The Las Vegas Downtown is not a place of megastory financial temples. Instead, it is a conglomeration of government buildings, carnival attractions, not-so-very-glamorous casinos, storefront shops dealing in souvenirs, and unclaimed pawn shop miscellany. Glitter Gulch is the heart of the area, with its neon-lit row of casinos and, since the mid-1990s, free entertainment in the form of the Fremont Street Experience. This nightlife zone is here to stay, but the Las Vegas leadership is also planning a legitimate downtown on 61 acres close to Fremont Street, which will reflect the status of Las Vegas as one of America’s richest cities.
Few of Downtown Sights are Glitter Gulch, and Downtown Casinos. The area called Glitter Gulch encompasses about eight blocks that front on Fremont Street between Main and Fourth Streets. Along this stretch is the most concentrated dazzle of neon on the planet. Not only are all the Fremont Street casino fronts decorated with neon, but the street signs and light shows above contribute to the dazzle. Nighttime, of course, is when the lighting is at its most intense. The crowds on the malled walkway are heavy until after midnight, and the entertainment adds to a feeling of carnival.
Along with all the outdoor activity on Fremont Street, there’s action inside the casinos, too. They may not be as glamorous as the big hotels on the Strip, but the Fremont Street and other downtown clubs have more history – some date back to the 1940s. They are also known for their bargain meals.