Where Is the Best "Free/Unusual" View of Las Vegas?

I remember in the '70s riding the hotel-room elevator up one of the hotels to look out at the view. Where does the staff say the best "free/unusual" view can be found?

This is tough one, given that the primary criterion is free. As for the unusual part, we'd say any free view in Las Vegas is unusual.

Almost all the best semi-free views are up at the rooftop bars: Skyfall at Delano, Skybar at Waldorf Astoria, Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay, Top of Binion's Steakhouse, 108 Drinks at the Strat, VooDoo Lounge at the Rio, Ghostbar at the Palms, etc. But you can't exactly sit there for nothing while you take up prime-viewing space. And the drinks at all of them are necessarily dear.

You could, conceivably, make your way up to one of the bars and stroll around for a bit, taking in the views, then descend. Is that a low-rent move? Possibly, but you're also talking about gouge central, so who cares?

Another low-rent move that we made once, albeit inadvertently, was up at Skyfall. We'd made reservations for a window seat, arrived, and were plopped down with a prime view. That was where the fun stopped. We were never approached by a waitress, never given a menu, never apologized to by anyone. We attempted to signal waitresses at other tables, but were ignored. We complained to the hostess, who said she'd take care of it. After 30 minutes, we got up in a huff and left. But we sure had a great view while we were there.

You could make a game out of it: See how long you can stick around seeing how bad the service is or before you wear out your welcome, but for our money, there are plenty of better things to do on a Vegas vacation.

Another idea is taking in the free views from the various glass elevators around town. They're certainly unusual, in the sense that the views change continuously, widening out as you get higher and narrowing down as you go lower.

The best of the bunch, in our humble opinion, is the Rio's, which goes up the south side of the big tower to VooDoo Steak on what the Rio calls its 51st floor. It's accessible only during the restaurant's open hours, Thurs.-Sun 5-10 p.m. You need a reservation to get on the elevator on the second floor of the the Masquerade Village wing, but once in the past, we weaseled our way up by telling the hostess at the elevator entrance that we wanted to get a drink at the bar. With new management, we're not sure this still works, but it's certainly worth a try. To get up to VooDoo Lounge, there's an admission fee.

A second good view, albeit from much lower, can be found on the rooftop of the Rio garage. It looks directly out at center Strip.

Perhaps commenters have other suggestions. We're all ears.

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Comments

Kevin Lewis Dec-21-2023

If you have to pay for it, it's no good

I could be talking about sex, but in this case...Vegas views. My favorite views of Vegas are from a distance. Spring Valley, the ridge just west of Decatur. Approaching from the southeast on I-515. Coming over the hill on 15, from the northeast and from the northwest. The view from Sunrise Mountain. Some areas of Seven Hills offer a great, if distant view. Ditto Summerlin.

But the best view is when you're on a plane coming in, and the chosen approach is the loooong sweep over Henderson and straight in to Reid.

Bob Dec-21-2023

$5 View

You take your Members Rewards Coupon book up to the Legacy Room at the Circa, get your 2 free glasses of Bubbly,  and enjoy the free view. if you go early evening around opening, you can sit outside without paying.  don't forget to tip your bartender! ($5)

Sam Glantzow Dec-21-2023

gone

every year i would go to the ballroom at the top of the Riv and take pictures in each direction. was cool to see the changes. can't do that anymore, of course.

O2bnVegas Dec-21-2023

Paris

Paris hotel had an elevator to a panoramic view of the valley.  Used to maybe be free but don't know about now, or if it even still exists.  Not a dining situation, but a good view.

Candy

IPA Noah Dec-21-2023

Views

View from top of South point parking garage. Great view view of the city. When it's working the Westgate has a great glass elevator.

churchiec Dec-21-2023

COSMOPOLITAN ROOMS

I don't know if you can count this as 'free' ; in a way it is, as you have already paid ( or had it comped )

Jeffrey Small Dec-21-2023

Worst View

How about another Q of the Day nominating the worst view from a hotel room?  We checked in at the Gold Coast.  My friend's room on the other side of the hall had a great view of the mountains.  My room had a view of a white brick wall.  However, if I opened the bathroom window and stood on the tub I could see the mountains!

MeBlonde Dec-21-2023

Free views

It's been about 5 years since I was in Vegas but if I remember right, I would take the pedestrian walkways over the strip and stop and enjoy the views day or night. One, Maybe by MGM or at the other end near Wynn. Anyway, you could linger for free and take a picture of all the goings on.

Mark Nakel Dec-21-2023

Views

Definitely try the roof top of Green Valley Ranch parking garage, Or keep heading East into Henderson near Warm Springs and Lake Mead Pkwy. and head to Cadence Central Park. Unobstructed Strip views, picnic tables, grass area, parking, and most importantly Free!  Worth the drive.

PaulaNH Dec-21-2023

Talk about the worst view?

Third floor, original Bob Stupaks building. No locks, view of the hookers coming in the north entrance, just outside our room, the walkway for workers( ya, right)around the third floor. Free is not always better😁

Hoppy Dec-21-2023

Luxor

Take the elevator to a higher floor. It has one of the best views.

Hoppy Dec-21-2023

Luxor

It is a view of the inside.

Raymond Dec-21-2023

Jeffrey Small

My worst view--"Free upgrade" at Harrah's.  The room was on one of the lowest floors, and the "Strip view" was about three degrees and between two huge HVAC units.  I changed rooms for the second night.

Jared Dec-21-2023

Westgate

There is one glass elevator on the north side of the hotel. It's free and has a great view of the north valley including downtown.

ssherman68 Dec-21-2023

Cosmo Pool/Ice Rink @ Night

In the winter, Cosmo turns their pool into a bar & ice rink. It's on the 5th floor so the views are not from high up but you get a great view of the rest of the strip from both sides. It's high enough to see a good portion of the strip and low enough to look like you're right there. You can walk around all you want, no need to buy anything.

dblund Dec-21-2023

Slow Ride

IF you've rented that convertible, drop the top and take the slow ride from one end of the strip to the other.  Instead of cursing the traffic, enjoy the opportunity to take it all in.  It is a great perspective, and all the better if you're in no hurry and have your best girl by your side.

hoffj Dec-31-2023

Brewdog rooftop bar

The rooftop bar at Brewdog has a great view of the Strip for free. It is north of MGM across from Aria.

Question of the Day - 21 December 2023

Comments