So you’ve blown all your money in the casino on your first day, is there anything in Las Vegas you can do that’s free? You’ll be surprised:
The Fountains at Bellagio
The famous Bellagio fountains are a spectacular show of dancing fountains set to a range of music from classical to contemporary. The shows run every 30 minutes, every afternoon, and every 15 minutes after 7pm. You can tell when a show is due to start as a crowd starts to gather.
The Volcano at Mirage
Only in Las Vegas can you see a volcano erupt every night. You can see the Volcano perform it’s explosion, set of course to music, every hour, on the hour outside The Mirage.
The Sirens of Treasure Island
What used to be a family friendly pirate show is now something of a more adult nature – obviously not too offensive as it’s a show anyone can watch from the street! The scantily clad Sirens will entertain you through provocative song and dance on the Pirate Ship outside TI – Treasure Island. Shows are at 5.30pm (Autumn/Winter), 7pm, 8.30pm, 10pm and 11.30pm(Spring/Summer).
Lake of Dreams at Wynn Las Vegas
Each night you can see up to 8 free spectacular sound and light shows set against a 40ft waterfall at the Lake of Dreams in the gardens behind the Wynn. Although the shows are free, you can only see it from the Parasol bar so you will need to buy a drink to stay there and enjoy the show.
The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace
OK, if you want to buy anything, you’ll need some money but just window shopping and having a walk around the 160 shops in The Forum shopping mall is an experience in itself. Plus if you head to the Atlantis fountain on the hour there’s a free show depicting the fall of Atlantis with moving statues and the obligatory fire and water.
Wildlife Habitat of the Flamingo
One of the various wildlife attractions in Vegas, this one is completely free. Set in the lush tropical gardens and waterfalls of the Flamingo you’ll find Chilean flamingos, exotic birds, koi carp and turtles. It’s hard to imagine you’re still in Vegas! The gardens are open daily from 8am with the flamingos feeding time at 8.30am and 2pm.
Circus Acts at Circus Circus
Circus Circus is home to the largest permanent circus, and you can see them performing daily for free. Acrobats, trapeze artists, jugglers, roller skaters and clowns all perform on the Carnival Midway stage.
Dealertainers at The Quad Las Vegas
Stop by and watch the casino dealers/celebrity look-a-likes as in between hands of cards they’ll give you an impromptu song and dance. Celebrities include Sting, Dolly’ Parton, Pink and of course Elvis Presley along with over 20 others from all eras.
Big Elvis at Harrah’s
A legend of The Strip, Pete Big Elvis performs daily for free in Harrah’s Piano Bar. He’s been performing The King’s greatest hits for years and you can catch him on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 2pm, 3pm and 5pm.
Explore the hotels
The hotels in Las Vegas are some of the biggest and most extravagant hotels in the world. Between them they cover a range of themes and architecture from ancient Rome to Egyptian Pyramids and Hollywood glitz and glamour. There are miles and miles of casinos, shops, restaurants and bars to explore, with impressive décor including the flower displays in the Wynn and Bellagio, and the chandeliers of The Cosmopolitan, so feel free to go and have a walk round even the most exclusive looking hotels.
Finally, if you’ve checked out all of these and still have time to kill, why not try some good old fashioned people watching. Las Vegas attracts all sorts of people from all over the world and most of them will pass you by on The Strip. You can also see a variety of street performers entertaining the crowds, so find a spot in the shade and see who goes past, you never know you may see a celebrity on the way to one of the many famous Vegas nightspots.
