STRIP


OFF STRIP

Free Strip Attractions

Bellagio Conservatory is without a doubt one of the best free things to do on the Strip. Even if you have no appreciation for the horticulture involved it is stunning to see the creativity and imagination put into this 13,000+ square foot area. There are a total of 5 displays created annually and each display takes a crew of 100 people working 24 hours a day for a week to complete. With 5 cranes and access tunnels below the conservatory to help, the free seasonal exhibits of Chinese New Year, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Holiday are a breathtaking change from the Strip environment. Open 24 hours a day.
Bellagio Fountains are a famed rhythmic symphony of lights, sound, and water. The show runs every 1/2 hour Mon.-Fri. from 3pm to 8pm and Noon to 8pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays. After 8pm until Midnight the show runs every 15 minutes. For a spectacular view take a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris. The Paris Casino is across the street and a view from the top is stunning (this costs $9 per person). If you can see the fountain show at night, the lights compliment the show in a way that is not visable during the day.
Bellagio Sculptures by Richard MacDonald. The sculptures are available for viewing Wednesday - Sunday 10am to 5:30pm, and Monday & Tuesday 6:30pm to 12:30am. They are located outside the lobby of the "O" Theatre. MacDonald's gallery at the "O" Theatre features roughly 50 bronzed sculptures and his sketches. The sculptures are dancer themed not surprisingly. All of the sculptures are for sale so the number of them will vary.
CBS Television City Research Center is in the MGM Grand located near the pool at the end of the studio walk. Here you'll become the network executive prescreening a show and passing along your opinion. You can pick up tickets at the center or in front of the parking garage. You should show up 15 minutes before the screening and expect to spend an hour viewing and giving feedback afterwards. The center is open from 10am to 9pm daily. New screenings start about every 1/2 hour. There is also a gift shop with merchandise for many popular shows. Check the clearance rack for the best deals.
Caesars Palace Fountain Shows are located in the Forum Shops. The shows run every hour on the hour Sunday through Thursday from 10am to 11pm, Fridays & Saturdays until Midnight. The Fall of Atlantis show is located in front of the Cheesecake Factory on the East end of the mall. The show features animatronic figures that tell the story of the fall of Atlantis.
The Festival Fountain Show on the West end of the mall features a discussion between animatronic figures of Bacchus, Venus, Apollo and Pluto as well as a laser light show.
There is also a 50,000 gallon aquarium behind the Fall of Atlantis show. A Diver comes to feed the variety of tropical fish and sharks at 1:15pm and 5:15pm daily. A second staff person is available during feedings to answer questions you might have. A tour of the aquarium's facilities is available at 3:15pm Monday through Friday. Ask at the information desk to sign up for the tour.
The Forum Shops are a great place to go shopping and if you happen to be there during one of these shows so much the better. I wouldn't go out of my way just to see these shows.
Four Seasons Gingerbread Villageis located in the lobby of the Four Seasons (attached to Mandalay Bay) 3960 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Phone (702) 632-5000. There is also a Teddy Bear Village located next to the Gingerbread Village. The village has an impressive list of ingredients such as: 350 lbs of sugar, 180 lbs of flour, 90 lbs of chocolate, and 180 lbs of honey to name a few. The properties within the village are for sale from $250-$500 with the proceeds going to the Nevada Cancer Institute. If you're in the neighborhood it is an impressive display of craftsmanship and culinary talents. The development of the project starts in August and culminates with the display of the holiday carousel.
Fremont Street Experience is located downtown and is a bit of a hike from the Strip. The center piece to the experience is the 90 foot high 1,500 foot long Viva Vision screen -currently the worlds largest screen (5 football fields long)! Shows on the screen last about 6 minutes and run 7 days a week every hour from 6pm to Midnight. In addition to the canopy there is live music nightly as well as roaming street performers. The Fremont Street Experience is a blending of vintage Vegas and high tech. It's worth spending at least one night of your Vegas trip in the downtown area just to get a feel of old Vegas.
Hand of Faith is the largest gold nugget on display. It is located in the Golden Nugget downtown. This is a great stop if your already at the Fremont Street Experience. If you go into the main doors of the Golden Nugget and make your way towards the elevators you'll find it displayed there. At 61 lbs 11 oz. it is a sight to behold and the story of where it was found is quite intriguing as well.
M & M World is a store, and as such is not really an attraction. Having said that you can get your picture taken next to life size M & M and see their free 3D movie - what more could you want from Vegas - the Coke store next door? They are open Sunday through Thursday 9am to 11pm and Fridays and Saturdays until Midnight.
MGM Grand Lion Habitat is amazing when you consider your in the middle of a casino. It is located right inside the doors facing Las Vegas Blvd. If you walk over the bridge from NY NY and go down the stairs your there. For those inside the MGM it is right next to Studio 54. It is open from 11am to 10pm daily. If you are coming to Vegas in the Spring time and your schedule is flexible call the MGM to find out if they have cubs yet. That's right every spring there are new cubs and for a few bucks ($25 per group) you can pet them and get your picture taken with them! This attraction is worth seeing; I bring all my friends to see this when the come to Vegas.
Neon Boneyard is located at the East end of Fremont Street. The Neon Museum as it is officially called is a collection of old Las Vegas Neon Signs. There is something to be said for seeing the giants up close. The collection consists of signs from the 1940's to present day. The walking tour is available 24 hours a day but if you want to get in and get close to vintage Vegas history than you need to make an appointment. Their office hours are Tue.-Fri. 11am to 5pm and the phone number is 702-387-6366(neon). It's worth a peek to see old Vegas, and if your planning a trip to downtown this will certainly be one of the highlights of that experience.
Rio Masquerade Show in the Sky consists of floats that are suspended from the ceiling and float along above the casino floor. It is a party in the sky and there is nothing else like it in Las Vegas. For $12.95 per person you can get in costume with the performers and join the show. There are only 21 tickets available on three floats for each show (to ride). If your interested in this contact the Rio Box Office (866-746-7671) or click here to purchase online. Shows run daily from 6pm to Midnight on the hour. There are also 90+ bevertainers that will serve you a drink and periodically break into song and dance at 10 mini-stages around the casino floor.
Sirens of TI is more of an adult show, so parents if your not to keen on Strip visuals you might avoid this one. The show lasts 12 minutes and you can see it from the sidewalk in front of TI. The story line is a battle between sirens (scantily clad women) and pirates. The battle is waged on a 17th century wooden ship and is choreographed with music, lights and dance. There is VIP viewing available to TI hotel guests - just ask your concierge. The show runs daily at 5:30pm, 7pm, 8:30pm, and 10pm Get there early as the best viewing - right in front fills up fast.
Venetian Preview Studio is open daily from 11am to 9pm. If you ever wanted to give your 2 cents worth on a new TV show, product, slot machine, or even food this is your chance. The studio is located in the Grand Canal Shoppes right new the Gondola turnaround. You can call 702-732-2733 for more specific directions. After the testing or screening which can last from 15-50 minutes you will be asked for your opinions in an automated survey lasting 10-15 minutes. You might also be asked to participate in a focus group at the end which is completely optional if you've had enough.
Venetian Streetmosphere is the name the Venetian uses to describe it roaming performers throughout the Grand Canal Shoppes. They perform at various times throughout the day. There are regularly living statues that perform in St. Mark's Square. The performers add a bit of fun and excitement to the shopping experience but I wouldn't go out of my way to see this attraction. If you follow the link to the left there is a schedule in the right hand corner of the linked page.
Volcano at the Mirage erupts at the top of each hour from 6pm to Midnight. The show starts at 7pm in the spring and 8pm in the summer. The volcano erupts with water, smoke, and flames (shooting 100 feet high) with smaller eruptions around the 3 acre area. The eruptions first began in 1989. I'm sure this was a big hit in 1989 but it has lost some of its luster since the Bellagio Fountains were introduced.
Wildlife Habitat is a small tropical sanctuary located at the Flamingo Hilton. You'll find flamingos, swans, ducks, koi, and turtles surrounded by waterfalls and lush foliage from around the world. The habitat is a peaceful get-away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip.

