Known as the second most famous street in Las Vegas, Fremont initially featured a shopping district but renovations during the 1960s brought shopping malls closer to residential neighborhoods. These changes brought fewer citizens into the downtown area. The train depot became the Union Plaza Hotel in the latter part of the decade and Fremont soon became part of the city's gambling area. The long list of former and current hotel/casino establishments located on Fremont Street, Las Vegas include the Eldorado Club, the Golden Nugget, and the Pioneer Club. The Golden Nugget was the first stand-alone casino constructed here.
Gaining recognition for a colorful, glittering display of neon lights, the west end of Fremont Street earned the nickname Glitter Gulch. Beginning in 1964, with the opening credits of Elvis Presley's movie “Viva Las Vegas,” the western region of the street commonly appeared in numerous movies, television shows, and music videos. As of 2011, the lights of Fremont Street appeared as the backdrop on film over two dozen times. One of the more iconic signs on the avenue includes the animated Vegas Vic cowboy. Many wrongfully associated these images as being located along the strip.
In 1994, the city closed the street to automobile traffic as construction of the Fremont Street Experience began. Ten local casino and hotel companies combined collaborative efforts and redesigned the location into an outdoor entertainment district, which boasts five blocks of covered walkway. Over 12 million LED lights and over 200 speakers present an animated light and music show precisely timed and operated by 32 computers. No longer open to traffic, the Fremont Street Experience has elaborate landscaping amid winding walking paths.
Along with the light and music shows of the Experience, the location features a number of live concerts and serves as home to the Neon Museum. Statistics indicate this area of Fremont Street, Las Vegas attracts over half of the city's visitors annually. Beginning in 2007, the eastern portion of the avenue underwent construction for the development of a series of bars and clubs.
Things to Do
Flightlinez
Flightlinez is one of the newest attractions in Las Vegas near Fremont Street. When people think of ziplines, generally they imagine soaring along the slope of a mountain. This is what makes Flightlinez so different. Riders are sent flying right through a laser show, as part of the Fremont Street Experience. Cruise along at about 30 mph for about 800 feet as the warm Vegas breeze spins riders, providing a 360-degree view of Fremont Street.
Neon Boneyard
Nothing screams Las Vegas like neon. As time goes on, renovations have led to the replacement of the vintage neon signs of days gone by. One of the brightest attractions in Las Vegas near Fremont Street is the Neon Boneyard at the Neon Museum, where visitors can get a look at over 150 signs from the 1930s-1990s that have been donated or purchased. The Boneyard is just one of the many displays at the Neon Museum.
Las Vegas' Block 16
Before the end of World War II, there was only one block in Las Vegas where drinking and gambling were legal. Today, there are a lot more drinking and gambling establishments than there were in the 1940s. This historical site is now the location of Binion's Gambling Hall. It is one of the most historically important attractions in Las Vegas near Fremont Street. Although the original Block 16 was demolished, the site is a must see.
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Looking to find attractions in Las Vegas near Fremont Street that appeal to the entire family? Then the Natural History Museum is the answer. Spend a few hours checking out fossils and dinosaurs and don't miss the live insect display. There are many rotating and permanent exhibits available and the Museum hosts many special events throughout the year.
The Mob Museum
No trip to Las Vegas is complete without a visit to the Mob Museum. The Museum is located in the old federal courthouse and post office building, which is a historical attraction in itself. The museum tells the story of days gone by in Las Vegas and visitors learn the real story of the mob. Learn about famous mobsters and the people who helped bring them down and find out more about the Las Vegas mob connections through the years.
Getting Around Vegas
The CAT Transit Bus
If you are traveling between Fremont Street and the Strip, the CAT Transit bus may be a wise choice. With dozens of different stops between the Fremont Experience and the end of the Strip, you can select where you get on and off of the Transit by looking at a diagram of stops displayed at each location. To transport more people between Fremont Street and the Strip, CAT now offers the Deuce double-decker bus. Make sure you know which stop you plan on exiting the bus and prepare ahead by reviewing departure times.
The Strip Monorail
The Strip Monorail is a new option for transportation around the strip. It opened for operation in July of 2004 and currently runs along a route that is 4 miles long. This quick mode of transportation takes only 15 minutes to go the full route and will take you from Sahara or the Las Vegas Hilton to the south end of the strip where Bally's and MGM Grand is located. Many resorts, like Sahara and LVH, have platforms that are connected to the monorail for quick and easy access.
Free Shuttles Between Casinos
If you are staying at one of the larger casinos in the area, you may be able to take advantage of free shuttles that are offered by the casino. You may have to find your way to the casinos that offer these free shuttles if there is no stop located near the hotel you are staying in. The Hard Rock, the Rio, Harrah's, Mandalay Bay, the Excalibur, and the MGM Grand all have trams and shuttles that run regularly. You may even be able to get off the strip for free by taking a Sam's Town shuttle if that is where you plan on going.
