19 Fun and Free Things to Do in Las Vegas

So technically our first freebie in Las Vegas is a work-around. Legally, any hotel that offers gaming in its pool area (The Tropicana, Hard Rock Hotel, and The Flamingo

Give your wallet a break and your eyes a treat at East Fremont Street. The nightly light and sound shows are over-the-top and many of the casinos that line the street lure in gamblers with free spins. At Binions, you can get your picture taken with a million dollars (they even print the pic for you, for free). Fremont Street Experience hosts free entertainment nightly on three stages and hosts free concerts in the evenings. Plus, the casinos in Downtown Vegas tend to be better for low-limits gambling than the ones on the Strip.

The big money world of modern art has found a permanent home in Las Vegas. Visitors can admire Jeff Koons's famous "Tulip" sculpture at the Wynn (sorry, his iconic "Popeye" statue left for Boston). The Cosmopolitan features murals by Shepard Fairey and Kenny Scharf in its parking garage. Crystals, a high-end shopping mall on The Strip, is home to the "Shards of Color" light instillation by James Turrell.

There are several free hiking options just outside of the city limits. Calico Basin Red Springs area doesn't require park admission and the trail cuts across red and white sandstone cliffs. There are many natural springs in the area that attract wildlife and provide water to cottonwood trees and honey mesquite. Gold Strike Hot Springs is a popular hike that requires easy rock climbing and ends in natural hot springs. This hike isn't advisable in the summer months, when temperatures soar and the springs are shallow.

No Las Vegas movie is complete without a shot of Betty Willis’ famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. The landmark attraction is more than 50 years old and sits on the Las Vegas Boulevard median south of Mandalay Bay. A selfie with the sign is a (free) must-do for any Vegas visitor.

Admission is free (donations are accepted) at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, a tiny museum devoted to the art of erotic dance. Costumes, media clips, and photographs are on display, along with a range of rotating exhibits.

The circus comes to town every 30 minutes at Circus Circus

Cirque du Soleil at the KA Theatre in MGM Grand

Local wine and event producers Rock ’n Roll Wine hold traveling tastings every Thursday night. They pour samples and offer guest bottles completely free. If you're interested, check their website to see where they'll hold the event. At the time of writing, they were planning on pouring their Rhapsody White at Artisan Hotel

The dedicated team of horticulturists at the Bellagio’s

Visiting Ethel M.'s chocolate factory is a family-favorite activity. Visitors sit in on a chocolate tasting experience where they learn the history of the chocolate factory and see how four types of chocolate are made. After, guests can take a self-guided tour through the factory and munch on free samples. There's also a three-acre cactus garden on the grounds.

Fans of the History Channel's show "Pawn Stars" will want to pay homage at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, where the reality show is filmed. There's often a line to get inside, and the shop is filled with an ever-changing rotation of interesting art, jewelry, and antiques. The stars of the show, Rick Harrison, his son Corey "Big Hoss," his dad Richard "Old Man" and Austin "Chumlee" Russell, still work most days in the shop. Note that you're less likely to see them on the weekends.

Sorry, adults. Unless you're splashing out at the casino, you'll likely have to pay for your meals in Las Vegas. Kids, however, eat free all over town (with the purchase of an adult's meal). Kids eat free at three Denny's locations on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Mondays, two kids eat free with one parent all day at Chili's. Wednesdays are free at Cici’s Pizza. This blog keeps a running list of dining promotions for kids in Vegas.

The Fountains of Bellagio

Every evening at 5 p.m., a volcano erupts in Las Vegas. The spectacle, complete with flame shooters that hurl fireballs 12 feet into the air, an ominous soundtrack, and water effects is a popular event that repeats every 30 minutes until 11 p.m. You'll find the lava outside the Mirage Hotel Casino

The avant-garde Downtown Container Park is an open-air shopping center with an interactive tree house for kids and a main stage that provides free movies and concerts. The whole thing is made out of shipping containers and guarded by a 55-foot tall fire breathing praying mantis.

There's a free 117,000-gallon aquarium that's home to more than 4,000 exotic fish, including sharks and stingrays, inside the Silverton Hotel

The Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

Admittedly, it's going to be hard to walk out of the Las Vegas Pinball Hall of Fame without spending at least a few quarters. Visitors can check out the impressive 10,000 square feet of classic pinballs machines that have been restored and beautifully maintained. There are over 100 different machines, some from the '40s. Prices are set at 25 cents for older machines and 50 cents for newer machines.

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