13 free Family friendly activities in las Vegas
When gambling became legal in Nevada, Las Vegas was non-existent. There was no luxurious strip or booming downtown.- just a lot of sand, dry heat, and some railroad tracks. As the city developed, investors needed to lure customers to their new casinos. Hence, the beginning of the “free” things in Vegas.
Although many believe the free business model is going away, Vegas still offers a lot of free attractions that you’ll love to visit on your next Vegas family vacation!
1. Bellagio fountains
You can visit the most photographed fountains in the world for free! The Bellagio Fountains are in front of the Bellagio Hotel, directly on Las Vegas Boulevard. The fountain show runs every 15 to 30 minutes. To see the show, all you need to do is snag a spot in front of the fountains!
The display is created using 1,200 water nozzles and almost 5,000 lights, with water soaring as high as 460 feet into the air. The water show is choreographed to music and is updated based on the time of year or other special events happening in Vegas.
Don’t worry, the fountain has its own water supply so there’s nothing wasted for the show. The Bellagio Fountain is filled from an underground well, which means no water is used from Lake Mead or the Colorado River, both of which are important water sources for the Las Vegas Valley.
Consider staying at the Bellagio and booking a fountain view room for a unique perspective on the fountain show. The music can be heard through a special channel on the TV for a completely immersive experience.
2. The Shelby Heritage Center
The first automobile manufacturer in Nevada was the Shelby American company. In 2013, the Shelby Heritage Center opened with more than 25 Shelby vehicles on display and today the center continues to tell the story of Carroll Shelby and the Shelby company, founded in 1962.
This experience is completely free, open to the public, and appropriate for all ages. Carroll Shelby was a legendary race car driver, automotive manufacturer, and philanthropist. In addition to the Heritage Center, there is an extensive gift shop with unique collectibles and hard-to-find Shelby authentic parts. There is no time limit and you can stay as long as you like, but keep in mind that most visitors spend about an hour in the museum.
This is located near the Town Square outdoor shopping and entertainment center. Consider combining this visit with a visit to an activity or meal at Town Square!
3. Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
This tranquil 4-acre oasis is a break from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. No reservations are required; simply stop by and walk through this wildlife habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Most visitors spend about 30 minutes observing the various wildlife.
The habitat incorporates beautiful streams and waterfalls in addition to a large collection of wildlife. The animals include koi fish, exotic birds, and turtles. However, the highlight of this experience is definitely the flamingos.
If you arrive around 10:00 am, you can listen to one of the caretaker’s Keeper Talks. The caretaker will provide information about the habitat, feed some of the animals, and answer questions.
Mobster Bugsy Siegel was the original owner of the Flamingo Hotel. See if you can find the monument in his honor in the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat.
4. Silverton Aquarium
This aquarium is located inside the Silverton Casino Lodge, approximately 6 miles south of the Las Vegas Strip. Open 24/7, the aquarium is home to thousands of tropical fish, including stingrays. However, the more popular part of this experience is the mermaids. They swim every half an hour, usually beginning around noon. There is also an interactive opportunity to feed the stingrays twice a day.
Silverton also offers a Mermaid encounter. For an extra memorable experience (and extra cost), consider having your child participate in the Mermaid School. They will be transformed into a Mermaid and swim in the aquarium!
Plan to visit the Bass Pro Shop next door - they have four additional aquariums! The largest features Red Rock rock formations with beautiful Koi fish. The other three aquariums are filled with ducks, turtles, trout, catfish, carp, and bass.
5. M&M’s Las Vegas
Did you know M&M’s were the first candy in space? But you don’t have to go out of this world for an incredible M&M themed experience! Instead, gravitate over to the M&M’s candy store on the Las Vegas Strip next to the MGM Casino. This is a four-story store with an immersive experience unlike any other candy store you’ve ever been to!
Here, you can learn all about the history of the M&M’s from a 20-minute informative and funny video. Then spend some time exploring the store - it has tons of space for photo ops! It has lots of photo ops. Visitors can also create their own custom M&Ms for an additional fee.
Combine this visit with a visit to the Coca-Cola store next door. Here, guests can sample 16 different soda flavors. Be sure to order the Float Tray, on the tray are eight unique float flavors.
6. Berlin Wall & Other Historical Antiquities
Is your family full of history buffs? If so, you can see some famous antiquities at the downtown Main Street Station Casino, Brewery & Hotel! Stop by the front desk and pick up a brochure to begin your self-guided tour.
The collection includes an original piece of the Berlin Wall, bronze doors from The Royal Bank of Kuwait, the Louisa May Alcott Pullman car, chandeliers from the Figaro Opera House in Paris, and many more surprises!
No one knows how the 10-foot-wide and six-foot-tall piece of the Berlin Wall made it into the casino, or why it was installed in the bathroom as it was there when the current owners bought the casino out of bankruptcy. But it’s a super fun thing to say that you’ve seen!
