Summary
When visiting Las Vegas, many may be tempted to overlook Downtown, yet this area is where the essence of Las Vegas originated. Downtown Las Vegas is not merely the historical heart of what is affectionately termed Sin City, but a hub bustling with activity that rivals even the famed Las Vegas Strip, leaving little time for rest.
Downtown Las Vegas ranks as one of the most exhilarating parts of the city. Where else in the United States can one glide over city streets on a zip line? This region is remarkable, featuring not just a multitude of casinos but also innovative shopping centers fashioned from shipping containers, museums showcasing intriguing exhibitions, and outstanding entertainment venues. The nights in DTLV are vibrant, awash with an array of neon lights so brilliant that you may need to wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from the luminescence.
Prepare to be astonished by the offerings in DTLV, and ensure you do not miss these fifteen essential activities while exploring Downtown Las Vegas, all of which are true highlights of Sin City.
1. Vegas Vic
Vegas Vic stands as the emblematic neon sign of Downtown Las Vegas. Seeing the cowboy’s jovial expression looking down upon you serves as a confirmation that you are indeed in DTLV.
Erected in 1951, this sign once waved at visitors along Fremont Street while broadcasting the welcome message, “Howdy partner,” at fifteen-minute intervals. The cheerful, winking figure towers forty feet high and shines day and night.
Although Vegas Vic no longer waves or speaks, he remains an excellent backdrop for photographs. Even if luck does not favor you at the casino, his presence signifies your visit to Downtown Las Vegas.
2. Slotzilla Zip Line
If observing the roulette wheel does not stimulate your adrenaline, the Slotzilla Zip Line will certainly do so. Spanning over a third of a mile beneath the covered expanse of the Fremont Street Experience, it offers a thrilling experience.
Ascend from the twelve-story Slotzilla machine and soar above the heads of smaller pedestrians below. Choose between zipping one hundred and fourteen feet high in a lying position, or for those seeking a less daunting option, the seated ride at seventy-seven feet. Both are exhilarating options.
3. Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort
A visit to the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort reveals insights into what the area was like prior to the advent of neon and electric lights. This inner-city state park houses the first residential structure established in Las Vegas, dating back to approximately the mid-1880s.
The fort, which spans over three acres, was constructed by Mormon settlers to shield themselves from potential Native American attacks fifty years before the founding of Las Vegas. Within its adobe walls, one can find living quarters, historical wagons, animal pen barriers, and various fascinating artifacts.
This fort serves as a captivating testament to how life has evolved over the past century or so.
4. Heart Attack Grill
One saying perfectly epitomizes the Heart Attack Grill – only in Downtown Las Vegas. For those who enjoy thematic dining experiences, dressing in hospital gowns or doctor costumes enhances the experience of consuming burgers that boast extraordinarily high calorie counts. These burgers are truly extreme.
The Heart Attack Grill balances culinary indulgence with entertainment. Quench your thirst with a drink served through an intravenous line as you savor the colossal Bypass Burger of your preference. Options range from single to double, or even a triple Bypass; however, attempting the Octuple Bypass Burger, which includes eight patties laden with forty strips of bacon and sufficient cheese to inflate the caloric content to nearly twenty thousand, might be a formidable challenge.
Should you be unable to complete your meal, ordering is discouraged, as sharing is prohibited and unfinished meals result in unique consequences.
5. DLVEC
The Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, or DLVEC, is an expansive open-air venue capable of hosting upwards of eleven thousand attendees. This facility accommodates a broad spectrum of events, ranging from lengthy festivals to high-energy rock concerts.
Additionally, DLVEC features a Downtown Watch Zone for significant sporting events. Secure a table on the inner field during major games and watch the action on an enormous screen alongside fellow fans, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
For those seeking a more intimate experience, DLVEC provides “man-caves” designed for groups of twenty, featuring sofas, television screens, and beer pong tables.
6. Zak Bagans Haunted Museum
Experience spine-chilling moments at the Haunted Museum owned by a well-known television personality. Nestled within a structure believed to be haunted, this museum spans eleven thousand square feet of eerie displays. The mansion from the 1930s features dark hallways leading to rooms showcasing exhibits linked to the supernatural.
The museum features various well-known curiosities, which include the Dybbuk Box, a wine container rumored to be possessed by a malevolent spirit, as well as the staircase from the infamous Demon House in Indiana.
Do not overlook the Puppet Room, a space with unnerving attractions.
7. Container Park
While many shopping centers exist, few can compare to Container Park, an extraordinary venue. The park’s distinctiveness stems from its construction using repurposed shipping containers, highlighted by a colossal metal sculpture of a praying mantis at the entrance that emits jets of fire from its antennae during the evening hours.
