Things to do in Downtown Las Vegas

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
The 'Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas' sign at night

Seeking a little respite from the non-stop sensory assault that is the Las Vegas Strip? Then Downtown may be for you. The city’s historic heart promises much the same in terms of top-flight dining, high-stakes casinos and flashing neon signs, but is a much more laid back affair, with street eats, free live shows and an artsy enclave that feels more NYC than Vegas Strip. There are stacks of things of things to do in Downtown Las Vegas, too, and we’ve put together a few of our favorites below, including:

  • Fremont Street Experience
  • Golden Nugget casino
  • Mob Museum
  • Container Park
  • SlotZilla Zipline
  • Neon Museum
  • Las Vegas Arts District

Fremont Street Tour

Image of City, Truck, Vehicle, Urban, Amusement Park, Fun, Theme Park, Car, Traffic Light, Person,

A tour of historic Fremont Street is hands-down the best way to find your bearings on your first visit to Downtown Las Vegas (and a great way to discover things to do on Fremont Street once the tour is over). During the tour you’ll follow in the footsteps of the first settlers, see where the Rat Pack used to hang out and learn about Sin City’s past links to organized crime. Your guide will also point out old-school Downtown icons like the Golden Nugget casino and Neonopolis wedding chapel, where you can – should you so desire – be married by Elvis and Gene Simmons impersonators. You’ll also discover the iconic Main Street Station hotel and casino which promises, among its many treasures, chandeliers from the Coca-Cola building in Texas and the Figaro Opera House in Paris, and a section of the Berlin Wall in the, um, gentlemen’s conveniences.

Fremont Street Experience

Image of Person,

The undisputed highlight of the Fremont Street Experience is its absolutely humongous vaulted canopy. At 1,500 feet in length (that’s about four blocks or five football pitches, fact fans) and containing nearly 50 million LED lights, this unashamedly decadent wraparound video screen is the world’s largest. Grab a drink at one of the many bars in this (mostly) pedestrianized part of town and settle in for the mesmerizing light shows that burst out of the big screen every hour. There’s also free live music across three stages here, starting at 6pm every single evening.

The Golden Nugget

You’ll recognize The Golden Nugget from its cameos in dozens of Hollywood flicks down the years, perhaps most notably Bond classic Diamonds are Forever and Elvis fave (yup, you guessed it) Viva Las Vegas. Enter beneath the iconic neon sign and check out the huge Hand of Faith nugget on display in the lobby before trying your luck at the roulette and blackjack tables or just grabbing a cocktail and soaking up the distinctly old-school vibes of this, Las Vegas’s oldest large casino.

SlotZilla Zipline

From high stakes to high wires, the SlotZilla Zipline is pure Vegas, with an 11-story launch deck that’s designed to look like a giant slot machine, complete with cascading coins and a pair of 35-foot showgirls. Incurable thrill-seekers can fly, Superman-style, along the epic (and appropriately named) Superhero-Zoom, which traverses the length of the Fremont Street Experience. The Zip-Zilla is a somewhat less frightening half-length option that flies a little lower and allows you to travel in an upright seated position, for those not feeling quite so dare-devilish.

The Mob Museum

Image of Fashion, Advertisement, Poster, People, Person, Hat, Adult, Male, Man,

Practise your best Al Capone impersonations on a visit to the quite excellent Mob Museum, with its plethora of interactive exhibits that chart the history of organized crime in the US, with a focus on mob activity in Las Vegas. See if you can hit the target in the firearms training simulator and visit the rogues’ gallery charting over a century of made men. There’s even an underground speakeasy here serving Prohibition-inspired cocktails to thirsty visitors. Enter via the secret door by the parking lot, but watch out for shady-looking gentlemen in fedoras and pinstripe suits!

Container Park

Image of City, Person, Urban,

A giant metal mantis with flaming antennae and an ear-shattering sound system marks the somewhat apocalyptic entrance to the Container Park, a Downtown shopping and entertainment mecca built out of old shipping containers. It’s a pretty cool hangout, with a little something for people of old ages: there are independent boutiques, bars and live music for the grown-ups, while a huge slide and water-play area in the central courtyard keeps the kids happy.

