Downtown Las Vegas is not only the historic heart of Las Vegas, but it's also a cultural hub and center with casinos, resorts, museums, galleries, shopping, and nightlife. Here you can explore famed destinations like the Las Vegas Strip, Fremont Street, the Golden Nugget, and other iconic locations such as sleek steakhouses, glitz and glam cocktail bars, or late-night casual pizzerias.
For many who come to Vegas, the downtown is second only to the Strip in terms of destinations. While it has much of the glitz and glam of the Strip and was the original gambling destination before the Strip was founded, it has fewer crowds and more legacy businesses. It's something of an unsung gem of Las Vegas where you can make plenty of memories and enjoy all the gaming and entertainment you like without having to deal with all of the hustle and bustle.
Downtown Las Vegas - one of the highlights of 11 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Las Vegas (Read all about Las Vegas here)
Highlights of Downtown Las Vegas
Downtown Las Vegas features several iconic neighborhoods, each with its own identity and experiences. Many of the old legacy casinos in Vegas can be found in the Fremont Street casino district. At the Fremont Street Experience, you can view more than 2 million lights and enjoy live entertainment blasting into the streets through state-of-the-art sound systems, while to the east you'll find bars, clubs, and eateries.
The downtown Arts District, also called the 18b for the original 18 blocks that it encompassed, is home to the city's bohemian set. Here you can visit eclectic art galleries that showcase the best up-and-coming local artists. You can shop for arts and crafts from local vendors. You can find vintage clothing and fashion as well as antiques and collectibles. At Symphony Park, you can find a wide range of retail and dining establishments to get your shopping and dining on.
History of Downtown Las Vegas
Downtown Las Vegas is the historic heart of the city. Fremont Street is named for John C. Fremont, whose 19th-century writings are largely responsible for the city's establishment. The city has seen many historic occurrences throughout the years; the first atomic bomb test in 1951 took place about 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
By the 1960s, businessmen like Howard Hughes were opening resorts and casinos, and the downtown became a hub for gambling, entertainment, and all forms of vice. 2012 was dubbed The Year of Downtown after hundreds of millions of dollars of revitalization and the opening of many museums and institutes. These include the Smith Center, The Discovery Children's Museum, the Neon Museum, and the Mob Museum. Today, Downtown Las Vegas is a business and cultural center and a destination for visitors to experience the best of Las Vegas beyond the glitz and glam of the Strip.
Good to know about Downtown Las Vegas
Downtown Las Vegas is a large area, so it's a good idea to become familiar with the local public transportation. Buses and taxis run through the entire area, as do ride-share services. Much of the area is also walkable, so be sure to bring comfortable shoes. If you're on a family vacation, some of the attractions like museums and eateries are family-friendly. Others, like casinos and nightclubs, may not be. In fact, in Vegas it's legal to drink in the street, so be sure to keep your younger children close.
Many people walk dogs in the downtown area, and public places are pet-friendly, but be sure to keep your dog on a leash. Most of the downtown area is accessible for people with disabilities, but check with individual businesses about any accommodations you might need. Downtown is a safe and secure place for visitors. Just exercise standard caution.
Downtown Las Vegas
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