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Las Vegas Frugal Fun
10 Free Things for Families to See and Do in Vegas
By Jill Weinlein
6. Venetian Hotel: Near the Forum shops at Caesars or the next stop on the monorail at the Harrah's/Imperial Palace is the Venetian Hotel. Explore the Grand Canal Shoppes and walk to St. Mark's Square to see the costumed actors and professionally trained opera singers entertain visitors on the cobblestone pathways. These actors and singers perform throughout the day starting at noon. Kids will enjoy the gondoliers serenading guests in the canals and lagoons. Twice a day a Gondolier March at 9:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. begins at the food court and ends at St. Mark's Square. The Gondoliers march through the Mall serenading visitors. Also, keep an eye out for the various "living statues" in front of Ann Taylor store and St. Mark's Square.
7. Rio Hotel: Walk back to Harrah's and take the Harrah's shuttle to the Rio Hotel. Experience Brazil's Carnivale with Rio's free Masquerade Show-In-The-Sky. It's fun for all ages listening to the music, watching the brilliantly colored costumes and unique masks. Unique floats suspend from the ceiling and float over the casino. There are seven shows with the first starting at 3 p.m. Visitors can ride on a float and wear a costume for a small fee, but to watch it's free.
8. Bellagio Hotel: Get back on the monorail and off at the Bally's/Paris stop. Walk through the Paris hotel to the front and across the street are the Bellagio Fountains Water Show. Every half hour during the day and every 15 minutes from 8 .m. to midnight, opera, classical, musical show tunes and holiday songs fill the Strip as water and lights strategically choreographed stop traffic with a free show. When the Fountains perform, the Strip is a little quieter as visitors ooh and aah to the show.