Downtown Las Vegas Guide
Click here for our guide on the Las Vegas Strip
Here's some current information on "DOWNTOWN" Las Vegas
1) Main Street Station "The Jewel of Downtown" Located at the far northwest corner of downtown, in the Main Street Station you can view a display of fabulous collection of antiques, that reflect wonderful old rich looking dark woods which dominate the Victorian-themed interior. MSS gives you a chance to see authentic turn-of-the-century antiques with their opulence, unique designs and detailed craftsmanship. Take yourself on a self-guided tour after picking up a detailed brochure and map at the front desk or bell desk.
- Stained glass from the Lillian Russell Mansion
- Bronze doors and facade from Kuwait Royal Bank
- Doors from the Pullman Mansion
- Louisa May Alcott Pullman car
- Chandeliers from the Coca-Cola Building, Austin, Texas and Figaro Opera House, Paris, France
- Wild Boar bronzed statue
- A portion of the Berlin Wall
Things to look for: there's a turn-of the century apothecary cabinetry in the hotel's registration lobby; check out the chandelier, which once hung in the Figaro Opera House in Paris; a wonderful mahogany bar in the brew pub that once graced the Schlitz family home in Milwaukee; and a neat looking stained-glass window that was given to the singer/actress Lillian Russell (popular in the 1880's) by "Diamond Jim" Brady. And the Men can check out a piece of the Berlin Wall in their restroom that's near the Garden Court Buffet.
Pullman Grille (currently closed) Very nice. I like taking people here for drinks/dinner, check out the actual railroad car inside, have drinks in it too! Also the Triple 777 Brewery, great beer, and lots of food, rack of ribs (best to order 1/2 unless you are really hungry).
Over by the southeast entrance, an escalator leads up to a covered pedestrian bridge that crosses over Main Street to the California Hotel. Boyd Gaming Corp. operates both Main Street Station and the California Hotel, as well as the Fremont Hotel down the street.
2) California Hotel For luck, drop by the California Hotel's Buddha. A gift to the Boyd family, the rotund statue is near the hotel lobby, just past the Pasta Pirate restaurant. The statue's belly is well-worn, some believers actually leave money, it's said the Buddha usually gets about $1,000 a year, which is donated to the United Way in Hawaii. Check out the Redwood Bar and Grill (great Porterhouse special there!)
Craps: Ever imagine a 3-hour, 6-minute dice hand? It happened at the Cal. Check out the Golden Arm plaque on the wall there, for craps rolls over an hour.
3) Las Vegas Club If you're in to sports, then check out The Las Vegas Club, across Ogden Avenue from the California Hotel. There's a large collection of sports memorabilia. The walls are covered with photographs, posters, jerseys and an autographed baseball bat exhibit. There's bleacher seating in the Sport's book, plus the waitresses wear cheerleader outfits. Interesting Blackjack table rules here.
4) Fremont Street Experience To me Fremont Street was the "old glitter gulch" street, it was so lit up you couldn't tell if it was daytime or night-time. Oh well, today, it's the "Fremont Street Experience". In 1995, Fremont Street was closed to traffic, a huge canopy was constructed over a four-block section as part of a city redevelopment project called the Fremont Street Experience. The canopy towers 90 feet above the street and houses more than 2 million lights.
Starting at sundown, a free, computer-generated light and sound show is presented hourly. There are several themed shows. For a schedule of shows and times, check the Web site www.vegasexperience.com.
5) Binion's One of my webmaster's favorite spots to gamble at, Binion's, nothing fancy, just old time gambling atmosphere for the serious gambler. Where the famous "World Series of Poker" is held every year (now only the FINAL table). These things used to be on display; but not since Harrah's bought it out: An exhibit near the front entrance of the casino features a collection of guns: a Smith & Wesson .32 owned by matriarch Teddy Jane Binion, a .357 Magnum that belonged to former Desert Inn owner Moe Dalitz and a Benny Binion commemorative Winchester with a gaming chip embedded in the handle. Not much to see in the horseshoe anymore. Still good food in the Coffee Shop, and up on top at the Binion's Ranch Steakhouse "Cowboy" cuts of beef!!
Along the east wall of the casino is the Poker Hall of Fame photo gallery, where you can view winners of the Horseshoe's World Series of Poker.
6) Fremont The Fremont is home to a favorite downtown restaurant, Second Street Grill. The grill features a fusion of American and Pacific Rim cuisine. Look for more info in our restaurants section of our website.
