The Fremont Street Experience is a popular destination for those chasing bright neon lights, cheaper food and entertainment, and a different vibe from the over-glamorized Strip. In this guide, I’ll help you navigate through downtown Vegas and the famed Fremont Street Experience.

The truth is downtown Las Vegas is a wild mix of old-school charm and modern-day debauchery. It’s got good, bad, and ugly. It’s where you can explore the history of Las Vegas and create unforgettable memories.

Our downtown guides will help you find things to do, shows and entertainment to see, and where you should eat and drink.

Fremont Street Hotels

If you want to turn the volume up to 11, downtown is a fun place to stay during your Vegas vacation. Circa (21+) is the newest and best downtown Vegas hotel. It’s got everything you need for a modern luxury stay, including Stadium Swim, a rooftop dayclub-style pool deck.

An aerial view of Downtown Vegas including the Fremont Street Experience.
An aerial view of Downtown Vegas including the Fremont Street Experience.

However, if you’re on a budget, you can stretch your dollar further downtown. Here you’ll find cheap Vegas hotels in the action.

Staying on Fremont Street can be loud. Because of the late-night entertainment, guests complain about loud noise. If you want a quieter room, book Downtown Grand, El Cortez, The Cal, or Main Street Station.

Here are the downtown casino hotels on (and near) Fremont Street:

Binion’s From $39+
California Hotel From $45+
Circa From $94+
Downtown Grand From $45+
El Cortez From $30+
Four Queens From $39+
Fremont Hotel From $42+
Golden Gate From $19+
Golden Nugget From $33+
Main Street Station From $40+
Oasis at Gold Spike From $29+
Plaza From $31+
The D From $23+

Things To Do on Fremont Street

There’s a lot of things to do on Fremont Street and at the Fremont Street Experience. The most popular attractions are the Viva Vision Light Shows and the Slotzilla Zipline.

Viva Vision Schedule

The Viva Vision Light Show at the Fremont Street Experience.
The Viva Vision Light Show at the Fremont Street Experience.

Viva Vision is a massive 90-foot wide screen that stretches 1,375 feet along Fremont Street. Viva Vision is always on, with programming running 24/7. The popular Viva Vision Light Shows start every night from 6:00 PM, with the last one at 2:00 AM, with the shows beginning at the top of the hour and lasting 6-7 minutes.

The shows feature top recording artists Las Vegas natives The Killers and Imagine Dragons and popular artists like The Chainsmokers, Steve Aoki, Tiesto, and Shakira.

Fremont Street Concerts

The Tony Marques Band performing on the 3rd Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience.
The Tony Marques Band performing on the 3rd Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience.

You can watch free live music and DJs every day of the year on the Fremont Street Experience. The music starts at 12:00 PM on the weekends and 6:00 PM on weekdays and goes in the early morning hours.

The Fremont Street Concerts are free 364 days a year. New Year’s Eve is the only ticketed event of the year where you’ll need to purchase tickets.

You’ll see a rotating cast of the most talented cover bands in the world playing a wide collection of hit songs from Bruno Mars, Journey, Def Leppard, Jason Aldean, Bon Jovi, and many more. Ranging from modern hits to the classics, there’s something for everyone.

Fremont Street Experience Stages

There are three stages on Fremont Street with live music and DJs.

  • Main Street Stage: between the Golden Gate and Circa.
  • 1st Street Stage: between Circa and Binion’s.
  • 3rd Street Stage: between The D and Four Queens.

Downtown Rocks Concert Series

The Downtown Rocks Concert Series hosts national touring artists every year on Fremont Street.
The Downtown Rocks Concert Series hosts national touring artists every year on Fremont Street.

Every year the Fremont Street Experience and its casino partners put on a free concert series featuring your favorite bands and artists. These free concerts are always filled with people, music of all different genres, and an incredible party-like atmosphere.

Fremont Street Events

Fremont Street hosts multiple events throughout the year including the Santa Run.
Fremont Street hosts multiple events throughout the year including the Santa Run.

In addition to concerts, Fremont Street hosts events year-round. One of our favorites is the annual Santa Run. Two of the best holidays you need to visit Fremont Street on are Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day. The parties are insane.

New Year’s Eve is the only ticketed event that closes Fremont Street to the public. So even if there’s a special event going on, you will be able to navigate around closed off areas.

Downtown Attractions

Slotzilla is the biggest and best zipline in Las Vegas.
Slotzilla is the biggest and best zipline in Las Vegas.

There are a lot of great activities and things to do in downtown Vegas. The most popular attraction is Slotzilla. We also recommend the Mob Museum and the Neon Museum.

Mob Museum From $35+
Neon Museum From $20+
Slotzilla From $49+

Downtown Shows

Downtown has its shares of Vegas shows too. You won’t find the same caliber of shows on The Strip, but often tickets are cheaper. Also check out the Downtown Events Center which hosts concerts and festivals year-round.

Coming soon

Fremont Street Restaurants

Dine at some of the top restaurants in Vegas like Barry's Downtown Prime inside Circa.
Dine at some of the top restaurants in Vegas like Barry’s Downtown Prime inside Circa.

