• Watching the Waters Dance: The intricately choreographed water ballet that is the Fountains at Bellagio would be worth repeated viewings even if they charged to see it. The fact that they don’t makes it an almost perfect Vegas experience.
  • Enjoying the Changing of the Seasons: There are five seasons in the elaborately designed botanical gardens of the Bellagio Conservatory: Winter (holiday), Chinese New Year, Spring, Summer, and Fall. No matter which is on display during your visit, make sure your digital camera has a full battery charge. You’ll want lots of pictures.
  • Seeing a Volcano Erupt: When the free Mirage Volcano first “erupted” in 1989, shooting flames and faux lava into the sky, it literally stopped traffic on the Strip. That it doesn’t today only means that it has more competition for your attention, not that it is any less fun.
  • Watching the Sky Light Up: Many people considered it almost sacrilegious to convert the famed Glitter Gulch in Downtown Vegas into a pedestrian mall with a free light-and-sound show broadcast on a massive LED canopy overhead. Now the Fremont Street Experience is considered a must-visit.
  • Playing a Penny Slot: Yes, in order to win the big bucks—sometimes millions of them—on a modern penny slot, you have to bet much more than just one penny. But if you’re okay with smaller rewards and losses, you could stretch a dollar into 100 spins.
  • Beating the High Score: It’s free to just look at the restored classic machines at the Pinball Hall of Fame, and if you want to do more than just look, it’ll only cost you a couple of quarters. What other museum lets you play with its works of art?
  • Making Your Own Postcard: Nearly every hotel now has some sort of clever wall or giant piece of art that’s meant to help you populate your social media feed. But just down the road from the southernmost edge of the Strip is the original Insta-worthy installation, and one of the most photographed and imitated signs in the world. Get a picture of you at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, and you’ll have a postcard-worthy souvenir.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.