Images reflecting off of the canopy, screaming teens riding the zip-line, and stages of entertainment on the outstreets of Fremont Street summed up my Fremont Street Experience in the Old Town of Las Vegas.
It was a short distance for our hotel where we picked up the shuttle for Old Las Vegas. Dave and I grabbed a seat on the local city bus and within fifteen minutes we had arrived. Fremont Street spans four blocks with casinos, buffet specials and bars on each side. Three stages provide live music and we were excited to take in the tunes of the Beatles with look-a-like musicians dressed up as John, Paul, Ringo and George. The electric atmosphere and intimate space differs than the wide open spaces of Las Vegas Boulevard and the prices were less expensive as well.
We enjoyed our time strolling the old strip where historical casinos have existed since the early 1900s. The Golden Gate & Casino Hotel, once known as the “Hotel Nevada” was the first casino in Las Vegas, built in 1906. More casinos would soon follow in the early 1930’s and Vegas’ gambling industry would grow over the next few years. People continue to visit the Golden Gate with a bit of nostalgia, but most will stop by for their cheap shrimp cocktails and best odds of winning.
The Fremont Hotel & Casino opened in 1956 and was the first high rise to be built in Las Vegas and was considered to be the tallest building in the whole state of Nevada. This hotel makes up one of the “four corners” located at the crossroads of Casino Center Boulevard and Fremont Street. It is here where Wayne Newton made his Las Vegas debut in 1959.
Fascinated with the crime show, “Snapped” I had somewhat of a morbid interest in the Ted Binion case. Strolling the slots of Binion’s Gambling Hall and Casino I thought of the episode in which Ted Bunion was allegedly killed by his girlfriend and her lover. The indictment would eventually be overturned in 1998.
The hotel first opened in 1951 under the name of the Horseshoe Club and was owned by the Binion family until 2004. Poker players will recognize this building as the venue of the annual World Series of Poker which began in 1970. The hotel portion of Binion’s was closed in 2009.
The Golden Nugget was completed in 1946 and is said to be the largest of the downtown casinos. With close to 2,500 rooms and suites, it is known as the first building built as a casino from the ground up. The resort’s famed attraction is the 960 ounce gold nugget called the “Hand of Faith” and is on display inside.
Whether it is the Fremont Street Experience or the endless wandering among the Fremont Street casinos, visitors leave the strip to explore Old Vegas made famous by the Rat Pack. A trip to “Glitter Gulch” is an experience of unusual dimensions. Given this nane due to the number of neon signs, many of the originals have since retired and can be found refurbished in the Neon Museum exhibit.
The most famous of the neon signs on Fremont Street is Vegas Vic. With his cowboy boots and cigarette, it is one of the most prominent of all figures representing Las Vegas. The number of lights can be overwhelming yet its animation is entertaining.
Classic movies such as Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas”, the James Bond film “Diamonds are Forever” and the 1997 comedy “Vegas Vacation” will forever memorialize the original Las Vegas. What an amazing Strip of history.
Do you prefer the atmosphere of “Old Vegas” or “The Strip?” I would love to hear your opinion, so please leave your comments below! Many thanks for joining me on my Fremont Street Experience and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Golden Gate & Casino Hotel
1 Fremont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Telephone: 702 385 1906
The Fremont Hotel & Casino
200 Fremont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Telephone: 702 385 3232
Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel
128 Fremont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Telephone: 702 382 1600
The Golden Nugget
129 Fremont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Telephone: 702 385 7111
Where to Stay:
Harrah’s
3475 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Telephone: 800 214 9110
Where to Eat:
Golden Gate for its cheap shrimp cocktails!
What to Eat:
Anything! Las Vegas has it all!
What to Read:
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, by Hunter S. Thompson
- Leaving Las Vegas, by John O’Brien
Photo Guide for Las Vegas:
- “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” Sign
- The Paris Hotel Entrance and Eiffel Tower
- The Luxor Walkway and Sphinx
- The Excalibur Hotel
- New York New York Hotel
- The Arc de Triomphe at the Paris Hotel
- The Eiffel Tower view from the Bellagio
- The Bellagio Fountains and its Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- The Rose Covered Entrance to the Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio
- The Linq Promenade with views of the High Roller and Inside the High Roller
- The Venetian Stairs and Lobby
- Gondola Ride at the Venetian
- The Venetian Bridge
- The Stairs at Wynn Las Vegas
- Neon Museum signs
- Fremont East District sign
- Retro Vegas Sign
- Abbey Road
- The Empty Club
- Fremont District Murals
- Red Rock Canyon’s Red Rocks and Joshua Trees
- Valley of Fire State Park – Slot Canyon, Fire Wave, Mouse Tank Road, Pastel Pink Canyon
- Seven Magic Mountains
- Mrs. Coco’s Cafe (book in advance)
- Hoover Dam
- Canyon West (about 2 hours from Vegas)
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