The first thing everyone needs to see, even if everyone's seen it before, is the Fremont Street Experience, the largest and most elaborate light show in the world. Catch it from different locations and angles -- from the middle and at either end. If you see it from the Main Street end, take a short detour into the Golden Gate, get a 99-cent shrimp cocktail to go, and have a nice little snack while looking up.
Another cool place from which to watch the show is the little outdoor balcony off the second floor of Fitzgeralds; get there early, as your group will probably take up all the space. It’s a great place to hang out before and after the show, watching the crowds below.
For other sights in the vicinity, take a walk a few blocks east of the canopy through Fremont East, the streetscaped entertainment district of downtown. Check out the lighted gateways, landscaping, commemorative historical sidewalk medallions, 40-foot-tall retro neon signs, and several bars and clubs along the way. Get the whole story from QoD 8/23/07.
On the way, be sure to stop in at the El Cortez at Sixth and Fremont, to take a gander at the oldest original casino building in Las Vegas, and therefore the country.
Also scattered about downtown are numerous historical neon signs in the outdoor Neon Museum.
There’s the centerpiece pool at the Golden Nugget with the slide through the shark tank, and the venerable display of gold nuggets near the lobby.
And the last time we looked, there was a sort of psychedelic stairway at the south end of the Plaza casino, leading up to the second floor; wallpapered in curved mirrors, it has cool infinity images.
Definitely take the glass elevator at Binion’s up to the Ranch Steakhouse on the 24th floor of the West Tower (the old Mint building). Up there, you can eat dinner (go here for the menu: binions.com/dining/steakhousemenu.pdf) or just enjoy a drink at the small bar.
For other good eating options, one of the LVA staff’s personal favorites is the Second Street Grill at the Fremont, serving American and Continental fare with an Asian flair. The Grill isn’t quite as much of a sleeper as it used to be, but you’ll get reservations if you call a few days in advance.
Hugo’s Cellar at the Four Queens is also great; even if you don’t eat there, take a peek into the romantic past of downtown.
Wandering through a few souvenir shops is diverting as you walk about.
For a little history, stroll around the corner onto Main Street where, just south of Fremont, is the old Victory Hotel. It dates from 1910 and it looks like it hasn’t been updated since.
Also check out Atomic Liquor, 917 Fremont St. (just east of Ninth). At 56 years old, this store not only holds Las Vegas' oldest liquor and bar license, but it's still under the original ownership of Joe and Stella Sobchik, now aged 89 and 88, respectively. Get the whole story in QoD 1/13/08.
To combine history and dining, you can eat at the El Sombrero, 807 Main St. (eight blocks south of Fremont), the oldest continuously operating restaurant in its original location in Las Vegas; see QoD 8/30/06.
Directly across Main Street is the Gamblers General Store, where you can browse and buy gambling books, paraphernalia, machines, tables, and oddball gifts and stray items.
That should keep you busy for a day or two downtown.