After you check out all of the antiquities, consider having lunch at the Triple 7 Restaurant and Microbrewery. Kids can dine on pizza or hamburgers while the grown-ups can enjoy one of the microbrews made onsite.
7. Seven Magic Mountains
Looking to get outside of the city? Or maybe you’re driving in from California? If so, the Seven Magic Mountains art display is a must-visit!
This outdoor public art display is made up of seven towers of colorful, stacked boulders standing more than thirty feet high. This piece was created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone and is meant to invoke conversation about the juxtaposition of the natural and the artificial.
8. Hershey’s Chocolate World
The Hershey’s Chocolate World provides a Willy Wonka-style experience that your family is sure to love! Located inside the NYNY Hotel & Casino, this two-story store has several interactive experiences. There are two attractions and five experiences here for all ages. Be sure to have your kids “star” in the Reese’s commercial - it’s a fun and memorable experience!
Admission is free and a wide variety of candy is available for purchase. You can even create a custom candy bar wrapper with your picture as a souvenir or create your candy mix at the wall of candy with over 800 chocolates and sweets to choose from.
Can’t get enough chocolate? After your visit to Hershey’s Chocolate World head over to the Bellagio Hotel where you’ll find the largest chocolate fountain in the US. It’s certified by the Guinness Book of World Records! Over 2,000 pounds of chocolate flow through the 500 feet of pipe 24/7 in the Bellagio Patisserie.
9. Welcome to las vegas sign
The Las Vegas Sign is one of the most famous icons in the city. The sign was created by Betty Willis and installed in 1959 - it’s even designated as a State Historical Place.
The sign is located on Las Vegas Boulevard, just south of Mandalay Bay Hotel, and you can walk or drive to the sign (there is a small parking lot available). Once there, be sure to capture the perfect family photo in front of the sign - the perfect way to commemorate your trip!
For a unique souvenir, consider purchasing a bulb from the Las Vegas sign. You can get one that was in the sign on the day that you visited. Contact Official Las Vegas Light for details!
10. Fall of Atlantis
Looking for a fun indoor activity to escape the Vegas heat? Check out the Forum Shops attached to Caesars Palace!
Forums have been around for centuries. It’s easy to imagine Plato walking about the Forum discussing his ideas, stopping by to pick up something from local vendors, or sharing a bite with a friend. At the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, you can pick up something to take home, have a bite to eat, and watch an amazing show about the Fall of Atlantis, Pluto’s famous story.
This free animatronic show features talking statues, fire, and water. While you’re there, check out the nearby large aquarium filled with some unique fish and small sharks.
Stop by the Ethel M Candy cart and pick up a FREE chocolate sample. If you love the chocolate, find time for a visit to the Ethel M. Chocolate Las Vegas factory.
11. Ethel M Chocolates Factory & Cactus Garden
If you enjoyed the candy sample from Ethel M at the Forum Shops, you’ll love visiting the factory where it was made! Here you’ll actually find two family-friendly activities. You can begin by seeing how candy is made in an actual candy factory. Then, you will be treated to a free sample of candy before ending up in factory candy shop.
Outside, there is an amazing Cactus Garden you can walk through to see all kinds of unique Cacti. There are more than 300 different species of cacti and succulents in the Cactus Garden, many of which are indigenous to the United States. It really is a unique experience that’s great for kids of all ages (it’s even stroller-friendly!)
During the holidays, the Cactus Garden is decorated with lights and other holiday decor. They even host holiday themed events like movie nights. If you’re in town for the holidays, check out their website for event details and tickets!
12. Container Park
The brainchild of Tony Hsieh (the former CEO of Zappos) Container Park repurposes shipping containers to create a unique open air shopping and entertainment experience.
You’ll find plenty of things for your kids to do. First, feast your eyes on the 40-foot-tall and 30-foot-wide Mantis sculpture. Each night, The Mantis awakens for a drum circle celebration. Kids can also play on the playground or in the treehouse - it’s a great place to burn some energy!
There are plenty of shops and restaurants lining Container Park. It’s the perfect place to pick up some lunch and have a family picnic.
13. Downtown Loop
After visiting Container Park, hop onto the Downtown Loop to visit other fun downtown locations. The Downtown Loop is a free shuttle that operates from the Strat Hotel, throughout Downtown Las Vegas and Fremont Street, to Symphony Park, and the North Premium Outlets.
There are twelve different stops. You can ride the shuttle for the entire loop or hop on and off. You don’t need a reservation or ticket and all ages can ride the shuttle. It runs 7 days a week and even has extended hours on the weekend. It’s great to get you to your next activity or just to see the sights around Downtown!
You don’t have to break the bank to have some real family fun in Las Vegas. Whether you try one or find time to fit in all thirteen, everyone in your family is sure to love these (free) memorable experiences!