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May 16, 2018

Over 40 Free Things to Do When You Live in Henderson

Going out always sounds like a good idea until you get the bill and realize that Netflix at home would have been much friendlier for the bank account. Besides the easy access to the 1-15 and friendly neighbors, living in Henderson — a city with stellar parks, schools, and your dream home — Inspirada residents are centrally located in a spot that has a lot going on. And, a lot of those things are free. Whether you take the short 15-minute drive to the Strip or stay in Henderson, there’s plenty to do. You just have to know what. That’s the part where we come in. We have 42 things to do in the area that are completely free.

Shows + Events

Watch the iconic Fountains of Bellagio.

Listen to a retelling of the story of Atlantis on a Vegas level — special effects and animatronic figures included — at the Fall of Atlantis Show at Caesar’s Palace.

Stick around long enough along the cobblestone walkways — do a little window shopping — at The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian and you’re bound to catch a live performance. Don’t be surprised by the opera singers, stilt walkers, dancers, and “living statues” that may make an appearance, they call it the “Streetmosphere®” for a reason.

The Lake of Dreams show at Wynn is aptly named. Expect to feel transfixed and also a little confused at this music, lights, holographic, and puppetry show.

The indoor Sunset Stampede Laser Light Show at Mystic Falls Park® features music, water, and, yes, lasers.

When all else fails, go see a 40-foot-tall praying mantis shoot fire. To music. Find it at Downtown Container Park.

Circus Cirus is the home of the largest permanent circus, and lucky you: the performances are 100% free. Expect the circus staples like aerial, trapeze, strength, juggling, and balance acts from artists all over the globe. Visit their website to view the daily performance schedule.

Have you seen an indoor rainstorm? No? Well, it’s high time you did.

Enjoy some great music at the free Henderson Symphony Orchestra shows.

You don’t even have to leave the neighborhood for the upcoming Opera in the Park shows this summer at the Solista Pavilion.

Start your Saturday off by meeting a local farmer — and grabbing fresh produce — at the seasonal Fresh52 Farmers’ Market at Inspirada.

View work by local artists and enjoy live music at the First Friday Vegas event.

On the last Friday of the month, historic downtown Henderson hosts Last Friday, Just Add Water Street — an event featuring arts, culinary, and performing arts.

If you’re an Inspirada resident, you can take advantage of the resident-only events planned by the Inspirada HOA.

The City of Henderson always has a full community events calendar and many annual events, and sometimes the events are completely free.

Attractions + Art

Do you really want to be that person that lived 15 minutes away from the world’s largest chocolate fountain and never see it?

Continue practicing self-restraint — or spend a few bucks and get yourself something sweet — by visiting M&M’s® World. Find “sculptures” made from the colorful, bite-sized candy. If you’re lucky, you’ll get there when they “occasionally” hand out free samples.

Check out some swans, ducks, koi fish, turtles, pelicans, and Chilean flamingos at the Flamingo hotel’s 15-acre wildlife habitat.

Do you play some mean pinball? Show off your skills — if you want to throw down a few cents — or simply marvel at the sheer number of machines at the Pinball Hall of Fame.

The Mirage’s nightly volcano show features a volcano that emits fire explosions and fireballs to The Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart. And it’s completely free.

On a fine day in Australia, the largest gold nugget found via a metal detector. This shimmering chunk of gold now sits at the — you guessed it — Golden Nugget casino floor.

If you’ve been wanting to visit the Neon Museum, but not wanting to pay the ticket price, check out the Las Vegas Signs Project. Eight historical neon signs have been installed along and close to Las Vegas Blvd., near 95. Download an informational packet with a map on their website.

Enjoy the art at the Seven Magic Mountains art installation. You know the one we’re talking about: the colorful boulder towers set against the desert background.

The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at Bellagio have seasonal, themed “exhibits” so if you wait a few months, there’s something new to see.

The name City of Lights is fitting: we have many light shows to choose from. If you haven’t seen the Viva Vision Lights Show at the Fremont Street Experience, it’s time to do it.

The Cosmopolitan offers an impressive lineup of art. Some of it is rotating, so check back often to see if there’s something new.

When the founder of Cirque du Soleil partners with a master of figurative sculpture to create sculptures depicting the strength and beauty of the human body, you have one impressive free-to-view gallery.

You’ll need to schedule 3–4 weeks out, but it will be worth it to experience this immersive colorful light show.

Use this interactive map for finding public art displays in Las Vegas.

Visit the Henderson City Hall Art Gallery.

The UNLV Galleries feature one museum and six galleries.

Take a photo of the — arguably — most unique building in Vegas.

Tours, Tastings, + Teachings

Enjoy a brewery tour at the local spot: Banger Brewing. Reserve your spot on the website.

Take advantage of the free wine tastings around the Las Vegas Valley. Make sure you call beforehand as these are subject to change.

Are you a gambling beginner? Or maybe you’ve noticed yourself unknowingly irk the “professional” gamblers at your table. Learn the nuances, strategy, and games at one of the many free gambling lessons offered at Las Vegas casinos.

Forewarning: this one is best for kids aged 4–10. The hour-long Barnyard Buddies tour at Anderson Dairy shows guests how they process their dairy.

Take a self-guided tour at Ethel M Chocolates and enjoy the Botanical Cactus Garden.

Get Outside

You don’t have to leave the neighborhood to have some fun. With four amenity-packed parks at Inspirada, you can skateboard at the skate park, splash around the pool, bring your dog to the dog park, and bring out some healthy competition with a game at one of the sports courts.

Hike the Mount Charleston area to escape the heat.

The Clark County Wetlands Park was created to reduce the environmental impact of waste water and stormwater runoff by forming ponds. These ponds are home to various native plants and threatened and endangered species. Suffice it to say, the area and its walking trails provide a wonderful retreat close to home.

Walk around Lake Las Vegas.

Bring a pair of binoculars for viewing the wildlife at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve.

Whew. Did we miss anything? If you’re wanting to live in an area with something always happening and plenty to do and see, living in Henderson is the place to be! Stay updated with events in the area by viewing our events calendar.

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