FREE Things to do in the Las Vegas Strip

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Ready for a unique and free bucket list adventure down the Las Vegas strip? Whether you’re a tourist or a local, there is something special about taking in all of the sights and sounds of this iconic strip. 

Plus, it’s completely FREE! From exploring casinos to taking in views of the city skyline from one end to another, walking down The Strip can be an exciting way to experience Las Vegas. 

Vegas is my second home – my dad is apart of the art scene there – and I am also a big fan of saving money while adventuring!

The Strip is always filled with people, activities, and attractions that will keep you entertained. It is truly a sensory overload! So put on your comfortable shoes and get ready for a unique Las Vegas experience.

Keep in mind too that I will point out only FREE things to see in these hotels, but the paid activities are endless!

Bucket List Review of The Las Vegas Strip

My Overall Rating	7/10
Category	Luxury
Who Needs to Add this To Their Bucket List?	Luxurious yet active travelers who want to see all the wonders of Vegas without spending any money
Best Time to Go	March to May, September to November
Traveling Difficulty	Easy
Physical Difficulty	Moderate to difficult – lots of walking!
Popularity Rating	9/10
Group/Tour Required	No
Budget	$ (free)
Wheelchair Accessible	Yes, but read my note on this later

If you want more information about my bucket list reviews, please swim here.

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Exploring the Iconic Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip

Please note that the amount of hotels on the Las Vegas Strip is unbelievable! Most of them are filled to the brim with fancy atmospheres and amenities.

Instead of going through all of them, I will touch on the hotels with unique features or themes that need to be added to your bucket list.

Luxor

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t seen any massive pyramid hotels. That’s right…the entire thing is a pyramid. An Egyptian-themed hotel, it is a fun stop on the Las Vegas strip. 

It is right on the end by Mandalay Bay and is a great starting point for your journey down the Strip.

Plus, the giant sphinx on the other side of the entrance (by the tram) is a perfect place for a bucket list photo op!

New York New York

A hotel with a roller coaster in it? No way!? This New York-themed hotel is immersive and casual!

When you walk through sections of this hotel and casino, it actually feels like you are walking on a nice night in New York. Sadly, the roller coaster does cost money but it is still cool to see!

This hotel is one of my favorites from the outside! It actually looks like the New York skyline! Don’t forget to spot the Statue of Liberty outside!

Aria

Please don’t hate me, but this is the only one where I am going to suggest something that costs money. When I was in China, I tried the most miraculous dumplings called Xiao Long Bao. 

Scouring the globe, this small chain restaurant actually has a location in the Aria! If you love soup dumplings, I cannot recommend this enough…or you could just fly to Shanghai! Other than that, the Aria is a typical fancy Vegas hotel! 

I don’t want to be dramatic or anything, but I would fly to Vegas for these dumplings at Din Tai Fung.

Okay, back to the free hotel exploration. Thank you for going on that small journey with me.

Cosmopolitan

All Vegas hotels have spared no expense with their decor and ambiance. The Cosmopolitan is no exception. 

Although it doesn’t have a specific theme, it is just a cool hotel! My favorite part is the glittering crystal chandelier structure near the middle of the casino!

Bellagio

The Bellagio doesn’t really have a theme per se…but needs to be talked about nonetheless. Once you enter the main door, you will be greeted by an entire ceiling of glass-blown flowers. 

The lobby itself is absolutely stunning! Continuing through the lobby, there is a giant room with flowers and plants. Better yet, the theme of this room frequently changes. 

Once you are done there, make sure you don’t miss the world’s largest chocolate fountain!

Caesar’s Palace

One of the biggest hotels on the Vegas Strip! Seriously—it is fancy and it’s massive. Based on a Roman theme, this is one of the coolest hotels on the Strip. 

The outside feels like you have been transported to Ancient Rome and the inside casino just drips with luxury! Even if you are just passing through, it is truly a sight to see!

Paris Las Vegas

Why go see the Eiffel Tower in real life when you could see it in Vegas? Just kidding! But this hotel will get you close!

The outside sports a 541ft (165m) Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Parisian-style buildings. 

On the inside, you are transported to the streets of Paris. All the signs are in French, there are several French restaurants, and the main casino area is gorgeous.