There’s a great food scene downtown on and near Fremont Street. Here are some cool spots to eat on Fremont Street:

  • 8 East
  • Barry’s Downtown Prime
  • Cadillac Mexican Kitchen
  • Chicago Brewing
  • Eureka!
  • Evel Pie
  • Heart Attack Grill
  • Hennessy’s Tavern
  • Hugo’s Cellar
  • Nacho Daddy
  • Oscar’s Steakhouse
  • Park on Fremont
  • Pizza Rock
  • PublicUs
  • Saginaw’s Delicatessen
  • Saltgrass Steak House
  • Sushi Ichiban
  • Triple George
  • Vic & Anthony’s

Fremont Street Nightlife & Bars

Downtown Vegas has great nightlife like DISCOPUSSY in the Fremont East Disctric.
Downtown Vegas has great nightlife like DISCOPUSSY in the Fremont East Disctric.

You will find great bars and nightlife downtown for a fraction of the price of The Strip. Here are some of the best nightlife options downtown and near Fremont Street:

  • Atomic Liquors
  • Carousel Bar
  • Cat’s Meow
  • Commonwealth
  • Corduroy
  • DISCOPUSSY
  • Downtown Cocktail Room
  • Gold Spike
  • The Griffin
  • The Laundry Room
  • Legacy Club
  • Lucky Day
  • The Nerd
  • Rush Lounge
  • The Sand Dollar Downtown
  • Therapy
  • Troy Liquor Bar
  • The Underground
  • Vegas Vickies

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FAQ

Parking near Fremont Street is very easy. You should expect to spend between $5 and $20 for parking. There are several parking garages and lots that offer affordable rates.

Some hotels also offer free parking to guests or and validated parking for casino and restaurant guests. Circa and Golden Nugget are the most expensive hotel parking garages. It’s cheaper to valet at Circa than it is to park in the parking garage.

You can find free street parking if you’re willing to walk a few blocks from Fremont Street. South of Bridger Avenue is free in the evenings and weekends. There are also a couple of city lots that have discounted rates on nights and weekends.

Yes, Fremont Street is safe. However, like other downtown cities, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and take necessary precautions. The Fremont Street Experience has a heavy police presence and security cameras throughout the area.

Be aware of pickpockets and people trying to scam you. Criminals are drawn into the area by clueless and drunk tourists. Stick to well-lit and crowded areas, and avoid wandering off alone or with people you don’t know.

While it’s generally safe during the day, it’s always recommended to be extra cautious at night. Overall, as long as you use common sense and stay aware of your surroundings, Fremont Street is a fun and enjoyable place to visit.

It depends what experience you want. Fremont Street is cheaper, smaller, and has a vintage vibe. If you care about gambling, the odds are better here. Downtown offers more free entertainment, but it’s also loud, overcrowded, and often grimy. You won’t find as many Vegas shows downtown and the nightlife doesn’t compare. Plus, there’s only one new hotel downtown.

The Strip is more modern. It’s filled with luxurious brands and is more expensive. It’s brimming full of things to do, including shows and entertainment. It’s much larger, over 4 miles long. It’s the main tourist destination.

It’s easy to visit both places on one visit. Both offer their pros and cons, so decide what type of experience is more important for you. We’ll always love Fremont Street, but it can be a bit overwhelming for some.

You should visit Fremont Street at night. The free live music starts at noon on the weekends and 6 PM on weekdays. It really gets going around dinner time, with the Viva Vision shows starting at 6pm. The iconic light show runs every hour on the hour until 1am.

We recommend planning your visit in the evening for the full experience of the bustling energy and excitement of downtown. However, if you don’t do well with crowds or loud environments, earlier in the day will be better for you.

Fremont Street transforms into a vibrant party atmosphere at night. The main attraction at night is the Viva Vision light show, where the world’s largest video screen comes alive with dazzling visual effects set to popular music. Live bands also perform on different stages throughout the street, providing free entertainment for visitors.

Street performers dressed in costumes and characters can also be found along Fremont Street, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Yes, it’s worth visiting Fremont Street during the day as well. While it may not have the same lively atmosphere as it does at night, there are still plenty of things to see and do.

During the day, you can visit popular attractions such as the Neon Museum, Mob Museum, or go on a walking tour to learn about Fremont Street’s history. You can also enjoy some shopping or dining at one of the many restaurants along the street.

Plus, you’ll be able to experience Fremont Street without the crowds and noise that come with nighttime. It offers a more laid-back and relaxed atmosphere during the day, allowing you to explore and appreciate its unique charm at your own pace

Yes, when gambling you can get free drinks at casinos on Fremont Street. Make sure to tip for every free drink you receive – $2 to $5 is generous downtown.

Outside the casinos, there are lots of bars and restaurants along Fremont Street where you can purchase affordable drinks. You may even find happy hours and promotions.

No, you do not have to pay to visit the Fremont Street Experience. The only exception is the annual New Year’s Eve party, which is a ticketed event.

Yes, you can drink and carry open containers on Fremont Street. The only exceptions are that you cannot drink from glass containers, and you cannot open closed packages within 1,000 feet of where you purchased them. This makes it easy to enjoy a drink while exploring the vibrant atmosphere of Fremont Street.

In general, it costs about $25 to go from The Strip to Fremont Street (or vice versa). Surge pricing and traffic may affect the cost, so it’s always best to check the Uber app for an accurate estimate. Alternatively, you can also take public transportation such as the Deuce bus, which costs $8 for a 24-hour pass and stops at both The Strip and Fremont Street.

Fremont Street is open 24/7. You can expect Fremont Street to be buzzing with activity and entertainment well into the early morning hours. The Viva Vision Light Show ends each day at 2 AM. The free concerts and DJs typically end at 1 AM. Some casinos will shut down table games, restaurants, and bars at night, but there are plenty of places open all night.

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