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When picturing Sin City, you may immediately envision the Strip, but downtown Las Vegas offers plenty of activities too. The earliest Vegas casinos and hotels opened in this area, making it the most prominent region at that time. Over the years, the Strip assumed the spotlight, yet still, downtown Las Vegas is something you won`t want to miss. In fact, many of the experiences you`ll uncover in our list of the 25 best things to do in Las Vegas take place in this historic district.
While the attractions located downtown in Las Vegas offer something for all people, staying near the Strip allows guests to enjoy energizing experiences while venturing away permits calmer moments amid nature. In addition, the downtown LV area provides lodging at lower costs than the Strip, as detailed in our article about where to lodge in Las Vegas.
This guide will demonstrate the best places to visit in downtown Las Vegas so you can fully experience the Sin City atmosphere, not just time at the tourist hotspots.
Table of Contents
1. Fremont Street, a free place to go in downtown Las Vegas
Fremont Street was where the most luxurious Vegas hotels and casinos initially appeared. After the Strip became the focus, the city created the Fremont Street Experience to restore tourism to this historic district.
It is clear this was a huge success and now the Fremont Street Experience is one of the coolest things to do in downtown Las Vegas. I recommend going there at night to see the free Viva Vision light show or a concert. In fact, a visit to Fremont Street is a fun, inexpensive thing to do in downtown Las Vegas, and we mention it in our guide to free things to do in Las Vegas.
Some of the attractions here require payment of a fee, such as the SlotZilla zip line ride, but obtaining the Go Las Vegas All-Inclusive Pass (considered the best CityPass offering in Las Vegas) can help you save money. Besides, Fremont Street is one of those experiences you can share with family while downtown Las Vegas, so spending a little money is worthwhile.
While entertainment is plentiful here, you can gain more insight into downtown Las Vegas` history through this guided walking tour. Explore how the district evolved across decades and iconic landmarks such as the 1950s-era Vegas Vic neon sign.
2. Neon Museum, one of the best museums in downtown Las Vegas
Considering the neon signs, checking out the Neon Museumis an enjoyable activity to do in downtown Las Vegas. Here, you can admire the colorful neon signs while discovering Sin City’s past. Because the Neon Museum it’s deemed one of the finest museums in Las Vegas.
The museum originated from relics left over by the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) after fulfilling client contracts. Founded in 1920, YESCO rented signage, so returned advertisements would accumulate over time. Through the decades, a sizable collection of neon signs was amassed, leading to the Neon Museum`s creation in 1996.
Today, the museum holds a fine collection and hosts distinctive exhibits throughout the year. It’s also a kid-friendly attraction, so it’s a good family thing to do in downtown Las Vegas. While it’s open during the daytime hours, I think visiting the museum is an intriguing thing to do in Las Vegas at night.
When visiting, be sure to check out the public art and the neon “boneyard”, where you can see signage from decades past.
3. downtown Container Park
If you’re seeking activities to engage kids in Las Vegas, I propose visiting the Downtown Container Park. This outdoor shopping center and entertainment area is comprised of over 40 shipping containers. The project aimed to bring tourism and business back to downtown by creating this space.
Downtown Container Park is among the best spots to explore in downtown Las Vegas because there is something for all. Young ones will enjoy the treehouse playground, and adults can appreciate the free performances and shows. One of the park’s highlights is the large praying mantis sculpture at the entrance, which emits fire from its antennas.
While visiting the park provides an entertaining family activity located downtown in Las Vegas, young children are not allowed after 9 pm, so be sure to go during daylight hours if traveling with kids.
4. Las Vegas Springs Preserve, a beautiful place to visit near downtown Las Vegas
Less than five miles from downtown, you’ll find the Springs Preserve, one of the most naturally beautiful locations to explore in urban Las Vegas. It covers 180 acres and has a botanical garden, museum, theater, and other natural areas. It’s placed by the spring that provides the city’s water, hence the designation.