You will have to say, “Oo la la!” After this popular Vegas hotel!

Mirage

This is another hotel where the magic is at the entrance and outside. When I say that there is foliage and waterfalls, I don’t think it quite does it justice. 

It feels like a tropical paradise when walking the grounds of the Mirage! Once you enter, there is a giant terrarium with live plants and more waterfalls!

If anyone knows how they manage to keep all the plants thriving, please settle my curiosity…because I can barely keep a cactus alive!

Treasure Island

Treasure Island is exactly how it sounds—there are pirates, treasure, and sirens! Although the entire casino is pirate themed, the real beauty comes from the outside. 

Surrounded by the entrance are two giant pirate ships with elaborate details! They are truly a sight to see!

Plus, it is near the end of the strip (opposite Mandalay Bay), so it is a perfect place to begin your (pirate?) quest of conquering the Las Vegas Strip.

the Venetian

I love several hotels that are located on the Strip, but this one just might be my favorite. 

This is a massive hotel that is grand, luxurious, and Italian!

Similar to Paris or New York, this hotel is an immersive Italian ambiance. Unlike the others, it is very expansive, spanning over an entire mall (see the Grand Canal Shoppes later). It even has an entire canal with traditional Venetian gondolas. 

Some ceilings are so detailed that you could swear you were back in Europe. When I was here, they also had performers covering songs in Italian. This is definitely one to check off your bucket list!

Free Shows in the Las Vegas Strip

Please note that some of these are inside hotels, but are entities of their own! Have fun checking them off of your bucket list!

Bellagio Fountain

One can’t go to Vegas and not stop to see the Bellagio fountain show. In fact, it might be one of the most popular free and iconic attractions in Las Vegas!

Fun fact! This fountain cost $50 million to build and $10,000 a day to run! It also has 22 million gallons of water and filters 5 million gallons a day! It has over 1,200 nozzles, 4,500 lights, and 8,000 meters of pipes! The water can shoot 460 feet into the air!

Bellagio Fountains Schedule

This amazing fountain show goes off every day starting at 12pm on weekdays and holidays and 3 pm on weekdays.

They shoot off every half hour during the day (until 6:30 pm), but every 15 minutes at night (until 12pm).

Is it Better to See the Bellagio Fountains During the Day or Night?

Although it is still a spectacle during the day, there is nothing quite like seeing the Bellagio Fountains at nighttime! 

If you truly don’t want to miss out, I would do both!

Mirage Volcano Show

Did you know that amongst the impressive foliage and jawdropping waterfalls, there is a volcano show? If you are in the area at the right times, it might be worth a visit!

When does the volcano show happen at the Mirage?

The show happens Monday to Sunday at 7 pm, 8 pm, 9 pm, 10 pm, and 11 pm.

Viva Vision Fremont Street Experience Light Shows

There are free nightly light shows at the Fremont Street Experience. 

They also have various free special concerts and events throughout the year!

It lasts about 6-8 minutes.

rain show at the Miracle Mile

Step into the heart of the desert and find yourself caught in a sudden downpour—indoors! The Rainstorm Show at Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood is a delightful surprise that brings the drama of a thunderstorm to the Las Vegas Strip. 

When is the Rain Show?

Every hour from Monday to Thursday, and every half hour on weekends, this free spectacle features cascading rain, rolling fog, lightning effects, and thunderclaps, all choreographed to an original soundtrack. 

The show lasts about 5 minutes.

Going Window Shopping in Las Vegas

As I said, there is someplace to spend your money on every step you take on the Las Vegas Strip!

This doesn’t mean you actually have to spend it! Sometimes it is fun to just look around and window shop. 

My favorite place to do this is at the Forum Shops (near Ceasar’s) and the Promenade Shops (near the Bellagio). If I am going to window shop, I might as well shop at Harry Winston and Tiffany’s!

Here is my list of all the coolest malls and shops to check out when exploring the Las Vegas strip!

Art Galleries

Vegas is over-saturated with shopping centers and places to spend your hard-earned cash. 

However, I have found that many of these malls also offer private art galleries. My dad even showcases his art in some of them!

Right now, I am not interested in investing in any art, but it was amazing to see all of the different art pieces in different locations on the strip! 

