For all you Vegas newbies, one thing you should know is that downtown is built differently. Downtown Las Vegas is where visitors and locals go to party, enjoy free entertainment and double down on debauchery.
If you’re visiting downtown Las Vegas for the first time or haven’t been here in a while, we’ve got you covered. Here are insider tips to help you get the most out of your time while downtown, plus some bonus advice.
Aside from that, here are eight tips to keep in mind when visiting downtown Las Vegas for the first time:
1. Feel Free To Drink Outside
We know it feels a little weird at first, but anyone over the age of 21 can drink outside in Las Vegas! This takes casino and bar hopping to a whole new level when exploring downtown. We’re all about booze efficiency here in Vegas, so grab a drink at one place and head to your next destination without missing a beat.
However, there are some caveats. Your drink must be in a plastic container. This means cans, bottles and glasses are a no-go on Fremont Street. The good thing is most of the downtown Las Vegas casinos and bars have plastic cups at their entrances and exits, making it easy to pour your drink into the proper receptacle and keep the party going.
2. Visit Multiple Casinos
Anybody who’s been to the Strip will tell you the same thing: Those casinos are not as close as you think they are. You can walk for blocks on end before you get to the next Strip property, which makes it challenging to visit as many as you want.
Then, there’s downtown Las Vegas. One of the best things about downtown is how close the casinos actually are. For example, getting from Four Queens to the Golden Nugget is as easy as crossing the street!
Want to switch it up again? Walk across Fremont Street, and you’re at Binion’s Gambling Hall. Another change of scenery? One more crosswalk gets you to Fremont Hotel & Casino. We can go on and on, but you get the gist. You can easily pop into all the properties at Fremont Street Experience without breaking a sweat.
3. Get Free Drinks While You’re Gambling
You might think that free drinks are a thing of the past in Sin City, but not in downtown Las Vegas! You can still get complimentary drinks while you gamble at most of the casinos.
Just keep in mind that properties have different policies about free drinks. You might have to play for a minimum amount of time or at a certain rate before complimentary drinks are offered. It doesn’t hurt to ask your cocktail server or bartender about their free drink policies to keep the booze flowing while you play.
8. Take Advantage of Free Diversions
Downtown offers some of the best free things to do in Vegas. The big one is our Downtown Rocks free concert series that hosts chart-topping musicians and bands across three stages on Fremont Street. No tickets or entry fees are required!
Of course, you must also check out a free Viva Vision light show while you’re here. The massive LED canopy screen will dazzle your senses with mind-blowing visuals and concert-quality sound.
Other free things to do in downtown Las Vegas include:
- Get a free photo with $1 million at Binion’s
- Explore unique artifacts at Main Street Station (including Winston Churchill’s snooker table)
- Check out vintage Vegas treasures at Golden Gate
- See The Tank pool at Golden Nugget Las Vegas
- Enjoy the downtown art murals from the Life Is Beautiful Festival
- Walk around Downtown Container Park
9. Have a Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience on Slotzilla
If you’re all about thrills and adventure, downtown has the perfect thing for you. SlotZilla is a one-of-a-kind zipline ride that takes you soaring past the casinos, over the crowds and under the Viva Vision screen.
While there are two ways to fly (the lower zipline and the upper zoom line), opting for the Super-Hero Zoom will shoot you down Fremont Street at up to 35 miles per hour! Check out this unique zipline in Las Vegas for an unforgettable downtown experience.
10. Get the Best Hotel Room Rates in Downtown Las Vegas
We know money can be tight these days. The good news is you can still plan a trip to Vegas if you’re on a budget! Affordable Fremont Street hotels, cheap rates and low-to-no resort fees mean you’ll have more to spend on drinks, food, gaming and anything else you decide to do downtown.
Here are a few downtown Las Vegas hotels with the best rates:
- Binion’s Gambling Hall
- The D Casino & Hotel
- Four Queens Hotel & Casino
- The California Hotel & Casino
- Main Street Station
- Fremont Hotel & Casino
- Golden Gate Hotel & Casino
11. Catch All the Viva Vision Light Shows
Did you know that Viva Vision features around eight different light shows each night? If you happen to be downtown, you might as well watch them all! Shows start at 6:00 p.m. nightly and continue at the top of the hour, every hour, until 2:00 a.m. Check out the Viva Vision schedule to see when your favorite artist is featured, including:
- Imagine Dragons
- Stone Temple Pilots
- Katy Perry
- Shakira
- The Chainsmokers
- Steve Aoki
- Tiesto
- The Killers
- MIXology
See a Different Side of Vegas at Fremont Street Experience
Do Vegas differently with a trip downtown! The Fremont Street Experience has everything you need for an exciting and memorable stay. Remember to keep these tips in mind while you explore, find unique adventures and party under the neon lights of downtown Las Vegas.