7) Fourth Street Past the Fremont are a number of shops and fast-food restaurants. You'll be coming up to the intersection of Fourth Street. Although the Fremont Street Experience canopy extends another block to Las Vegas Boulevard, Fourth Street is a throughway, so keep an eye on the traffic light.
8) Neonopolis On the northeast corner of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard there is Neonopolis, a $100 million retail, food and entertainment complex place is touch and go business there one day, not the next, their future up in the air!!
9) Neon Museum The "Neon Museum" is located at the intersection of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard. You can find the old Las Vegas signs here, which have been refurbished. Look for: the old Hacienda Horse and Rider, which was found in the center of Las Vegas Boulevard; others include Aladdin's Lamp and Andy Anderson, Anderson Dairy mascot from the 1950s.
10) Race Rock CLOSED...
11) Fitzgeralds One of the best places to catch a Fremont Street Experience light show is from the second-floor balcony of Fitzgerald's. Just take the escalator up to the second level. The small balcony can get crowded during the shows, so get there about 15 minutes early. Small Cigar lounge.
12) Golden Nugget The Golden Nugget is the most upscale hotel/casino in the downtown area. Head back toward the shops and you will find the world's largest gold nugget at 61 pounds 11 ounces on public display.
Located by the VIP services desk in the lobby is a painting by LeRoy Neiman, it was commissioned by former Golden Nugget-owner Steve Wynn in 1988, the painting shows a number of high-stakes table games. Take a close look, you'll find entertainers Kenny Rogers and Paul Anka talking to a seated Wynn in the lower left corner of the painting. Also Neiman himself is shown seated at the baccarat table.
13) Vegas Vic Las Vegas' most famous neon icon is near the west end of Fremont Street underneath the canopy. Vegas Vic, a 40-foot-high neon cowboy, has presided over downtown for 50 years.
From atop the now-defunct Pioneer Club, he greeted visitors with a booming "Howdy Partner." Then in 1966, actor Lee Marvin - in town filming a movie - complained of the noise, and the imposing cowboy was silenced for more than 20 years.
14) Golden Gate At the southwest corner of Fremont Street, you can find the Golden Gate which originally opened as the Hotel Nevada in 1906. The history of those early days as well as that of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco are commemorated in photos on walls throughout the small casino.
The Golden Gate is most famous for its shrimp cocktail priced at 99 cents, available in the back delicatessen; a lemon wedge is an additional 5 cents. A pianist entertains nightly.
15) Blackhawk Rail Car The Blackhawk antique rail car sits on the west side of Main Street between the Plaza and Main Street Station. Built in 1903, it served as a personal car for Buffalo Bill Cody and Annie Oakley, and is now part of the rail car collection featured at Main Street Station.
16) Four Queens Great food in Hugo's Cellar!!
17) Lady Luck - closed!!
18) Gold Spike another old one, been remodelled and worth checking out.
19) El Cortez old one - part of Las Vegas history! Great food in Roberta's. Las Vegas History - a bit of the charm of "old Las Vegas" - El Cortez Hotel & Casino - Constructed in 1941, El Cortez Hotel & Casino, an anchor property in the Fremont East Entertainment District, is located in historic downtown at 600 East Fremont Street. With 300 newly remodelled hotel rooms, El Cortez features full-pay 3-2 single deck 21, 10x odds on craps, state-of-the-art roulette and over 1,000 slot machines. In May 2009, the property opened its Cabana Suites, a boutique style hotel offering a 1950s Miami feel in the heart of downtown. El Cortez is proudly affiliated with Michael Gaughan's South Point Sports Book. The Las Vegas Review-Journal voted El Cortez "Best Downtown Hotel" in 2009, "Best Blackjack in Las Vegas" in 2007, 2009 and 2010, "Best Video Poker" in 2008 and "Best Keno in Las Vegas" in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Dining options at El Cortez include: Caf Cortez and The Flame Steakhouse. The property's other amenities include: Subway, Dreyer's Ice Cream Shop, Seattle's Best Coffee, El Cortez Gift Shop and a full-service beauty and barber shop. The property is currently completing more than $25 million in improvements and renovations. For more information, please call 1-800-634-6703 or 702-385-5200, or visit www.ecvegas.com.
