When you think of Last Vegas you probably think of gambling. But did you know the city offers plenty of exciting activities that are just as thrilling and probably cost much less? The Entertainment Capital of the World has a lot to offer apart from fancy slot machines and poker. So, if you’re interested in exploring a side of the city that is unknown to most, without breaking the bank, here are 25 quick and affordable things to do in Las Vegas.
Discover Mystic Falls Park
Take a leisurely stroll amidst a lush green jungle, enjoy the sound of quaint waterfalls, and spend quality time alone or with family, friends, or loved ones at Mystic Falls Park. The indoor park is located under a 10-story skylight at Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall.
The park serves as a backdrop for the Sunset Stampede laser light and fountain show. The 25,000-square-foot atrium houses plenty of greenery, robotic animals, babbling brooks, and a relaxing ambiance that will teleport you away from the humdrum of the casino floor. It’s the perfect escape from the glitz and glamor of Vegas life.
Hike to Gold Strike Hot Springs
Do you enjoy spending time outdoors? Then a hike to Gold Strike Hot Springs should be at the top of your bucket list. Located near the Hoover Dam at the Arizona/Nevada border, the hot springs are in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
The 600-foot descent into the heart of the incredible scenic Gold Strike Canyon is a visual treat, but you must be prepared to navigate huge boulders using fixed ropes. It’s the perfect day out for all you adventure enthusiasts.
Experience Adrenaline-pumping Adventure at Lost Games Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are live-action-adventure games that promise 60 minutes of adrenaline-pumping escapades. At Lost Games, Las Vegas’ favorite escape room, we offer mind-blowing opportunities for you to team up with friends, family, or colleagues and step into our immersive storylines.
Choose from four fantastic escape room games and lose yourself in gripping plots and intriguing puzzles. We can also host your kid’s next birthday party or corporate team-building event. For the complete list of events, click here.
Explore the Adventuredome at Circus Circus
Want to avoid the desert heat? Experience every twist, turn, and drop as you navigate the attractions at The Adventuredome. Located in the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, it’s the hub of indoor adventure. From kid-friendly games to family entertainment, the place is the hotspot of cheap things to do in the Las Vegas Strip.
Popular attractions include the Bank Heist Laser Challenge, the arcade, the Pirates Bounty, free performances and clown shows, and the VR room. If you are in the mood for adventure sports, check out the large rides like Canyon Cars and Sand Pirates.
Visit M&M’s World
Get ready for an immersive experience at M&M’s World located right next to the MGM Grand. With life-size M&M’s characters adorning the façade, this place is hard to miss. Spread across 28,000 square feet of real estate across four floors, this is the world’s first M&M store.
You can create one-of-a-kind M&Ms with the on-site personal printer by combining personalized messages with different images and 16 variations of M&M candies. You can create a custom gift box featuring the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, wedding bells, a deck of cards, and champagne.
Watch The Fall of Atlantis Show
The Fall of Atlantis at Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops is an animatronic take on Greek mythology. Free shows are performed between Thursday and Monday from 12 PM to 8 AM. The plot revolves around the kingdom of Atlantis and depicts fierce sibling rivalry.
The costumes and props are designed by the same team that worked on the Pirates of the Caribbean and Thor franchise. So, you can expect a certain level of finesse. There is also a 20-foot winged dragon at the center, which is another significant attraction.
See Big Elvis at Harrah’s Piano Bar
If you’re an Elvis fan and want an authentic Vegas experience, join Big Elvis at Harrah’s Piano Bar. Located in the heart of the Vegas Strip, it’s the perfect spot to catch the live performances of some of the country’s biggest stars.
World-famous Pete Vallee, known for his Elvis Presley impersonations, performs one of the longest-running and beloved acts at Harrah’s. You can drop by to watch the King perform live. Show timings are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 2 PM, 3.30 PM, and 5 PM.
Shop at The Grand Canal Shoppes
If you’re one who loves to shop till you drop, Las Vegas offers the perfect opportunity. At the Grand Canal Shoppes, you can shop, dine, and experience the exotic Venetian-themed resort. The beautiful cobblestone streets, quaint bridges, painted ceilings, boutiques and restaurants, and the man-made wonder – the canal with gondolas – are the center of attraction.
