Discover Las Vegas: Fremont Street, Neon and Desert
Travel guide · editorialUnder a vaulted LED canopy, light shows flicker above Fremont Street, where old Las Vegas began with its first casinos. A trip to Las Vegas has long been about more than gambling: shows, neon art, top-tier dining and spectacular desert landscapes await. If you're planning a vacation in Las Vegas, get to know not only the Strip – most of which lies in neighboring Paradise – but also the city proper, with Downtown and the Arts District.
From Oasis to Entertainment Capital
"Las Vegas" means "the meadows" – Spanish traders found springs here in the Mojave Desert. The city was founded in 1905 as a railroad stop, and the construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s and the legalization of gambling in 1931 brought a boom. After World War II, entrepreneurs, some with Mafia ties, built the big casino hotels, and Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley turned the city into a stage. Today, trade shows, concerts and pro sports draw visitors, with the Golden Knights in hockey and the Raiders in football.
Things to See in Las Vegas
The Fremont Street Experience in Downtown covers several blocks with a giant screen, and beneath it lie classic casinos such as the Golden Nugget, where a shark tank is traversed by a water slide. The Neon Museum is home to hundreds of historic neon signs, which are lit up during evening tours. The Mob Museum, housed in the former courthouse, tells the story of organized crime, and the Arts District, with its galleries, vintage shops and bars, draws crowds on the first Friday of the month for First Friday. The famous resorts, the Sphere and the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign are on the Strip, south of the city limits.
Neighborhoods and Dining
Away from the tourist zones, Las Vegas is a residential city with neighborhoods such as Rancho Charleston and Rancho with 1950s mansions, Charleston Heights and Meadows Village near the Springs Preserve, a nature park built around the old springs. In the northwest you'll find Centennial Hills and Lone Mountain, with hiking trails and mountain views. Restaurants in Las Vegas range from buffets to star chefs on the Strip; Chinatown on Spring Mountain Road is known for Asian cuisine and ramen, and Downtown has creative bars and food halls.
Shows and Nightlife in Las Vegas
In the evening, Las Vegas becomes a stage: Cirque du Soleil productions, magicians, comedy and residencies by major pop stars fill the resort theaters, and tickets are often cheaper at the last minute. Downtown is more laid-back – around the Fremont East District you'll find a string of cocktail bars, live-music pubs and clubs with retro charm, and the Container Park, with a fire-breathing praying mantis at its entrance, is a gathering spot for families and night owls alike. If you prefer something quieter, visit the Smith Center for the Performing Arts for concerts and touring Broadway shows.
Getting Around, When to Go and Day Trips
Harry Reid International Airport is just a few miles south of the Strip. The Deuce bus connects the Strip and Downtown, and the Monorail runs along the hotels. The best times to visit are spring and fall; in summer, temperatures climb above 100°F. Day trips lead to Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon.