13 Things to do in downtown Las Vegas (zipline, museums, tours + more!)
13 Things to do in downtown Las Vegas (zipline, museums, tours + more!)
Downtown Las Vegas offers a vibrant and unique experience away from the main strip. With a mix of classic Vegas charm and modern attractions, downtown Las Vegas is jam-packed with things to do – no matter what your interests! There’s old school casinos, free shows, museums, tours, great restaurants and even a zipline! Here are 13 awesome things to do in downtown Las Vegas!
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1) SlotZilla Zip Line
The SlotZilla Zip Line in downtown Las Vegas is cool for two reasons: it’s the world’s largest slot machine at 11-stories high and flies you across one of the most famous streets in the world – Fremont Street!
If you’re a bit of a scaredy cat, this is the zipline for you! As despite the height, I thought this zipline was quite gentle, but so much fun!
You have two options when you book the the SlotZilla Zip Line:
- The Zip-Zilla Zipline: flyers go halfway down the Fremont Street Experience (850 feet), in a seated position, 77 feet above the ground.
- The Super-Hero Zoom Zoomline: On the upper level (114 feet up), flyers ride “superhero-style” all the way down the Fremont Street Experience canopy (1,700 feet), 114 feet above the ground.
It’s $49 to zipline sitting up and $69 to fly down in the iconic ‘superman’ position. If you’re not sure about parting with your cash for this one I would recommend just booking the cheaper option.
2) Fremont Street Walking Tour
If you’d like to find out more about downtown Las Vegas and the Fremont Street Experience, definitely go on a walking tour!
You’ll discover all about downtown’s humble beginnings and how the area was revitalised. It’s now become a vibrant site of restaurants, outdoor family areas and glittering neon lights!
You’ll experience Vegas like never before as you stroll past famous casinos, wedding chapels and themed bars. Following in the footsteps of legendary performers past and present!
You’ll also get to see Fremont East, the “Greenwich Village” of Vegas and its outdoor park made from recycled shipping containers as well as pass some of the most historic wedding chapels where you can get married by Elvis! Or married dressed as Elvis if you prefer! 😉
Get tickets for the Fremont Street Walking Tour.
3) The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum presents a unique way for visitors to get to know Las Vegas through its most iconic neon signs.
It’s also one of my personal all-time favourite things to do in downtown Las Vegas!
The ‘Neon Boneyard’ as it’s affectionately known is dedicated to preserving and showcasing vintage neon signs from old casinos, hotels and businesses in Las Vegas.
There are some amazing stories involving dodgy goings-on, celebrities and organised crime surrounding the most famous neon signs there.
But you’ll get all the goss from the fabulous guides who will share all about the history, design and cultural importance of the signs.
The museum offers both day tours and evening tours, providing different perspectives on the neon signs in natural light and when illuminated.
I really enjoyed my time at The Neon Museum. It’s so different from any other museum you’ll have seen before and is a true homage to Vegas!
4) The Mob Museum
Another great way to learn more about the history of Las Vegas is through its organised crime and law enforcement at The Mob Museum.
The museum takes you from the birth of the Mob, the impact of prohibition, the famous St Valentine’s Day massacre and how organised crime operates today.
Throughout the museum there are cool exhibitions and plenty of fascinating crime artefacts to check out.
One of the best parts of the Mob Museum is that it’s based in a beautifully restored 1933 former courthouse and post office just minutes away from Fremont Street.
The museum itself is worth visiting just to get a peek inside one of the original Vegas buildings!
Get tickets for The Mob Museum.
5) Party down Fremont Street
The fantastic thing about downtown Las Vegas is there’s so much free entertainment!
Add to that a few frozen “yard” cocktails and you’ll find yourself happily partying away in the streets of downtown Las Vegas!
The Fremont Street Experience offers loads of different bars right outside the casinos, an insane light show on the huge LED screens on the canopy above Fremont Street and lots of different DJ sets.
If you’d like a bit more guidance on the best bars to go to, I recommend going on a guided bar crawl on Fremont Street.
You’ll hit up three to four venues with exclusive drink specials, free entry and great vibes for you to party the night away with your fellow travellers!
Get tickets for the Las Vegas Fremont Street Street Bar Crawl.
6) Las Vegas Natural History Museum
When someone says: “Las Vegas” you don’t automatically think of dinosaurs and sarcophaguses do you? But funnily enough the Las Vegas Natural History Museum is home to both!
The museum takes you on a journey from prehistoric times to the present with fun exhibits including a collection of dinosaurs, marine life and Egyptians.
It’s weird to think that dinosaurs were in Las Vegas 100 million years ago. But it was only in 2018 that a new species was discovered in Las Vegas’ Valley of Fire park!
It’s believed to have been a duck-billed dinosaur, fifteen to twenty feet long. Crazy!
Get tickets for the Las Vegas Natural History Museum.
7) Check out Downtown Las Vegas’s Street Art
Downtown Las Vegas is renowned for its vibrant and eclectic street art scene.
The area known as the “Downtown Arts District” is particularly popular with street art lovers and packed with colourful murals and art installations.
