See where Vegas began on legendary Fremont Street, now a pedestrian-only area with free nightly shows and special events.
In the center of the city, Fremont Street is a five-block pedestrian zone where vintage Vegas meets modern technology. Set against some of Sin City’s classic neon signs, you’ll find live bands, roaming street performers and a captivating light show.
The first street in the city to be paved, Fremont was a beacon for visitors in the 1950s, with famous casinos like the Eldorado Club, the Golden Nugget and the Pioneer Club. The Northern Club, at 15 E. Fremont St, was the first to obtain a Nevada gaming license in 1931, the same year in which the first traffic light in Las Vegas was installed. Fremont Street has also had its share of Hollywood film credits. It was the backdrop for the 1964 Elvis movie “Viva Las Vegas” and the 1971 flick “James Bond: Diamonds are Forever.”
Today, the area’s biggest calling card is its nightly six-minute Viva Vision light show, which is timed perfectly to music and draws tourists by the hundreds. Displayed overhead on a 90-foot-high (27-meter-high) steel canopy the length of five football fields, the light show uses state-of-the-art LED technology and more than 12.5 million light bulbs. Pumped up by 550,000 watts of surround sound, the evening laser and lights shows are themed around annual events. The most popular show, Lucky Vegas, pays tribute to the city’s icons and history.
The Fremont Street Experience also includes live entertainment,such as performances from tribute bands and roaming street performers dressed up as celebrities. After dark, dozens of street vendors join the surrounding casinos, shops and restaurants to give the mall a lively, festival vibe.
For a little more history, wander east to the Neon Museum, where a collection of the street’s vintage neon signs from casinos, hotels and loan businesses are on display.
The Fremont Street Experience is accessible by taxi, bus or “trolley,” a bus that travels between the Strip and downtown. There’s also parking available at the Fremont Experience Parking Plaza, at 4th Street and Carson, where you can leave your car for free for up to five hours.
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