One of the great things about Las Vegas these days is the number of attractions that you can visit and experience for no charge. There are literally dozens of fun things to do in Las Vegas for free, so many you could hardly fit them all into one trip.

So to make things easier for you and to help you decide what to visit, we’ve compiled a list of the best free attractions in Las Vegas.

The Top 10 Free Vegas Attractions

Sirens of TI pirate ship

1. The Fountains at Bellagio
2. The Sirens of TI
3. Crystals at CityCenter
4. Conservatory at Bellagio
5. Lion Habitat at MGM Grand
6. Mirage Volcano
7. Fremont Street Experience
8. Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
9. Fall of Atlantis show at Caesars
10. The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Hotel

All of these attractions are a great deal of fun. In fact, you could spend an entire vacation in Vegas and not even have time to see all the free attractions in town.

In fact, the resorts themselves are all attractions in their own right and well worth the visit. If you haven’t seen the incredible new Aria Hotel and Casino, the amazing Wynn,, with its waterfalls and incredible style, or the vast atrium inside the pyramid-shaped Luxor, you really need to fit them into your trip too if you can.

In addition, the lobby at the Venetian is a masterpiece all by itself, with fresco painted ceilings, grand columns, and tile floors. And the neighboring (and connected) Palazzo Hotel has an amazing lobby of its own that is worth checking out.

Don’t forget about downtown Las Vegas either. While the Fremont Street Experience in downtown made the list above, there are other things to see for free in the area, including the amazing pools at the Golden Nugget (with water slides that run in tubes through aquariums filled with sharks!)

The best way to get around town for little money is on the city-run “Deuce” double-decker buses that run the length of the Strip 24 hours a day and cost only about 7 bucks for an all-day pass. With the pass, you can see all the incredible attractions above for less than the cost of lunch!

There are a lot of really tremendous shows in Las Vegas today, more than ever before. But we feel there is one show that stands out above the rest, and that is KA by Cirque du Soleil, playing at the MGM Grand Hotel.

It’s hard to put is words what makes a Cirque show so incredible. You can tell people that the costumes are wonderful, that the acrobatics are stunning, the tumbling amazing, or that the sets are beyond belief, but none of that seems to do the shows justice. The best way to give you a feel for what makes KA so special is to show you the trailer for the show, so check it out below.

As you can see, this is one amazing show. It has been called the most elaborate theatrical production ever staged, and that might actually be an understatement.

What you can’t get from a video is the sheer awe of seeing these elaborate aerial and gymnastic routines taking place right before your eyes, in one massive, choreographed spectacle.

And unlike most previous Cirque shows, KA actually has an easy to follow narrative. The story involves two Imperial Chinese twins, a boy and a girl, who are separated and must undergo extreme trials in order to be reunited and reclaim the palace that is rightfully theirs.

What follows, however, is not some dry theatrical piece, but a dynamic and thrilling feast for the senses. You simply won’t believe your eyes at this show.

There are some 80 cast members, and the crew has 300 people, all told. The entire stage rotates, moving from horizontal to vertical position before your eyes. And the action takes place not only on the stage, but high above it, below it, and even within the crowd.

This is a show that you will love, as will your kids, your parents, and even your grandparents. It’s exotic, thrilling, and more than anything, fun – all of which makes it our choice for the best show in Las Vegas.

With all the great new resorts in Vegas these days, there are still a few places that stand out above the rest. And of these elite five diamond properties, one really stands out: THEhotel at Mandalay Bay.

The things that really set this place apart are its excellent service, facilities, and its integration into the also wonderful Mandalay Bay resort. Take a video tour of the place below to see just how beautiful it is.

To be honest, it was tough to choose between THEhotel and the Four Seasons Las Vegas, also located on the Mandalay Bay property. Both are excellent, boutique-style hotels with world-class service, and there are definitely those would choose the Four Seasons as the better of the two.

But whereas the Four Seasons shares a building with the Mandalay Bay, THEhotel has its own separate structure. And while the Four Seasons rooms are elegant if simple, those at THEhotel are chic, stylish, and all suites.  All things being equal, THEhotel is our choice based on the quality of its rooms.

Like the Four Seasons, THEhotel shares many of the great facilities at the adjacent Mandalay Bay resort, including (arguably) the best pools in town and incredible shopping.

But it might be what’s missing from the place that makes it the best hotel – there is no casino in the building. This means THEhotel is entirely focused on being a hotel, not on a hotel/casino. And as a result, their service is impeccable.

The same can be said for the Four Seasons (though there is a casino in the Mandalay Bay portion of the building). But the room prices at the Four Seasons tend to run quite a bit higher than those at THEhotel.