The upscale indoor and outdoor shopping center houses more than 160 signature stores and premier luxury brands from all over the world plus a dozen world-class restaurants and dining establishments. Note: One of St. Mark’s Square’s major attractions – Streetmosphere – shut down in December 2023. Please check the local news for similar free shows before visiting.
Line Dancing at Gilley’s
Take a tour of Gilley’s Saloon, Dance Hall, and Bar-B-Que for free line dancing lessons. Dance the night away to live music every day between noon and midnight. You can also sign up for karaoke sessions or watch a live performance by some of the country’s most popular bands.
Gilley’s is famous for Bluegrass and BBQ. Live Bluegrass bands start performing at 5 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Get down for some mouth-watering BBQ and Drink specials till 10 PM. That’s not all! Gilley’s also serves breakfast with unlimited mimosas every weekend starting at 10 AM. So, if you’re in town, drop in for an amazing experience.
Experience The Light Show at the Eiffel Tower Paris Las Vegas
An iconic Sin City group activity, the light show at the Eiffel Tower Paris Las Vegas is a must-watch, especially if this is your first time visiting the city. It’s the perfect replica of the Eiffel Tower’s illumination in France and happens between sunset and midnight throughout the week.
Watching the enhanced lighting is one of the most popular free Las Vegas things to do. The free shows take place every 30 minutes. So, take a stroll around the Paris Hotel and Casino and experience the iconic French monument in its most glorious avatar.
Watch The Bellagio Fountain Show
The Fountains of Bellagio is a free show in the heart of the Bellagio Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. The water fountain show is almost synonymous with Las Vegas, having been featured in countless Hollywood movies over the years. The iconic attraction is worth all the hype and nothing compares to witnessing its magnificence in person.
The Bellagio fountain show flirts with your senses. So, take a step back or find a comfortable spot to sit and relax as you watch the streams dancing in mid-air with the grand Bellagio in the background. For fountain timing and more details, please follow this link here.
Admire a Fine Art Collection at the ARIA
If you admire the finer things in life, The ARIA Art Collection is a must-visit. The art gallery features the finest works by acclaimed painters, sculptors, and installation artists, like Jenny Holzer, Sanford Biggers, Rashid Johnson, Claes Oldenberg, Maya Lin, and Coojsje van Bruggen, among others.
The free art fair takes place throughout the week. You should definitely check out the sculptures, paintings, and large installations at the ARIA campus. Some of them were carefully chosen for their artistic value while others were for their cultural significance.
Play At the Backyard Playground at Gold Spike
Experience interactive games and curated activities for the ultimate family fun. The backyard playground at Gold Spike provides several fantastic oversized games, a tiny house, a main stage, and a bar. It’s the perfect setting for a fun and relaxing time with friends and family during the day.
But post sundown the energy shifts as the place transforms into an energetic nightlight venue with live music and even livelier spirits. Bring back high school memories by playing games like beer pong, four square, shuffleboard, cornhole, and giant chess. Click here to learn more about the most family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas.
Attend First Fridays
Most of Las Vegas knows of First Fridays, a monthly event showcasing local talents like artists, musicians, and creatives. You can attend a gathering to show your appreciation, support over 100 artists, and celebrate art and culture.
Hosted by the First Friday Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting local artists. You can be a part of the community and support their work by donating freely or simply attending the event with friends or family. If you’d like to learn more about free fun group activities in Las Vegas, check this list.
Enjoy Local Entertainment at Excalibur
The Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is home to some of the city’s finest entertainment options. While you won’t get free gambling lessons at hotels, you can check out live comedy shows, musical tributes, karaoke sessions, and more. The list is pretty wild!
MGM properties regularly host cultural events and family-friendly entertainment. Click here to discover the calendar and get exciting discounts on the latest events. We recommend swinging by the casino floor to get a taste of the authentic Vegas experience.
Play Golf at Topgolf
A vast entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range and a swanky lounge with a fully stocked bar to chill with friends. If that sounds like your ideal vacation, drop by Topgolf Las Vegas for a truly fulfilling experience.
Take a golf lesson with your group or learn to swing golf clubs alone in a climate-controlled environment. You can also host teambuilding events or chill with your mates over food and beverages or play popular arcade games.
