Sin City for the saintly

If you haven't been to Las Vegas then you probably think it's all about getting hitched, getting drunk and gambling, but there's more to Sin City than the movies will lead you to believe.

From shark reefs to dolphin habitats and fountains to flamingos, if you don't fancy a flutter then there is plenty Las Vegas has to offer, and best of all, some of it is for FREE! So if you don't wish to be penniless from poker (or maybe you already are!) then here are my top ten free Las Vegas attractions.

Lion Habitat, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

In honour of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's legendary mascot, Leo the lion, the MGM Grand is home to a glass enclosure complete with a see-through walkway tunnel so guests can experience an up close encounter with the king of beasts and even observe them prowling above their heads. There are usually just a handful of lions in the enclosure at any one time, entertaining and educating the public, before being transported back to their real home at an eight-acre ranch belonging to their trainer, Keith Evans. Evans, who has been handling big cats for over 30 years, makes the trip from his ranch to the MGM Grand with different groups of his feline friends several times a day, so each animal is not on constant public display. This also means that no two visits to the Lion Habitat are the same, so if you’re staying at the MGM Grand, as we did, it’s worth popping down to the Lion Habitat every day just to see what’s new.

CBS Television City, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

While at the MGM, why not take a stroll down Studio Walk to CBS Television City? If you feel tired from traipsing the strip all day then television city is a great way to rest your legs while playing a part in tv history. Participants are led into a studio to watch an episode of a new tv series. Each viewer is given a dial to register how they feel during the show and then at the end is asked to fill in a questionnaire on screen. The feedback you give remains anonymous so you can be as honest as you like. The research results are passed on to studio executives, so if you are lucky enough to have previewed 'the next big thing' you can tell all your friends you had a small part in a big hit! Also, as a token of gratitude, upon exiting the studio we were given an envelope with a keyring, bumper sticker and discount vouchers for some of the MGM’s shops and restaurants.

M&Ms World, Showcase Mall

Ultimately M&Ms World is a store selling all kinds of M&M merchandise, including every type of M&M under the sun, spread out over four floors. If it’s freebies you are after then head to the top where you can watch a 3D movie titled “I lost my ‘M’ in Vegas” starring the brand mascots, Red and Yellow. Unfortunately, none of the chocolate is free but I defy anyone to walk out of there without purchasing some sweet treats!

Fountains of Bellagio, Bellagio

Perhaps the most romantic of Vegas’ attractions is the Fountains of Bellagio. Every day from 3pm (12 noon on weekends and holidays) viewers are mesmerized by this extraordinary show of carefully choreographed water and light playing against a backdrop of music ranging from upbeat tunes such as ‘Viva Las Vegas’ to classical numbers like ‘Time to say goodbye’. Shows run every half hour until 8pm and then from 8pm until midnight, every 15 minutes, so if you don’t get such a good view the first time round it's not long to wait until the next performance.

Masquerade Show in the Sky, Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino

Off the strip (and just a short free shuttle bus ride from Harrah’s) is the Rio Hotel, host to the colourful Masquerade Show in the Sky. This glittering dance show is performed regularly from 7pm until midnight, Thursday to Sunday and embraces the carnival spirit with stilt walkers throwing mardi gras beads to the crowd and members of the audience riding high on floats above the casino (the float rides do cost a fee however). The best place to view the show from is up the stairs on the balcony opposite the stage as you get a decent view of the floats and the show below.

Wildlife Habitat, Flamingo Las Vegas

The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel is a beautiful place to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the strip. As well as a flock of Chilean flamingos, the lush garden is home to swans, ducks, koi and turtles. The buffet restaurant overlooks the garden so stop here for a meal (just don’t order the iced tea!). There is also a gift shop just inside the hotel which is the perfect place to buy gifts for those with a penchant for all things pink! I bagged myself a pair of super kitsch flamingo slippers for less than $20.

Volcano, Mirage Hotel Las Vegas

Erupting every hour on the hour from dusk until midnight, the Mirage volcano provides some explosive nightly entertainment to passers-by. A clever combination of light, sound, water and fire gives a realistic, but less scary, show of a fiery volcano which illuminates the surrounding lagoon and astounded onlookers.

Sirens of T.I., Treasure Island Hotel Las Vegas

Vegas is famous for its shows and the swashbuckling siren show at Treasure Island is no exception. The sultry sirens sing and dance while sword fighting with a group of pirates aboard their ships. The sexy cast, impressive stunts and amazing pyrotechnics make this show a sizzler. Check the T.I. website for times and be sure to get there early for a good view as it gets very busy.

Circus acts, Circus Circus Hotel & Casino

At the north end of the strip sits the colourful big top known as Circus Circus, and no circus would be complete without its acts. Every day from 11am on the carnival midway visitors can see regular performances from world class circus acts including trapeze artists, jugglers and acrobats. On the occasion that we stopped for an act we were treated to a performance by a graceful aerial acrobat suspended from the ceiling with little more than a piece of ribbon.

Fremont Street Experience

Take The Deuce bus from Sahara and head downtown to the world-famous Fremont Street to see where it all began. Be entertained under the bright lights by the street performers and the famous neon signs – Vegas Vic and Vegas Vicky – as you wander between the legendary casinos, such as the Golden Nugget. The main attraction at Fremont Street, however, is the free hourly sound and light show overhead.

Additional tip

When you arrive in Las Vegas, if you plan to take a taxi from the airport to your hotel, be sure to pick up a free booklet called 24/7 magazine from the back of the cab as this will be full of vouchers and special offers and also gives a good idea of what is available to do and roughly how much it might cost.

Where to stay

We stayed at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in the rather stylish looking West Wing. West Wing rooms are sleek, modern and even have a tv screen in the bathroom mirror! Due to the sheer scale of the hotel, we would recommend requesting a room as close to the elevators as possible, the staff will do what they can to accommodate you.

While staying at the MGM it’s worth going to Studio 54 if you fancy a drink and a dance. We went on a Thursday night and found we didn’t have to queue for too long. Just make sure you’re dressed to impress.
If nightclubs aren’t your scene, then a show in Vegas is a must. The MGM is home to the legendary Cirque Du Soleil’s KÀ, which comes highly recommended. Book early to avoid disappointment.