Neon to fountains Four things to do for free when in Las Vegas

A visit to Sin City can’t really begin without a stop at this iconic sign. Located at the gateway to town and dating back to 1959, the sign is usually swarmed by dozens of tourists posing for photos and a bride or two just out of the wedding chapel. 

Las Vegas is a city not afraid to implode a high-rise casino that’s past its prime. But history still lives on through the neon signs that once graced the casinos. A trip to the Neon Bone yard, which features more than 150 donated and rescued signs dating back to the 1930s, will cost you and requires an appointment. But you can see a handful of those signs — lit up and restored — for free on a stroll through the outdoor Downtown Gallery on Fremont Street. 

The Bellagio resort, with its romantic Italian-inspired architecture, is something of a crown jewel in the heart of the Strip. But when night falls, the real stars are the majestic dancing fountains that emerge from the vast man-made lake in front of the hotel.