Explore Richard MacDonald’s Art
Considered one of Las Vegas’ most eccentric art galleries, the Art of Richard MacDonald features bronze sculptures, serigraphs, paintings, and lithographs that perfectly encapsulate diverse sources of inspiration.
Richard MacDonald is one of America’s best contemporary figurative sculptors. Step into his enchanting art gallery to witness mesmerizing creations. Click here to learn more about the man and his latest collections.
Take A Free Self-Guided Tour
There’s no better way to explore Las Vegas than a self-guided tour. So, embark on an exciting journey to relish the authentic Vegas experience. From the Pawn Stars and Vintage Vegas Tours to a self-guided ATV tour across the desert, you are spoilt for choice!
Self-guided tours can be a lot of fun. They are an affordable way to explore Sin City with friends or family. If you need help with planning and execution, here is an excellent guide to help you explore Las Vegas like a local.
Visit The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is renowned for being the center of attraction on the Vegas Strip. While the place offers conventional entertainment opportunities from casinos to live performances and free shows, its highlight is the free parking.
Dine at one of the award-winning restaurants or play your favorite casino games at two state-of-the-art casinos. The Venetian has the largest standard suite on the Strip Enjoy gripping views of the Vegas skyscape from the comfort of bed.
Explore Treasure Island
If you want to experience the ultimate pleasures of Sin City, we highly recommend booking your stay at Treasure Island. Experience the luxuries of life with world-class amenities and satiate your tastebuds at one of the award-winning in-house dining facilities.
Don’t miss the Vegas nightlife if you’re in the mood to party. Popular attractions include Mystère By Cirque Du Soleil, The Cove Bar and Arcade, The Golden Circle Sportsbook and Bar, Senor Frog’s, Steak House Bar, Big Chill, and Breeze Bar.
Visit Wynn Encore
The Wynn Encore is another popular Vegas hotel and casino that’s a must-visit if you’re new in town. The place offers endless entertainment and shopping opportunities and an opulent refuge from the monotony of daily life.
Experience the intimate atmosphere, enhanced by sunlit corridors, sprawling gardens, and welcoming pools, throughout the property. It offers all the amenities to help you relax and unwind after a tiring day exploring Sin City.
Stay At Sahara Las Vegas
Sahara Las Vegas epitomizes the timeless beauty and old-school charm of Las Vegas. It sets the standard of opulence by offering a bold yet sophisticated flair and a boutique approach to personal service.
Enjoy the best of Las Vegas hospitality at one of the in-house casinos or expand your tastebuds by trying out exquisite cuisines from halfway around the world. If you’re in the mood to party, check out the live entertainment options at the Casbar Lounge.
Shop At the Fashion Show Las Vegas
Fashion Show Las Vegas is the most popular shopping mall on the Strip. Pique your interest by exploring trendy designs and scratch the itch by bringing your fashion sense to life.
The place features an eclectic mix of 250 retailers and 30 restaurants spread across 2 million square feet of prime real estate. FSLV is the place to be for the ultimate Vegas experience.
Visit Mandalay Bay
Another famous Las Vegas hotel and casino, Mandalay Bay offers an exciting Vegas experience. The resort is famous for its live performances. Guests can enjoy live music from famous artists or a live show by Cirque du Soleil.
Book a relaxing spa session and rejuvenate your senses by experiencing relaxation beyond imagination! From haircuts and styling enhancements to waxing and makeup services, treat yourself to Mandalay’s world-class spa and salon services.
Explore Luxor
Luxor Las Vegas is one of the finest casino resorts in Sin City. Operated by MGM Resorts International, the hotel offers all the luxuries you would expect from a premium establishment. From an extensive list of fine-dining restaurants to more casual fares, explore the wide range of global cuisines on offer.
The Great Sphinx of Giza and an Obelisk adorn the hotel’s façade. The pyramid also includes the largest atrium in the world by volume. Nearby attractions include Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition and Discovering King Tut’s Tomb.
Get Ready for a Unique Las Vegas Experience with Lost Games
That sums up our list of the best premium and free activities in Las Vegas. Sin City has a lot to offer than the glitz and glamor of swanky casinos and blingy nightlife. So, if you’re planning a weekend trip with friends or family, we highly recommend dropping by Lost Games for a unique experience. Book your slots today!
