What’s So Special About Fremont Street? Here’s Why You Need To Visit Downtown Las Vegas!
What’s So Special About Fremont Street? Here’s Why You Need To Visit Downtown Las Vegas!
Learn why you need to add a visit to the heart of Sin City to your next Vegas itinerary.
Search “Las Vegas Strip” on any social media app, and you’ll probably find your feed full of the lights and sounds of the mega-resorts and casinos Vegas has become known for. But ask any Vegas insider, and they’ll tell you where the heart and soul of Sin City sits – downtown Fremont Street.
Sure, tourists flock to the city to enjoy a weekend away at the Strip’s many hotel-casino destinations, but what if you want the authentic side of the city? A spot where the drinks are cheaper, the stories are richer, and you can still catch that wild spirit of the American West?
Fremont Street isn’t your typical Vegas tourist hangout. It’s a street that earned its “Sin City” reputation long before the first foundation was poured on the Strip. It’s a spot where – in 1905 – a dusty railway auction gave birth to one of the most infamous cities in the frontier.
Walking these streets, you’ll find yourself in a rare space where past and present collide in a pretty spectacular fashion. You’ll find vintage neon signs shining over modern street performers, and you can even step into century-old casinos that combine old-world flair with modern games.
But most importantly, Fremont Street is a spot where you’ll find the Vegas that has a charm and a vibe you won't find anywhere else in the world – where the city's wild spirit hasn't been polished away by money and the “bigger and better.”
It's gritty, it's real, and it's exactly what you've been looking for if you want to experience the true heart of Las Vegas.
Welcome To Fremont Street: The Original Sin City
Long before the Bellagio’s fountains danced or the Mirage’s famous volcano erupted for the last time, Las Vegas was centered around Fremont Street.
The year was 1905, and the scene was almost what you’d expect from an older Western flick: a railway yard just visible through the desert dust and a cast of characters at a record-breaking land auction that would make any Western movie buff proud.
But it wasn’t just the land itself that drew prospectors and businessmen to this spot out in the Nevada desert – it was the promise of freedom outside the constraints of “polite society.”
While the rest of the country grappled with Prohibition and a strict moral code, Fremont Street gave a place for those who wanted to taste the forbidden and create their own way of life.
Walking The Line
The street earned its first nickname – “The Line” – from the row of saloons, gambling halls, and brothels that operated openly, defying the nationwide bans (and attracting a fair share of visitors from across the country!)
This rebellious spirit on The Line gave way to the architecture and atmosphere of Fremont Street – which you can still feel today as you walk the street.
The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, opened in 1906 as Hotel Nevada, still stands at One Fremont Street, wearing its history proudly. Inside, you can find modern slot machines alongside displays of prohibition-era whiskey bottles found in the walls during renovation.
The hotel's original rooms, though updated, maintain their compact size – a reminder of when Vegas was still a frontier town catering to railway workers and adventurous souls. And, if you want to stay in one of the first rooms, there are 10 of them.
Walking east, you'll pass the site of the legendary Arizona Club, once the crown jewel of Block 16 – Vegas's original red-light district.
While the original building is long gone, its spirit of revelry continues in the modern bars and entertainment venues that line the street. Re-live what it was like to walk through the Arizona Club, on our tours, hear from the sheriff who walked these streets as he recounts stories of what he saw during those wild days. Then, step inside the doors of that infamous club, with our augmented reality videos, and learn about the first crafted cocktail of Las Vegas.
From The Line To Glitter Gulch
Eventually, Fremont Street would go from The Line to the more dazzling “Glitter Gulch” – coined when Fremont Street lit up with the lights of neon signs. On Friday and Saturday nights, locals would “cruise the donut,” circling the downtown area in their cars in what would become a routine parade of Vegas life.
While those old cars may be gone now – the street was converted to a pedestrian mall in 1994 – that same impromptu celebratory energy is still there, especially when the crowds gather at night under the Viva Vision canopy.
