife Habitat | Flamingos are some of the most exotic animals in the world, and the Flamingo’s Wildlife Habitat takes their allure to the next level. Located in the middle of a bustling strip, this incredible show is set on lush greenery that provides some much-needed respite from the city noise. In addition to flamingos, this habitat is home to koi fish, turtles, ducks, and swans. There are even two rescue pelicans that revel in the palm trees, waterfalls and comfortable surroundings. Needless to say, this place offers plenty of Instagram-worthy snaps, and not only is it a free attraction, but it’s family-friendly too. Spend enough time watching the kids interact with the animals, and you may even forget that you’re in Vegas in the first place.
WHERE: 3555 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 | WHO: 702-733-3349
RELATED ARTICLES
2 | Seven Magic Mountains | Characterized by multi-colored boulder towers that stand at 35 feet tall, the Seven Magic Mountains is visible for miles away, even from the I15. These skyscrapers aren’t just an ode to the beauty of nature but a work of art by the talented Ugo Rondinone. At first glance, you’d be forgiven for assuming that these are natural rock formations but they are in fact, a carefully crafted semi-permanent art installation. We say semi-permanent because it’s expected to stay in this exact same spot until 2021. With Jean Dry Lake as a backdrop, the Seven Magic Mountains offer the perfect photo-op, no matter which position you explore them from. Plus, viewing it and taking photos from it is totally free.
WHERE: S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89054 | WHO: 775-398-7228
3 | Bellagio Fountains | As mentioned, the Fountains of Bellagio are a mesmerizing spectacle to behold. Made with expert choreography, this is not your average water feature. This fountain is set on a 98.5-acre lake which is modeled after Lake Como in Bellagio, Italy. The Bellagio went all-out to recreate the natural splendor of this natural wonder while adding some extra pizazz for good measure. Along with the sensuous water dance, the fountain serenades onlookers with beautifully enchanting music. During each performance, the water shoots up to 460 feet high and creates 1,224 fountains that dance in harmony with the song, spinning, twirling and shimmying in perfect unison. Each arresting scene is illuminated by dazzling lights and choreographed to unique perfection. Of course, you may not want to STAY at the hotel with its daunting price tag, but finding affordable Las Vegas hotels is something of our specialty, so keep on reading and we'll make it worth your while!
WHERE: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 | WHO: 702-693-7111
4 | Fremont Street Experience | The Viva Vision light show is the Freemont Street Experience’s calling card. However, there’s more to this show than meets the eye. In addition to the tech-driven light display is a troupe of buskers who come in the form of artists, impersonators, and performers who transform Freemont street into a festival every day. The SlotZilla zip line ride zips overhead and while your eyes are looking up, you might notice the overhead canopy, which comes to light with arresting images and music at night. Truth be told, most of the action happens once the sun goes down, as the street is mostly reserved for tourists who walk from one casino to another during the day. This is usually the best time to shop for inexpensive tee shirts and knick-knacks Freemont Street to complete your FSE experience.
WHERE: Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101 | WHO: 702-678-5600
5 | Conservatory & Botanical Gardens | In between the flashing city lights and the busy traffic, it can be difficult to see the natural beauty that Las Vegas has to offer. But, it’s there. Just visit the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to see it for yourself. This massive indoor garden display is manned by a professional staff of botanists and nature conservationists who keep it flourishing throughout the year. Organically, the conservatory changes every season and no two years are ever alike.
WHERE: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 | WHO: 702-693-7111
6 | Mirage Volcano | If you're up for a scenic Vegas hotel lobby crawl, then you won't want to miss a real-life mirage display in the form of a fake volcano that erupts three times a day. Not only does it look like the real thing, but it’s set on a curb so that everyone can see this incredible feat of engineering. It’s also one of the most iconic attractions in Las Vegas since it was one of the first exterior attractions of its kind in the city. The special effects are so realistic that those who’ve seen real lava say that they look like the real thing. Plus, the eruptions go off to an exclusive soundtrack collaboration that was created by Zakir Hussain from India and Mickey Hart from The Grateful Dead. It’s truly an Oscar-worthy special effect that’s worth checking out when you’re in Vegas and the best part is that it’s FREE!
