Free Things To Do In Las Vegas

Las Vegas might not be the cheapest city to visit, especially if you're a gambling man or woman, but that doesn't mean you can't find frugal ways to spend your time. Sin City offers plenty of free entertainment options when you feel your luck's run out, or you simply need a break from the slot machine.

Las Vegas Springs Preserve: If you need a break from the flashing lights of the casinos, a visit to the nearby Las Vegas Springs Preserve is in order. Discover the natural beauty of Las Vegas at this 180-acre cultural learning center. The preserve contains museums, galleries, four scenic walking trails, an 8-acre botanical garden and a children's playground. The museum and galleries charge an admission fee, but the splendorous outdoor trails and garden are absolutely free of charge. Springs Preserve is located at 333 S. Valley View Boulevard. Open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History: Want to learn more about the nature and indigenous peoples of the area surrounding Las Vegas? Stop by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to explore the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History. Exhibitions range from live animals, including lizards and tortoises, to artifacts of the Hopi and Paiute tribes. Admission is free, but a suggested $5 donation from adults is welcomed. The museum is just minutes away from The Strip, situated on the UNLV campus, between Lied Library and Wright Hall. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Silverton Aquarium: Named one of the best free attractions in Las Vegas, Silverton Casino Lodge's 117,000-gallon aquarium is a sight to behold. Admire more than 4,000 tropical fish, as well as three species of stringrays and sharks. Interactive feeding shows are scheduled daily at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., when the Aquarium's marine biologist can answer all your questions. And don't miss the live mermaid swims, every Thursday from 2:15 p.m.-8:45 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 2:15 p.m.-9:45 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-6:45 p.m. View the aquarium, feedings and swims for free! Silverton Casino Lodge is located at 3333 Blue Diamond Road.

Freemont Street Experience: Sometimes a simple walk downtown is just what you need to brighten your night. In Vegas, a walk down Freemont Street is more thrilling than most. Freemont Street is home to a brilliant light and sound spectacle like you've never witnessed. Above the street hovers a 90-foot high canopy that stretches over four blocks, and contains millions of lights and 220 speakers. Light & Sound Shows are presented nightly, beginning at dusk, and feature popular themes, including "Lucky Vegas," which pays tribute to some of city's most famous icons, "Area 51," which pits humans against a swarm of alien invaders, and "The Drop," which will take you on a journey that begins with a single drop of water. Don't forget to "window shop" while you're on the stretch. The Freemont Street Experience occupies the westernmost 5 blocks of Freemont Street, and includes the "Glitter Gulch" area.

Gaming Lessons: Want to learn how to gamble without the risk? Here's a little secret that many gamblers (or wanna-be gamblers) don't know about. Most major Las Vegas casinos offer free lessons in table games, free of charge. Become a Black Jack pro, or learn about your odds at Roulette before you choose to put your chips down or not. If you're going to play the games, you should probably know the rules, right?

Fountains of Bellagio:The Fountains at the Bellagio Hotel blend light, sound, and water in a way that mesmerizes its viewers. The fountains are in an 8.5-acre lake and feature waters that soar as high as 460 feet. The complex, choreographed water show is accompanied by classical music, opera, and Broadway music. The Bellagio is located at 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South.