Local historians will tell you that the Strip may have stolen Vegas’s spotlight, but Fremont Street still holds a place in the heart of locals and those who see beyond the veneer of “casino culture.” It’s where you’ll find the soul of the spirit that founded the city – a place that called adventurous people to come and build what would be known as the Entertainment Capital of the World.
And that living history? You can still see it for yourself today. Even the famous "Vegas Vic" cowboy sign, which has been waving to passersby since 1951, pays homage to the city's Wild West roots.
Fremont’s Casino Scene – Hollywood’s Original Playground
If you want to see Vegas the way Hollywood’s elite once did, you need to pass beyond the Bellagio. We’re talking about Fremont Street’s historic casinos – spots where the Rat Pack frequented, and you could take part in the vices of the time behind closed doors.
These casinos and hotels were some of the first in the country to feature electric amenities and air conditioning – so you can bet they quickly grew in popularity.
The Apache Hotel
The Apache Hotel made headlines in 1932 as the first air-conditioned hotel in Las Vegas. While that may not seem that impressive these days, imagine the relief that AC brought to those who were suffering from the Nevada heat back then!
The Apache pioneered luxury in Vegas with its electric elevator, private bathrooms, and soaring ceiling. Today, the restored Hotel Apache at Binion’s maintains that same commitment to preservation – and if the rooms feel like you’ve actually stepped into a 1930s time capsule, it's because you have! They, too, have been renovated to retain their original design and charm (but with a few more modern conveniences.)
The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino
The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino tells an even older story than The Apache. Opening in 1906 as the Hotel Nevada, this hotel and casino became known for “first-class” amenities like electric lighting (really) and steam heat radiators.
But what really put the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino on the map was its reputation as a favorite haunt of the Rat Pack. Stories of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. holding court at the bar are legendary, and today's visitors can still order a drink at that very same spot. The casino may have modern games and hotel experiences – but you’ll feel the same vibe 100 years later.
Arizona Club
Perhaps the most famous spot on Fremont Street? The Arizona Club – once the crown jewel of Block 16. Though the original building is sadly gone, its legacy lives on in the district’s modern entertainment venues. The Arizona Club was more than a gambling hall – it showed the breadth of lifestyle that came to Vegas to escape and experience the pains of the time.
When you visit Fremont Street, it’s worth your time to visit some of these landmarks, and you can catch curated exhibitions and displays – whether it's vintage room keys displayed at the Golden Gate or the original poker tables at Binion's. Want to see the real deal? Tour with one of Vegas’s top tour guides!
Why Tourists Keep Coming Back To Fremont Street
Let’s talk about what everyone really wants to know – yes, everything really is cheaper on Fremont Street.
But this isn’t because the street cuts corners, it’s because you can get more bang for your buck (and more experience while you’re at it.) While Strip casinos are designed to push table minimums to the stratosphere, Fremont Street still features plenty of $5 and $10 blackjack tables. Seasoned gamblers will tell you that downtown casinos seem to offer better odds, too – particularly on slots.
You will find more than a few hidden rooms with classic mechanical slot machines that give some pretty impressive payback percentages in town!
The value extends beyond gambling as well. Happy hour actually means something down on Fremont Street – with deals you won’t find out on the Strip. You’ll find quality meals at local spots for half of what you’d pay at casino or resort restaurants – and best of all? The experience you get down on Fremont Street is totally free.
A Festival Every Night
During one of our tours of Fremont Street, you’ll likely run into one of our regular street performers who says that the street becomes a party every single night.
"I can play in a bar on Friday and Saturday night in my hometown, and 50 people might hear me, I come downtown, and I can play to thousands in a single day"
It’s that atmosphere that keeps people coming back to Fremont Street. Plus, you can see pretty much all of the street in a 15-minute walk, there's no setting off for the next casino only to discover you're still walking there an hour later. If you've ever tried walking the strip, you know exactly what we're talking about (but we’d recommend spending a bit more time!) No need for taxis or expensive ride-shares, everything is within walking distance, and you can find your way around pretty easily.
The pedestrian-only environment is one of the top reasons that Fremont Street maintains its reputation. People actually interact with one another, sharing their favorite spots to eat or grab a drink, and are always ready to join in on the fun.
