The Best Cheap Things to do in Las Vegas- The Adventuring Millennial

“Shut up and put your money where your mouth is, that’s what you get for waking up in Vegas”

Ok, now that we all have that Katy Perry gem stuck in our heads lets get down to it. Vegas is expensive. You will be able to find some hotel deals and probably some flight deals too. They want to get you in the door. Because once you are there you will be bombarded with opportunities to spend money. Slot machines, fancy drinks, unique shows, etc. And you might think, “I saved a bunch of money on my travel expenses so I can splurge here.” I totally get it. I mean, after all, you are in Vegas. Have fun! I am not here to tell you what to do with your hard-earned and well-saved money. But if you are looking for some free or cheap things to do in Las Vegas, this is the post for you.

Even though I am not a big gambler I always have a great time in Vegas.

Hello, Vegas is fun (I mean, there is a reason they get almost 40 million visitors a year!) But, this over-the-top oasis can feel overstimulating at times. I mean EVERYWHERE you look there is something going on. Especially if you are walking down the Strip. Some of my favorite spots in Vegas provide a little relief from the rowdiness (no judgment, I just can’t keep up). And as a bonus- most of those things are free!

So the first place I want to tell you about is…

The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas

Free and Cheap Things to do in Las Vegas- The Adventuring Millennial

This quiet hideaway is the perfect break from the traditional Vegas craziness. This outdoor habitat is open to the public, not just hotel guests. Wander the paths and look for turtles, fish, and birds. Be sure to find the palm tree-studded island which is home to a flock of bright pink Chilean flamingos.

Pro Tip: The resident pelicans are fed at 8:30 and 2 pm daily, which is a great family-friendly event (hard to come by in Vegas lol). Check their website for any changes.

While you are here, consider checking out my favorite brunch buffet in Vegas. I know this is supposed to be a freebie post but I couldn’t resist telling you about this place (and I think it is a pretty great deal!). The weekend brunch buffet at the Paradise Garden only costs $21.99 for adults and $10.99 for kids. There are so many delicious things here like made-to-order crepes, a well-stocked yogurt bar, waffles, muffins, eggs, doughnuts… you get the idea.

The Flamingo is a vibrant hotel with a great buffet and a cute wildlife habitat, what’s not to love? Spend some time here, but when you are ready for another free exhibit, check out the Bellagio Hotel for…

Conservancy and Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino

This is why everyone goes to Vegas, right? Ok so I know this might not sound as exciting as some of the other activities in Vegas let me just remind you of a few things:

1. This is free (Vegas is a money pit, remember?)

2. You might want a break from the casinos & drinking & gambling & noise & lights…

3. You might just prefer these hidden gems to some of the traditional Vegas craziness!

One of my favorite parts of Vegas are the over-the-top hotels. They are like Disney hotels on steroids (just not quite as family-friendly). The Bellagio is a perfect example of a traditional luxurious Vegas hotel. Oh, and in case you were wondering I have NOT stayed here. But it is still fun to check out.

You can pretty much explore any hotel lobby, casino, shopping area, restaurant, etc. even if you are not a guest of the hotel. There are a few things I particularly love about the Bellagio. You can find the first one just by walking into the lobby. Once you are here LOOK UP! Surprise- the ceiling is covered in an incredible Chihuly glass sculpture (you might not recognize the name but he is THE glass guy. You have probably at least seen pictures of his work before).

The other thing you need to check out here is the 14,000-sq ft Botanical Garden. This indoor exhibit changes seasonally and is, you guessed it, free to visit! Honestly, it’s pretty neat. Impressive colorful topiaries fill the space that all represent a similar theme. When I last visited the garden had been transformed into a magical underwater garden complete with sea-life topiaries.

The next freebie I want to tell you about is also at the Bellagio. When you are ready, step outside and you should easily find the reservoir.

Bellagio Fountains at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino

Ok, I would really be slacking if I didn’t mention the famous Bellagio Fountain show. Most of you have probably heard about this or seen videos, pics, Insta Stories, etc. of this water display. And yes, this is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. But trust me, there really is something special about seeing it in person.

The shows run frequently so it is pretty easy to squeeze one (or 2 or 3) into your vacay. Their website lists the current showtimes if you want to check but you will most like catch a show if you hang out around the hotel in the late afternoon/evening. There is plenty of viewing space so don’t feel like you need to show up too early to stake out a spot.

Alright, I think that is enough time at the Bellagio. Don’t get me wrong, it is a fabulous hotel! We just have some other places to explore too!

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign

5928 S Las Vegas Blvd

Pics or it didn’t happen, right?

Since you might want to save some of your other Vegas moments for Snapchat, this provides the perfect opportunity to get a cute SFW Facebook post. And the city has made this SO EASY! There is a parking lot specifically for the sign so visitors don’t run across traffic for their pics (seriously- not everything is worth it for the Insta). A photographer is on hand who is paid by the city so you don’t have to feel awkward about asking for a photo (and they don’t even take tips!) What could be better than this cute and free souvenir?

Drinks

Let me answer that previous question: free drinks.

Yes, the rumors are true. You can drink for free in Vegas. But let me give you this important caveat, you still need to TIP the waitstaff, bartenders, etc. Drinks are not free everywhere, by the way. But if you are gambling in a casino chances are you will see a waiter or waitress walking around serving free drinks. They are super busy so you may have to be patient but when you get a chance, order your free drink and have fun! If you are budget-conscious like me, you can make a pretty great night out of a few tip-only drinks and a couple of dollars in the $.25 BlackJack machines.

Hoover Dam

Last but not least, if you are looking to get out of Vegas for a few hours, go check out the Hoover Dam. This might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it is very impressive. I wasn’t hyped about going at first but after I learned more about it I was pretty interested.

Built between 1931 and 1936, this dam provides power for Arizona, Nevada, and California (pretty neat!) While you are there you can even walk into Arizona and cross another state off of your list!

You could take an expensive guided tour from Vegas to the dam (which may be worth it to you) but if you have a car it is pretty easy to check it out on your own. Skip the paid parking lots and instead park in the free bypass bridge parking lot. From here you can cross the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (and go into Arizona!) The bridge is free to cross and offers some pretty great views of the dam.

Ok, there you have it! This is my quick list of the best free and cheap things to do in Las Vegas. If you have any questions let me know in the comments. Have fun!