You've planned a golf trip to Vegas, but you want to save a little money on entertainment. Don't worry. Most casinos offer free gaming lessons for novices, many off-Strip casinos have much lower minimum bet requirements for table games than the mega-resorts on the Strip, and there are always the penny slots. As a bonus, most casinos offer gamblers free drinks. Plus, in addition to gambling, Vegas offers plenty of free and cheap attractions on the Strip and beyond.
The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
If you like beautiful scenery and plants on the golf course, you'll enjoy a visit to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Located in the Bellagio's atrium, the conservatory has five themed shows per year: holiday, Chinese New Year, spring, summer and fall. Each show involves nearly 40 trees, 1,500 shrubs and 10,000 flowers. Lighting, sound and water features also add to the ambience. To keep each show looking fresh, flowers are replaced approximately every two weeks. The conservatory is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and admission is free.
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(888) 987-6667
bellagio.com
Rio Masquerade Show in the Sky
Golfers looking for the excitement of Carnival after a day on the course should visit the Rio Hotel and Casino and take in the "Masquerade Show in the Sky," with music, costumes and floats. To watch the show is free. Visitors can ride in a float for a small fee.
Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino
3700 W. Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
(866) 746-7671
riolasvegas.com
Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden, where you can see how chocolate candy, chocolate-covered pretzels and other sweet treats are made on a free, self-guided tour. After the tour, enjoy free samples. Walk off the calories by strolling around the cactus garden, which features more than 350 varieties of cacti, succulents and desert plants.
Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden
2 Cactus Garden Drive
Henderson, Nevada 89014
(888) 627-0990
ethelschocolate.com
Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage houses white tigers and white lions along with other exotic animals. The admission fee is small and also includes the Dolphin Habitat, home to several bottlenose dolphins.
The Mirage
3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 791-7111
mirage.com
About The Author
Marci Shear has been a sports reporter for the Associated Press, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. Shear has also written for several magazines, including Vineline and the Chicago Sports Review. In her 14-year career, Shear has covered high school sports, college football, basketball and major league baseball. She has a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Chicago.