Perhaps most surprisingly, regular visitors rave about the sense of community they get down on Fremont Street. Bartenders remember guests, dealers greet familiar faces by name – you’ll even find that the street performers build a loyal following.
It’s that combination of value, entertainment, accessibility, and genuine human connection that creates something rare in modern Vegas – a place where you can relax and be yourself without constantly checking your wallet.
Top Spots To Visit on Fremont Street
There’s plenty to do and see down on Fremont Street – and here are a few of our favorites:
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Main Attraction |
5-block pedestrian mall with LED canopy Viva Vision Light Show Free live entertainment |
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Thrill Ride |
11-stories, the largest slot machine in the world (Guiness Book of World Records) Two ride options: Zip-Zilla and Superhero-Zoom Soar above Fremont Street |
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Unique Attractions |
Open-air shopping center Giant flame-shooting praying mantis sculpture all the way from Burning Man |
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GOT ONE? |
Tell us here |
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Vegas Vic Sign |
Iconic neon cowboy sign |
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Cultural Experiences |
Fremont East Medallions |
18 bronze medallions showcasing Las Vegas history embedded in the sidewalk |
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Museum exploring organized crime history |
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Food and Drink |
Indulge, why not |
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Popular pizza spot where they still play Evel Knieval's jumps behind the bar |
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Rotating bar above Fremont at Binion's |
Let’s Bust Some Myths About Fremont Street
As a leading tour guide team in Vegas, we’ve heard just about every myth you can imagine about Fremont Street – and while you may hear that Fremont is “unsafe” or “unsanitary,” we can assure you – it’s anything but.
“I heard Fremont Street is dangerous!”
Those “sketchy” characters you’ve heard about lurking around Fremont Street? They’re usually licensed performers who actually have passed more background checks than that guy sitting next to you at the poker table on the Strip.
Fremont’s professionals make the area vibrant and unique – and there are plenty of safety elements on the street and in the businesses to keep you safe.
“Downtown is run down and dirty.”
Sure, Fremont Street isn’t the buttoned-up, marble-floored casinos you’ll find on the Strip, but that’s the point!
What you’re seeing isn’t neglect – it’s authenticity. This is the real Vegas, with history preserved on the streets and in the buildings (rather than being demolished for the next big thing.) But once you step into one of the spots downtown, you’ll be greeted with clean, modern amenities.
“Nothing good happens after dark on Fremont Street.”
Oh, we disagree. We’d say the most fun happens after dark down on Fremont Street!
The famous Viva Vision light show illuminates the entire street, outdoor bars and restaurants bring the fun, and you’ll see live entertainment you can’t find anywhere else. Plus, the consistent presence of staff, security, and visitors makes it feel safer than many other tourist areas!
“It’s just too… gritty for me.”
We won’t lie – some of Fremont Street’s appeal is the gritty, genuine feel you get when you’re on the Line.
But it's that same grit that built the city – even the Strip benefited from Fremont Street’s place in history. Preserving that entrepreneurial and freedom-loving spirit is what made this spot so special, and it isn’t going anywhere soon!
Visit Fremont Street: The Real Side Of Vegas
If you want to see the best of Fremont Street, make sure to visit with a trusted and experienced tour team who knows how to get around (and unlock the secret side of town!) At Las Vegas Guided Tours, we offer more than just the “greatest hits” of Vegas – we take you down into what makes this part of town the best.
Our Historic Red Light District Walking Tour guides you into the city's most fascinating era – a place where madams, merchants, police and prostitutes all played their part in creating the adult playground we know today.
Or take on Fremont Street yourself with a self-guided interactive tour that allows you to explore and learn more about the area with an interactive app – full of stories and augmented reality that brings the street to life. Whether you want to walk the streets of history or dine at some of the best spots off-strip, Las Vegas Guided Tours has you covered.
Ready to discover the Vegas that almost disappeared? Join Las Vegas Guided Tours and book your tour online – or download our app and start exploring at your own pace!