Some of the most notable spots where you’ll find street art in downtown Las Vegas is Fremont East District, the Container Park, The Arts Factory and the 18b Las Vegas Arts District.
As the street art landscape is ever-changing I would recommend taking a guided tour so you know where all the best pieces are and learn more about them.
The tour is so fun as you explore some of downtown Las Vegas’s best murals in a one-of-a-kind way – on e-scooters!
You also get lunch and photos included free in the tour – which is perfect for any budding influencers and bloggers!
Get tickets for the Downtown Las Vegas Street Art and Photoshoot Tour.
8) Check out the Fremont east District
Fremont East is a lively district in downtown Las Vegas, adjacent to the iconic Fremont Street Experience.
It offers a different experience compared to the bustling Las Vegas Strip as it provides a more laid-back and historic feel while still offering plenty of excitement and entertainment.
It has gained popularity amongst locals too for its vibrant nightlife, arts scene and eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and super fun entertainment venues.
If you want a guided experience to find out more about Fremont East after dark, I’d recommend taking a Downtown Las Vegas Nighttime Walking Tour.
You’ll also cover the Fremont Street Experience and the Donwtown Container Park.
9) Take yourself on a foodie tour
If there is one thing you will never be in downtown Las Vegas, is hungry!
If you’re getting there around breakfast or brunch time (hangover dependent), I’d suggest going to Vegenation. They do the most indulgent vegan breakfasts I’ve ever seen!
I had the Stuffed French Toast with cream cheese and berry jam and it was hands down the best vegan brunch I’ve ever had!
They also do avocado toast, super food porridge, waffles, tofu scramble and the badass vegan breakfast burrito.
If you’re arriving at lunchtime or later in the day, definitely go for a White Castle burger and fries.
Before visiting Vegas I had been dying to go to White Castle ever since the first Harold and Kumar movie and I have to say – it lived up to my high expectations! 😂
They introduced a vegan burger in 2015 (hallelujah!) and the crinkle cut fries make this burger joint like no other.
If you’d to see the sights and taste more of Old Las Vegas, you can also go on a sightseeing and foodie walking tour.
You’ll learn about local culture and fun facts whilst visiting must-see attractions around Fremont Street and the Downtown Container Park.
In Fremont East, you’ll also stop at local favourite foodie destinations in Fremont East for food tastings!
Get Downtown Vegas Sightseeing and Foodie Walking Tour tickets.
10) Visit the Arts District
The Downtown Las Vegas Arts District has quickly become one of the most happening neighbourhoods in the country! Completely removed from The Strip and the casinos, the area is a favourite with locals.
If you’d like to find out more about the Arts District and be guided through some of its hottest spots, I’d check out this Arts District & Brewery Row Tour.
You’ll get to see art galleries featuring local artists, alleys full of vivid street art, vintage shops, clothing stores, colourful bars and affordable restaurants.
You’ll also walk down Main Street, known as “Brewery Row” and enjoy a couple of drinks free of charge!
Get tickets for the Arts District & Brewery Row Tour.
11) Zac Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
Zac Bagans’ The Haunted Museum is not for the faint-hearted. But a must-see if you’re in downtown Las Vegas and love anything paranormal!
You’ll venture down creepy dim-lit corridors and secret passage ways to explore 30 rooms straight out of a horror movie!
You’ll also get chance to see some of the most haunted artefacts from around the world. These include, Ed Gein’s Cauldron, Charles Manson’s ashes and possessed dolls!
But the most unsettling thing is said to be the original staircase from Indiana’s “Demon House” which was notorious for powerful paranormal activity before being demolished in 2014.
Following the staircase’s installation, a group of construction workers apparently walked off the job and refused to come back. For this reason, visitors are required to sign a waiver stating they understand the risks before entering!
12) Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park
This historic park is often overlooked by tourists as people assume that Las Vegas hasn’t got much history. But at the Old Vegas Fort State Historic Park, you’ll find out where it all began!
The park is on the site of the former Mormon Fort, the first settlement in Las Vegas. Missionaries came here in 1855 as it served as the midpoint between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.
It was eventually abandoned after the Utah War started but the fort still stands today as the first permanent, non-native settlement in the Las Vegas Valley.
The park is only $3 to get into so you’d be silly to miss it!
I only took an hour to look around and The Neon Museum is next door so it’s well-worth a visit if you’re going there anyway!
13) Go shopping in the Downtown Container Park
The Downtown Container Park is an innovative shopping, dining and entertainment complex in the Fremont East District.
What makes this place unique is it’s constructed using repurposed shipping containers, giving it a distinct and modern architectural style!
The park is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Offering a unique blend of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences.
So, whether you’re looking for a place to shop, eat or simply enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, the Downtown Container Park is well worth a visit whilst exploring downtown Vegas!
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Which of these top things to do in downtown Las Vegas are you adding to your Las Vegas itinerary? 😄
Quick FYI guys – this ’13 Things to do in downtown Las Vegas’ post contains affiliate links to various tours I recommend. I will receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!
