Free shows for the budget traveller and other Las Vegas, NV Things to Do Tips

You can of course pay $100 or more for the big show tickets but if funds are a bit limited you can still enjoy the Vegas experience, and do it a lot cheaper. Take a long evening stroll along the strip from the wonderful Bellagio Fountains, to the erupting volcano at the Mirage (please note the Volcano is closed for renovation until the end of 2008) then the pirate show at Treasure Island (arrive early for a good view). When you are at Treasure Island turn around and you'll get a great view of the Venetian on the other side of the Strip. All these shows are free, you can see them from the strip and they are all on the same side which makes it easier.

There is a free masquerade show inside the Rio Casino, you may need to get a taxi although if you have plenty of time the Rio runs a free shuttle to and from Harrah's in the middle of the Strip. The Tropicana has a free circus type show in the casino and also has an interesting gambling museum that is worth a visit.

My biggest tip for a free evening show though is to get a bus Downtown to Fremont Street (just get off where the crowds do) for the hourly lightshow. There's a real carnival atmosphere and it really is something not to be missed. There are also smaller, some say friendlier, casinos downtown that have lower table limits if you feel a bit overawed by those on the Strip.

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Directions: If you are on the Strip and want to get to Fremont St catch the Deuce bus and get off with the crowds.

A must do when in Vegas is an evening trip to Freemont Street Downtown. The area houses some of the original Vegas casinos like the Golden Nugget and the home of the World Series of Poker Binions Horseshoe. The casinos are much closer together than they are on the Strip making casino hopping far easier. You will also find a lot more nickel and penny slot machines and lower table minimums for blackjack, roulette etc. But the main event is the evening lightshow, every hour, on the hour, after dusk everyone seems to decamp from the casinos, the lights go down and a wonderful sound and light show begins. It is almost like a carnival atmosphere and it’s free.

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Directions: You can get there by bus fairly easily, route 300 or 301 from the Strip. It only takes around 15 mins (depending on which part of the Strip you board) and you can’t miss it because that’s where everyone will be getting off

A trip to the top of the 1,149ft Stratosphere Tower is a must do for the wonderful views. There are both inside and outside viewing galleries that go 360 degrees right around the tower so you can get views of the strip on one side and Downtown on the other. They also have the rotating Top of the World restaurant and lounge. Entrance tickets are about $10 (the rides are extra) and I think they last all day so if you go up during the day you can also go back in the evening when everything is lit up. A good time to go is during dusk when all the hotels start lighting up for the night. Be prepared for a long queue though, it can be very busy. If you are brave enough, try the roller coaster, if you are stupid enough try one of the other thrill rides.

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Phone: (800) 998-6937
Address: 2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Directions: You can see it from almost everywhere in Vegas. Don't underestimate it's distance from the Strip, it's a very long walk, you are better off getting a bus or a taxi.
Website: www.stratospherehotel.com

This is one of my favourite Vegas pictures. It was taken from the Strip during the evening (which is why it's dark!) looking across the gardens to the entrance to Caesars Palace. Caesars is one of the nicer hotels to have a walk around, especially a stroll through the Forum shops. You probably won't be able to afford anything but the ceiling is lit up like an indoor sky. There is a large fountain feature modelled on the Trevi Fountain in Rome and couple of moving statue tableaux that come to life every now and again. You'll know where and when because the crowds gather early to get the best view.

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Phone: 1-(800) 634-6661
Address: 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Directions: Center Strip between Bellagio and The Mirage