Free and nearly free things to do in Vegas

There are many entertaining things to do that are free or cost very little. With the changing economy, Las Vegas has joined many other travel destinations and they are offering many incentives to entice travelers. A lot of casinos are competing with each other to attract customers and are offering rates that are sometimes less than twenty-five dollars per night. Another lure to Vegas travelers is the shows. The casinos are willing to spend lots of money on free attractions in the hopes that they will make this up on visitors when they spend money in the casinos.

Hotels

· Circus Circus offers nightly stays for just 34.95 per night with kids eating free at the buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet ticket

· A special fall rate is being offered presently at the Orleans for a total of $21.23 per night provided you stay three nights with one night free.

· The Texas Station is offering room rates for $24.00 per night.

· The Excaliber is offering room rates for $34.00 per night during the National Finals Rodeo at the Castle.

Entertainment

· Visit the MGM Grand to view a lion habitat in their main casino (open 11 AM to 10 PM)

You will enjoy the lions playing and lounging as they interact with their owners and handlers. A 5,000 square foot glass habitat has been modeled after the jungle and includes a waterfall.

Times:
Daily 11 a.m to 10 p.m.

· Stop by the Bellagio to ogle at their beautiful Botanical Gardens

You will see an indoor garden with over 13,500 square feet of spectacular floral displays that portray 1,200 exotic plants. Enjoy the 50 foot high glass roof, which is sunny and offers a great time to grab some family photos. The displays are changed periodically and boast beautiful holiday decorations when appropriate.

· If you love animals, you will want to pop in the Flamingo to see a nice variety.

Times:

24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

· For a free show that is short but very interesting, visit Treasure Island each night at 7 PM to watch their Siren Show

· For a volcanic display visit the Mirage Hotel and Casino

Flames and smoke shoot from a man made volcano. It erupts each night and molten lava flows down its 54 foot volcano. You will feel the heat of the flames as you pass by or stop to gawk at this attraction.

Times:

Every 15 minutes from 7:00 p.m. to midnight .

· Do you love aquariums, then don’t miss the lobby of the Mirage

· Are you fascinated by the Rainforest? The Mirage also has their lobby decorated to emulate the Rainforest.

· The Rio Hotel offers their Village show in the sky that lasts about twenty minutes and features carnival style floats.

· Ask at any casino for their schedule of free gaming lessons. Take advantage of free practice time. This will avoid that learning period of time with your own money, which will ultimately save you a lot of cash.

· Walk into the Bellagio to see their free Fountain Show that runs about every fifteen minutes or so.

. Bellagio Light and Water Fountain Show

You may mistakenly believe you are in Lake Como, Italy as you site on Bellagio's partio with a view of the lake and watch the lights and jets dance in the sky.Times:
Monday to Friday 3:00 p.m. to midnight
Saturday to Sunday 12:00 p.m. to midnight
Every 30 minutes until 7:00 p.m., Every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to midnight
Shows are subject to cancellation due to high winds.

· The Fremont Street Canopy offers a lovely light and video show that plays in on-going. Just look up as you walk in.

This light show encompasses the original Downtown Las Vegas Fremont Street with a sight that is not to be missed.

Times:

8pm with shows every hour on the hour finishing at midnight. The show is approx 12 minutes long. If you visit in December you won't want to miss a particularly good show overhead during the Christmas Holiday period.

· The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino has a show that features modern musical meets action movie spectacular.

It portrays music, swordplay, dancing, gymnasts, a full size sinking ship and features pyrotechics. It is about 15 minutes in length. Gentlemen and children, there are scantially clad women so do be certain to cover your eyes. that plays in on-going. Just look up as you walk in.

Times:
Every night at 7:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

· Rock and Roll Memorabelia at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has collectibles from your favorite rock and roll stars. There are numerous displays featuring lots for rock and roll fans. The Beatles collectibles are present, Madonna's underwear, motorcycles from Guns N Roses' Matt Sorum and Motley Crue's Nikki Six, autographed guitars and drum sets from many bands and leather jackets from the Ramones and Aerosmith.

Times:
24 hours and day, seven days a week

· To see Polynesian Dancers and get that feel of Hawaiian shopping make a point to visit The Hawaiian Marketplace

Don't miss this tropical delight on the strip. You will feel like you just stepped off of a plane and landed on one of the Hawaiian Islands.

· Masquerade Village Show in the Sky at the Rio Hotel and Casino

Watch Carnival-themed shows featuring exquisitly designed floats that ride on tracks above the casino floor. Exciting and energetic performers dance dancers in exotic masks and costumes while throwing trinkets and beads to the viewing audience.

Times:
Hourly from 7pm to Midnight, Thursday - Sunday

Food

You used to be able to travel to Vegas and get a meal at a buffet for less than one dollar. This is no longer the case; however, there are many places to visit that offer a great meal for a great deal.

· The Circus Circus offers a buffet for ten dollars.

· Slots of Fun is a place to grab a hot dog for a mere ninety-nine cents

· The Imperial Palace also offers a buffet for less than ten dollars

· Visit www.restaurant.com to purchase coupons for 90 percent or more off of restaurants not only in Vegas but nationwide

Navigating Vegas

· Obtain a pass for the Vegas Monorail, which runs from 7 AM to 3 AM from Friday through Sunday and 7 AM – 2 AM on Monday through Thursday. A one day pass is twelve dollars and a three day pass is twenty-eight dollars.

· To get to or from your airport, save and take the shuttle which will run you eight dollars or less.

Extra Savings

· Make certain to pick up the magazines that are free along the strip to take advantage of coupons that offer discounts on many shows and activities in Vegas.

· Buy a drink in a hotel and earn a seat to watch a hotel show.

· Shopping is abundant is Vegas. Head for their discount areas of their shops.

· Looking for a deal, then you don’t want to miss Harrah’s outdoor street fair.

· Ask for show deals when you are booking your hotel. You may think one casino is more reasonably priced than another. However, if you were planning of purchasing show tickets anyway and you get your tickets for free by booking with a hotel with a slightly higher nightly fee, you will actually be saving money.

· Shop online ahead of time using key words lowest show prices in Vegas. I found a link with some great deals. One is Viator.com

· Sign up for the rewards program card when you walk into any local casino near you now. Book your trip with them when you are planning to go to Vegas and they may have already compensated you with some free nights in Vegas. Wouldn’t that make you feel better about those nights when you walked out with empty pockets at your local casino? Not even a little bit?