WHERE: 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 | WHO: 702-791-7111
7 | The Ethel M Chocolate Factory Tour | Are you a chocolate lover? Have you ever wondered how chocolate is made? Then a trip to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory is in order! There, you’ll learn how chocolate is made and you might even walk away with free samples. This beautiful chocolate factory is located next to a Botanical Cactus Garden about 15 minutes away from the Strip. Both serve as a well-deserved respite from the busy part of town. The name Ethel M comes from the founder Forrest Mars Sr.’s mother and the factory was founded in 1981 to share the art of chocolate making which the family has been doing from their own kitchen for generations.
WHERE: 2 Cactus Garden Dr, Henderson, NV 89014 | WHO: 702-435-2608
8 | The Silverton Aquarium | This 117,000-gallon reef aquarium is another one of Las Vegas’ classic attractions. It houses over 5,000 exotic ocean wildlife including colorful corals, angelfish, parrotfish, stingrays, and even sharks. However, it’s the mermaids that mesmerize visitors. They swim alongside the fish, blow bubbles and interact with kids outside of the aquarium to create a realistic and immersive experience. Not only that, but the mermaids have also been known to perform stunts like dancing, flipping, twirling and synchronized swimming at different intervals throughout the day. All of the mermaids are scuba-certified and trained to stay underwater for 15 minutes at a time. They do come up for air in-between using tiny hookah ports that are local at different locations within the tank.
WHERE: 3333 Blue Diamond Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89139 | WHO: 702-263-7777
9 | Streetmosphere | The Grand Canal Shoppes have upped the ante once again, adding to their already exciting collection of attractions that include Little Venice and St. Mark’s Square. The Streetmosphere consists of street performers that enthrall and excite visitors, including costumed performers, gondoliers, living statues, singers, dancers and more. This is in addition to scheduled performances in St. Mark’s Square from jugglers, singers, and other entertainers. Some of the most popular (free!) entertainers include Carnivale de Venezia, a Gondolier March, the Venetian Trio, and Living Statues. Taken together, these performances provide a combination of acrobatics, juggling, choreographed dancing and opera singing.
WHERE: 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 | WHO: 702-414-4525
10 | Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign | If you do nothing else, make sure you visit and take a picture with this iconic sign. Otherwise, people might not even believe that you went to Vegas in the first place. Betty Williams designed the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign in 1959 as a way to welcome visitors to the city. While Willis never placed a copyright on the sign, it has become an indelible symbol of the city and as such, was inducted into the National Register of Historic Places on May 1, 2009 as a landmark sign. When Willis first designed it, the sign was located on the outskirts, which have since transformed into a popular part of Las Vegas that’s full with hotels and resorts.
WHERE: 5200 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119 | WHO: 702-533-9112
Use Our Handy Map to Find Your Way Around!
Last Tips on Free Las Vegas Attractions
As you can see, there’s plenty to see and do in Las Vegas without spending a dime.
You could fill an entire photo album with the snaps taken from these attractions to impress your loved ones back home knowing that you didn’t pay a penny for any of it!
RELATED ARTICLE:
At Westgate Resorts, when you Check-In, there’s a LOT to Check-Out! Your Las Vegas vacation awaits! Explore our Las Vegas resorts today or talk with a vacation planner at 888-852-2959 or 407-355-2690.
* Westgate Resorts is in no way affiliated with the attractions featured in this article. Items or places listed are current as of the publishing date of this article. Please call or visit the respective website for the most up-to-date offerings and details.
When You Check-in, There's a Lot to Check Out
Sign up for our newsletter and check-in to great offers, secret stuff, and special events.