Las Vegas Shuttle Buses
If you do not want to be restricted on where you can travel, you can take a Las Vegas shuttle bus between Fremont Street and Strip hotels. This option is a lot more affordable than taxis because the buses will charge a fare per person and take several different people along for the ride. Make sure you compare the cost of different shuttle services and find out how much your ride will cost from your pickup location.
Taxis
As you might expect, taxis are a very popular mode of transportation near Fremont Street. With Taxi lines at every casino, travelers never have trouble hailing a cab. If you are staying in a casino on Fremont Street, you should never have difficulty calling the front desk to reserve a cab for you.
Vegas Shopping Hot Spots
Neonopolis
Located in Downtown Las Vegas, is the ever popular Fremont Street. While here, be sure to visit the Neonopolis shopping mall. Neonopolis is decorated with millions of twinkling neon lights, giving the destination a unique look and staying true to its name. The mall is composed of 250,000 square feet and a wide variety of tenants that all shoppers can enjoy. Del Prado Jewelers, Toy Shack, and Allure Art Gallery are just a few shops that guests will find throughout Neonpolis.
Fremont Street Experience
The Fremont Street Experience provides guests with much more than an average light show. After viewing a unique performance of dancing and performing, there are many unique shops to be found on the experience. Shops range everywhere from souvenir kiosks that sell area gifts, to fine painting stands, t-shirts and crazy hats. Guests never know what they may find at the Fremont Street Experience.
Las Vegas Premium Outlets
The Las Vegas Premium Outlets are the ideal shops to visit for a day. Take your casino winnings and spend your hard earned money at a wide variety of retailers. There are stores here for all price ranges. From high-end designer retailers to more affordable shops, the Las Vegas Premium Outlets has it all. Kate Spade New York, 7 For All Mankind, Dolce & Gabbana, American Apparel and Gap are just a few name brand shops that guests will find here. Las Vegas Premium Outlets can be found in both the north and south sides of town.
Le Boulevard
Explore retailers from another part of the world at Le Boulevard. These shops will put you right in the middle of an authentic Paris-themed village. French boutiques, apparel stores, garden shops, and cheese stores can all be found here. High-end French designers showcase their apparel and accessories for shoppers in the area.
Street Of Shops
Millions of guests visit Las Vegas each year to enjoy all of the shopping that the city has to offer. The Street Of Shops is one of the most popular areas, where visitors will find high-fashion evening attire, casual wear, and accessories. True Religion is one designer brand that is located along the Street Of Shops. Here, shoppers will also find unique memorabilia from their favorite films, television shows, celebrities and much more.
Big Vegas Events
National Finals Rodeo
The foremost championship rodeo event takes place in Las Vegas and is organized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association; it happens annually at the Thomas and Mack Center. Held at the University of Nevada Las Vegas campus, it has been called the "Superbowl of Rodeos." The event features bull riding, bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing, bareback riding and more. Tickets can be ordered online.
NASCAR- La Vegas Speedway
The NASCAR Weekend happens in the spring and include Stratosphere Pole Day, the Sam's Town 300 on Saturday and the Kobalt Tools 400 on Sunday. Enjoy the main grandstand or view the action in style at the Ernhardt/Petty Terrace, high above the race in wide flip-down seats with private restrooms, concessions, and elevators. Tickets area required for everyone, including children. Special packages and tickets can give you a place right in front of the stage in the pre-race events and activities.
Big League Weekend
Held at Cashman Field, this special event features two games of big league baseball, as different teams compete annually. The weekend is hosted by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Pacific Coast League Las Vegas 51s professional baseball team.
Miss USA
Planet Hollywood hosts this annual event. Taking place in the Theatre for the Performing Arts, this award show is a Broadway-style production, with beauties competing for the title of Miss USA. A concert, awards, and entertainment, such as Justin Timberlake or Willie Nelson make it an exciting evening.
Animegacon
The "universe's largest Anime convention," the show is hosted by Linda Le, known as Vampy Bit Me. Costumes, fashion show, rave and awards are part of the activities at the LVH, Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
CBS Television City - MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
New television shows are watched and rated within small theaters, as part of the research for new shows. Nickelodeon, CBS, MTV, VH1, TNN, UPN, CMT, and Showtime are all shown and rated by the audience in an attempt to get pre-scheduling feedback.
Da Vinci - The Genius
This special exhibit at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino celebrates the creativity of the artist, inventor, and engineer as well as explores his unique genius. It features 11 themed areas and more than 200 pieces as well as large-scale machines that Da Vinci invented.