See Las Vegas Entertainment Without Spending a Penny

Las Vegas has always been known for big name entertainment. Unfortunately, with big names come big prices. During a recent trip to Las Vegas, I was thrilled to find many venues for free shows and attractions. These are my Top Ten for the Best Free Shows in Las Vegas.

1. The Fremont Experience - located in downtown Las Vegas on Fremont Street. An entire block is devoted to pedestrians only and covered with a huge Vista Vision screen. Every night starting at 6 p.m., a light and sound show is projected on the screen. It is awesome. Reminded me a bit of "Blade Runner". There are street musicians and performers on every corner and the fun lasts until midnight. The area is surrounded by all the old casinos like the Golden Nugget and Fitzgerald's, has many restaurants, snack shops and souvenir shops that charge half of their Strip counterparts. Go on down and make a night of it. Dress is casual and the atmosphere is fun and relaxed, like a giant block party.

2. The Fountains at Bellagio - 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. The area in front of the Bellagio hotel looks just like Lake Como in Italy. There is a lake surrounded by picturesque Italian villas and beautiful green trees. Within the lake there are 1,000 fountains and every day the Bellagio puts on a music and light show where the fountains spurt 245 feet into the air in time to the music. It's best seen after dark when the lights and water make a dramatic showing. Shows are every half hour on M -F from 3 - 8 p.m., and Sat & Sun from noon to 8 p.m. Every day after 8 p.m., shows are every 15 minutes. A fantastic place to view the show is from the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris, Las Vegas but it will cost you $9 to go up the tower.

3. The Lion Habitat at the MGM Grand Hotel - 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. Yes, they are real lions and they're on the casino floor. Every day from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. at least 2 of the 6 lions that MGM has on retainer are brought in from their ranch home. The habitat has a huge waterfall and a clear tunnel which the lions can stand on and visitors can stand under to get a good look at the kings and queens of beasts. Two trainers are with the lions and will give them toys to play with and interact with them . One day when I was watching, two male lions were munching on rawhide chew toys each as big as my arm.

4. Television City at the MGM Grand Hotel - 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. If you get tired of the lions, stroll on through the casino and at the back of MGM you'll see Television City. There will be several people throughout the hotel lobby asking you if you want to see a free TV show. The shows are all pilots. They start about every half hour and you will watch the TV show and give your opinions on it by answering some questions on the computer. It's really fun to know that your opinion is helping to get a show on the air. I saw a comedy that was pretty funny and I've just recently seen it advertised to start this Fall.

5. Fall of Atlantis Show - Forum Shops at Caesar's, 2nd floor, 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. If you are strolling through the Forum Shops, stop by this show which starts every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily. Music starts in the ceiling of the atrium and a voice begins to tell you of the ancient city of Atlantis while images of underwater fish and sea life are projected on the screens in the ceiling. Suddenly, there is a loud rumbling and the fountain transforms while spewing fire. The king of Atlantis, an anamatronic figure, rises from the top of the fountain and tells the tale of the feud between his son and daughter regarding the future of Atlantis. The other characters arise from the floor and a battle ensues. The show lasts about 10 minutes and is worth a stop.

6. The Sirens of TI - Treasure Island Hotel, 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. Nightly at 7, 8:30, 10 & 11:30 p.m. The boardwalk in front of the Treasure Island Hotel surrounds a cove complete with a replica pirate ship. The show begins with the seductive sirens singing their beguiling song to a group of hunky pirates. Dancing to some upbeat and energizing music the pirates battle with the sirens.

7. Dealertainer Pit - Imperial Palace Casino, 3535 Las Vegas Blvd. Try your luck at blackjack while Elvis deals your cards then breaks into song. Sun - Thu, noon - 4 a.m. and Fri and Sat non - 5 a.m., celebrity impersonators deal at the tables and then put on a show on the casino floor. I saw Elvis, Barbara Streisand and Michael Jackson while I was there. You don't have to gamble as all the action is viewable from the floor.

8. 1st Friday Art Night - 18b Las Vegas Art District (702) 384-0092. If you are lucky enough to be in Las Vegas on the first Friday of the month, don't miss the spectacular art district festival. Over 100 artists display their work. You'll see photography, jewelry, painting, mixed media and glass blowers. Wonderful art, shops to browse in, food, street entertainment, you can even get your fortune told. A don't miss event if you are in town.

9. Circus Acts - Circus Circus, 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. Sit at the slot machine and watch trapeze artists overhead. You can see all kinds of midway acts, acrobats and jugglers, every half hour, Mon - Thur, 11 - 11and Fri and Sat 11 - 12.

10. M & M World - Showcase Mall, Las Vegas Blvd. For chocolate lovers everywhere, this store, next to the MGM Grand, is home to everything M &M. Clothes, bags, jewelry and, of course, M & M's. The must see event here is the 3-D movie "I Lost My M in Las Vegas" which stars Red and Yellow. A total hoot. Show times are Sun - Thu, 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Fri - Sat, 9 a.m. - midnight.

As you can see, there are many free shows and attractions in Las Vegas so you can have a great time, be entertained and not break the bank.