Viva Las Vegas: Free Experiences Not To Miss In Vegas!

With so many fun things to do and see in Las Vegas, it might be overwhelming to a first-time visitor. And let's not even talk about how much money you'll spend trying to do it all.

In between gambling, catching shows, and trying out all the fun activities Vegas has to offer, there are some free things to do to fill some time without spending any money. (And while the places on this list are free to visit, please note that certain activities are not free.)

I recently moved back to Las Vegas after 27 years on the East Coast. I'm learning the city all over again (because so much has changed since I was a teenager) and I'm taking you all along for the ride!

When in Vegas, visiting every square inch of the iconic Strip is a must! It's a great way to see things you may not even know exist and help you decide what activities or shows you want to enjoy.

One piece of advice, and I'm sure my friends would totally agree, don't try to walk the entire Strip in one day, especially if it's 100+ degrees out. That heat can really sneak up on you!

The Strip is more than 4 miles long from one end to the other. If the weather is good, 4 miles doesn't sound so bad. But if the sun is glaring down on you, 4 miles can feel like 400. One way to cut the walking down a bit and still see it all is to hop on the Monorail to get from one spot to another.

Another piece of advice - don't try to walk from the Strip to Fremont Street. It may only be 2 miles from The Strat at the North end of the Strip to Fremont, but the area you have to walk through is known to not be the safest. The best way to get from the Strip to Fremont is either rideshare or the Deuce bus.

Don't skip out on the downtown area just because it's not on the Strip. It's an experience all itself that you won't want to miss out on!

Photos and videos don't do the Bellagio Fountains justice. It's a must-see in person!

More than a thousand fountains dance in front of the hotel on the Strip, with music and lights to make it an exciting show. The water soars as high as 460 feet in the air, and no matter how many times you catch the show, it's like the first time all over again.

Monday through Friday, the fountain show is every 30 minutes between 3 and 7:30 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight. On Saturday and Sunday, catch a show every 30 minutes between 12 and 7:30 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight.

While at Bellagio, be sure to go inside to check out the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden. Every season, the display gets transformed to showcase new sights and sounds. Located near the hotel lobby, you can't miss the vibrant colors of the picture-perfect scene.

If shopping is something you want to do while in Vegas, you're in luck! There are so many great malls to shop in, or even just walk around on the Strip.

Miracle Mile Shops in Planet Hollywood is a great place to start. With 150 stores, lots of great dining and entertainment options, and easy access to Planet Hollywood to gamble a bit, it's a great way to beat the heat for a while in an enjoyable way.

The Forum Shops, located inside Caesar's Palace, across the street from Planet Hollywood, is another great place to keep the shopping vibes going strong. The Forum Shops include about 160 specialty stores and dining.

One other option near Caesar's is the Fashion Show Mall, which features more than 250 retailers and 30+ restaurants in 2 million square feet of space.

The LINQ Promenade, between the Flamingo Hotel and The LINQ, offers shopping, dining, entertainment, and attractions. (Please note: While it's free to walk the Promenade to take in all the sights, it's not free to enjoy the attractions.)

This is the place to be to enjoy a variety of things all in one location. Get a tattoo, buy some souvenirs, take in the sights from the High Roller Observation Wheel, indulge in the super popular frozen Bailey's at O'Sheas Pub, or get your adrenaline pumping while ziplining with Fly LINQ.

Last year when I was visiting Vegas in preparation to move, me and my son went on the High Roller and I have to say, I highly recommend it. You get an amazing view of the Sphere and the Strip and because it moves so slowly, you can get some great photos and videos. Other thoughts - the frozen Bailey's is totally worth the price (it was about $35), and I always recommend In-N-Out, located on the Promenade, for a fast, cheap, delicious bite to eat.

There's so much to do and see in Vegas that one story won't cover even a chunk of it. But here are a few other quick things to note.

The Mirage volcano is something everyone visiting the city should see. Sadly, with the Mirage closing on July 17, there are only a few more weeks to get the chance to see the volcano, so it's a must if you're visiting before they close.

Circus Circus is another spot to check out for their free circus acts. There's also a midway with games for the kids, and their indoor amusement park, Adventuredome.

The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat is another great free thing to check out. It's a little escape from the hustle and bustle of the Strip even though it's just steps away. The habitat is home to pink flamingos, fish, and turtles.

With so many other great things to do and see in Vegas, stay tuned for more stories as I cover anything and everything Vegas!