Exploring the Iconic Fremont Street
Fremont Street is Vegas before the mega resorts took over. While the Strip glows with new neon, downtown keeps its gritty soul alive with street art, cheap drinks, and the world’s biggest video screen ceiling. Here’s your guide to the real downtown Las Vegas scene.
Viva Vision Lights Up The Sky Every Hour
This eye-catching display runs on the world’s largest digital screen, covering five blocks on a huge LED canopy.
The screen stretches 1,375 feet long and hangs 90 feet above Fremont Street’s walking area. The $32 million Viva Vision canopy has 16.4 million pixels and 49.3 million LED lamps, making stunning visuals you can spot from anywhere on Fremont Street.
Each light show starts hourly from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. every night and lasts between six to eight minutes. The shows play music from well-known artists like The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Steve Aoki, Tiesto, and Shakira, all timed perfectly with the lights.
To get the full Downtown energy, stop by in the evening when Fremont Street really comes to life with the mix of light shows, live music, and street performers.
Riders Zoom 114 Feet Above On SlotZilla
For thrill lovers wanting a new view of Fremont Street, SlotZilla offers an unforgettable zipline ride. This 11-story high attraction looks like the world’s largest slot machine.
Guests can pick between two options: flying Superman-style at 11 stories above the street for 5 blocks, or the Zip-Zilla ride, which goes 2 blocks at 7 stories high. The lower Zip-Zilla sits 77 feet up and sends riders halfway down Fremont Street (850 feet) in a seated position.
The upper Super-Hero Zoom launches from 114 feet up and runs the entire 1,700-foot length of Fremont Street. Riders travel down the ziplines at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
The Zoomline puts you in a horizontal Superman flying position along the whole length of Fremont Street, landing at the Main Street Stage near the Golden Gate. As of 2025, tickets cost $54 for the Zipline and $74 for the Zoomline, with prices changing based on time and day.
Mob Museum Shows Crime History In Former Courthouse
The museum sits in the former courthouse that once held trials for famous mobsters and features hundreds of artifacts and hands-on exhibits that explain how organized crime changed Las Vegas and American society.
Officially called the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, the museum has interactive displays across three floors, including a mock police lineup where visitors can get their picture taken with a booking card.
Current hours are Monday-Wednesday from 11 am to 10 pm, Thursday-Friday from 11 am to midnight, and Saturday-Sunday from noon to midnight.
One of the most popular exhibits shows the brick wall where the Valentine’s Day Massacre happened when seven members of the North Side Gang were lined up and shot. In the basement, The Underground speakeasy lets you enjoy Prohibition-era cocktails in a 1920s setting.
Neon Signs From Past Decades Fill Boneyard Museum
Just a few blocks from Fremont Street, the Neon Museum works to save and display the rich history of Las Vegas’ iconic signs.
This non-profit place keeps and shows classic pieces of Las Vegas history during 45-minute guided tours featuring over 250 historical Vegas signs from as far back as the 1930s.
The famous “Neon Boneyard” shows off retired signs from iconic casinos like the Stardust, Sahara, and Golden Nugget. The museum has over 200 unrestored signs and 27 fully restored, lit-up pieces that shine at night.
The museum only takes credit/debit cards and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay – no cash. Hours change with the seasons: March-April (3-11 p.m.), May-August (4 p.m.-midnight), September-October (3-11 p.m.), and November-February (2-10 p.m.).
For the best time, try the night tour when the restored signs light up, creating a spectacular look at vintage Vegas art.
Golden Nugget Pool Surrounds 200,000-Gallon Shark Tank
The Golden Nugget’s $30 million pool area will catch your attention with its amazing design.
The Tank holds a 200,000-gallon shark tank that guests can see from a distance or get close to by riding the pool’s three-story water slide.
This special outdoor pool has a water slide that goes through the shark tank, letting you get thrillingly close to sharks and other sea life.
The aquarium holds five different shark species: four black-tipped sharks, three Tiger sharks (which can grow to 350 pounds), four sandbar sharks, two zebra sharks, and two nurse sharks, plus hundreds of colorful fish.
The whole area has 17 private cabanas across three separate floors, making a luxury resort feel in downtown Las Vegas. The Tank Pool opens from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (swimming until 6:30 p.m.) from May through November.
