5 Free Things To Do in Las Vegas

Almost all casinos in Vegas want you in the door. For that reason, they'll offer free entertainment, free drinks, and sometimes spectacular shows for their non-paying customers. Here are 5 of my most-recommended free activities:

Fountains at the Bellagio



Remember those scenes in Ocean's 11? This amazing fountain display shoots water almost 240 feet into the air. That's the equivalent of a 20 story building, and while standing at ground level, it can be spectacular. I'd recommend not robbing a casino first. Unless you're into that.

The Bellagio fountains consist of 1200 nozzles and 4500 lights, and the water display is set to music. Very cool. The show lasts from 5 to 10 minutes, and is played every 15 minutes from 7 pm to midnight every day of the week, plus every 30 minutes from noon till 7 pm on the weekends and from 3 pm to 7 pm on weekdays.

The Lions at the Mirage



Another landmark hotel in Las Vegas has their own tourist display that is free of charge. As soon as you walk into the Mirage, anytime between 11 am and 10 pm, watch lions lounge, play, or feed, in their 5000 square foot home. The Mirage may have a white lion in this habitat as well.

Bellagio Hotel Flower Conservatory




This floral display contains over 1200 types of plants, all pressed together under a 50 foot roof.

This garden is placed in the middle of the Bellagio hotel, so try not to get sidetracked by the sluts, er slots, sprinkled around the lobby while walking here.

Its open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so this could be a nice place for rest and relaxation after an 8 hour blackjack binge.

Masquerade Village Sky Show at the Rio



This Rio style event occurs five times a day at the Rio Hotel and Casino. It consists of many large floats with clowns and acrobats performing all kinds of stunts. There's usually a live band playing as well. Try to get a view from the upper deck to take in all of the festivities.

Rock and Roll Memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafe



The Hard Rock Cafe is not to be outdone by its equally established name brand casinos. They have all kinds of memorabilia on display to the public, free of charge, including autographed guitars, leather jackets, motorcycles, and underwear. Now THAT's Rock and Roll.

While at the Hard Rock Cafe, try catching a show as well, though that may cost you 20 bucks.

Not enough? Here are some more free things to do in Las Vegas.

Things to Do in Beijing other than Watch People Run around in Circles

The Olympics officially start today, so if you're in Northwest China, and don't feel like watching 200 pound people with muscles on top of muscles jumping into pits of sand, check out these world-renowned sites in and around Beijing

Attraction 1: The Forbidden City




Very much a city within a city, The Forbidden City housed the Chinese Emperors and their entourages for over 500 years. And their entourage would make Vinny Chase look like a knife salesman from Queens in comparison.

Built from 1406 to 1420, The Forbidden City contains 980 buildings currently with over 7000 rooms. It became a world heritage site in the 1987, just before the Chinese communist government trampled and shot the student protester at...

Attraction 2: Tiananmen Square



Student protests against the communist government happened here in 1989. Separated from the Forbidden City by Tiananmen Gate, Tiananmen Square is a must for any recent history buff, though don't expect any tank rides. Well, if you do get yourself a tank, you're either going to jail for a really long time or you go by 007 in some circles.


Attraction 3: The Ming Tombs




The Ming Tombs lie about 50 Miles Northwest of Beijing, so you'll have to find yourself a car rental, and it is definitely worth the trip. These tombs sit on almost 30,000 acres of land, at the foot of Mt. Yan. It includes 13 emporer mauseleums (I'm not really sure what a Mauseleum is), seven tombs for concubines (I know what this is) and one grave for euneuchs (no idea). Overall, their are 13 emporers buried here. Watch your step. Hopefully, none will rise up, reincarnated as Jet Li, with only Brendan Frasier there to defend you.


Attraction 4: The Great Wall of China





About 30 miles northwest of Beijing is one segment of the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall stretches more than 4000 miles, and was built and rebuilt over a span of 2,200 years to keep away those pesky Mongol bandits from the North. During the reign of the Ming Dynasty, the wall was patrolled by as many as 1 Million soldiers, and more than 2 Million workers died building this 'wall'. Almost none of them are buried in the Ming Tombs. That spot is reserved for the more important people - the emporers and their mistresses with little feet.


So, enjoy Beijing. Find out more about this amazing city at the Beijing Travel Guide.