Downtown Las Vegas, often overshadowed by the famous Las Vegas Strip, has its own unique charm and attractions that make it a must-visit destination. From its vibrant history to its quirky and offbeat experiences, Downtown Las Vegas offers a refreshing alternative to the glitz and glamour of the Strip.
One of the major draws of Downtown Las Vegas is its affordability. Unlike the Strip, where prices can skyrocket, downtown establishments offer more budget-friendly options for accommodations, dining, and entertainment. Visitors can enjoy all the excitement of Las Vegas without breaking the bank.
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Downtown Las Vegas is also a treasure trove of history. In fact, it predates the Strip by several decades, making it a testament to the city’s rich heritage. The area boasts a vibrant collection of odd museums that are worth exploring. The Neon Museum, also known as the Neon Boneyard, is a captivating display of vintage Vegas signage. Visitors can take a stroll through this neon maze at night, marveling at the illuminated remnants of the city’s past. Another fascinating museum is The Mob Museum, which offers an immersive experience into the history of organized crime in Las Vegas.
For those seeking a spine-tingling adventure, The Haunted Museum, curated by Zak Bagans of Ghost Adventures fame, showcases a chilling collection of haunted artifacts. Or for those looking for their spine, a ride on the zip line should suffice. Slotzilla, the freeflowing zip line ride in Las Vegas that runs under the four-block lightshow canopy that is the Fremont Street Experience is not for those with wobbly knees. Some 1,400 thrill seekers climb the 12-story slot machine-themed platform each day to zoom 800 to 1700 feet with four other brave souls at speeds of up to 45 mph above the meandering crowds.
The City of Las Vegas declares “Down for Anything” the new tagline to describe a spot that is no longer your great grandfather’s favorite getaway.
“Downtown Las Vegas is a place of unlimited potential, and a place where you are not defined by age, education and income, but instead, by how you see the world,” said city mayor, Carolyn Goodman, adding “Downtown Las Vegas is authentic, historic, a little bit edgy, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
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In addition to its historical attractions, Downtown Las Vegas is a hub for arts and culture. The Las Vegas Arts District, spanning 18 blocks, is a mecca for art enthusiasts. It features trendy boutiques, art galleries, and coffee houses, along with a thriving craft beer scene. Brewery Row, located south of Charleston Boulevard, offers a range of local breweries and tap rooms where visitors can sample unique and flavorful brews. Foodies will also delight with the diverse culinary offerings in Downtown Las Vegas. From quirky dining experiences like the Heart Attack Grill, known for its towering burgers and hospital gown-clad waitstaff, to upscale gourmet establishments like Carson Kitchen and Oak & Ivy, there is something to satisfy every palate.
For those who crave a taste of classic Vegas, Downtown Las Vegas is home to iconic casino hotels that have stand the test of time. The Golden Gate Casino Hotel, dating back to 1906, allows guests to step back in time and experience the nostalgia of early Las Vegas. The El Cortez, opened in 1941, offers a glimpse into the city’s golden age of gambling. These historic establishments provide a unique and authentic Vegas experience.
A recent addition to Downtown Las Vegas is the Circa Resort & Casino. This new-build casino hotel, opened in late 2020, boasts a 35-story tower that serves as a landmark in the area. With a focus on creating wow moments, Circa offers an unparalleled experience for visitors. Its massive sportsbook, the largest of its kind, and the Stadium Swim stadium-sized pool area are major attractions. Guests can also indulge in fine dining at Barry’s Downtown Prime and enjoy spacious and luxurious guestrooms with stunning views of the city.
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“We wanted to give people an incredible reveal,” said Circa CEO Derek Stevens, who also owns the redone D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino. “The Stadium Swim entrance is 110 feet above ground level. So as you enter from the top you walk into a huge outdoor aqua theater stadium and arena. We really tried to design with ‘wow’ moments in mind. The whole thing really started because I felt that if I ever had the chance to own a casino, I would have certain things in place — one of which was making sure that the bathrooms were exceptionally clean,” said Stevens, adding that having some unusual attractions inside the property as well as large rooms with great views and some unexpected amenities also go a long way.
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Things work at Circa – no broken escalators here. Elevators are managed with the tap of a key card and appear quickly. Rooms are large (403 to 752 square feet with single or double king beds) with ample bathrooms sporting his and her sinks and a large shower with heavenly rain shower pressure. A desk, a TV with mostly news and sports channels, a cushiony oversized chair and smart lighting add to the room amenities list. Views overlook the vast desert to the northwest or the Stadium Pool area and Downtown to the southeast.
Few hotels are fee-free in Las Vegas, so the $35 fee added to the nightly rate is not unexpected. But guests do have complementary access to the Stadium mega-pool area and also, because security is a priority at Circa and everyone’s identification is checked every time they enter, guests know their stay is safe and protected and the casino and public areas remain free of crowds and riff raff. The garage, too, does not come free. A $25 a night parking pass is issued on check-in and guests know their car is safe in the ‘Garage Mahal,” a clean and convenient temple to the automobile that Circa built with contemporary art installations and a great soundtrack.
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“I think the one great thing about Vegas is every hotel has its own its own model. The city provides an incredible amount of diversification. People have asked me how I compete against, say, a $4 billion Cosmopolitan or a $7 billion City Center area. And my answer to that is, pretty well because we all have a little bit of a different business model,” said Stevens, who learned early on that Circa’s gold was in its humongous sportsbook and its bar none Stadium Swim. So the property spends much of its focus on bringing in the partiers and keeping the games going on the 10-story, 14-million-megapixel LED outdoor screens.
The rest of the action in Downtown Las Vegas happens very much at ground level with talented busker acts, sidewalk bars and bistro spots and an ongoing roving circus of Las Vegas at its wildest mixing with constant flow of visitors who are “down for anything.”
Watch for free concerts in the evening hours under the Fremont Street Experience canopy, as part of the city’s Downtown Rocks program. Nightly live music ranging from local talent to international superstars gets going as the sun goes down and does not stop until well after the midnight hour.
More on Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas at VisitLasVegas.com.
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