
Highest-rated free things to do in Nevada by visitors
Being an American can be incredibly expensive. While workers in the United States have seen a 1,015% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2025 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1973 and 2023, the national consumer price index increased by 586%.
Although Americans have about 63% more purchasing power than 50 years ago, that quickly dissipates when factoring in the increased costs of housing and education. Housing costs have jumped about 1,045%, private college tuition has risen by 158%, and public college tuition has increased by 177%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. In 2023, a record-high 42.9 million households were cost-burdened, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Nevada.
From touring landmarks and historical sites to getting out into nature, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Nevada using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 18, 2025. Only locations that received at least 20 reviews were included.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

#30. Great Basin National Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (561 reviews)
- City: Baker
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#29. Las Vegas Downtown
- Rating: 4.2/5 (4,290 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. Atlantis Casino
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1,097 reviews)
- City: Reno
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. Bellagio Chocolate Fountain
- Rating: 4.1/5 (1,003 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. The Cosmopolitan Casino
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,993 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#25. Las Vegas South Premium Outlets
- Rating: 4.1/5 (2,453 reviews)
- City: Enterprise
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Miracle Mile Shops
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1,867 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
- Rating: 3.5/5 (3,988 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Casino at Bellagio
- Rating: 4.4/5 (4,351 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Truckee River Walk
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,262 reviews)
- City: Reno
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. Downtown Container Park
- Rating: 4.2/5 (2,261 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Paris Las Vegas
- Rating: 4.0/5 (4,597 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Ellis Island Casino & Brewery
- Rating: 4.2/5 (2,116 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Count's Kustoms
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,034 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
- Rating: 4.1/5 (1,423 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. Area 51
- Rating: 4.3/5 (174 reviews)
- City: Rachel
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Fashion Show Las Vegas
- Rating: 4.3/5 (2,181 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Forum Shops At Caesars Palace
- Rating: 4.4/5 (2,696 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Mount Charleston
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,495 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. Shelby American, Inc.
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,590 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
- Rating: 4.3/5 (5,553 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. Pinball Hall Of Fame
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,147 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. Las Vegas North Premium Outlets
- Rating: 4.2/5 (5,378 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,909 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#6. Hoover Dam Bypass
- Rating: 4.5/5 (11,598 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#5. Wynn Las Vegas Casino
- Rating: 4.6/5 (6,455 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. The Las Vegas Strip
- Rating: 4.4/5 (35,111 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden
- Rating: 4.7/5 (14,936 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. Fremont Street Experience
- Rating: 4.2/5 (45,468 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. Fountains of Bellagio
- Rating: 4.7/5 (92,337 reviews)
- City: Las Vegas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.