The Neon Museum

This huge outdoor museum preserves and exhibits that most Las Vegas of art forms: the neon sign. It’s a kind of retirement home for neon signs, giving these masterpieces of the Nevada skyline a second lease of life as part of a major tourist attraction. This is where you’ll find classic old-school signage including sparkling examples from the Stardust, Sassy Sally’s, Lucky Cuss Motel and the Hard Rock Cafe. We recommend visiting the Neon Boneyard at sundown for the most Instagrammable photo opportunities, when the signs are lit up against the fiery desert sky in all their technicolor glory.

SkyPod at the Strat

Image of City, Person, Urban,

Ok ok, so it’s not strictly part of Downtown, but it does command some of the best views of Fremont Street you’ll find anywhere in the city, so we say it counts! Another bonus is that this is one attraction you really can’t miss: just look for the skyscraping observation tower south of Downtown in the direction of the Strip; it's only the second-tallest of its kind in the entire Western Hemisphere! And, should your nerves be able to withstand the head-spinning super-speed elevator ride up to the 108th floor, there are plenty of attractions up here, nearly 1,000 feet above the Strip, to keep adrenaline-seekers occupied for hours. Board the aptly-named Insanity ride, a giant metal claw that dangles (and spins) its victims passengers over the edge of the building and into thin air. Or get even higher on the Big Shot, the vertical drop ride that goes up (and down) the tower’s needle, reaching a gut-churning height of 1,081 feet. Eek, eek and, furthermore, eeeeeeeeeek!

Save on attractions in Las Vegas

Save on admission to Las Vegas attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

