If you’ve already read our breakdown of Downtown vs. The Strip, you’ll know that Fremont Street and the surrounding area have made a serious comeback. Downtown Vegas is one of the most interesting parts of Vegas to explore.

Downtown Las Vegas combines that old-school feel with new energy that’s taken over the city.

You’ll find vintage casinos offering better odds, a canopy of LED lights overhead, craft cocktail bars tucked behind unmarked doors, and some of the best food in Vegas, often at much lower prices than what you’d pay on the Strip.

Whether you’re staying downtown or just visiting for a few hours, here are the best things to do in Downtown Las Vegas.

15 Things to Do in Downtown Las Vegas

1. Watch the Viva Vision Light Show

Stretching across five blocks of Fremont Street, this canopy of LED screens is the largest video display in the world. 

Every hour after sunset, the Viva Vision Light Show puts on a free light and music show that fills the street with color and sound. It’s loud, unapologetically over-the-top, and pure Vegas.

2. Fly Over Fremont on the SlotZilla Zipline

A great alternative to the Fly LINQ Zipline, the SlotZilla Zipline launches you from an 11-story slot machine and zips above the crowds on Fremont Street.

Choose the lower Zipline (seated) or go full superhero on the Zoomline, which flies you face-first across the entire street. It’s easily one of the most adrenaline-packed ways to take in the view.

3. Catch Free Live Music (Any Night of the Week)

One of Downtown’s best-kept secrets is just how much free entertainment is packed into a few blocks. 

Fremont Street has multiple stages with nightly performances, cover bands, DJs, and sometimes national acts. 

No ticket required. Just walk up and enjoy the show.

4. Visit the Mob Museum

Located in a former federal courthouse, The Mob Museum offers a deep (and at times chilling) look into the history of organized crime in America. 

The exhibits are immersive and well-produced, covering a wide range of topics from Prohibition to modern surveillance. 

Don’t skip the basement, it hides a speakeasy and distillery you can actually drink in.

Tickets range from $35 to $57.

5. Explore the Neon Museum at Night

A graveyard of vintage Vegas signs might not sound exciting… until you see them lit up. 

The Neon Museum’s guided night tours bring old-school Vegas back to life, with restored neon signs glowing in the desert dark. It’s part nostalgia, part art installation, and completely unique to Vegas.

Evening admission tickets start from $30.

6. Wander Around Downtown Container Park

Built from repurposed shipping containers, this open-air complex is a fun place to spend an hour or two. You’ll find boutique shops, bars, art installations, and even a playground if you’re visiting with kids. 

At night, live music fills the stage, and yes, the giant metal praying mantis at the front really does shoot flames.

Here’s a link to Container Park’s location on Google Maps.

7. Step Inside Some of Vegas’ Oldest Casinos

Downtown is where Vegas began, and some of the original casinos are still running. 

Golden Gate, built in 1906, is the city’s oldest hotel, and El Cortez still has vintage decor and coin slot machines. Even if you’re not gambling, these places give you a glimpse into old Vegas charm.

8. Spot Street Murals, Sculptures, and Neon Signs

Go for a walk and explore the area. Downtown Las Vegas is one of the most visually interesting parts of the city.

You’ll see massive murals on building walls, vintage neon signs hanging above bars, and quirky public art installations all around Fremont East and the nearby Arts District.

Bring your camera, there’s a surprise around every corner.

9. Lounge at Circa Stadium Swim

We cannot mention Downtown Las Vegas without mentioning Circa.

Everytime there’s a major sports event happening, the next best place to be after the venue itself is Circa’s Stadium Swim. 

Stadium Swim features six pools, multiple bars, and a 40-foot tall HD screen that plays live sports all day.

The vibe is part pool party, part sports bar, and all Vegas. It’s one of the few pools that stays lively even when the sun goes down.

Even if you’re not staying at Circa, you can book a day pass to its rooftop pool deck.

If pools are your thing, we highly recommend this.

10. Step Back in Time at Hugo’s Cellar

Hidden below the Four Queens on Fremont Street, Hugo’s Cellar is one of the last true old-school Vegas restaurants (it’s on our list of best off-Strip restaurants for a reason). 

From the moment you walk in, the vibe changes. 

You’ll get dim lighting, brick walls, and tuxedoed servers set the mood for a throwback dining experience. Women are greeted with a long-stemmed rose, and salads are prepared tableside just like they were in classic Vegas.

11. Explore the Las Vegas Arts District & First Friday Festival

Just a few blocks south of Fremont Street, the 18b Arts District is a hub of creativity, filled with art galleries, vintage shops, and colorful murals.

On the first Friday of each month, the area comes alive with the First Friday Festival, a free community event featuring local artists, live music, and food trucks. It’s a great way to experience the local art scene and mingle with both residents and visitors.

12. Visit the Las Vegas Natural History Museum

We mentioned the Mob Museum earlier, but how about the Las Vegas Natural History Museum?

Located in the Cultural Corridor near Downtown, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum offers exhibits on dinosaurs, marine life, and ancient Egypt. It’s an educational and engaging stop, and we would say it’s good for families looking to explore the natural world.

Tickets are cheap, they range from $6 for Nevada resident children to $14 for adults. Children under 2 are admitted for free.

13. Catch a Show at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

A few blocks from Fremont, the Smith Center brings a totally different kind of entertainment to Downtown.

This is where you’ll find touring Broadway productions, live jazz, ballet, and orchestral performances, all inside a stunning Art Deco building inspired by the Hoover Dam.

If you’re looking to swap casinos and cover bands for something a little more refined, this is the place.

14. Take the Kids to the DISCOVERY Children’s Museum

If you’re traveling with kids, then adjacent to the Smith Center is the DISCOVERY Children’s Museum.

It offers three floors of hands-on exhibits that blend science, art, and adventure. Kids can explore a mini city, play with water features, or dive into interactive STEM displays. It’s a great daytime activity if you’re looking for something off the casino floor.

Tickets range from $5 to $20.

15. Experience the Burlesque Hall of Fame

Rounding off our list, is something not family-friendly. 

For a unique glimpse into the history of burlesque, you can visit the Burlesque Hall of Fame. 

This museum celebrates the art and legacy of burlesque performers with exhibits showcasing costumes, photographs, and memorabilia. This is definitely tailored towards a niche, but it’s a fascinating part of Vegas’s entertainment history.

Downtown Las Vegas Has Something For Everyone

Downtown Las Vegas doesn’t try to compete with the Strip. It offers something completely different. 

It’s smaller, more walkable, and packed with character. One minute you’re watching a light show on Fremont Street; the next, you’re stepping into a speakeasy, browsing street art, or catching a Broadway show.

Whether you’re here for the history, the live music, the museums, or just to see a different side of Vegas, Downtown delivers. It’s loud in the right places, quiet in others, and full of surprises if you know where to look.

If you’ve only ever stayed on the Strip, now’s the time to go beyond it.

So what are you waiting for? Explore our list of the best hotels in Downtown Las Vegas.