Viator Viator Travel Blog

Viator's Las Vegas travel team

As I write this post, I am sitting in the Viator office in Las Vegas and I am not too happy. Now, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Vegas and of course LOVE working with my colleagues here (Hi guys!), but I never thought of myself as a “Vegas” kinda guy. I am too cheap to gamble and (contrary to popular belief) I don’t really like all the glitz and glamour. And I don’t drink (hey, seriously, I don’t drink, just wine and that’s not really drinking PLEASE).

What to do?? What to do??

I have already taken many of the great tours that we have at Viator - the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, and even conquered my claustrophobia with a Helicopter Flight of the Vegas Strip (the free champagne helped!).

But as great as these things are, if you have had a rough day in the casino or a late night out you may need at least one day on the cheap in Vegas and it yep, it can be done. Here are five FREE things to do (did he say FREE?) and one really good deal that are right on the Las Vegas Strip.

If you have other ideas for free things to do in Las Vegas leave a comment so I can get some fresh ideas for my next trip to Vegas. Really, I need som help here.

#1 free thing to do in Las Vegas: Bellagio Fountains

The Bellagio Fountains at Night

The Bellagio Fountains are located in front of the Bellagio Hotel. The fountains are a stunning mix of water, music, sound and light. You can check them out multiple times from different vantage points all night long. The shows go every half hour starting late afternoon and every 15 minutes in the evening. You can stop and watch several times each night - they are quite amazing.

(Note - last time, even with Celine Dion as the music, I enjoyed it - the fountains are that good!) While you are there, stop in and see the amazing details and stained glass inside the hotel.

#2 free thing to do in Las Vegas: Lions at MGM

The famed MGM lions are on display in the hotel’s special lion habitat from noon to 10pm each day. It is easier and cheaper than a safari to Africa to see the lions close up! And it’s pretty cool if you go when the crowds are not as heavy (early in the day, or late in the day). I’m glad I’m not a lion living in Las Vegas, but heck, the kids seem to enjoy this one.

#3 free thing to do in Las Vegas: Mirage Volcano

In front of the Mirage Hotel, the famous 5-story volcano erupts each night on the hour. This is as close as you can get to a volcano without all that nasty ash and lava. And on warm summer nights, when the air temperature is around 92 degrees, watching a large volcano spew ash and hot steam in to the air is a real head-scratcher. Sometimes I wonder if Las Vegas makes any sense. And then I have some white wine and all is forgiven.

#4 free thing to do in Las Vegas: Pirate Show at TI

At the Pirate Show at Treasure Island - or “TI” as they now call the hotel – you can watch an elaborately staged pirate duel complete with a lot of noise and a lot of flash. I must admit, I thought it would be hokey, but I enjoyed it! And not just because of the saucy sailors and sirens making a big to-do about getting lashed and tied down. Really, this is quality family entertainment. Check with the hotel as times may change, but at time of this post, they are nightly at 7pm, 8:30pm and 10pm.

#5 free thing to do in Las Vegas: The Circus Circus “Circus”

Who doesn't like cheap Blackjack?

Now, that’s a lot of Circuses (Circi?) in one sentence. But for fun for everyone, head a bit north on the Strip to the Circus Circus Hotel to see the world’s largest permanent circus - or so I am told. They put on a variety of shows every half hour each night – the kids may want to stay and see a few of them! Jugglers, trapeze, you name it, the circus has it.

And finally, the Las Vegas PowerPass. OK, as promised - it’s not FREE, but it is a good deal. With the Las Vegas PowerPass, for one fixed price you can get entry into a number of Vegas attractions and discounts at several restaurants and shops.

It’s great for people who want to see EVERYTHING (you know who you are) but who don’t want to pay for everything (you know who you are – Dad??). And, come on…you know you want to go to the Liberace Museum, but were you really going to pay for it all by itself? The pass is available in 1, 3, 5 and even 7 day lengths depending on how adventurous you are.

There you have it – So spend your money on some tours, gamble it all or drink the night away - My ideas for the Las Vegas Strip on the Cheap - it can be done. If you have other ideas for cheap or free things to do, post a comment (I am back next month!)

-Ken Frohling

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Las Vegas tours & things to do in Las Vegas. For other good Las Vegas deals check out the Las Vegas - Grand Canyon Look Tours site.