4. Always Tip Your Cocktail Servers and Dealers
Now that we’ve covered free drinks, we must segue into a related topic: Tips. Tipping is customary in a service-focused town like Vegas. But when should you tip, and how much? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Cocktail Servers
The drinks may be on the house, but your server is still working to take your order and bring them to you. Tipping a dollar or two per drink is perfect and very much appreciated. The more generous you are, the more you’ll see the cocktail servers around.
Dealers
If the dealer is making your experience enjoyable (especially if you’re winning), consider tipping. A common myth is dealers root against players. However, that’s far from the truth. Dealers want players to win and win big because winners tip more than those who are on the outs with Lady Luck.
You can tip either while you’re playing (dealers love it when players make bets on their behalf!) or as you “color up” and leave the table.
5. Watch for Special Events
Downtown Las Vegas is always hosting special events throughout the year that bring the crowds to Fremont Street. If you happen to be in Vegas during one of these special events, it’s definitely worth a trip downtown to get the full experience.
Check out our calendar of events to see when we’re hosting:
- Live concerts and performances
- Music and arts festivals
- Seasonal parades and parties
- Sports viewing events
If you do swing by when an event is taking place, give yourself a little extra time to find parking and get to Fremont Street Experience. Some streets may be closed or attractions could be busier than usual. Also, purchase tickets for the downtown zipline ahead of time to avoid a long wait.
6. Pace Yourself
We know you came to Las Vegas on a mission to have as much fun as possible. With that in mind, the only way to keep the party going from start to finish is to pace yourself. With Vegas being a 24-hour town, it’s easy to get carried away and peak too early!
Instead, enjoy Las Vegas responsibly while soaking in all it has to offer. Stay hydrated, rest between activities and take advantage of relaxing things to do in downtown. A massage and a couple of hours at Stadium Swim at Circa Resort & Casino may be just what you need to recharge before a night out.
7. Learn Gambling Basics
The gaming scene in Las Vegas is second to none, but we know it can be a little intimidating for newbies. Learning the basics of a few table games will help you understand the rules and enjoy the time spent at the table.
8. Take Advantage of Free Diversions
Downtown offers some of the best free things to do in Vegas. The big one is our Downtown Rocks free concert series that hosts chart-topping musicians and bands across three stages on Fremont Street. No tickets or entry fees are required!
Of course, you must also check out a free Viva Vision light show while you’re here. The massive LED canopy screen will dazzle your senses with mind-blowing visuals and concert-quality sound.
Other free things to do in downtown Las Vegas include:
- Get a free photo with $1 million at Binion’s
- Explore unique artifacts at Main Street Station (including Winston Churchill’s snooker table)
- Check out vintage Vegas treasures at Golden Gate
- See The Tank pool at Golden Nugget Las Vegas
- Enjoy the downtown art murals from the Life Is Beautiful Festival
- Walk around Downtown Container Park
9. Have a Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience on Slotzilla
If you’re all about thrills and adventure, downtown has the perfect thing for you. SlotZilla is a one-of-a-kind zipline ride that takes you soaring past the casinos, over the crowds and under the Viva Vision screen.
While there are two ways to fly (the lower zipline and the upper zoom line), opting for the Super-Hero Zoom will shoot you down Fremont Street at up to 35 miles per hour! Check out this unique zipline in Las Vegas for an unforgettable downtown experience.
10. Get the Best Hotel Room Rates in Downtown Las Vegas
We know money can be tight these days. The good news is you can still plan a trip to Vegas if you’re on a budget! Affordable Fremont Street hotels, cheap rates and low-to-no resort fees mean you’ll have more to spend on drinks, food, gaming and anything else you decide to do downtown.
Here are a few downtown Las Vegas hotels with the best rates:
- Binion’s Gambling Hall
- The D Casino & Hotel
- Four Queens Hotel & Casino
- The California Hotel & Casino
- Main Street Station
- Fremont Hotel & Casino
- Golden Gate Hotel & Casino
11. Catch All the Viva Vision Light Shows
Did you know that Viva Vision features around eight different light shows each night? If you happen to be downtown, you might as well watch them all! Shows start at 6:00 p.m. nightly and continue at the top of the hour, every hour, until 2:00 a.m. Check out the Viva Vision schedule to see when your favorite artist is featured, including:
- Imagine Dragons
- Stone Temple Pilots
- Katy Perry
- Shakira
- The Chainsmokers
- Steve Aoki
- Tiesto
- The Killers
- MIXology
See a Different Side of Vegas at Fremont Street Experience
Do Vegas differently with a trip downtown! The Fremont Street Experience has everything you need for an exciting and memorable stay. Remember to keep these tips in mind while you explore, find unique adventures and party under the neon lights of downtown Las Vegas.
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