Free Things to Do in Vegas (Before or After ACRO 2025)

Whether you're arriving early or planning to stay a few days after The Radiation Oncology Summit, there's no shortage of things to occupy your time in Las Vegas. Here are a few suggestions for free (or inexpensive) activities to check off your Vegas bucket list when you're not busy learning and connecting with colleagues at ACRO 2025:

Wander hotel-to-hotel to check out the amazing decor.

Many of the hotels have their own theme so there's something to discover at each one. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Famous landmarks recreated at New York New York:

Watch the Bellagio fountain show:

When you get a break during ACRO 2025, head outside and across the street from Planet Hollywood to the Bellagio to catch the famous fountain show. The show takes place e very 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes between 8:00 pm and midnight.

Glass ceiling sculpture by Dale Chihuly in the Bellagio lobby:

Experience the canals of Venice at The Venetian:

You can also take a ride on a gondola and be serenaded by a gondolier for an additional fee.

Roman-inspired architecture at Caesar's Palace:

Wander through Caesar's Palace and you'll feel like you've stepped out of Vegas and into Rome as you're surrounded by statues of Roman emperors, Corinthian columns, and grand fountains.

Levitate like a famous magician.

Planet Hollywood, the home for ACRO 2025, is also home to Criss Angel's Mindfreak magic show. Whether or not you buy tickets, you can stop by the show entrance (on the Mezzanine floor) and try your hand at levitation.

Take fun photos on the Strip.

This is a given in Las Vegas! There are many fun photo opportunities so make sure your phone is charged when you head out on the Strip.

Outside Hershey's Chocolate World at New York New York:

Giant guitar at Hard Rock Cafe:

Visit the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo hotel.

The Flamingo's Wildlife Habitat is home to, you guessed it -- flamingos! You'll also find waterfowl, pelicans, sturgeon, koi, catfish, turtles, and hummingbirds. A daily keeper talk also takes place at 10:00 am if you want to learn more about the wildlife.

Maintain your fitness during your trip.

The ACRO 2025 Race to the Summit will have wrapped by the time you arrive in Vegas, but that doesn't mean you can't lace up your tennis shoes and get your steps in on the Strip. When our ACRO physician members visited in December, we racked up between 6-7 miles walking per day! Just be sure to drink a lot of water; you don't want to get dehydrated in the desert climate of Las Vegas.

Check out the street performances and character actors.

You'll see all sorts of characters along the Strip from Mickey Mouse to Mario to Dr. Evil. Street performers will also entertain you with music or dancing. If you take a souvenir photo with one of them, or stop to watch their show, just be sure to leave some cash. They work exclusively for tips.

Visit the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign.

Call a taxi or ride-share for the approximately 10 minute drive from Planet Hollywood to the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. Don't have the time? Not to worry; you'll see plenty of replicas around the Strip you can snap a photo of.

Visit the Hoover Dam.

The historic Hoover Dam is open daily for visitors and it is free to walk across the top of the dam. If you'd like to learn more, you can book a guided tour. Please note: th evisitor center exhibits and observation deck are currently closed for renovations which are expected to be completed in Spring 2025. A re-open date has not yet been announced.