If you’re anything like us, you spend the majority of your time dining, drinking, and gambling in Las Vegas, whether on the Strip or Downtown. While Vegas is and always will be a gambling town, an LVCVA visitor profile study found that 86 percent of tourists in 2019 stated that they came for reasons other than gaming.
The arts district might be an intriguing choice for individuals wishing to get away from “traditional Vegas” and the continual dinging of slot machines. There are abundant shopping, dining, and drinking possibilities there.
The Las Vegas Arts District, located just south of Fremont Street, is a hidden gem that tourists sometimes overlook. We’ll go through how to get to the arts district and what activities are offered in the section below.
How to get to the Las Vegas Arts District from Fremont Street or The Strip
The arts district is roughly a mile south of the Fremont Street Experience and may be walked in good weather, however expect a 20–30-minute walk. From the Las Vegas Strip, we don’t advocate strolling to the Arts District.
Uber/Lyft rides from central Strip establishments will cost $10–15, and $8–13 from Fremont Street.
If you’re already on Fremont Street, the FREE Downtown Loop shuttle is the most convenient and cost-effective method to get to the arts district. The Downtown Loop takes you up at Circa, the Mob Museum, Fremont Street Experience, and Fremont East and drops you off in the arts district from Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. We truly mean “free.” Our effort with a gratuity was turned down by the driver.
What is there to do in the Las Vegas Arts District?
Enjoy a Craft Brew
A robust craft beer culture can be found in the Las Vegas Arts District. Hop Nuts, CraftHaus, HUDL Brewing, and Able Baker Brewing are just a few of the breweries in the area. Aside from craft beer, the arts district has a slew of other excellent establishments.
Aside from alcoholic beverages, the arts district is home to high-end coffee shops such as Vesta Coffee Roasters and Makers & Finders Coffee. Grab a cup of coffee, sit outside, and relax.
Grab a Great Meal
The Las Vegas Arts District has a diverse range of restaurants, whether you’re wanting Mexican, Cajun, or Thai cuisine. Esther’s Kitchen, which uses cutlery and equipment from the Dunes, is a must-see for history buffs in Vegas. Eater Vegas has a list of the best restaurants in the Arts District. You’ll undoubtedly discover something to your liking.
A “Arts District Lip Smacking Foodie Tour” is also available, which includes stops at Esther’s Kitchen, Jammyland, and the Cornish Pasty Co. The cost of admission is $125 per person, with a $50 beverage package available as an add-on.
Shop for Something Unique
Surprisingly, despite not being a huge shopper, shopping in the arts district is one of my favorite things to do. The Arts District is jam-packed with retail opportunities, including antiques, crafts, and art galleries.
The Antique Alley Mall has an area dedicated to old Las Vegas casino antiques for anyone interested in the city’s history. Video Poker machine pay table inserts, casino chips, slot buckets, ashtrays, and matchbooks from establishments such as the Maxim, Desert Inn, Marina, and Holiday Casino, among others, were available for purchase.
We also came into a store that specialized in “man cave” accessories.
The shopping environment is almost better described as a museum or gallery, with unique things available nowhere else in Las Vegas.
Preview Thursday / First Friday
The Las Vegas Arts District conducts a famous block celebration every first Friday of the month, during which artists, food sellers, and musicians line the streets to showcase and sell their wares. The event has grown in popularity to the point that it regularly attracts over 15,000 people. Here’s where you can find out more about future events in the arts district.
Stop into the artists District the night before First Friday for Preview Thursday, which allows customers to shop without having to deal with the crowds.
Peruse the Murals
The colorful murals and creative exhibits on the buildings are difficult to miss as you walk through the neighborhood’s restaurants, bars, and stores. Below are a few of our favorite murals from the Las Vegas Arts District!
Is the Las Vegas Arts District Worth a Visit?
While we’ve never made the arts district a priority, it’s a great contrast to the Strip and Fremont Street. There isn’t a casino to be seen, and the atmosphere is more “local” or “commercial.” Our advice is to visit in the late afternoon, shop, have a drink, and eat supper before returning to a tourist attraction to gambling. Simply simply, the arts district has a lot to offer.
The arts district might be the perfect thing to do for individuals who are tired of the dinging of slot machines, cigarette smoke, or simply need a vacation from gambling.
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