Las Vegas may have been built courtesy of gaming, but it doesn’t mean everything in town has to cost money. There are plenty of cheap flights to Las Vegas out there, and there are plenty of cheap – even free – things to do in Vegas.

For those on a budget, or who want to see some of the sites and save the spending for the dining, shopping and lodging, there are free attractions to bide some time.

There are two free attractions worth checking out at the beautiful Bellagio. First, be sure to check out the infamous dancing Fountains of Bellagio. The fountains combine music and lights  to create a beautiful spectacle.  The enchanting performances are choreographed to music from Broadway, opera and classical tunes. The best time to go is at night, when the lights set off the fountains.  The show run  every 30 minutes from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Mon. – Fri.) and noon – 8 p.m. (weekends and holidays), and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight.

While at the Bellagio, step inside the grand lobby to check out the popular Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This space creates a wonderland for all ages, creating whimsical worlds with plants, flowers and trees. The display is seasonal and includes a popular and breathtaking holiday display.

The Lion Habitat at MGM is another freebie worth checking out. Housed in an indoor home during the day, lions sprawl, eat play and sleep behind glass, giving visitors a chance to see these beasts up-close. The habitat is one-of-a-kind and helps educate the public about lions, as well as preserve them. The exhibit is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more wildlife viewing, head down to the Flamingo and spend some time at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat. This attraction houses a large collection of Chilean flamingos, as well as other winged-creatures, koi and turtles. With waterfalls and a lush, tropical world that has been created, it is easy to forget you’re in Las Vegas. The exhibit is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk.

Want to see lava spewing from a volcano? It may not be a real volcano, but the popular Mirage Volcano attracts visitors every day. The attraction, which received a $28 million face-lift in 2008, combines fireballs shooting from the crater, lava flow and a soundtrack created by Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Zakir Hussain, an Indian table player. It’s been named by the Las Vegas Weekly as the “Best Manmade Wonder,” and a visit to the nightly eruption (going off on the hour from 8 p.m. to midnight) quickly shows you why.

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"Bellagio Fountain," Flickr photo credit: Kashyap Hosdurga