Sports and leisure activities Las Vegas

Budget & Tips

It may come as a surprise to some, but there are plenty of free activities in and around Las Vegas. Here's a small selection of things to do where you won't have to pay a cent.

The Aquarium at the Silverton Casino Hotel. This is an ideal attraction for the whole family, where kids can have a blast with real mermaids putting on a show. The 117,000-gallon (450,000-liter) aquarium is filled with tropical fish

Street art in Downtown. In this neighborhood near Fremont Street, more than 30 murals are waiting to be photographed. Some of them were created by internationally renowned artists. Be sure to take a look at the first one on 7th Street. The lighting is 100% solar-powered.

Ethel M Chocolates and its cactus garden. Head to Henderson to visit Ethel M Chocolates and discover its magnificent Cactus Garden. This is Nevada's largest botanical cactus garden. Don't miss it during the holiday season, when it's decorated with over a million lights.

Bird Viewing Preserve. Also located in Henderson, the Bird Viewing Preserve brings together over 270 species of birds in an 80-acre oasis. This bird sanctuary attracts birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and nature lovers from all over the world to discover this network of ponds. The site is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. March to May and September to November; 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. June to August; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. December to February. Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.

Seven Magic Mountains. Half an hour's drive south of the Las Vegas Strip (towards Los Angeles), you shouldn't miss this work of painted stacked rocks, created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. It's a visually stunning representation of the presence of color and expression in the desert. The work was renovated by the artist in 2021.

The Mirage volcano. Flames, smoke, water and urgent drumbeats combine to form the multiple nocturnal eruptions of the Mirage volcano.

Pinball Hall of Fame. Not far from Mandalay Bay, the Pinball Hall of Fame is a cult venue for pinball fans. Admission is free, just bring lots of coins! Over 200 vintage pinball machines are on display. Each machine costs just 25 to 50 cents, with proceeds going to local charities.

What's very local

For locals, a trip to the Strip is a rarity. Instead, they prefer to spend their time in the nearby casinos. These include Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa, South Point, Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa and Rainbow Club Casino. These places are less expensive than the big casinos on the Strip, and the atmosphere is clearly more local. Of course, there are plenty of other things for locals to do over the weekend.

Hiking and mountain biking. Las Vegas locals are also big fans of hiking and mountain biking. There's no shortage of great trails in the area for both activities. If you don't want to pay a national park entrance fee, just head for Mount Charleston and its many trails, including Cathedral Rock. While this trail never stops climbing, the reward is a magnificent view of the Las Vegas valley. Numerous other trails of varying degrees of difficulty are also available. You can also reach the Desert View Overlook site by car. This paved trail (650 round-trip) offers a sublime, far-reaching view of the Mojave Desert. The site is also famous for having been a key observation point for bomb detonations during the atomic age.

Ski Lee Canyon. This is the winter rendezvous of the locals. Less than an hour's drive from the Strip, the small ski resort (Lee Canyon Resort) has a dozen runs (from green to black) and is open to all (leecanyonlv.com). It costs around US$70 for a day pass and US$10 for parking. There's no need to bring your own equipment, as there's a rental store at the foot of the slopes, as well as several restaurants.

Lake Mead Marina. This is one of the locals' favorite spots. If you fancy boating, puddling, kayaking or jet-skiing, the Lake Mead Marina is the place for you. For larger boats, it's advisable to hire a captain. Rates vary according to the length of rental and type of boat. You'll also need to pay a deposit of between US$100 and US$500. For more information, visit the marina's website (boatinglakemead.com).

Your documents please

Of course, you'll need to carry your passport with you at all times. For the various activities (car driving, boat hire, etc.), remember to bring your driving license. It will be systematically requested.

To be booked

It's very simple. In Las Vegas, it's almost impossible to do an activity without a reservation, unless it's stipulated on the various websites.

Shows. Reservations are required for all shows at casinos and other establishments. To do so, visit the casino or show websites. Some casinos also have a kiosk where you can buy tickets.

Attractions and museums. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, most establishments strongly encourage you to buy your ticket in advance. As with restaurants, you can always come without tickets, but you may not be able to get in for lack of availability.

Main events

January. Always held in early January, the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) is an internationally renowned trade show dedicated to technological innovation, open to both professionals and the general public. In 2020, the show welcomed nearly 2,300 exhibitors.

March. For the Rock'n'Roll Las Vegas half-marathon, runners from all over the world put on their best strides on the Strip, which is exceptionally closed to traffic, for a night-time race. In March, Las Vegas also celebrates St. Patrick's Day, the Irish national holiday. Visit the Fremont Street district or the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York casino.

May. Not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the anniversary of the victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Parades, mariachi and culinary specialties such as tacos and burritos are the order of the day.

June. The World Series of Poker (WOSP) is the world poker championship. Held in Las Vegas since 1970, the event's popularity and the number of registrants have grown steadily, reaching nearly 9,000 participants and over $80 million in winnings redistributed in 2022.

August. Every year, Burning Man attracts several thousand participants, some from all over the world. It celebrates artistic creation and free expression through temporary installations, sculptures, floats, concerts, parties, performances and creative workshops, each more original and psychedelic than the last.

September. Life is Beautiful Festival is an event that defines as "a way to cross the world". Founded in 2013, it was created during the transformation of Downtown, a previously underserved neighborhood. For three days, it puts music, arts and culture in the spotlight with prestigious guests.

October. Organized by the Southern Nevada Association of Pride, the Las Vegas Pride Parade begins in Downtown in the late afternoon. Participants march up^4th Street, converging a few blocks south on the Fremont Street Experience. The same month sees the Las Vegas Renaissance Festival, an event celebrating the Middle Ages.

December. For 10 days, Las Vegas lives to the rhythm of rodeo with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Considered the world's most prestigious rodeo, this is the highlight of the season, when the 15 highest-ranked competitors go head-to-head.

Tourist traps

You may be accosted on the street, especially on the Strip, by vendors selling tickets and other services. Don't pay any attention to them, as you risk wasting your money for nothing.

This is not a tourist trap, but rather a recommendation. Indeed, when you're going to visit a place that requires the purchase of a ticket, we advise you to take a good look at what you're entitled to. In the case of the Mob Museum, simple admission will not give you access to either the temporary exhibitions or the immersive experiences. Make sure you ask carefully.