Binion’s Million Dollar Photo Tradition Since 1954
Getting a free photo with one million dollars has been a Binion’s tradition since 1954.
The steps are simple – stand behind a pyramid of one million dollars with Fremont Street in the background, smile, and push the button to take your photo.
Then your million-dollar photo goes to your email address or mobile device. This photo spot stays open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for guests 21 years and older.
After taking your photo, walk around the historic casino once owned by gambling pioneer Benny Binion and home to the original World Series of Poker tournaments.
The fancy backdrop includes the Fremont Street lights, creating a classic Las Vegas souvenir that captures the sparkle of downtown.
Hugo’s Cellar Greets Women With Roses Since 1973
Walking into Hugo’s Cellar means starting a romantic evening right away. Try the melt-in-your-mouth Beef Wellington or tasty Rack of Lamb, paired with fine wine.
This classic Four Queens restaurant gives an exceptional dining experience with top-quality steak and seafood dishes, tasty appetizers, specialty drinks and an impressive wine list.
Running since 1973, Hugo’s Cellar keeps its vintage Vegas atmosphere and great service, with every woman getting a long-stemmed rose when she arrives.
The restaurant opens daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., perfect for dinner after exploring downtown. Each meal comes complete, including a salad prepared at your table with your main dish.
Shipping Containers Form Shopping Park Downtown
Downtown Container Park brings an open-air shopping center full of boutique shops, restaurants, and live entertainment right to the heart of Las Vegas.
The complex, built from repurposed shipping containers, holds restaurants, retail shops, play areas and stages.
Look for the giant 40-foot-tall, fire-breathing praying mantis sculpture at the entrance – it’s hard to miss. Inside, find carefully selected local businesses, including Bin 702 with its premium meats, cheeses and wine pairings.
Other standout places include Downtown Terrace for quick gourmet meals and Oak & Ivy for award-winning mixed drinks. The park often hosts free live music and events on its central stage, making it a lively spot just steps from Fremont Street.
Golden Gate Hotel Started Las Vegas In 1906
The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino opened in 1906, so you’ll find lots of history in this still-active casino.
Near the hotel’s check-in desk, look at the artifacts on display, including gaming records from the early 1900s, vintage chip holders and more items from the early days of Sin City.
Starting at One Fremont Street, Golden Gate’s story covers the birth of Las Vegas, the Roaring ’20s, the Rat Pack era and now the 21st century. First known as Hotel Nevada, this historic place holds the title of the city’s oldest continuously running hotel.
The property has 106 rooms that mix vintage charm with modern comforts. Golden Gate brought the now-common shrimp cocktail to Las Vegas in 1959, selling it for just 50 cents.
Vegas Vic Cowboy Sign Watches Over Since 1951
Vegas Vic started as a cartoon character for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce in 1947 before becoming the giant sign on the exterior of The Pioneer Club (now a gift shop) in 1951.
This iconic 40-foot neon cowboy counts as one of the most recognizable symbols of Las Vegas and a beloved landmark of Fremont Street.
At 40 feet tall, Young Electric Sign Company designed Vegas Vic to show the friendly cowboy image used in early Las Vegas marketing. When first put up, the animated neon sign would wave its arm and say “Howdy Partner!” to people walking by every 15 minutes.
Live Music Plays Every Night On Three Stages
Fremont Street Experience has free live music every night with amazing shows from some of Las Vegas’ best musical acts. With three stages and a changing schedule of impressive talent, something always happens on Fremont Street, no matter what day you visit.
The three main performance areas—Main Street Stage, 1st Street Stage, and 3rd Street Stage—each play different musical styles throughout the day and night. The free entertainment starts at noon on weekends and 6 PM on weekdays, going late into the night.
Commonwealth Bar Hides Secret Speakeasy Inside
Downtown’s lively restaurant and bar scene makes Fremont East great for a night out in Las Vegas, and no trip to Fremont East should skip Commonwealth.
Next to Commonwealth Bar sits The Laundry Room, a highly rated vintage speakeasy-style spot, only reached through a hidden entrance on the ground floor and open only with reservations.
Found at 525 E. Fremont Street, Commonwealth stands out with its pre-Prohibition era style, showing crystal chandeliers, leather seats, and an amazing 360-degree view from its rooftop patio.
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