Free to See
Las Vegas Free Attraction List & Reviews
Updated 08/7/2017!
New to this list is the Adventure dome at Circus, Circus & Hershey's Chocolate World, Lame!
Before the club scene blew up in Las Vegas, it seemed most every hotel on the strip had “Free to See” attractions to bring in the suckers…errr… gamblers. Now they are few and far between. Gone are the free performers in the Aladdin Casino’s mall. Even the poor lions at MGM were sent packing. But there are a few freebies left to keep you entertained once you lose all your money in the casinos. Like most of this site, I’m just focusing on the Strip itself. I’ll walk you down the strip, in order, starting on the east side of the strip.
Welcome to Vegas sign
Most first timers to Vegas are actually surprised they never got to see this iconic sign. Fact is, its pretty far away and you’ll need a cab to take you there. Once you do get there. Reality sets in. Its just a sign. You take your picture and wonder why you just wasted $20.00 on round trip cab far for it.
Helpful hint.
I think its stupid, but if you HAVE to see it. Have the cabby wait for you while you snap your photo. You are literally on an island here. So don’t hold your breath that another cab will be waiting after you are done with your shenanigans. And you can always just watch the sign live all day every day if you wanted to here:
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/nevada/lasvegas/
Bellagio
Bellagio Gardens and conservatory: Changing with the season, this is one of the best free attractions in town. Beautifully decorated with flowers and rare plants. They have also been adding in more and more moving attractions like dragons and carousels. Make sure you have your camera ready, like the other 500 people that stream in here every hour. If you can wait, see it later in the day when its less packed. You wont spend much time, it is rather small and can be walked through in about 10 minutes. But its well worth it.
Helpful hint.
They started adding live performances lately to go with their seasonal themeing. Chinese drummers in February for the Chinese New Year theme. American violinist during the 4th of July theme etc. But they usually only perform a couple of times during the day for an hour or so. Be sure to check and see when the performances start. They usually post a sign near the gazebo in the conservatory.
The Fountains of Bellagio: Water and music. Seem boring right? Not the way this place does it. Music is perfectly choreographed to the rush of giant water jets. Always in sync and always changing. This show literally stops traffic on the strip. Make sure you show up early as it always draws a crowd. And just because you saw it once earlier in the day, doesn’t mean you don’t owe it to yourself to see it again at night. Two completely different experiences. During the week they run from 3:00PM – 7:00PM every 30 minutes. And from 7:00PM – Midnight they run every 15 minutes. On the weekends they run the show from noon to Midnight in the same increments as above.
Helpful hint.
If you can swing it, pay for brunch at Jasmine’s for their Fountain Bruch every Sunday. They will fire up the fountains at 11:00 and run them every 15 minutes for an hour while you eat. Its not cheap, but the food is good and the show, from this vantage point, is not to be missed.
Caesars Palace
The Forum Shoppes: Some would argue that the mall itself is an attraction. And who am I to argue with “some”? It’s pretty sweet. I can honestly say that I have been through this mall dozens of times and I have never actually bought anything. But I’m not rich. If you are, they will certainly cater to you. But there are a couple free shows in here. The last few times I checked they were down for improvement are good fun for the whole family.
The Fall of Atlantis: Animatronics and light show. Watch the fabled city of Atlantis crash right before your eyes! It sounds better than it actually is. But for free its worth the price. Lighting crashes around you as thunder is heard overhead. I doubt the city was really destroyed this fast, but did I mention it’s free?
Now Closed! There is also a free fountain show with a very Disneyish fountain that comes to life before your very eyes. One of the oldest free attractions left in town, it harks back to the simpler times of people getting excited to see a talking fountain. Still Caesar himself sits on his thrown and spews his wisdom on the other marble statues around him. It’s a classic and pure cheese at its finest.
Mirage
Some people will tell you to see the shark tank behind the check-in desk. Not me, I’m the one telling you it’s a waste of your time. The sharks are actually little baby sized ones, and the tank itself, which might have been awesome in 1989 is just blah by today’s standards.
White Tigers: After you walk by the stupid tank keep going past the check-in counter and they have a zoo type enclosure set up with a tiger or two in it. Sometimes they are there, sometimes not. So if you go and they are gone don’t blame me. I can’t make sense of it either.
King Ink: Normally this is just a cool bar. But Paul Vigil makes an appearance for just one hour of up close magic that will blow your mind. You better for shittier magic shows on the strip. The fact he does this for free is a great deal.
The Volcano: It used to be pretty lame in the past. But recently Mirage dumped a ton of cash in here and hired the team that made the Bellagio fountains to rework the experience. Money well spent. What was once a big plaster rock that belched a flame on top is now a sensory experience that must be seen. Island drums pound as the volcano spews lava down its sides (really fireballs and light) and it’s actually a pretty cool show now.
Treasure Island I.E. TI
Now Closed! This used to be a real pirate show. You had the Royal British fleet battling those scalawag pirates for control of the ocean. Now. Its shit. They tried sexing up the show with a Sirens of TI theme. Long gone are the British, and their mighty war ship has been painted white and pink. The pirates are still there, but they are now bumbling idiots that swoon at the sight of these sexy vixens. They basically sing stupid songs back and forth, until the woman sing loud enough to sink their ship. Again, its shit. Not for kids and any adult, no matter how drunk, will enjoy this garbage. Even the bay it plays in has been ruined. Its now tiny since the new owner filled in most of it for a BBQ joint and a Starbucks. And I can’t get past the giant frog in the background of what was once a classy show.
On to the West side of the strip.
MGM Grand
Say good bye to the family friendly theming of the past, This place used to be bustling with awesome free stuff to look at. Animatronic characters from some of the most famous movies in history are long gone. Even the popular Lion Habitat has been gutted. They still have a stupid I.E. waste of time CBS Television City Research Center. Basically they show you pilots of TV shows they might want to air one day and ask your opinion. Boring! I can watch TV in my room and not have to get dressed to do it!
M&M World
How does a silly chocolate shop make its way on this list of casino attractions? It’s pretty fun! Sure the store itself is cool, and a fun walk through even if you don’t like M&M’s but they offer a free 3-D show that’s not half bad. It’s been running awhile, and the glasses they give you are often covered in feces but for free its actually pretty entertaining.
Flamingo
Wildlife Habitat: It’s a little harder to find this one, you have to meander your way around the casino and check-in desk to get there. But they actually have flamingos, penguins and other birds on display. Well worth your trouble of actually finding it.
Venetian
The Grand Canal Shoppes: Much like the Forum Shoppes across the street this mall is a sight. While cool mall alone won’t get you on this list (In your face Planet Hollywood!) The V has street actors perform in here for free as well. Nothing flashy, more like your typical European street performers without the bad breath.
Wynn
The Gardens of Wynn: Just like he did when he built the Bellagio, Steve Wynn set up a couple of lovely gardens in his new joint. While not on the grand scale of Bellagio, they are both still very nice. Although I would not go out of my way to see them.
And it’s so awesome it made the list.
Rio
Now Closed! While not actually a strip casino, the fact that you can hop a free shuttle here from Harrahs or Ballys squeaks it on this list.
Show in the Sky: Think a Mardi Grau parade, complete with floats and bead, strapped to the ceiling of a casino. That’s this show. Much cooler than it sounds. The floats are very well made, the music is fun and they often have a live floor show in here that’s not half bad either.
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