You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to have fun in Vegas. Whether you’re on a budget or you just want to take in some cheap sights while you recover from last night’s activities, Vegas has plenty of attractions that won’t break the bankroll.
PS: Don’t forget to see my list of strange things to do in Vegas for more trip ideas.
1. Go See the Mermaids at the Silverton Hotel Aquarium
Cost: Free
The Silverton Hotel and Casino in Vegas has a 117,000 gallon reef aquarium that is open to the public. You don’t need to be a guest at the hotel or even have reservations. Just show up, look around and take in the sights.
Inside the aquarium you’ll find thousands of tropical fish, sharks, live stingray feedings and mermaids. If you want to see the live mermaid performances, stop by on any of the following days:
- Thursdays between 2:15 and 8:45 PM
- Fridays and Saturdays between 2:15 and 9:45 PM
- Sundays between 11:30 AM and 6:45 PM
Contact Info:
- Website
- Address: 3333 Blue Diamond Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89139
- Phone: 702-263-7777
2. The Mirage Volcano Show
Cost: Free
Feel the heat on your face and the rumble in the ground as you watch this iconic Las Vegas attraction. The Mirage Volcano features thousands of lights, a booming soundtrack and massive blasts of fire. It’s the perfect stop on a cold evening but it’s worth checking out any time of the year.
The Volcano erupts once an hour beginning at 7 PM and running through 11 PM every evening. All you have to do is walk up and take in the show. This is a great attraction considering that it’s free to all.
Contact Info:
- Website
- Address: 3400 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Phone: 702-791-7111
3. Fountains of the Bellagio
Cost: Free
This is the largest and most complex water fountain show in the world and it’s completely free. The Fountains of Bellagio blast water high into the sky and flash an array of lights to the tune of opera, classical and Broadway music.
Best of all, the show kicks off numerous times every day. You won’t have to do much schedule-shifting to catch this one.
- Weekdays: 3 PM to 7 PM every 30 minutes
- Weekdays: 7PM to 12 AM every 15 minutes
- Weekends and Holidays: 12 PM to 7 PM every 30 minutes
- Weekends and Holidays: 7PM to 12 AM every 15 minutes
Contact Info:
- Website
- Address: 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Phone: 888-987-6667
4. Circus Acts at the Circus-Circus Resort
Cost: Free
The Circus-Circus Resort has a whole bunch of free circus acts that you can catch every day beginning at 11 AM. These different acts showcase feats of speed, balance, juggling, acrobatics and much more. You can find these free acts on the center stage of the Carnival Midway.
Just be prepared for a noisy and crowded experience if you decide to catch one of these shows. The Midway is surrounded by an arcade and other games with lots of kids running around. Bring your family, bring your casual date but don’t come for a romantic experience. But overall, it’s a great free attraction in Vegas.
Contact Info:
- Website
- Address: 2880 Las Vegas Blvd S. Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Phone: 702-734-0410
5. Cheap Steak and Shrimp at the Hard Rock
Cost: $7.77
Food expenses add up quickly in Las Vegas. Although I recommend stopping in for at least one high class meal in Vegas, there are still plenty of bargains to be had. Stop in at Lucky’s 24/7 inside the Hard Rock Casino and ask for their $7.77 Gambler’s Special. It’s not on the menu but they’ll know what you’re talking about if you ask.
Ask (nicely) for the Gambler’s Steak and Shrimp and you’ll get a small salad, 6 oz steak, 3 shrimp and your choice of broccoli or a baked potato. This meal won’t leave you feeling sickeningly stuffed but it’s a great value for a tasty meal.
Contact Info:
- Website
- Address: 4455 Paradise Road Las Vegas, NV 89169
- Phone: 702-693-5000
6. The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
Cost: Free
Need to walk off that steak and shrimp dinner from Lucky’s? Head over to the Flamingo and do the Wildlife Habitat. It costs nothing and you’ll get to see exotic birds, swans, goldfish and flamingos (of course) in a serene setting.
The Wildlife Habitat is lush, green and soothing. It’s not an overly exciting experience, but it’s a nice way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip. I hear it can get crowded during peak visiting days, so considering doing this one during the week.
The habitat opens every day at 8 AM and closes at dusk.
Contact Info:
- Website
- Address: 3555 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Phone: 702-733-3111
7. The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio
Cost: Free
This is another low-key, relaxing attraction that won’t cost you a penny. Stroll through the gardens and streams, take pictures and recharge your batteries after all the craziness that is Las Vegas. One of the cool things about the Conservatory is that the whole theme changes with the seasons.
Stop in any time you want, because this one’s open 24 hours a day. When you’re finished, the free Bellagio fountain show is just a short walk away.
Contact Info:
- Website
- Address: 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Phone: 888-987-6667
8. Dueling Pianos at the New York New York
Cost: Varies
Stop in at the Bar at Times Square for some live dueling piano action. Watch as the talented musicians play (and purposely butcher) your favorite tunes to a drunk and lively crowd. If you’ve never been to a dueling piano bar, it’s hard to capture the atmosphere in text format. Think of a rowdy crowd, loud music and lots of performer-crowd interaction.
This one can either be cheap or expensive depending on how you do it. Since we’re talking about “cheap” things to do in Vegas, here’s my suggestion: get a few cheap drinks at the casino then come in on a Sunday – Thursday night and head over to the standing side area. This is the cheapest way to watch the action.
But beware – if you want to get in on the action and have a good view, you can spend money here quickly. Tables need to be reserved and drinks will run about $8 a pop. Requesting your own songs can also get expensive. There’s a $10 cover charge on Fridays and Saturdays.
Contact Info:
- Website
- Address: 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Phone: 702-740-6466
9. Visit the Pinball Hall of Fame and Play Cheap Games
The Pinball Hall of Fame is cool because it’s not a collection of dusty old pinball machines. It’s a 10,000 square foot pinball arcade with well-maintained pinball machines that cost just $0.25 or $0.50 per game. You get the “gaming” experience without burning through your bankroll. The operator promises that when you leave this gaming establishment, you’ll have a smile on your face.
If you visit the website, you can tell that they are passionate about their pinball. The museum is set up as a nonprofit and they don’t try to squeeze every penny out of their customers. Come in, play a few games and have some wholesome, non-gimmicky fun.
Hours:
- Sunday through Thursday: 11 AM to 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11 AM to Midnight
Contact info:
- Website
- Address: 1610 E. Tropicana, Las Vegas NV 89119
- E-Mail: pinballhalloffame@msn.com