Vacationing families or cash-strapped tourists running low on ideas for what to do for free entertainment in Las Vegas need look no further than some of the very casinos lining the fabulous Las Vegas Strip. Many of the casinos offer tourist attractions in an effort to attract you to their properties. If you find yourself with some spare time or you wish to keep your children entertained, here are some suggested activities which are free and open to the public:
1. The Fountains of Bellagio – The carefully orchestrated and choreographed fonts of dancing water are sure to delight and astound people of any age. Graceful sprays of falling water “perform” to musical numbers including selections from opera, Broadway and modern-day titles. The stars of the show are 798 “mini-shooters,” 208 “oarsmen,” 192 “super-shooters” and 16 “extreme shooters.” The stage of these aquatic performers is an 8 1/2-acre body of water in front of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.
Show times are Monday through Friday 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with shows running every half-hour and from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. the show runs every 15 minutes. Saturdays and Holidays the show runs from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with shows running every half-hour and from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. the show runs every 15 minutes. Sunday show times begin at 11:00 a.m. and they run every 15 minutes.
To read the Fountain Music List online, readers have been linked HERE.
Contact Information:
Bellagio Las Vegas
3600 South Las Vegas Boulevard.
Las Vegas, NV. 89109.
(702) 693-7111
(On your way to see the next recommended attraction, be sure to look up as you pass through Bellagio’s main lobby. You will see Dale Chihuly’s large installation piece Fiori di Como which has been magnificently created with over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers.)
2. Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens – Easily the most aromatic place in all of Las Vegas, the Bellagio Conservatory is a feast for the senses. The seasonal gardens explode with colorful profusion five times every year. Visitors will want to make sure that they bring their cameras as this is one of the best locations for capturing a truly memorable photograph.
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is open 7 days a week, 24 hours per day.
2012 Exhibit Schedule:
Chinese New Year – January 9 to March 3
Spring Celebration – March 11 to May 13
Summer Garden – May 21 to September 8
Fall Harvest – September 16 to November 24
Winter Holiday – December 2 to January 5, 2013
3. CityCenter Fine Art Collection – Home to one of the largest corporate art collections in the world, CityCenter brings Fine Art to the Las Vegas Strip. The art installations and sculptures can be found within the confines of the CityCenter, itself. The works of artists such as Frank Stella, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Henry Moore, Nancy Rubins, Richard Long, Maya Lin and Jenny Holzer have been included outside the CityCenter properties as well as inside the Aria, Mandarin Oriental and Vdara.
The CityCenter Fine Art Collection is open 7 days a week, 24 hours per day.
Contact Information:
The Aria
3730 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV. 89109
(800) 851-1703
Visitors may pick up a complimentary map of all of the pieces of art on display at the Aria Concierge Desk.
4. Strolling Performers and Art at the Venetian Casino – A marvelous surprise awaits you at the Venetian. Many talented performers stroll around the area incorporated by the Grand Canal Shoppes much to the the amusement of visitors from the youthful to the young-at-heart. Keep your eyes–and ears–open and you will find gondoliers serenading their patrons during the gondola rides of the Venetian. You may happen upon a troupe of operatic performers, or watch the abilities of a skilled strolling magician. Astute observers will enjoy watching tourists as they are taken by surprise by living statues. Children particularly enjoy the puppeteers and stilt performers. No matter your interest, at least one of the quality performances available will catch your eye.
As you leave the Venetian, be sure to look up. The painted ceilings of the Venetian are an artistic wonder to behold.
Contact Information:
Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian
3377 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV. 89109
(702) 414-4500
5. Silverton Casino – The Silverton boasts a 117,000 gallon aquarium that qualified the Silverton for being named as having the “Best Free Attraction” that Las Vegas has to offer. If you (or your children) are fans of aquatic life, the Silverton is a must-see. The aquarium is home to more than 4,000 tropical fish as well as a couple of species of both sharks and stingrays. An on-staff Marine Biologist answers questions during feeding time for the tank, twice daily at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Visitors will also enjoy the Mermaid shows on Thursdays from 2:15 p.m. until 8:45 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 2:15 p.m. until 9:45 p.m. and on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. until 6:45 p.m.
While at the Silverton be sure to take a stroll by the Mermaid Lounge. Behind the bar you will see two large jellyfish aquariums aglow with creative lighting effects and alive with the hypnotic motion of the jellyfish residents inside.
Contact Information:
Silverton Las Vegas
3333 Blue Diamond Road.
Las Vegas, NV. 89139
(866) 722-4608 or (702) 263-7777