Continue reading

Las Vegas helicopter going past the Eiffel Tower
Blog

Adventurous things to do in Las Vegas

There’s no place quite like Las Vegas for satisfying the senses – the flashing signs, bright costumes, music, traffic and the sound of chips being counted are enough to overwhelm even the hardiest of visitors. It’s not a place for the faint hearted! And of course, a place like Vegas is bound to attract thrill-seekers and risk-takers, looking for a novel and exciting experience. Fortunately, there’s much more to Vegas than gambling your fortunes on the spin of a wheel or the chance to get married on a whim – there’s plenty more for the courageous spirit here! Our picks for the best Vegas adventures include: Vegas Strip helicopter tour SkyJump from the STRAT The Fly LINQ Zipline The Big Apple Roller Coaster The Blair Witch escape room Hiking to hot springs The Vegas Strip helicopter tour Feel your adrenaline pumping as you launch upward in the ‘limousine of the sky’. Hear the roar of the propellers as you soar along the famous strip, and see the Luxor Pyramid, Bellagio Fountains and the streets of Downtown Vegas from a whole new, colorful perspective. This Vegas Strip helicopter tour takes you from Las Vegas Boulevard to Fremont Street and back again, over neon signs, searching spotlights and crowds of people all looking tiny from your high vantage point. The ECO-Star helicopter is spacious and comfortable, and you can take as many photos as you like – but don’t forget to pause and take it all in, because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! SkyJump from the STRAT Head up to the top of the STRAT, where you can enjoy 360-degree views from 108 floors above the Strip. Then hop into a jumpsuit, strap yourself to the descender machine and jump! You’ll feel like superman leaping tall buildings in a single bound as you hurtle down the only Sky Jump in North America at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. Feel the wind whipping your face and roaring in your ears – if that doesn’t get the adrenaline pumping, nothing will! As you reach the ground the landing will be carefully controlled, and you’ll have a chance to look at photos of your descent while you get your land legs back again. Then you can head to one of the lip-smackingly good restaurants of the STRAT, since all that jumping is bound to have worked up an appetite. Ride the Fly LINQ Zipline If jumping from a 108-storey building is just a little too much for you, how about a 1,121-foot zipline? When you ride the Fly LINQ, you’re strapped into a harness and ride in a seated position, and while you can still reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, you’re only launching from 122 feet up, so you travel at a slightly less alarming angle. You’ll have plenty of time to take in the views, which include the open-air LINQ shopping center, the Brooklyn Bowl and the broad, twinkling streets and promenades of Vegas. Then you’ll finish at the High Roller Observation Wheel, which is the tallest observation wheel in the Americas and makes a wonderful backdrop for your souvenir photo! Ride the Big Apple Roller Coaster If there’s anything cooler than a roller coaster in the middle of a city, it’s a roller coaster with a New York Subway-inspired platform and cars designed to look like NYC taxi cabs. And sure, the Big Apple Coaster makes a very impressive skyline, but the best way to experience it is to ride it. It’ll take you slowly up to around 80 feet, where you’ll get a brief glimpse over the city before being whisked down again through a series of loops, spirals and inversions at a heart-pumping speed. You’ll believe you’re in New York as replicas of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building whizz by. And if you find it all happened a bit too fast – perhaps you’ll have to go and ride it again! Escape the Blair Witch Project experience Escape rooms come in many shapes, sizes and difficulty levels, and themes to suit all tastes and interests. In the Vegas Number One Escape Room, for example, you can choose to escape from a creepy cabin in the woods, Red Riding Hood’s grandmother’s house, foil a jewelry heist or follow up a bigfoot sighting. But the most daring will want to try the Blair Witch Escape Room, based on the terrifying movie franchise. Begin at the Burkittsville Ranger’s Station in the Black Hills Forest and follow the clues to find out exactly what happened to some missing students. Featuring creaky doors, dark, dank rooms and actual props from the movies, fans and thrill-seekers alike will be drawn into this heart-pounding experience. The question is, will you be able to get out again... Go hiking to hot springs If you’re looking for a little adventure out of the city, just downstream from Hoover Dam in the Black Canyon is the Gold Strike Canyon, where you’ll find the Gold Strike and Nevada Hot Springs. To get there, it’s an hour or so’s hike from the highway over rocks and other obstacles, some of which require hauling yourself up fixed-place ropes. Anyone of reasonable fitness should be able to manage it, but take note that the hike is not recommended in summer because of the potential presence of rattlesnakes. Once you get there you can have a relaxing soak in the hot springs, enjoying the quiet and isolation of the hills and rocks. Note there are risks associated with the springs as well, so be sure to check for any health warnings before you jump in. Have more adventures with Go City With Go City, you can save on dozens of attractions in and around Las Vegas. Whether you’re trying to be a bit braver, or a full adrenaline junkie, bring out your adventurous side with a Las Vegas Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass whenever you find yourself sightseeing in Sin City!
Karleen Stevens
zipline
Blog

