Downtown Las Vegas has always held a special place in my heart.
I remember the first time I ever went to Vegas, fresh off of my ninth grade year in high school. My father drove us down past Fremont Street and the glittering lights and seeing Vegas Vic welcoming visitors to town with an arm raised. Instantly, I was mesmerized.
Then, when I moved to Vegas in 2005, and learn more about the history, particularly of the mob and the town’s earlier days, I became fascinated imagining what my experience in the southwestern town would have been 40 years earlier.
In the years I lived in Vegas, I watched the downtown area be reborn. I watched as the Arts District 18b laid its roots, as local hot spots were born, as the city cleaned up its act and began to embrace the area for what it could be — a burgeoning place for businesses, locals and tourists to all share space.
With Zappos moving in to the old City Hall this month, and my stop there, I noticed a huge change from my last visit: Downtown Las Vegas is alive and oh-so vibrant.
There is something so old-school about heading to Fremont Street and seeing the glittering lights beckoning people into the casinos … the ringing of the slots as the machines “dispense” coins.
The in-your-face marketing of one of Vegas’ biggest sells: getting wasted …
And the neighborhood charm of Fremont East and all of its groovy bars and restaurants (you can read about some of my recommendations here) which have popped up in the past decade.
In fact, some of my best memories of my life in Vegas center around Downtown and the amazing and beautiful memories created there.
Getting there:
From the infamous Las Vegas Strip, simply hop in a cab or bus and head north on Las Vegas Blvd. to downtown. It is a straight shot. If you want to avoid the congestion of The Strip, hop onto I-15 North and exit at either Charleston Blvd. (to check out the awesome arts scene), or take 95 towards downtown and exit at Casino Center. My favorite spots are Fremont East, which is home to Beauty Bar, The Griffin, La Comida, Park on Fremont and other hopping bars and restaurants. Don’t miss Gold Spike. A former casino, today it’s got a sweet bar and fabulous outdoor patio with corn hole and more. To experience Old Vegas, check out the Fremont Street Experience and the casinos there.
What’s your best Vegas experience?
D Travels 'Round 
I love Vegas! My best time in Vegas, was GETTING MARRIED there back in 2008. I have spent a total of 2 weeks there in 2 different trips, and could go back tomorrow and still not see it all. Our 5 year anniversary is coming up in Nov… wonder if could convince hubby to go back a 3d time?
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Go!! November is a great time to visit!
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Meeting-up with my former boss (now a good friend), John, at Bellagio after discovering we’d both be in town for work. We drank quite a bit — QUITE a bit — at the sports book bar while playing video poker. Then Elliot Gould and Carl Reiner sat down across from us. We passed them a note…
Later on we attempted to bribe the keno operator with a ten-dollar-bill. To this day, over a decade later, we still call each other up and ask “perhaps you know my friend?…. Hamilton…?” and crack up.
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Oh, VEGAS.
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Last time I was in Vegas I clocked a Mexican who ended up suing me. I don’t think I’m allowed back.
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Ha ha. I’d love to hear that story!
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I’m bummed I didn’t check out Downtown Vegas more thoroughly when I was staying so close at a nearby hostel. Ah well, always a reason to return!
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Um YES!
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Awwwwwww! Such pretty photos of a place I know so well. And will soon leave, like you did… Vegas misses you. Especially downtown — you tried for years to get me to spend more time there lol.
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I DID! And you tried for years to get me to go on the sling shot at The Strat. Guess next time we meet up in Vegas, we will have to knock both of those things out!
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i always knew Captain America and Elmo would be friends
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Ha ha. YES.
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Love the black and white pictures, look so retro!
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Thank you!!
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