Nevada, and Las Vegas in particular, has a nationwide reputation for separating people from their money. From its booming hospitality and leisure industry to its casinos and sports betting opportunities, there is no shortage of places to spend cash in the Silver State.
What may surprise people is that there are many ways to have fun for free in Nevada. A Las Vegas activity was recently recognized by HGTV for its no-cost entertainment.
HGTV released a list of the best free things to do in each state, and Las Vegas’ Fremont Street was named Nevada’s best. The home improvement network cited the street’s free music, local artists and ever-changing events.
But the free things to do in Nevada don’t stop there. Here’s a closer look at HGTV’s pick, plus other no-cost activities for visitors and residents.
What Makes Fremont Street Special?
“While Sin City has a well-earned reputation for separating visitors from their wealth, it also happens to host the largest source of free entertainment in the world — and we’re not just talking about the people-watching,” HGTV said. “Head to Fremont Street for its nightly, three-stage-and-basically-every-corner cacophony of DJ sets, bands, dancers, local artists and more. Its ever-changing events get rolling at 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at 2 p.m. on Fridays and at noon every Saturday and Sunday. Even better, its LED canopy provides shade that makes everything beneath it a good 10 to 20 degrees cooler than other outdoor pedestrian areas.”
Can You Walk From the Las Vegas Strip to Fremont Street?
Technically, yes. According to Google Maps, the trip from the Fountains of Bellagio to Fremont Street takes about an hour and 40 minutes on foot.
But will the walk be enjoyable and safe? Experiences shared in the r/vegas subreddit are mixed.
Some locals said they regularly walk or jog the nearly 5-mile journey in the early mornings or during winter months.
“Going from the Mandalay Bay to Fremont Street is 6.2 miles or so. Some weekend mornings we walk/jog/run there and back because it’s almost the exact distance of a half marathon (with a few planned detours you can make it exactly 13.1 miles). As long as you stick to Las Vegas Boulevard it’s safe the whole way,” one Reddit user said.
“I’m 64. It takes me approximately 10,500 steps, 1.5 hours of my time, starting from Harrah’s on the Strip and ending at The D on Fremont. I walk this during every trip to Vegas for some morning exercise and feel very safe,” another replied.
Others recommended avoiding the walk from the Strip to Fremont Street entirely, saying it was unsafe or simply not enjoyable, even for visitors accustomed to walking in a city.
“I did this walk in reverse once at night to punish myself for bombing out of a poker tournament at the Golden Nugget. Even by my very low standards it was sketchy,” one Redditor said.
“Walking from the Strip to Fremont is a chore, and not a fun one. Take an Uber between the two and walk all you want on each respectively,” another said.
Many recommended taking the path from Fremont Street to Las Vegas’ Arts District instead of walking between the Strip and Fremont Street.
Free Things to Do in Nevada
- Go on a hike: From the trails around Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire and Lake Mead in Southern Nevada to walks through the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe in Northern Nevada, there is no shortage of free hiking and outdoor recreation.
- Look at the stars: Fleischmann Planetarium director Paul McFarlane said Nevada “has the best dark skies in the Lower 48 states … Because of those wide open spaces. Because of that cold, clear air. Because of the basin and range, which filters out that light pollution.” Rural areas such as Great Basin National Park and high-elevation towns such as Tonopah are especially good for stargazing. The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak Aug. 12–13, making this a timely opportunity to check out the state’s dark skies.
- See famous landmarks: Nevada’s iconic landmarks, including the Reno Arch and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, are free to visit and photograph. Historic places such as the Hoover Dam, Lake Tahoe and Carson City also offer plenty of free options. Residents who don’t want to travel can browse the National Register of Historic Places for buildings of significance.
- Visit a ghost town: Nevada’s boom-and-bust mining history left behind towns such as Rhyolite, Poinsettia and Berlin. They offer free stops for ghost-town enthusiasts and history buffs.
- See public art: Nevada is home to public art that visitors can see for free, including the Goldwell Open Air Museum in Rhyolite, Seven Magic Mountains near Jean, the International Car Forest of the Last Church in Goldfield, Boulder City statues and art along the Truckee River.
Reporting by Carly Sauvageau, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
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