Las Vegas Like a Local: A Guide to Exploring Downtown Las Vegas
If you think the Strip is the only part of Las Vegas worth checking out, think again. Located just a few miles north of the Strip, downtown Las Vegas offers an enticing and easily accessible alternative to the 24/7 bustle of Las Vegas Boulevard.
Sometimes referred to as “Old Las Vegas”, the downtown core was the original townsite and gambling district in Las Vegas, and is actually home to Sin City’s first casino (the Golden Gate, for all you trivia buffs). The downtown area was the heart and soul of Las Vegas until 1989 when Steve Wynn opened the Mirage, the first mega-casino on the Strip, and it wasn’t until the mid-90s when the Fremont Street Experience opened downtown that visitors began returning to Vegas’s historical roots. Now, thanks to a massive revitalization project spurred by the success of the Fremont Street Experience, downtown Las Vegas is home to a wide variety of bars, restaurants, and other attractions.
Every Las Vegas adventure should include a visit to downtown. Here’s what you need to know before you go:
Downtown Las Vegas vs. the Strip
The main difference between the Strip and downtown is the vibe; there are casinos, bars, and restaurants galore, but downtown is much more relaxed than the Strip, retaining that classic Las Vegas charm without being garish or overwhelming. Here are some more key differences:
- It’s easier to walk between casinos, bars, and restaurants downtown, making this area ideal for clubbing, pub crawls, or casino hopping.
- Table minimums are cheaper, and the odds are often better, at downtown casinos.
- There are more cultural attractions, including museums, theaters, and unique shopping downtown compared to the Strip.
- As the commercial center of Las Vegas, downtown offers more opportunities to meet and interact with local Las Vegans.
So if you want to experience the glitz of Las Vegas without dealing with the crowds and party-all-the-time atmosphere of the Strip, head downtown!
Downtown Districts
Downtown Las Vegas is divided into three main districts:
- Fremont Street Casino District
- Fremont East Entertainment District
- Arts District
1. Fremont Street Casino District
This area contains the original Las Vegas casinos, including El Cortez, Golden Nugget, and Golden Gate. These casinos are well worth a visit, even if you don’t plan to gamble: the Golden Nugget is home to a massive shark tank complete with waterslide, as well as one of the most award-winning pools in the city.
PRO TIP: If you want to try your hand at gambling but don’t want to break the bank, start downtown. The table minimums are usually lower, and the odds are usually better.
There are also numerous museums, restaurants, and bars in the area, as well as the famous Fremont Street Experience – a pedestrian-only thoroughfare covered by a canopy of more than two million LED lights and a state-of-the-art sound system that comes to life every night for a spectacular sound and light show called “Viva Vision”.
PRO TIP: Beer lovers might want to pay a visit to the easternmost end of the Fremont Street Experience to see the world’s largest pint glass.
2. Fremont East Entertainment District
Built in 2002, the Fremont East Entertainment District (FEED) comprises six blocks stretching from Las Vegas Boulevard East to 8th Street and from Ogden Street South to Carson. FEED is pedestrian-friendly, offering diverse street life and many eateries, cafes, bars, and lounges, as well as ample shopping opportunities and lively entertainment. Make sure to look down—you’ll find bronze plaques embedded in the sidewalk, offering glimpses into Las Vegas’s history, as well as interesting facts about Sin City’s many famous characters.
PRO TIP: Keep an eye out for the world’s largest functioning fire hydrant (it’s 14.5 feet tall!), located a few blocks east of the SlotZilla tower.
3. Arts District
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
What To Do in Downtown Las Vegas
No visit to downtown Las Vegas is complete without a stop at these popular attractions and things to do:
- Viva Vision: The cornerstone of the Fremont Street Experience, every night on the hour between dusk and midnight (or 1 AM in the summer), the 90-foot high LED screen and canopy light up with an ever-changing light and sound show.
- Mob Museum & Speakeasy: Explore the history of the mob from the perspectives of the mobsters and law enforcement. Check out interactive exhibits, immersive storylines, and more at this popular museum, located mid-downtown.The Mob Museum is a can’t-miss stop if you’re traveling with kids. If you don’t have kids in tow, check out their basement speakeasy and distillery.
- Neon Museum: Located in north downtown, this popular museum preserves and displays Vegas’s iconic neon signage. Don’t miss the renowned Neon Boneyard!
- Container Park: This unique shopping center consists of shipping containers that have been converted into boutiques and shops featuring goods created by local craftspeople. Located in Fremont East, you’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the giant fire-breathing praying mantis out front.
- Shark Tank: The Golden Nugget is home to a massive shark tank complete with waterslide.
