Now that we have so many casinos in Michigan, going to Las Vegas to gamble is not what it used to be. We primarily enjoy penny machines, and usually win or lose somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 in a weeks’ time in Vegas. We’ve always felt, though, that there are really so many other things to enjoy there. Here are our lists of the fun things to do that are free or fairly inexpensive:
FREE
- Fremont Street Experience: Byjillions of lights overhead present a fine show in the old downtown.
- Mirage Volcano Eruption: hot and steamy to watch
- TI Pirate Show: Treasure Island’s battle of the sexes is a bit racy.
- Circus acts at Circus Circus
- Masquerade in the Sky Shows at the Rio (Thurs.-Sun.)
- Bellagio Conservatory: Beautiful floral and otherwise display changes 6 times yearly with seasonal and holiday emphasis–my favorite!
- Bellagio Fountains: Musical, swaying and gorgeous–John’s favorite!
- Lion Habitat at MGM: Cute cubs starting at 11:00 every day.
- Courtyard Entertainment at Harrahs: Loud and fun!
- Wolf Show at Sam’s Town: Kind of corny, but kids like it.
- Atlantis and Bacchus animatronic shows at Caesar’s Forum Shops: A little dated, but the crowds keep coming.
- Ethel M’s Factory Tour and Christmas Lights: You get a free sample of chocolate, too–but just a little one.
- Various shows at hotels, such as Excalibur
FEE
- Eiffel Tower ride to the top–Paris
- Gondola rides (indoor and out) at the Venetian. Your gondolier will serenade you.
- Siegfried and Roy Secret Gardens at the Mirage: lions and tigers and–oh my!
- Car Museum at Imperial Palace
- Amusement park at Circus Circus
- Roller coasters at New York New York and the Sahara
- Shark Exhibit at Mandalay Bay
- Ride to the top of the Stratosphere–then ride the roller coaster and Insanity!
SHOPPING
- Fashion Square Mall (a regular mall on the Strip)
- Premium Outlet Mall–South end of Strip
- Forum Shops (Caesar’s Palace)
- Miracle Mile (Planet Hollywood)
- Downtown Outlet Mall–Chelsea Premium Outlets
- M & M store
- Coca Cola World
- Venetian Shoppes
- Many other hotels have shops and shopping areas
And, if you grow tired of the glitz and commercialism of Las Vegas, you can always get away into the desert–really! Here are 4 great places to go if you need a day away
- Red Rock Canyon: This is about 30 minutes from Vegas, and you wouldn’t believe the change in the terrain! There are gorgeous red rock formations to be viewed on a 13-stop auto trail (of course, you can get out and hike, too, but that’s not in my vocabulary). They have a great Visitors’ Center with lots of good stuff to buy. A lifetime National Park Pass will get you in free.
- Valley of Fire: About an hour North of Las Vegas, but well worth the trip. Beautiful formations, including bee hives and a climb to some great petroglyphs. More red rock, and a nice Visitors’ Center.
- The Springs’ Preserve: Beautiful desert plants and grounds, about 8 minutes NW of downtown Vegas. Very unique children’s playground, and there are lots of school groups that visit. The Nevada Museum is also here, and there is a charge for that, but you can spend hours wandering around outside for free. Wonderful gift shop!
- Mt. Charleston: About an hour north of Las Vegas, complete with restaurant, hotel accomodations and skiing. This is a lovely drive, and you might even see snow when you get to the top!
And this isn’t exactly nature, but this report wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Hoover Dam. It’s only 45 minutes away, and everyone should see it once. I have seen it in August when it was 108 degrees, and again in January when it was in the 60’s. I know it is a wondrous thing to see, but personally–give me a mall, any day! But guys seem to dig it.
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As this article points out, casinos ain’t everything. We rent a budget timeshare (we get great bargains from http://www.redweek.com) when we’re in Las Vegas, and enjoy many of the activities mentioned here. My top favorite free thing are the Bellagio Fountains – it’s hard to tear me away.