The 7 Best Free Things to Do in Las Vegas, Plus 7 Bonus Activities That Aren't Expensive

My wife and I had a difficult time when I was younger. We chose Denton, Texas, because it was the best place in the state to be poor. There are more free entertainment and educational opportunities there than almost anywhere else in the state.

We would have tried to live near Las Vegas if we had lived in Nevada or had family there. It is the best place in the country to find free activities. In fact, there are more free things to do in Vegas than anywhere else in the world. Many of them do not involve attempting to win at gambling (believe it or not).

Here are the seven best free things to do in Las Vegas:

1. The Pinball Hall of Fame

Tim Arnold's Pinball Hall of Fame, located at 1610 E. Tropicana, has been open since November 2009. There are 10,000 square feet of pinball machines. It's free to look at them, but if you have a few quarters to spare, you can even play some of the games.

The museum is non-profit and houses pinball machines from the 1950s to the 1990s. The pinball machine heyday was from 1960 to 1980, so the majority of the games are from that time period. Even the oldest machines have been carefully fixed up to the point where they look like they just came out of the box.

2. Seasonal Changes at the Bellagio Conservatory

The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful sights to see in Las Vegas, but it's not as well-known as many of the other attractions. The displays change depending on the season, as follows:

• Winter

• Chinese New Year

• Spring

• Summer

• Fall

Over 14,000 square feet of beautiful plants and flowers, 90% of which are recycled, fill the conservatory. One final piece of advice:

Bring your camera.

3. Fremont Street Experiment

The Fremont Street Experience is a pedestrian mall, but what makes it stand out is the free light show that takes place in the canopy above the street. This is a must-see for anyone visiting Las Vegas for the first time. The video screen is 90 feet above the ground. It measures 1500 feet long by 90 feet wide. It's known as "Viva Vision."

The light displays vary, but the video screen contains more than 12.5 LED lights. A 550,000-watt concert-quality sound system provides music to accompany the light show. The shows are 6 minutes long and take place at the top of each hour from dusk until midnight or 1 a.m., depending on the season.

4. The Mirage Volcano

The Mirage Volcano first erupted in 1989, and legend has it that traffic on the Strip came to a halt as a result of the lava and flames shooting into the sky. (Of course, the lava was made up.) It's still one of the most enjoyable attractions in town, and it's still free.

The Mirage Volcano, like many other Las Vegas attractions, has its own soundtrack. This song was written by Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead and Indian tabla star Zakir Hussain. Any night of the week, between 8 and 9 p.m., you can watch the eruption. There is an additional show at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

5. Playing Penny Slot Machines

This one is a little bit of a cheat because it isn't free. A dollar, on the other hand, will get you 100 spins on a penny slot machine. Simply ensure that the slots game you select does not require a minimum bet on a minimum number of lines.

How much action can you get on a penny slot machine for a dollar?

If you assume 600 spins per hour, you'll get 100 spins for a dollar, or one-sixth of an hour. That amounts to 10 minutes of entertainment. That is, assuming you lose every spin. In reality, you'll only win about half the time, so you might be able to play for an hour before going bankrupt.

That's so cheap, it might as well be free.

6. The Bellagio Fountains

The Bellagio Fountains are a water ballet. It's something I'd pay money to see. That's how good it is. It's the ultimate Vegas Strip experience.

The music varies depending on the show, but it includes classical music, opera, pop, and Broadway show tunes. In the afternoons and early evenings, the ballet is performed every half hour. It happens every 15 minutes between 8 p.m. and 12 a.m. It is visible from several locations along the Strip.

7. The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign

The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is most likely the oldest item on this list. It was built in 1959, and if you've seen or read about Las Vegas, you've probably seen a picture of it. Take a camera with you and take photos of yourself and/or your traveling companions in front of it.

This is a great souvenir on its own, but it's even better if you can afford to turn it into a coffee mug, refrigerator magnet, or postcard.

7 Low-Cost Activities in Las Vegas

And if you have a little extra cash, here are some inexpensive things to do in Las Vegas:

1. The Arts Factory

The Arts Factory is the heart of Las Vegas' 18B Arts District. It's housed in a 50-year-old commercial warehouse with traditional bowstring truss architecture. It is close to downtown, close to Charleston Boulevard and Main Street.

Artists' work in a variety of styles and media, from contemporary to traditional, can be found here. They also hold drawing classes and hold regular fund-raising events. It's also a popular spot for live music and poetry readings.

Parking is completely free. There is also a gift shop and a bistro on the premises.

2. Dinner at Made L.V.

Made L.V. is a popular American tavern among Las Vegas residents. On Mondays and Thursdays, they have all-day drink specials. Their burger plates are less than $15, which is a great deal. However, their desserts are expensive, costing $7 each.

Brunch is also served on Saturday and Sunday.

3. Arts in an Emergency

Another downtown Las Vegas art collective is Emergency Arts. It's in a building that used to be a hospital, and it has one of the coolest coffee shops in the city. The artwork on display ranges from traditional to avant-garde. Local artists also rent studio space here, so you never know what you'll see.

4. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a world-class venue for various types of performances. As I write this, some of the upcoming fall shows include Ringo Starr and His All Star Band, Deepak Chopra, and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Although this is the most expensive item on the list, some of the shows are surprisingly affordable. However, the venue itself may be the true beginning of any show there.

5. Retro Las Vegas

Retro Vegas showcases vintage art and furniture from the mid-twentieth century. Whatever your budget, you'll be able to find a unique souvenir to take home from here. Return visits are also recommended because things change all the time.

They've been open in the Arts District since 2008 and serve the public there. The Red Kat is a store within a store that sells vintage clothing.

6. Having dinner at The Peppermill Restaurant and Lounge

The Peppermill Restaurant and Lounge is a classic Vegas restaurant and bar that is right off the Strip. They are consistently awarded "Best of Vegas." The majority of the meals cost $15 to $20, but if you're on a tight budget, try the biscuits and gravy for less than $10. The menu is also surprisingly extensive, with numerous breakfast and lunch options.

7. The first Friday Street Fair in Las Vegas

Friday, the First The Las Vegas Street Fair is an art festival that takes place on the first Friday of every month. They primarily feature art for sale and food vendors, but it's a low-cost event that you can attend with a large number of locals. This particular event isn't on many tourist itineraries, so you can feel a little smug about having the inside track on it as well.

Conclusion

Las Vegas is well-known for its inexpensive entertainment and dining options. I've listed my seven favorite free things to do there, as well as seven additional cheap things to do there. Please leave a comment with suggestions based on your own experience. What do you think are the best free (and low-cost) activities in Las Vegas?