- SlotZilla: Soar 77 feet over the Fremont Street Experience on an 850-foot zipline that, in true Las Vegas style, shoots you out of a giant slot machine. Serious thrillseekers should try the zoomline, which suspends you superhero-style 110 feet above ground and sends you flying 1,750 feet along the entire length of the Fremont Street Experience.
- Laundry Room: This hidden speakeasy is located inside Commonwealth, another popular bar, and is accessible via a secret door – but only with reservations.
- Smith Center for the Performing Arts: This art deco-style building features four separate performance spaces, with shows including everything from broadway to Yo-Yo Ma. It’s also home to the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Nevada Ballet Theatre.
- Street Art: Downtown Las Vegas is home to a number of unique and artistic murals. Take yourself on a street art crawl and check out murals representing the true soul of Vegas. Check out some of the most popular street art murals.
- Fergusons Downtown: Formerly a motel, Fergusons is now a complex of cute shops, cafes, and restaurants.
- Symphony Park: If you like to track down interesting photo spots, you can’t miss Symphony Park. Look for Tim Bavington’s Pipe Dream for a colorful, off-the-beaten-path Vegas experience. The Frank Gehry building is nearby as well if you’re an architecture buff.
- Karaoke: There are several karaoke joints in Downtown Las Vegas. If you’re ready to belt it out, try Cat’s Meow, Ninja Karaoka, or Don’t Tell Mama.
Staying Downtown
If the mega-casino-resorts of the Strip don’t appeal to you, try staying downtown instead. The hotels are a little older and may not offer the same flashy amenities as Strip resorts, but they’re no less luxurious and they’re often cheaper and not as busy.
Consider staying downtown if you:
Consider staying on the Strip if:
History of Downtown Las Vegas
The city of Las Vegas was founded in 1905 when 110 acres of land located adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad were auctioned off. This small patch of land would eventually become the downtown area, and soon after in 1911, the city of Las Vegas was officially incorporated.
The famous Golden Gate casino opened its doors in 1906, five years before the city’s incorporation, but it wasn’t until 1931 that Nevada legalized casino gambling. 1931 was also the year construction began on the nearby Hoover Dam, which brought an influx of construction workers and their families to the area and caused a surge in downtown development.
It wasn’t until after WWII that Las Vegas began developing its reputation for lavish hotels, casinos, and big-name entertainment. During the 1960s, corporations and businesses began buying and building massive hotel-casinos, kickstarting the transition from “gambling” into the more reputable “gaming”. A couple of decades later in 1989, Steve Wynn opened the Mirage, the first mega-casino on the Strip, creating a hotspot that pulled people away from downtown Las Vegas.
Now, downtown Las Vegas is home to many hotels, high rises, cultural centers, and historic buildings, as well as residential and retail developments, and even micro-breweries. It’s a can’t-miss destination for any Vegas visitor!
How to Get to Downtown Las Vegas from the Strip
Downtown Las Vegas is just a few miles north of the Strip and is easily accessible by several transportation options. Whether you’re looking for convenience, affordability, or an opportunity to explore along the way, here are some of the best ways to make the trip:
1. Ride-Sharing apps and taxis
- Ride-Sharing: Trips typically cost $10–$20, depending on your location on the Strip and traffic conditions.
- Taxis: Taxis are readily available outside most major casinos and hotels. Fares are slightly more expensive than ride-sharing apps (around $20–$30), but you don’t have to worry about finding the right car.
2. Public transit
- The Deuce Bus: Operated by RTC (Vegas’s public transport provider), the Deuce is a double-decker bus that runs every 15 minutes 24/7 along the Strip and connects to downtown. A one-way ticket costs $6, or you can purchase a 24-hour pass for $8. The bus is air-conditioned and perfect for budget-conscious travelers.
- SDX (Strip & Downtown Express): This express bus offers a faster option to travel between the Strip and downtown, with fewer stops along the way. A ticket costs the same as the Deuce.
3. Driving
If you’re renting a car or driving your own, getting to downtown is straightforward.
Many downtown hotels and casinos offer parking, with rates varying from free to $10 per day. Some hotels validate parking with a minimum purchase.
4. Walking or biking
While technically possible, walking the 4 miles from the Strip to downtown is not recommended. Biking is a good option, though—many bike rental services in Las Vegas offer convenient pick-up and drop-off points.
5. Shuttles
Several hotels on the Strip offer free or low-cost shuttle services to their downtown counterparts—check with your hotel concierge for availability.
PRO TIP: Traffic along Las Vegas Boulevard can be heavy, especially during weekends and holidays. Plan your trip during off-peak hours for a quicker and smoother journey.
The Ultimate Las Vegas Visitor Guide
Find answers to all your questions about Las Vegas in our Ultimate Guide!
Written by Ria Borja