Bright Angel Lodge is conveniently near numerous attractions, including the Bright Angel Trail, which is one of the finest hiking routes in the Grand Canyon South Rim if you want to hike from the South Rim to the North Rim.
Whether you want to spend an hour here or half a day, it’s a cool thing to do in downtown Las Vegas that’s away from the crowds and noise.
5. Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, a famous place to go in downtown Las Vegas
The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop undoubtedly ranks among one of the top downtown Las Vegas attractions. The store rose to popularity thanks to thePawn Stars TV series, and it remains one of the best places to visit in downtown Las Vegas.
Here, you can peruse the aisles and uncover all kinds of hidden treasures, such as accessories, small decorative items, antiques, coins, and significantly more. Occasionally, one or two persons from the television program will make an appearance, and it’s quite a spectacle. Of course, this relies on their filming schedule, so I wouldn’t rely on seeing them when you visit.
The ethereal Lake of Dreams experience at the renowned Wynn is another exceptional attraction worth seeing. Children will delight in the mythical Sirens show at the Treasure Island Hotel and the aquatic beings at the Silverton Hotel Aquarium, leveraging special effects and music. Finally, the Rainstorm Show at the Miracle Mile Shops is a spectacle worth viewing, too.
6. Mob Museum, another unique museum in downtown Las Vegas
The Mob Museum offers a distinctive location to explore in downtown Las Vegas, representing one of the more unusual museums in the city. Inside, guests can investigate the history of criminal organizations in the United States. Discover the origins of organized crime rings, important law enforcement figures, and how authorities currently address criminal activity today.
Even if much is unfamiliar regarding this topic, it’s something enjoyable to do in downtown Las Vegas, and I’m sure a couple facts will be discovered! For example, you’ll find data about Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, John Gotti, and other criminal figures, as well as top mafia-fighting agents like Joe Pistone.
The Mob Museum is enclosed in the Go Las Vegas All-Inclusive Pass, but if you don’t have the pass, you can get your entry here.
7. Children’s Discovery Museum, the best thing to do in downtown Las Vegas with kids
While it may not seem apparent, downtown Las Vegas has various kid-friendly attractions. One of the best is the Children’s Discovery Museum which utilizes science, technology, and art to educate young people through hands on learning.
The museum, located downtown Las Vegas, contains a substantial play structure at its center, allowing kids to expend energy. With three floors full of hands-on exhibits and activities engaging both children and adults alike, it serves as a nice family-oriented option.”
8. Golden Nugget, the best casino in downtown Las Vegas
The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino is considered one of the earliest gambling establishments in Las Vegas and ranks among the finest accommodation options in Downtown Las Vegas.
Completed in 1946, the resort is a staple in Sin City and has maintained its Four Diamond rating since 1977. The hotel is known for displaying the Hand of Faith, the world’s largest golden nugget. Plus, it’s located right by the Fremont Street Experience, another awesome downtown Las Vegas attraction.
Another factor rendering this a well-liked site to go to in downtown Las Vegas is the $30 million pool (one of the top pools in Las Vegas). It has three levels, a swim-up bar, grottoes, jacuzzi tubs, and an enclosed slide that passes through a live shark tank. And naturally, you can gamble to your heart`s content at the Golden Nugget casino.
9. Shop at North Premium Outlets, something to do in downtown Las Vegas
The entertainments of Sin City are widely renowned at night, but if pondering daytime activities downtown, a shopping excursion could be an option. The North Premium Outlets boasts over 125 upscale retailers and eateries to refuel amidst the selections.
Browse top designer brands like Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, and Versace, then enjoy a tasty meal before heading back into the city center. Or, if you truly want to shop until the shopping stops, the Las Vegas Premium Outlets South is nearby. For additional ideas, check our best outlet locations in Las Vegas article.
10. Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, a little-known place to visit in downtown Las Vegas
Old Las Vegas Mormon Fortis a little known place located in downtown Las Vegas that receives relatively few visitors despite its proximity to Fremont Street. The state park contains the earliest structure built by European settlers in the region, dating back decades prior to the establishment of Las Vegas as a city.