When you take into account service, room quality, available facilities, and price, THEhotel is quite simply the best Las Vegas hotel and a wonderful place for a weekend getaway or a summer vacation.

There are few experiences more awesome than a Las Vegas helicopter night flight. The lights of this city are absolutely spectacular at night, and they seem to just go on forever.

As you can see in the video below, the city really is breathtaking when viewed from above. You get a true sense of the sheer scale of the massive resorts and casinos from this vantage point that you simply cannot get from the ground.

A helicopter tour is also a great way to see all of Vegas in a very short amount of time. If you’ve ever tried seeing the Strip by foot or even on the bus, then you know how long that can take. And in a vehicle, you simply can’t take it all in, especially if you are driving.

If you’re a bit queasy when it comes to flying (like me), then you’ll be glad to know that Vegas helicopter tour companies have the very latest in aircraft and they maintain their fleets rigorously.

This really is a fantastic way to see the city, and the cost really is quite reasonable for a helicopter or small plane tour, sometimes as low as $100.

So whether this is your first time in town or you are an old Vegas pro, I really can’t recommend the Las Vegas helicopter night flight tours enough. They are just too much fun.

While it didn’t arrive with the same amount of fanfare as its next door neighbor, CityCenter, the Cosmopolitan is an absolutely gorgeous hotel. The Cosmopolitan Wicked Spoon Buffet is, like the rest of the hotel, chic, modern, and elegant.

The food at the Wicked Spoon Buffet is displayed in separate stations, where it is prepared freshly by very attentive and helpful chefs. The marble-topped display counters are kept impeccably clean. Everything is presented absolutely wonderfully and the place looks not just modern but spotless.

Everything is laid out in small portions, which really are the perfect size for enjoying at a buffet. The effect is that the displays avoid that typically crowded buffet look, where every dish seems to be spilling over onto the next. Instead, they keep smaller amounts of food out and constantly replenish the dishes.

Th variety of food here is quite excellent too, with everything from Korean beef dishes to chicken pot pies. There is also excellent dim sum, sushi, and a wide vaiety of finger foods and appetizers.

What they don’t have is the typical piles of crab legs and shrimp that you find at many buffets. But what they do have is really of excellent variety and quality.

The desserts here are truly wonderful too, with everything from crepes to chocolate covered strawberries (which are excellent) to an incredible gelato selection. There is also an assortment of incredible fudge, so make sure you save some room.

This is one of the most beautiful and stylish buffets in town, the food is exceptional, and the hotel is beautiful. It is well worth the visit when you are in Vegas.

Cosmopolitan Wicked Spoon Buffet Hours and Prices
Daily Brunch 8:00am to 2:00pm – $22.00 (Monday through Friday)
Daily Dinner 5:00pm to 9:00pm - $29.00 (Sunday through Thursday)
Weekend Brunch 8:00am to 3:00pm - $35.00 (Saturday & Sunday)
Weekend Dinner 5:00pm to 10:00pm - $35.00 (Friday & Saturday)

The CityCenter development is one of the most amazing properties in Las Vegas, and the Aria Hotel really is the centerpiece of CityCenter. Everything about the hotel is first-rate, including the wonderful Aria buffet.

The food at the Buffet at Aria is exceptional and incorporates a wide variety of different cuisines from around the world. You can get a feel for what the food and atmosphere of the buffet is like in the video below.

The food at the Aria buffet is arranged, as it is at many other such eateries along the Strip, in different stations, each with distinct culinary themes, from seafood to high end deli foods.

There is, of course, the requisite meat carving station, and there is what is billed as “the only Tandoor oven in a Vegas buffet,” which serves up kabobs and other great Indian food.

The buffet offers a “gourmet dinner” on Friday and Saturday evenings that includes a whole Main Lobster for two brought to your table along with unlimited wine. The lobster is a wonderful touch, as is the bottomless wine glass.

The weekend brunch at the buffet includes an expanded version of their seafood buffet along with unlimited Champagne and Bloody Marys.

One of the nicest aspects of this buffet is the view from the dining area. Unlike many buffets on the Strip, the Buffet at Aria has a great view through a wall of windows, looking down on the hotel’s beautifully landscaped pool area and inner courtyards.

This really is a fabulous buffet and one of the finest in town in terms of both the food and the atmosphere. If you visit the Aria (and I highly recommend that you do), then a trip to the buffet is a must.

Aria Buffet Hours and Prices
Weekday Breakfast 7:00am to 11:00am – $14.95
Weekday Lunch 11:00am to 4:00pm – $19.95
Weekend Brunch 7:00am to 4:00pm – $28.95
Dinner 4:00pm to 10:00pm (Monday through Thursday) - $27.95
Gourmet Dinner 4:00 to 10:00pm (Friday through Sunday) – $35.95

The Rio is known among Vegas locals as having the best buffets in town. So what makes the Rio buffet experience so great? Well, it’s one thing – the incredible food.