The Forum Shops

Near Ceasar’s Palace, these shops are a must-see for Vegas! It isn’t really the shops per se…but the overall ambiance of the mall. 

Imagine a Roman-styled atrium brimming with golden details! There are curving escalators and even benches made out of fallen pillars!

The entire thing is truly a sight to see and is guaranteed to make your jaw drop!

Promenade Shops

Can I afford literally anything in these shops? Absolutely not. Is it fun to walk through and pretend like I can? Absolutely!

Instead of a Roman or Venetian vibe, the theme here is luxury! And it is very fun to walk through and then head over to the Bellagio. 

Grand Canal Shoppes

A true bucket list experience and a shopping mall like you have never seen! This mall is in the Venetian and is one of the coolest places to shop!

The entire theme is Venice! It has an entire canal with traditional gondolas and classic Venetian architecture. And it’s not just one room, either! It’s the entire mall!

Even if you never buy anything, it is a bucket list idea activity just to experience it!

Miracle Mile

This is a 475,000-square-foot, 1.2-mile-long mall right in the heart of the Vegas Strip. It has over 170 shops, 15 restaurants and is home to several shows.

The easiest way to get here is to go through Planet Hollywood.

Don’t fear–this doesn’t have a “normal mall” ambiance either.

The ceiling is made to look like the sky and the shops are made to look like outdoor buildings. They say it is supposed to be a North American harbor, but it gives me major “Aladdin” vibes!

LINQ Promenade + Experience

This lively pedestrian promenade offers a feast for the senses—totally free to explore. Enjoy street performers, quirky shops, and outdoor art installations.

It’s also where you’ll find the High Roller observation wheel, which isn’t free, but you can watch it light up nightly from below for zero bucks.

Nature Shows and Exhibits on the Strip

The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat

While the Flamingo Hotel itself is slightly outdated and underwhelming compared to its glamorous neighbors, it does have a free flamingo habitat! 

Reservations and tickets aren’t required–just go during normal operating hours!

The entire thing is a 4-acre garden that has waterfalls, streams, birds, turtles, and fish. Don’t forget to see the flamingos (obviously!). 

At 8:30 am and 2 pm, there is a Keeper’s Talk to learn more about the habitat.

This can be a peaceful and much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of The Strip!

Lake of Dreams at Wynn Las Vegas

This hidden gem is a hypnotic combo of water, light, and music. 

Lake of Dreams puts on a free nightly show starting at dusk and runs every half hour.

It’s best viewed from the lounge or balcony area, but totally visible without spending a dime.

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

This ever-changing floral wonderland is a must-see!

Located just past the Bellagio lobby, the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens transforms with the seasons and holidays, with jaw-dropping themed displays made from thousands of flowers and plants. And yes, it’s 100% free.

I’ve been several times and it’s been different every time!

Sweet & Quirky Attractions in the Las Vegas Strip

Coca-Cola Store

Pop into the Coca-Cola Store on the Strip for a fizzy blast of nostalgia.

While the tasting flights cost a little extra, it’s free to browse the massive collection of Coca-Cola merchandise, vintage ads, and the adorable Coca-Cola Polar Bear photo op on the second floor.

M&M’s World and Hershey’s Chocolate World

Right across from each other near the MGM Grand, M&M’s World and Hershey’s Chocolate World are four stories of delicious fun.

They’re perfect for window shopping, snapping silly pics with life-sized characters, and maybe snagging a free chocolate sample or two if you’re lucky!

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign

No Vegas adventure is complete without snapping a photo at this world-famous sign!

Located just south of Mandalay Bay, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is a true Sin City rite of passage.

There’s a small parking lot, and while there might be a line, it moves fast and gives you time to plan your best pose. Bring water—it’s hot out here!

Pinball Hall of Fame

This retro gem is a dream for vintage game lovers.

The Pinball Hall of Fame features hundreds of working machines from every era—admission is free, and you can bring a few quarters if you want to play.

It’s a fun, air-conditioned blast from the past just off the Strip.

Street Performers on the Las Vegas Strip

I would categorize these into 2 sections:

People who put on professional street shows

These shows usually involve professional gear and microphones. They are normally good enough to draw a crowd and can involve multiple people. 

