Since it first emerged from the Nevada desert a century ago, downtown Las Vegas has long been known as an adult playground. The theme, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”, is a not-so-subtle hint. It invites grown-ups to indulge in the naughty charms of aptly-nicknamed Sin City.
What can you do for free in Las Vegas as a family?
Today, there’s great emphasis on inviting the entire family to enjoy the city’s many features beyond gambling. These family-friendly things to do are very entertaining and offer loads of fun for every member of the family. And better yet, they’re all the best free attractions.
The Atlantis Show
This is a fun experience for all and is conveniently located in the Roman Great Hall of The Forum Shops at Caesars. First presented in 1997, the magnificently updated version of the Atlantis Show burst forth in time for the year-end holiday season. It’s a fascinating sight and sound version of the legendary story of the imaginary city of Atlantis, its glory years, and its tragic disappearance into the sea. If they’ve seen it before, families with children of all ages will enjoy the fantastically updated visual and special effects, realistic sound, costumes, and lifelike robotics. This is one of the best free things for the whole family to see in Vegas.
Fountains of Bellagio And The Light Show
For adults and kids who enjoy walks together and water features, this free extravaganza of sky-high dancing waters on different songs, multi-coloured neon lights, and concert-like music should not be missed. As you go by on the Bellagio Resort sidewalk along Las Vegas Boulevard during the Bellagio fountains shows, you’ll hear clear music in sync with the fountains’ dancing waters that range from opera to classics to Broadway. The Bellagio fountain show performances are every 30 minutes from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 12 noon to 7 p.m. on weekend days. For evening weekend strollers, the show is every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Fremont Street Experience Light and Sound Show
It happens on the original “Main Street” in Las Vegas, first paved in 1905. The Fremont Street Experience features a huge curved screen canopy that looms 90 feet over seven city blocks on Fremont Street, displaying brilliantly coloured still and video images. In addition to the accompanying recorded music and sounds of the enormous display, there are often live concerts and parades at street level. The light and music shows are displayed hourly nightly from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Carnival
The Circus Circus hotel has offered long-standing free shows that start every day at 11 a.m. in its Carnival midway concourse. There are street performers, balloon artists, jugglers, clowns, magicians, and even some animals to gaze at that are all absolutely free. For those inclined to spend just a few dollars, there is carnival food and arcade games for kids and adults of all ages.
Circus acts at Circus Circus
Circus Circus, the vintage Las Vegas hotel declares that it offers the world’s largest permanent circus, and America’s largest indoor theme park. For a family that loves old-fashioned trapeze acts, trained animals, clowns, and acrobats, this free show is a great place to hang out together. Also at the hotel, there’s the Carnival Midway, an old-fashioned row of games that test skills and offer prizes to winners.
Aquarium
For those of you who love looking at aquatic life, there is a free aquarium located at the Silverton Hotel. With more than 4,000 tropical fish and several varieties of sharks and stingrays in a 117,000-gallon tank, you can check out the action 24 hours a day. There are also several fish feedings throughout the day. And for those of you who can’t wait to get to Las Vegas, you can look at their aquarium from a live webcam.
Chocolate
For those of you who are curious about how chocolate is made, and love to taste it along the way, you can check out the Ethel M Chocolate Factory. Located about 10 miles off the strip, this chocolate factory offers tours daily which are absolutely free. After sampling some of the fine chocolate, take some time to roam the beautiful botanical cactus gardens which are also located on the grounds.
Botanical Gardens
The Bellagio hotel is thought of as one of the finest hotels in the United States. Well inside the beautiful hotel, is a conservatory and botanical garden that is absolutely free to the public. Every growing season is re-created with plants flowers and trees. Open 365 days a year, more than 140 horticulturists make sure that the botanical gardens stay in top shape. Also, the gardens take on new “personalities” with special events, arrangements and displays for certain holidays throughout the year.
Lions
For those interested in seeing a live lion habitat, you should make your way to the MGM Grand for a display that is absolutely free to the public. The MGM Grand offers this live habitat which was designed alongside Keith Evans who is known as one of the premier exotic animal trainers in the world. The exhibit is open each day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for those who wish to attend.
Gaming Lessons
For those who want to learn to play Las Vegas-style, many hotels offer free lessons in playing blackjack, poker, and other games, mostly during the weekdays at no additional cost for hotel guests. Hotels holding free classes include Planet Hollywood, Boulder Station, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Gold Coast, Imperial Palace, Caesars Palace, Sahara, Tropicana, Venetian, and Golden Nugget. Each hotel offers specific lessons for first-timers on the gambling tables and those who need to brush up on their roulette and card-playing skills.
Tours, Games, and Freebies
Take the free tour at the Coffee Roasters of Las Vegas on Boulder Highway, a few minutes away from the Strip, and receive some free coffee at the end of the tour. This venue offers valuable information about coffee and tea and it holds classes covering topics like home roasting, grinding, and coffee cupping twice a week. Slot players at the MGM Grand can enjoy free doughnuts in the mornings. Many casinos also provide free drinks to players at slot machines and tables.
Children’s Attractions
There are many children-friendly spots for family bonding activities in Las Vegas. There is a free educational and entertaining tour at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden. The 28,000-square-foot, four-story M&M’s World along the Las Vegas Strip showcases free 3-D movies and M&M tours around its chocolate wonderland environment. From a charming seasonal display at the front window and bright colours and upbeat music within its entrance, this attraction features a rainbow wall featuring 22 different M&M’s colours and collector’s items such as the $275 M&M’s guitar and a sparkling M&M’s bling made of Swarovski crystals.
Natural Attractions
Scenic driving in Las Vegas allows many opportunities to enjoy mountain ranges, take souvenir photos of natural attractions and trails, and hike or camp in nearby tourist areas including the Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, and Mount Charleston. The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area features a 13-Mile Loop Drive for sightseeing, vistas, and overlooks. The Hoover Dam impounds water from another refreshing tourist destination called Lake Mead, located just 30 miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip. Mount Charleston, the highest of the Spring Mountains, has year-round driving getaway treats for Las Vegas residents and visitors.
Final Thoughts
Las Vegas is known for many things. From having a great time gambling to high-end restaurants to quality hotels, free concerts and shows, Vegas can serve as a wonderful playground for a family vacation. Las Vegas is also known for having exceptional deals and the best things. So even if you’re not lucky at the casino, there are still plenty of activities that are free to leave you feeling like a winner.
So if you want to enjoy some of the best free things there are in this world go to that perfect place called Las Vegas!
Image Credit: Depositphotos