Fly LINQ and Beyond: 10 Free Spots to Explore Nearby

You’ve just soared above Sin City on the Fly LINQ Zipline—and the buzz hasn’t worn off yet. Now what? Well, good news: you’re smack in the center of all the Las Vegas action, surrounded by a surprising amount of free entertainment, quirkiness, and classic Vegas flair. Whether you’re hoping to stretch your legs, soak up some neon, or snap those envy-inducing photos, you don’t need to keep reaching for your wallet. Let us lead the way to the best zero-cost attractions within strolling distance of Fly LINQ—so you can keep your Vegas adventure rolling, and your budget intact.  Our favorite free things to do near Fly LINQ include:  LINQ Promenade Stroll & Photo Ops  Flamingo Wildlife Habitat  Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens  Bellagio Fountains Show  Caesars Palace Forum Shops  Street Performers on the Strip  The Mirage Volcano  The Cosmopolitan Art Program  Welcome to Las Vegas Sign  The Park Las Vegas  LINQ Promenade Stroll & Photo Ops  Start your post-zipline adventure right on the LINQ Promenade. This lively pedestrian mall offers a fun, immersive Vegas experience—no ticket required. It’s packed with public art, fabulous light installations, and people-watching opportunities galore. Pose for a snap under the vibrant High Roller observation wheel, or dig into the interactive mural featuring Vegas icons. At night, festival-style string lights and LED displays bring a party vibe that’s pure Strip magic.  The Promenade pulses with street performers, live music, and (if your timing’s lucky) spontaneous dance-offs or magic tricks. Local shops and pop-ups line the walkway, primed for browsing—or simply window-shopping. With energetic crowds, top-notch selfie spots, and the thrill of being in the very thick of Vegas, you’ll savor the buzz without spending a dime.  Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens  Step into a wonderland of themed blooms, whimsical topiary, and intricate floral displays in the Bellagio’s Conservatory, just a quick stroll down the Strip. This sunny glass atrium transforms with the seasons—think Chinese New Year dragons, cherry blossom trees, or autumn harvest festivals—each display more jaw-dropping than the last.  What’s the vibe? Think fairytale meets art installation, with creative arrangements that beg for photos. Crowds mingle in awe, craning necks to spot hidden details—a fairy here, a surprise waterfall there. Green-thumbed staff work tirelessly to dream up new creations, so you can visit every few months and always catch something new. The price for all this fragrant, floral joy? Zero.  Bellagio Fountains Show  Stay outside after touring the Conservatory, because the Bellagio Fountains are one of Vegas’ most mesmerizing freebies. Every half-hour (or more often in the evenings), jets of water leap, sway, and twirl in a perfectly choreographed ‘dance’ to music—from Sinatra classics to Broadway showstoppers.  There’s a reason crowds always gather along the lakeside railings, phones held high: the spectacle is hypnotic. The atmosphere is joyful—every show, from afternoon sunlight to nighttime luminosity, offers something a little different. The gentle mist, thunderous crescendos, and sparkling lights make it a mood-lifter and memory-maker. Even if you’ve seen it before, you’ll want to stay for one more song.  Caesars Palace Forum Shops  You don’t need a credit card to explore the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Highlights inside this “shopping mall meets Roman fantasyland” include free animatronic shows at the Fall of Atlantis (expect fire effects, talking statues, and mythological drama) and photo ops galore—think grand fountains, marble columns, and painted blue skies above.  The ambiance is grand and slightly surreal; you’ll find yourself wandering winding avenues flanked by marble gods and goddesses. Window-shopping here feels like touring a palatial film set. Keep an eye out for pop-up art installations and free samples from gourmet vendors.  Street Performers on the Strip  Looking for unpredictable antics, music, and laughs? The Strip between Flamingo Road and Caesars Palace bursts alive with street performers. Catch everything from dazzling magicians to costumed superheroes ready for photos, all for the price of a smile (tips appreciated, but never required to watch).  Each night, new acts shuffle in, keeping the entertainment fresh—sometimes you’ll spot dance troupes with boom boxes, other times you’ll find living statues or circus-style stilt walkers. The vibe is playful and wacky, true to the anything-can-happen ethos of Vegas.  The Mirage Volcano  When the sun sets, make your way to The Mirage front entrance for the free volcano show. Plumes of real fire, rumbling bass, and brightly-lit fountains combine for a thrilling mini-spectacle, with eruptions happening several times nightly.  Watching the faux-lava rage against the backdrop of glamorous hotels is uniquely Vegas. Crowds gather early for the best views, and the show’s special effects produce both warmth and a rush few free attractions can match.  The Cosmopolitan Art Program  For a dose of high-concept creativity, pop into The Cosmopolitan’s lobby and public spaces to experience their rotating art exhibitions. Larger-than-life digital installations, interactive sculptures, and modern design pieces fill the halls—and all are free to explore.  What sets this apart? You’ll stumble upon unexpected artistic gems: digital columns that shift and change, giant installations by world-class creatives, even quirky touches in the parking garage (keep your eyes peeled for the famous Art-o-mat vending machine). It’s an artsy escape from the rush outside and proves Vegas is just as creative as it is glittery.  The Park Las Vegas  Last but not least, take a scenic stroll down The Park, a landscaped promenade stretching between New York-New York and Park MGM. Desert-inspired gardens, art installations, and shaded swings make for a chill hangout, while interactive water features add a splash of fun (quite literally, if you venture close).  Live music events fill the schedule, especially in the evenings—check local listings or just see who’s strumming on the next corner. Grab a spot under the trees, enjoy a free light show when the sun dips, and revel in the fact that some of the best moments in Vegas come without a price tag.    Strapped for cash but rich in curiosity? The area around Fly LINQ proves no city does free fun quite like Las Vegas. From fiery spectacles and tranquil gardens to world-class art and classic street scenes, your Strip adventure starts here—no wallet required.    Enjoyed this? Check out our guide to beating the Vegas heat, and what to do when the sun goes down.  Step up your sightseeing with Go City®  We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  See more, do more, and experience more with Go City®– just choose a pass to get started! 
Guide to Caesars Palace Attractions - High Roller, Eiffel Tower & Fly LINQ
Blog