Las Vegas Downtown Shows
When you think of Las Vegas Shows you usually think of the Strip, but Downtown has its share of entertainment as well. Even better, you can usually save quite a bit of money. Most weekends host live concerts (often with well-known artists) Downtown beneath the Viva Vision canopy. Here are some of the regular shows you will find within the casinos:
Fitzgerald’s Casino
- Country Superstars Tribute - Musical impersonations of country stars.
- Marriage Can Be Murder - A who-done-it interactive murder mystery with dinner.
- Comedy After Hours Comedy Club
Four Queens
- Mike Hammer Comedy Magic Show
- Mark Maverick's Hypnotica - Hypnotism and comedy.
- Four Queens' L.A. Comedy Club
Gold Nugget
- Gordie Brown - Impersonator, singer, and entertainer.
- RUSH Lounge - The Frankie Moreno Band, rock, punk, and funk.
Las Vegas Rocks Cafe
- Superstars of Magic - A magical duo, Steven and Cassandra Best
- Brian Hoffman's Remembering Red A Tribute to Red Skelton - Brian Hoffman performs jokes by early famous comedians like Red Skelton and others.
- Vegas The Show - Starring Tony Sacca with music and comedy.
- Shania & Rod Country and Rock N Roll Tribute Show - Not so much rock, but Gina and Martin perform a tribute to Shania Twain and Rod Stewart.
- Tom Stevens - Impersonator and illusionist.
Plaza Hotel
- The Rat Pack Is Back - Impersonating the Rat Pack.
- Collin Foster in Quicker Than The Eye - A sleight of hand artist.
Western Hotel & Casino
- Lounge - Live country music with the Bobby Kingston Band.
And on Fremont Street you can see Viva Vision 7 days a week from 8pm to Midnight. Other free shows on Fremont Street beneath the canopy include: Man on the Street, Carl Ferris, and Real Action Stunt Performers along with various others on different nights.
List of New Venues Around the Fremont East Entertainment District
Haven't been to Downtown Las Vegas recently then check these out:
Downtown Bars:
Downtown Cocktail Room (DCR). 111 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Upscale Neighborhood Gathering Place. http://thedowntownlv.com/
The Griffin. 511 Fremont St. Cozy Lodge Atmosphere. http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-griffin-las-vegas
Beauty Bar. 517 Fremont St. Bar Featuring Retro 1960s Beauty Parlor Theme. Concept made popular by TV series, Sex And The City.http://thebeautybar.com/lv/home.php
soon to open Vanguard http://www.blackbookmag.com/guides/details/vanguard-lounge
Brass. 425 Fremont St., upstairs from Hennessey's Tavern. Jazz Lounge/Live Music Venue.
Celebrity. 201 N. Third St. Various Live Venues.
Club 217. At 217 N. Third St.
Hennessey's Tavern. 425 Fremont St. Traditional Irish Pub Concept.
Hogs & Heifers. 201 N. Third St. New York 'Bikers & Babes' Bar That Served as inspiration for film, Coyote Ugly (and subsequent chain of bars/clubs).
Mickie Finnz. 425 Fremont St. Beach-Themed Restaurant and Bar.
Sidebar. 201 N. Third St. Cozy Wine and Cigar Bar.
Take 1 Nightclub. 707 Fremont St. Movie Theme with Cajun Fare.
Triple George. 201 N. Third St. Upscale San Franciscan Bistro.
Downtown Restaurants:
Kabob Korner http://www.usmenuguide.com/kabobkorner.html
The Beat at Emergency Arts - amazing sandwiches and devilled eggs http://www.thebeatlv.com/
The Flame at the El Cortez http://www.ecvegas.com/dining.php
The Cafe at Binion's - awesome greasy spoon grill way more than an average snack bar http://www.binions.com/dining/binions_cafe.php
The Bar+Bistro at the Arts Factory http://barbistroaf.com/
Downtown art/fashion/galleries:
Emergency Arts Building http://www.emergencyartslv.com/index.html
Brett Wesley Gallery http://www.brettwesleygallery.com/
Trifecta Gallery http://www.trifectagallery.com/
The Arts Factory http://www.theartsfactory.com/
TIP: Oyster.com's coverage of hotels in Downtown Las Vegas. They send undercover reporters to write in-depth reviews and take hundreds of photos while staying at the hotels as guests. If you check out their photos, and reports you won't get surprised when you arrive at the check-in counter. You can browse their coverage of Downtown hotels here: http://www.oyster.com/search/?qa=+location:downtown-fremont-street-las-vegas