Hotels near Fremont Street Experience

Downtown on Fremont Street, the original Las Vegas of the 1950s lives on beneath the Fremont Street Experience, a five-block pedestrian mall covered by a vast LED canopy that erupts in light-and-sound shows every hour after dark. It is louder, cheaper and more chaotic than the Strip, and a lot of people prefer it.

The SlotZilla zip line flies the length of the canopy, cover bands play free street stages, and the vintage neon signs and lower-stakes casinos give a taste of old-school Vegas. It is the best place to feel the city's history rather than its corporate present.

Pro Tip: Come after dark when the overhead light shows run and the street performers are out, and budget a little extra for the SlotZilla zip line for a different view. Downtown is a short rideshare or Deuce-bus hop from the Strip, so pair it with the nearby Neon Museum.