Today, parts of the initial construction still exist alongside replicas and other artifacts. The adobe fortress is particularly meaningful for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as it was built by some of the first Mormons in the country. That said, anyone can appreciate the natural area and historical significance of this place.
There is a nominal entrance fee, covering admission to the complete park. Stroll through the gardens, see the historic wagons, and stop by the visitor’s center to learn more about 1850s life. If you have some spare time during the day, this is a great downtown Las Vegas destination to check out..
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11. See the Natural History Museum, another family thing to do in downtown Las Vegas
The Natural History Museum is another intriguing museum outside the city center. The museum’s exhibits will appeal to individuals of all ages, so it provides a good family activity to do in downtown Las Vegas.
Here, you can learn about dinosaurs and prehistoric life, the evolution of different species, and modern wildlife. Displays also cover geology and ancient Egypt, like a recreation of King Tut`s tomb.
If you are unsure how to occupy yourself during the daytime hours or when rains occur in downtown Las Vegas, spending a few hours at the museum can make good use of your time.
12. Burlesque Hall of Fame, something you can’t miss in downtown Las Vegas
If you are seeking activities to engage in downtown Las Vegas at night, check out the Burlesque Hall of Fame, which is dedicated to one of the city’s most esteemed art forms.
When burlesque first arrived in the United States, it logically established itself in Sin City, and remnants of the culture still persist today. At the Burlesque Hall of Fame, you can gain knowledge about the art and history of burlesque through costumes, sets, photographs, accessories, and more. You can even enroll in a burlesque course, which could offer an engaging activity in downtown Las Vegas among companions.
13. Zak Bagans The Haunted Museum, a quirky thing to do in downtown Las Vegas
If you’re a fan of horror, then a visit to Zak Bagans The Haunted Museum is a downtown Las Vegas attraction you’ll love. Inside, you’ll get an eerie experience full of haunted artifacts and sudden surprises.
The museum encompasses over 30 rooms and once inside, turning back is not an option. For those bold enough, walk through each exhibit to observe some of the eeriest items in Vegas, such as Dr. Kevorkian’s “VW Death Bus” and the “Dybbuk Box,” reputed to be the most haunted thing on earth.
Only people over 16 can enter, but if you enjoy frightening stories and paranormal occurrences, this is among the most fascinating things to do in downtown Las Vegas.
14. Heart Attack Grill, the most unique restaurant in downtown Las Vegas
Las Vegas is renowned for excess, and nothing seems to epitomize that more than the Heart Attack Grill. While it`s not an establishment I`d dine at (I would prefer one of these top-rated restaurants in Las Vegas), it`s one of the most curious downtown Las Vegas attractions.
Inside the restaurant, waitresses dressed as nurses serve patrons wearing hospital gowns. The menu includes some of the unhealthiest foods like a nearly 10,000-calorie quadruple burger.
As the name indicates, the food here will clog your arteries, and a few patrons have died from heart failure after eating here. So, if this sounds like something you’d do in downtown Las Vegas, please be cautious!
15. Take a picture worth a million bucks at Binion’s Gambling Hall
Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel is another long-running downtown Las Vegas attraction, and it’s where you can take a photograph with a million dollars.
The display has been around since the 1950s, although it has undergone some changes over the years. Today, the $1 million bundle consists of 2,700 $100 bills, 34,400 $20 bills, and 42,000 $1 bills. Capturing a photograph with the hefty stack of money is a well-liked activity in downtown Las Vegas and a funny way of tricking your friends into believing you struck it rich!
You can visit Binion’s and see the $1 million pyramid free of charge, so it`s among the best areas to explore in downtown Las Vegas. Afterward, stay around for dinner and drinks or a table game.
With that, you presently comprehend the best activities to do in downtown Las Vegas. Moreover, check out our travel guide to Las Vegas and this map of Las Vegas. Use it to locate all the downtown Las Vegas attractions you want to see and keep the map handy during your trip.
That’s all from me, but if you have any questions, leave a comment and I’ll be pleased to help. Safe travels!