Free Off Strip Attractions
Aquarium at the Silverton is actually several freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The main aquarium is a 117,000 gallon artificial reef which is home to over 4000 tropical fish from all over the world, 3 species of stingrays and 3 species of sharks. There are three feedings daily at 1:30pm 4:30pm and 7:30pm. During the feedings the diver wears communication equipment that allows them to actually hear and answer your questions! Besides the main aquarium there are several smaller ones but the most unique are the two 500 gallon jelly fish aquariums located in the Mermaid Lounge. Click on the link to the left for more information but if your a fish lover than this freebie is not to be missed!
Bonnie & Clyde Getaway Car or should we call it the Didn't Getaway Car? This display is located 40 miles south of Las Vegas on I-15 between the Primm Valley Resort and Casino and the Fashion Outlet of Las Vegas. It is open 24 hours a day and it features the bullet riddled Ford used by Bonnie and Clyde. There is also the shirt that Clyde died in, a belt, neclace, handmade mirror, and 17 Barrow family photos. If your going shopping anyways its worth a stop.
Ethel M Chocolate Factory & Cactus Garden is located in Henderson about 20 minutes from the Strip. Tours of both facilities are self guided and open from 8:30am to 7pm. The chocolate is fantastic (yes there is also a free sample) and the 2.5 acre cactus garden is stunning and beautiful with over 350 species of cactus, succulents, and desert plants from around the world. During the winter through the first of the new year the cactus garden is open until 10pm and is lit with over 500,000 lights making it romantic and beautiful. You can get more information by calling 888-627-0990.
Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History is located on the UNLV campus less than 3 miles from the Strip. It is open Mon. - Fri. 8am to 4:45pm, and Sat. from 10am to 2pm. The exhibit features native animal species as well as exhibits that high lite the lives and traditions of the Hopi and Paiutes Indians. Your either into museums or not, if you are than the museum is interesting and the live gila monster is worth a look.
Shelby Automobile Factory Tours are by the Las Vegas Speedway. Tours are Monday through Friday at 10:30am. No reservation is required. This is a chance to see the famed Shelby and Cobra cars in production. If you're an auto enthusiast than you don't want to miss this!
Sunset Stampede at Sam's Town Hotel and Casino is one of those little known exibits. Most locals don't even know about it. The show starts at 2pm, 6pm, 8pm, and 10pm daily. The show is 8 minutes long and starts with the howl of an animatronic wolf on top of the mountain. The wolf is soon joined by other animatronic animals including a bear and eagle. Fountains shoots up to eight stories high as your transported back in time to the old west through the use of water, lasers, animation, and lights. Located in a 25,000 square foot live forest it is amazing.