True to its name, the Rio buffet has a variety of offerings from around the world. The different selections are laid out somewhat like at a mall food court, with each international cuisine having its own station.

The food stations to choose from include Italian antipasto, salads, and pasta selections, Japanese sushi and a teppanyaki grill, Chinese stir fried dishes, traditional American foods, and Mexican cuisine.

You can also get all the standard Las Vegas buffet staples the piles of shrimp for cocktails and a carving station with prime rib and turkey.

The overall experience at the buffet is high end, with chefs preparing the food fresh, and workers keeping the entire serving area very clean and well presented.

It’s hard to go wrong with this buffet. The main advantage is that it’s off the Strip (just to the west across the I-15 freeway on Flamingo) so you can’t really walk to it. But if you are already at the Rio, or if you plan on going there for one of their great shows (including Penn & Teller), then you really should try out this buffet.

After all, the locals usually know all the best place to go in town, and with the Rio buffet, they certainly have picked a winner.

Rio Carnival World Buffet Hours and Prices
Weekday Breakfast 8am to 11am – $15.99*
Weekday Lunch 11am to 3:30pm – $17.99*
Weekend Champagne Brunch 8am to 3:30pm -$24.99*
Dinner 3:30pm to 10pm – $24.98*

*Children 4 – 8 years old receive:
Breakfast & Lunch – $4 discount off full adult price
Dinner & Brunch – $7 discount off full adult price

The Wynn Buffet is a masterpiece, like the Wynn Resort itself. The setting is like a European garden, bright, airy, and decorated with exquisite attention to every detail, from the floor tiles to the ornate ceilings.

The food at the Wynn Buffet is simply excellent too, with an incredible variety of international cuisines, all of which are expertly prepared, from sushi to prime rib. Take a look at the video review below to see have beautiful this place really is.

The Buffet at the Wynn was singled out as the “Best Buffet in Las Vegas, 2009” by the the Las Vegas Review Journal newspaper, and it gets high marks all around.

The buffet is located in a beautiful hallway at the middle rear of the casino, on the left hand side directly across from the entrance to the main pool area.

It is a very popular buffet, so if you want to avoid long waits, the best way is to arrive before of after standard dining times, especially for dinners.

Some of the best items on the buffet are the king crab legs and the prime rib. The mini hamburgers re also excellent and made to order – the perfect size to allow you to sample more dishes. In fact that is the general trend at this buffet, small-ish sized portions of many dishes (though they definitely don’t skimp on the prime rib).

The end result is you can sample a lot more of the buffet offerings without wasting a ton of food. And if you want more, you can always take it. This is perhaps the most beautiful buffet in town and one of the cleanest too – the trays and serving plates are kept immaculate. All in all, it is an excellent dining experience.

Wynn Buffet Hours and Prices
Weekday Breakfast 8am to 10am – $18.95
Weekday Lunch: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – $22.95
Weekend Brunch 8am to 3:30pm – $29.95 or $36.95 w/champagne
Dinner 4:30pm to 10pm – $34.95 (Sunday through Thursday)
Weekend Dinner 3:30pm to 10:30pm – $38.95 (Friday & Saturday)

When the Bellagio first opened, it seemed everything about it totally raised the bar ins Las Vegas, and that most definitely included the buffet. It was and still is an amazing experience far above your standard old-time Vegas buffet. These days, it faces much stiffer competition from all the new hotels in town along

What really distinguishes the Bellagio buffet from many others is not it’s huge variety of different kinds of foods, it’s how exceptionally well those foods are prepared and presented.

The buffet focuses on both American and international cuisines. There are special “gourmet” dinners available on Friday and Saturday nights. During these dinners, special wild game dishes and other unique offerings are served, including venison, buffalo, and Kobe beef.

The Bellagio is the perfect mix of chic modern offerings with more traditional Vegas style buffet offerings, including huge piles of large shrimp and crab legs along with more exotic fare.

The result is something for everybody, but everything is very wonderfully done and tastes great. It’s the kind of place that well please everybody in your party.

The buffet is quite easy to find and is located off from the casino, next to the Cirque du Soleil “O” Theatre – just look for the doorway with modern back lit tiles and a huge “BUFFET” sign on top in lit letters.

Bellagio Buffet Hours and Prices
Weekday Breakfast 7am  to 11am – $15.95
Weekday Lunch 11am to 4pm – $19.95
Weekend Brunch 7am to 4pm – $24.95 ($29.95 w/ Champagne)
Dinner 4pm to 10pm – $29.95
Gourmet Dinner 4pm to 10pm – $36.95 (Friday & Saturday)