When I watched these, I did not feel pressure to contribute or tip. The qualities of these shows were actually pretty good, too! 

People who dress up/perform for tips

These are the people you need to take caution with. If you take a picture, they will expect or hassle you for money.

This is mostly in the form of people dressed up in a costume looking for you to take a picture or they want to sing a song for you. They target individual groups or people instead of looking to draw a crowd.

And when I say hassle, I mean pester. I had a lady follow me for a block or two begging me to let her sing for me so I could give her money. 

It may seem rude, but if this happens to you, politely decline and continue walking. I am used to this in some countries (like India or some in South America), but this is the only place in America I have found where people are VERY persistent!

I am not saying to not pay for their services. If you want to take a picture with that girl in a skimpy show outfit, you go right ahead! Just know that it may cost you!

Free Ways to Get Around the Las Vegas Strip

There are different ways to get around if you don’t want to walk. Here are your free options!

Walk

This may sound obvious since I have been talking about it throughout this entire article, but the best way to truly see everything (and its completely free!) is just to walk.

With that being said, it is a LOT of walking. The entire Strip is 4.2 miles.

You may cut some of that distance off by not going completely to Sahara Ave or Russel Road, but if you are doing both sides, that is clocking in around 6-8 miles to walk the full thing. 

I love to walk! But some people don’t or are unable. That is why I would also recommend combining it with some other modes of transportation or spreading out the trip for a longer period of time to give your legs a break. 

Trams

Please keep in mind that there are paid trams on the east side that are operated by the Las Vegas Monorail system.

However, this is a free guide, so let’s talk about your options that don’t involve your wallet! There are 3 free trams between Treasure Island and Montaray Bay that are paid for by the casinos themselves and work independently. 

Confirm the hours of operation with the tram before you start exploring.

Excalibur to Monterey Bay to Luxor

The first free tram goes to three major hotels in the south area of the strip. The trains run every five minutes or so. 

If you take the tram to the Excalibur, there is a short walkway to New York New York and then it is a quick walk to MGM. 

Park MGM to Aria to Bellagio

This tram starts at the Park MGM near the Aria and stops at the Crystals Shopping Mall near the Cosmopolitan. It ends at the south tower of the Bellagio. 

This tram is the one that I used the most because it is very central and you can get from to and from several hotels from each stop! It goes both directions and is very useful when your legs start to feel tired! 

Mirage to Treasure Island

On the north end of the strip, this tram provides a no-stop and quick access to the Mirage and Treasure Island. There are several attractions and shops on both sides that require little walking from there. 

Buses

If you are looking to explore more of Downtown Vegas past the main hotels and casinos, I would check out the free Downtown Loop buses provided by the city of Las Vegas.

If you are looking for a cheap bus option, I would see if the Las Vegas Deuce could be an option for you. 

A Note on Wheelchair Accessibility

As far as I am concerned, you can explore the Las Vegas Strip with a wheelchair. 

However, based on my observations, it would be very hectic. There are so many people walking about and it is crowded. Some of the vertical streets have crosswalks, but the horizontal crosswalks are all pedestrian bridges. 

And 9 times out of 10, one escalator isn’t working. The elevators seemed to have a better track record, but if it goes out, it would be very hard to cross the street in a wheelchair.

You can definitely cross exploring the Las Vegas strip off of your bucket list, but it may be an adventure! 

Final Word on Free Things to Do on the Las Vegas Strip

Who says Vegas has to break the bank? As you’ve seen, some of the most iconic and unforgettable experiences on the Las Vegas Strip are absolutely free—and totally bucket list worthy.

From dazzling fountain shows to quirky street performances, jaw-dropping architecture, and neon-lit nostalgia, the Strip delivers nonstop magic without you ever pulling out your wallet.

So throw on your comfiest shoes, charge your phone for all those epic photo ops, and get ready to explore Vegas in true adventurer style—without spending a dime.

And hey, if you’re planning to walk the whole Strip and want the best route, tips, and time-saving secrets, don’t miss my Ultimate Walking Guide to the Las Vegas Strip!

Because when you’re checking off your bucket list, every step should feel legendary. 💫

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