In this open-air shopping space, patrons can browse shops selling clothing, watches, distinctive gifts, and even options for spontaneous weddings at a chapel onsite.
Additional offerings include hot dogs with unconventional toppings, decadent Waffelatos, or the opportunity to engage in a 4K-visual interactive game at the Dome. Container Park guarantees a delightful shopping experience.
8. Mob Museum
Uncover the clandestine world of organized crime at the Mob Museum located in DTLV. Housed in a former post office and courtroom, this museum provides an in-depth look into the mob’s influence over the city.
The exhibits, which date back to the Prohibition era, feature photographs and biographies of notorious gangsters. Visitors can dive into the interactive forensic laboratory to understand the measures law enforcement took against mob activities.
Be sure to explore the courtroom where actual mob trials were conducted and, for the brave, take a seat in the electric chair.
9. Fear The Walking Dead
Experience spine-tingling thrills at the Fear The Walking Dead venue located along Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Based on the highly popular television series, this unique escape room experience features unsettling environments, eerie green lighting, and numerous hiding spots for zombies.
Attempt to navigate your way out of a makeshift military medical facility while evading the approaching zombie hordes. Cutting-edge technology and immersive audio combine to create an unforgettable adventure.
Prepare yourself for an exhilarating encounter, as these zombies feel all too real.
10. Commonwealth
The Commonwealth presents a sophisticated bar on Fremont Street, adorned with decor reminiscent of the Prohibition era. Upon entering, one is greeted by a dimly lit setting, equipped with luxurious leather stools and ornate chandeliers, while a framed print of burlesque performers embellishes the wall above an extensive whiskey collection.
This speakeasy-inspired establishment features a rooftop terrace with comfortable seating, creating an ideal location for relaxing with a cocktail at sunset while witnessing the neon lights of Fremont Street come alive.
11. Neon Museum
One noticeable characteristic of Downtown Las Vegas is the abundance of neon signs; they are omnipresent and captivating. Yet, what becomes of these glowing signs when their brilliance fades? They are retired to the Neon Museum, of course.
Visitors can explore outdoor exhibits in the Neon Boneyard or North Gallery, featuring signs dating back to the 1930s. Among the most remarkable features is their remarkable size, paired with engaging narratives about individual signs, including the buildings they adorned and the inspirations behind their designs. This museum is a vibrant piece of DTLV’s history.
A visit to the Neon Museum offers enlightening insights.
12. Downtown Summerlin
Downtown Summerlin, situated in Downtown Las Vegas, is an open-air shopping complex filled with an array of retail shops, boutiques, restaurants, and bars. This venue offers diverse options all beneath the open sky.
Peruse the retail outlets for fashionable purchases, where you will find approximately one hundred and twenty-five shops from which to choose. Enjoy a quick bite at Crazy Pita or indulge in a burger at Five Guys.
Dine at El Casa Del Matador for Mexican cuisine or spend an evening at Dave & Buster’s, a combined dining and entertainment venue featuring interactive gaming and classic shuffleboard.
13. The Canyon Club
Situated within the historic Four Queens Hotel and Casino, operating in DTLV since the 1960s, The Canyon Club presents a stylish venue featuring live performances.
Enjoy a comfortable atmosphere while experiencing entertaining acts such as a comedic mind reader performing magic tricks or the Spirit of the King Show, an exceptional tribute to Elvis Presley by a talented impersonator.
Every visitor to Downtown Las Vegas should experience at least one Elvis performance; make it a memorable one.
14. The Cal
Numerous compelling reasons exist to visit the California Hotel and Casino, commonly referred to as The Cal, located on Fremont Street in DTLV.
If you intend to try your luck at the gaming tables or slot machines, make sure to stop by the Cal’s lobby first. Inside, you will find a wooden statue of the Happy Buddha; rubbing his belly is traditionally associated with good fortune.
To maintain your energy levels, indulge in a bowl of the Market Cafe’s famous oxtail soup, available twenty-four hours a day. The cafe begins serving this nourishing broth at eleven in the evening and continues until nine in the morning.
15. Viva Vision Light Show
For those who believe they have experienced all the flashing neon that Downtown Las Vegas has to offer, it is not until witnessing the Viva Vision Light Show that you will realize otherwise.
This nightly light display on Fremont Street varies in start times according to the season. Look up to discover that the canopy above Fremont serves as a massive video screen. This complimentary spectacle is synchronized with music from popular rock and pop artists, providing a mesmerizing experience.
The Viva Vision Light Show captivates audiences, essentially halting the street’s activities. It is truly astonishing and encapsulates the essence of Downtown Las Vegas.
