How To See More of Las Vegas than Just Casinos

Las Vegas is a city full of opportunities. While it is mainly known for the lavish casinos that are the "gamblers' paradise," there is so much more to the city and the famous "Strip." About 25 years ago, the Las Vegas casinos decided to offer more amenities to non-gamblers and families in order to increase their clientèle. To do this, Las Vegas casinos added numerous attractions that range from classical to technological marvels.

While some of these attractions are offered for a reasonable fee, others are totally free. Here are some of the places that you can visit in Las Vegas without losing your shirt in a casino.

1. The Bellagio Fountains. This architectural marvel gives daily performances from Monday to Friday, every 30 minutes from 3 pm to 8 pm and every 15 minutes from 8 pm to midnight. It also displays these incredible water shows on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 pm every 1/2 hour and from 8 pm to midnight every 15 minutes. The choreographed water jets reach heights up to 60 feet and follow the rhythm of a carefully chosen musical repertoire which varies according to the local events or the season. This is free.
2. The Fall of Atlantis Fountain. The Forum Shops located on the premises of Caesar's Palace are home to the Fall of Atlantis Fountain. This fountain displays an hourly show in which animatronics representing Roman Gods come to life and give a breathtaking performance. And the best of all is that it is free.
3. A Volcano Eruption in the City. The Mirage Hotel and Casino is home to an actual volcano which is a technological jewel in and of itself. It erupts every day on the hour. In Spring, the eruptions occur from 7 pm to midnight, in the summer it goes from 8 pm to midnight and in the winter it happens from 6 pm to midnight. This spectacular show is absolutely free.
4. The White Tiger Habitat. This habitat is located in the Mirage. Siegfried & Roy's Royal White Tigers live in this habitat and can be observed firsthand by patrons. Siegfried and Roy have been fighting for the protection of this endangered species for years. These tigers have been the stars of the show for years as well. When the tigers are not present in the habitat, they can be viewed in the tropical setting of Siegfried & Roy Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. The White Tiger Habitat can be viewed for free.
5. The Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. This wonderful place is located on the Mirage Hotel and Casino property. You can visit this site for a reasonable fee of $15 per adult, $10 per child between 4 and 12 years old and free for children that are 3 years old and younger (who are accompanied by an adult). It opens daily from 10 am to 7 pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day; for the rest of the year it opens from 11 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 5:30 pm on weekends. The last admission is accepted 30 minutes prior to closing.
6. The Shark Reef. The Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino is home to the Shark Reef. This huge aquarium is home to a marine life population that exceeds 2,000 creatures. You can visit this wonderful attraction for a fee of $15.95, $10.95 for children aged between 5 and 12 years old and free for children that are 4 years old and younger. This attraction can be visited daily from 10 am to 11 pm, the last admission is accepted at 10 pm.
7. The Lion Habitat. This attraction can be visited at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. It is open between 11 am and 10 pm every day. Beautiful specimens of African lions can be viewed firsthand for free.
8. The Wildlife Habitat. The Flamingo Hotel and Casino is home to the Wildlife Habitat. During your tour, you can view beautiful specimens of Chilean Flamingos as well as various waterfowls and other types of wildlife in a luxurious tropical environment. This attraction is absolutely free.
9. The Stratosphere. The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino offers some exciting attractions. You can view the city, day or night, from the Observation Deck for $10.95 per adult, $7.00 for children from 4 to 12 years old, locals, seniors and hotel guests and for free for children that are 3 years old or younger. You can also experience one of the following rides for $9.00: Big Shot, Insanity or X-Scream. Packages are also available.
10. The Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is located on the Paris Hotel and Casino property. You can view the city from its observation deck from 9:30 am to 12:30 am for a reasonable fee of $9 per adult, $7 for seniors over 65 and children from 5 to 12 years old and it is free for children under 5 years old. Day or night, the view is quite a sight!
11. Gondola Tours. The Venetian Hotel and Casino is home to breathtaking outdoor and indoor canals. On a hot summer day, you may choose the indoor gondola ride for $15, or a private two-person gondola ride for $60 in the heart of the Grand Canal Shoppes. On a nice warm spring night, you may prefer the romantic setting of the outdoors under the moonlight for $12.50, or $50 for a private two-person gondola ride. The hours for the Italian gondola rides are from 10 am to 11 pm from Sunday to Thursday and from 10 am to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
12. Madame Tussauds' Wax Museum. The Venetian Hotel and Casino is home to Madame Tussauds' Wax Museum, which features numerous celebrities. Take a picture with Hugh Hefner, Elvis Presley or Babe Ruth. The choice is yours! You can visit this museum for $24 per adult, $18 for seniors 60+ years old, $12 for children ranging from 7 to 12 years old and it is free for children that are 6 years old and younger. You can visit the museum from Sunday to Thursday between 10 am to 9 pm and between 10 am to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday.
13. The CBS Television City Research Center. This attraction is located within the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. On invitation, you are welcomed to rate upcoming television shows. It is a great experience! This attraction is absolutely free! The hours of operation are from 10 am to 9 pm on a daily basis.
14. The Sirens of TI. Treasure Island Hotel and Casino offers a musical show including seductive sirens, pirates, a battle of wills and a great repertoire of songs. This attraction is free and is featured on a daily basis at the following times: 7 pm, 8:30 pm, 10 pm and 11:30 pm.
15. In Search of the Obelisk. This attraction is located within the Luxor Hotel and Casino. It is a thrilling ride that will make this archeological adventure a unique experience. This ride is yours for $9.99 and can be experienced daily from 10 am to 11 pm.
16. King Tut's Tomb. This attraction is also located in the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Take the time to observe the perfect replica of King Tut's Tomb. Learn about the meaningful details behind each artifact. You can visit the museum from 10 am to 11 pm. The entrance fee is $9.99.
17. The Masquerade Village. This attraction displays a procession of exotic aerial floats that are characteristic of the Brazilian culture. You can even participate in the parade by renting a spot on a float for $12.95. You can view this show free at the Rio Hotel and Casino. The shows occur at the following times, on a daily basis: 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
18. Bodies...The Exhibition. The Tropicana Hotel and Casino is home to this attraction, which boasts real human bodies. You can visit this exhibition from 10 am to 11 pm on a daily basis. The entrance fee is $26. There is also a package fee of $43 that is available if you wish to visit Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit as well.
19. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit is also located within the Tropicana Hotel. The hours of operations are from 10 am to 11 pm on a daily basis. The entrance fee is $22. Walk through history and view the artifacts related to this heartrending tragedy.
20. The Tournament of Kings. This attraction is located within the premises of the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. For a fee of $61.74 (service tax included), it is an historic experience in itself. Enjoy a tasty meal, fit for a king, and eat the medieval way. You will not regret it! This show is performed twice daily: 6 pm and 8:30 pm. Make history the experience of a lifetime!
21. The Fremont Street Experience. Take the deuce and the time to visit Fremont Street. It is a traffic free area covered with a video screen on which musical shows are displayed daily from dusk until midnight for free. Don't miss it! It is a feast for the senses and offers an incredible sound quality.

As you can see, there is so much to see that both kids and non-gamblers will not miss a beat. As for gamblers, you may not end up losing your shirt since there is so much more to see than casinos in Las Vegas. And I did not mention Hoover Dam Tours, Helicopter Tours, visiting the Grand Canyon or even trying to break par at a few of the most gorgeous Las Vegas golf courses. Make Las Vegas your next vacation spot!