Guide to Caesars Palace Attractions - High Roller, Eiffel Tower & Fly LINQ

Caesars Palace is one of Las Vegas' most iconic spots. At this palatial resort, visitors are welcome to play, dine, and unwind in one of the world's most famous hotels and casinos. But when you've played the tables, what else is there for you to enjoy at Caesars Palace? In this guide to Caesars Palace, we'll explore three of the casino giant's biggest attractions; the High Roller, the Eiffel Tower, and the Fly Linq. Before long, you'll know why they should be at the top of your itinerary when you visit Las Vegas! The High Roller Want to experience one of the best views of the city? Then you want to ride the High Roller. Reaching 550 feet off of the ground, it's the world's largest observation wheel. If thirty minutes of stunning views sounds like just the ticket, look no further. How to get High Roller tickets? We've got you covered – High Roller tickets are available with the below money-saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that's right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to over 35 attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 7 attractions. Image courtesy of Aneese/Shutterstock Tips for visiting the High Roller There's no need to book in advance! Present your pass at the High Roller Guest Entrance. Grab a drink at the base before boarding at the wheelhouse. Some say the right side of the cabins offers the best views, so plan accordingly and try and get a spot! Spend some time exploring the LINQ outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment area. Purchase a souvenir photo from your visit as a keepsake from your Las Vegas adventure. Image courtesy of GenadijsZ/Shutterstock The Eiffel Tower For more unique views of the city, why not ascend this half-sized recreation of the iconic Parisian monument? Even before you reach the Eiffel Tower, you'll pass through recognizable landmarks like the Louvre and the Arc De Triomphe. Then, take a glass elevator straight to the top for one of Vegas' most romantic spots. How to get Eiffel Tower tickets? We've got you covered – Eiffel Tower tickets are available with the below money-saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that's right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to over 35 attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 7 attractions. Image courtesy of Lucky-photographer/Shutterstock Tips for visiting the Eiffel Tower Present your pass at the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck Box Office at General Admission Ticket Line to receive your entry ticket. Image courtesy of Bill Roque/Shutterstock Fly LINQ If you like your heights paired with a sense of adventure, then look no further than Fly LINQ. It's the only zipline in town - literally. Dangling 122 feet in the air, you'll get a very unique view of the strip. Go it alone or ride with up to ten daring others; there's nothing quite like it in Las Vegas. Make sure you grab a photo of your endeavor after you're on terra firma. In hindsight, the image of your face captured in abject horror will be rather amusing. How to get Fly LINQ tickets? We've got you covered – Fly LINQ tickets are available with the below money-saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that's right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to over 35 attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 7 attractions. Image courtesy of Bill Roque/Shutterstock Tips for visiting Fly LINQ To book your time and collect your ticket, please redeem your pass at the Center Strip Box Office. Time slots are subject to availability. Wear comfortable clothing – this is an open-air experience. Guests must be at least 80lbs and not weigh more than 300lbs. Guests must be no taller than 6'8". Caesar's Palace - Directions and Address Caesars Palace 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV 89109 Closest Stops Harrah's & The LINQ Monorail Station Bally's & Paris Monorail Station Save on Tickets with Go City Remember, Go City is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which can include High Roller, Eiffel Tower, and Fly LINQ tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. You'll make great savings on entry to top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price.
Dom Bewley

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.