beat the brochure

Even on a cheap holiday to Las Vegas, there are plenty of ways to spend your money. If you want to keep out-goings on attractions to a minimum so that you have a few dollars for Las Vegas necessities like gambling and shopping, here are some free attractions to keep you amused.

1. Bellagio Fountain Show
The best known Las Vegas freebie is the light show in front of the Bellagio. Gushing water is synchronised with a light show and typical show tunes like Hey Big Spender and Luck be a Lady Tonight.

Catch the show every 30 minutes from 3p.m. – midnight and at weekends from Midday to Midnight and every 15 minutes after 7p.m.

2. Circus Acts at Circus Circus Hotel & Casino
Another free daily show is the Circus Show. Get a taste of the circus with jugglers, trapeze artists, clowns and aerialists performing to the crowds at the Big Top at the midway, one level above the casino.

Shows last about 10 minutes every half hour from 11a.m. – midnight. There are limited seats which fill up quickly but don’t worry as there is also standing room.

3. Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino
Catch the penguins feeding at this wildlife habitat within the Flamingo hotel complex. Home to more than 300 birds and as well as the penguins there is a flock of pink Flamingos of course. The stream is home to koi and turtles too. Open 24/7.

4. Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino
A 50 foot high glass roof in the Bellagio Hotel is home to this garden which has more than 1,200 exotic plants. Escape the hustle and bustle of The Strip in this calm indoor garden. Open 24/7.

5. Fremont Street Experience
Every night as dusk falls you can see this amazing light show at Downtown’s Fremont Street and then every hour on the hour until midnight.

It’s worth the trip Downtown on the Cat bus which goes from The Strip to Downtown 24/7.

6. Visit the Ethel M Factory
For your own Willie Wonka experience, visit the Ethel M Chocolate Factory about 10 miles from The Strip. Admission is free to take a behind the scenes look at the process of making chocolate and candy and see the pipes, tanks and conveyor belts filled with chocolate. There are tasting opportunities for those with a sweet tooth.

After the tour retreat to Ethel’s Lounge for more chocolate indulgence and then explore the Cactus Garden holding more than 300 species. Factory tours week days before 4p.m.

7. The Aquarium at the Silverton Hotel
Just off The Strip see the aquarium at the Silverton with more than 4,000 fish. Catch the underwater dancing from the ‘mermaids’ all of whom are scuba certified. Shows last 15 minutes once every half hour from 2.15p.m. – 9p.m. daily.

8. The Volcano at the Mirage Hotel & Casino
This is the oldest freebie on The Strip. Every night this 54 foot volcano erupts and molten white lava falls down its sides. You can feel the heat as you watch from the sidewalk!

Every 15 minutes from 7p.m. – midnight.

9. Lions at the MGM Hotel & Casino
At this glass-enclosed habitat inside the MGM Hotel, real lions play every day between 11a.m. – 10p.m. There’s a jungle area and a waterfall in the 5,000 sq ft space. The lions don’t perform tricks and aren’t trained to do so.

10. Welcome to Las Vegas
Make your own souvenir. It costs nothing to have your photos taken at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign as long as one of your party is the photographer!