Las Vegas is the premiere destination of the planet, where A-lister entertainers perform. Its luxurious hotels can cost a fortune and let’s not talk about its casinos. While to some extent it is true that the best way to enjoy Vegas is by losing money, not everything in the ‘Sin City’ has to be expensive. There are plenty of free things to do in Las Vegas, making it lighter for the budget vacationers.
So save your bucks and check out some cool attractions and activities in Vegas, which shouldn’t cost you a penny.
Walk The Strip
The Strip is the ultimate destination in Vegas. This neon-lit boulevard is lined by upscale casino hotels, high-end restaurants, bars, and performance venues for music and other performances. The stretch between Russell Road and Sahara Ave can be tempting. So, take a long walk along the Strip in the evening and witness the city coming alive. View the fountains of Bellagio in Bellagio resort that incorporate streams of water that shoot 460 feet in the air. It is one of the best free things to do in Vegas with kids.
Explore New York in Vegas at New York – New York
In Vegas, you can even get a piece of New York. Here you can admire the faux-Manhattan timeline, replicas of the iconic Brooklyn bridge, Empire State Building, and Statue of Liberty. New York – New York occupies a complete block in the Strip. A visit to this area offers you a Gotham experience in Vegas style. It has New York-style pizzeria, casual pubs, souvenir shops, and more. While it remains packed with guests all day long, it is best to visit it after the sundown.
Area15
Area15 in Vegas is the newest addition to its wide array of attractions. This 200,000 square foot area is basically a warehouse, describing itself as an ‘immersive entertainment district’. It features a psychedelic smorgasbord of unique experiences, such as virtual reality arcades, cinematic immersions, ax-throwing, interactive art exhibits, zip lines, and several food joints and bars. While it is free to enter but to enjoy its activities and shows, you have to pay a hefty amount. If you are not easily tempted by its lucrative experiences, then visiting Area 15 is one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas.
The Neon Museum
Neon is not new to America and as a tribute, Vegas has opened the Neon Museum. Since 2012, the museum has become one of the city’s top attractions. Take a guided tour, which is known as ‘Neon Boneyard’. This 2.25 acre outdoor museum features 250 pieces of old Vegas Signage. If you are visiting the museum during the day, don’t pay for a guided tour. You can explore the area all by yourself. While entry is not free and it costs just $20 for adults, $10 for kids aged between 7 to 17 and free for the kids below 7. But it is one of the cheap things to do in Vegas.
Downtown Container Park
To feel the vibe of the Strip at low cost, head to Downtown Container Park that combines art, fun, food, and entertainment. It has at least 40 shipping containers, turned into restaurants, bars, shops, and other entertainment venues. In the evening, it also hosts several entertainment shows by an ever-changing cast of performers. Moreover, this open-air venue has sprawling treehouses, play area for kids and adults, and a 40-foot tall praying mantis sculpture. It also features several art installations. Visit the area with your significant other, as it is one of the best things to do in Vegas for couples.
A Day Trip to The Grand Canyon
Vegas is not just about the gambling and glitters, the desert city offers visitors an opportunity to reconnect with nature as well. The west rim of the Grand Canyon is just two hours drive from Vegas and is an absolute must. While several guided tours are available, you can take a self-guided tour and save many bucks. Plan a day trip to the West Rim, which is owned and operated by Hualapai Indian Reservation. The West Rim is not part of the National Park, but it does offer some stunning attractions, including the popular Grand Canyon Skywalk. If you want to explore the National Park, head to the South Rims, which is about 280 miles southeast of the Strip and takes just 4 hours by road. One of the best free things to do in Las Vegas is undoubtedly visiting the world-famous Grand Canyon.
Carol Shelby Heritage Center
Open to the public seven days a week, the Carol Shelby Heritage Center is a must if you are fascinated by high-performance vehicles. Gearheads in Vegas make a beeline to the museum to admire 30 classic muscle cars designed and built by Carol Shelby. Two of his most notable creations are the iconic AC Cobra and special edition Mustangs. Visitors are even allowed to get an up-close look at the production facility, located next door as well. This is one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas where you can spend your time.
Fabulous Las Vegas
Of course Las Vegas is fabulous and we don’t need signage to prove the claim. But one cannot just overlook the Fabulous Las Vegas sign just south down the Strip. The sign was featured in many iconic Hollywood movies and TV shows and has become an iconic landmark of the city. It may seem large on the screen, but the sign is a bit smaller than you would expect. Taking a photo with the Fabulous Las Vegas sign is undoubtedly one of the crazy things to do in Las Vegas for couples other than getting drunk and married (wink).
In A Nutshell
Visiting Vegas within a small budget may sound impossible. But that doesn’t mean you can’t explore the city. There’s no hard and fast rule that you have to gamble your way out of casinos and drink till dawn and enjoy expensive shows. There are plenty of areas scattered around the city, where you can do all these things at cheap rates. Moreover, there are plenty of free things to do in Las Vegas as well, which don’t cost you a penny. So, don’t rethink and consider a vacation in Sin City.