Downtown Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV Area Guide

Anasazi and Pauite Native Americans lived in the Southern Nevada region along the Muddy and Virgin Rivers in modern day Overton. European settlers were intrigued by the writings of John Fremont, who passed through the region writing about encountering springs. The first European building was the Las Vegas Mormon Fort, built in 1855. Las Vegas was founded in 1905 after railroad lines connected the town to Salt Lake City and California. Construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s brought in many laborers, and WWII transformed Las Vegas into a center of defense. Throughout this time, casino-hotels sprung up and became major sources of revenue, shaping the modern city as an entertainment mecca.

Area museums include the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art, Las Vegas Natural History Museum and the Mob Museum pertaining to criminal syndicates in the United States. A flourishing art scene can be found on display at many downtown galleries.

Restaurant and nightlife options abound in downtown Las Vegas, from classic steakhouses to modern boutique cafes and massive hotel casinos. Many dining and drinking venues sit along Fremont Street or East Charleston Boulevard.

Dazzle a date at Carson Kitchen, a gorgeous space with exposed rafters and a rooftop bar and seating. The restaurant combines classic American dishes with farm-to-table offerings to create nuanced meals perfect for both meat lovers and vegetarians. Try a few of the social plates, such as gyro tacos with lamb, tzatziki, cucumber, and tomato, or crunchy tempura green beans served with pepper jelly and cream cheese. Bigger appetites go for the bison meatloaf sliders or a jerk turkey burger with tangy mango chutney slaw. Check out the craft cocktails and specialty beer menu for inspired libations.

Try the healthy comfort food at Eat, a locally-sourced and sustainability-focused breakfast and lunch restaurant with a French culinary twist. For a south of the border kick, order the huevos moltulenos -- two eggs over easy with red and green chili, black beans, feta, and sauteed bananas on a corn tortilla. Sandwiches, including the shrimp po' boy, prove to be popular with the lunch crowd.

Nightlife options remain limitless with bars such as the Griffin, which has a fantastic wood-and-brick interior with fireplaces, or the Commonwealth, a speakeasy-themed nightspot complete with rooftop deck and dancing. Classic hotel casinos, including the Golden Nugget and the Plaza Hotel, serve up traditional Vegas nightlife.

Common ways to get around the city include taking taxis, driving, riding public buses, walking and biking. Hailing a cab proves easy, as they remain fairly ubiquitous in most of the downtown area. Uber coverage provides ride share opportunities throughout the downtown and surrounding area. Public parking can be hard to come by at times, but free parking garages help when it comes to finding a prime spot. Interstate 95 and Highway 15 lie nearby as well, providing access to other parts of the metro area and the airport. Downtown provides good walkability, with most errands possible on foot. Bike lanes and flat terrain translate to a great area for biking.

The downtown area does not contain any parks, but nearby neighborhoods provide access to a few green spaces and recreation areas. Dogs may visit the parks but must remain leashed.

Huntridge Circle Park has an elegant glass amphitheater, shaded outdoor stage, a walking and running path, and small playground area for kids. Lions Memorial Park has a small natural area with walking paths and a playground area. Fantasy Park has a slightly dramatized name but remains a nice spot for a run with a large trail circuit around a significant patch of solar panels. Freedom Park has by far the most amenities of any surrounding park, with bocce ball, sports fields, a skate park, swimming pool, a playground, and hiking and running trails.

The Boulder City Art in the Park event has been going on annually for over 50 years and draws many to the suburb for local artisans and vendors.

Cost of living in Downtown remains somewhat higher than the city average. A bus ride to other areas of town costs $2 on RTC buses. The median rent for a one-bedroom residence costs $599 per month. The typical price of a beer at a local pub costs between $3 and $6 depending on quality and location. Gas costs about 7 percent more in the Las Vegas metro area compared to the national average.

Fremont Street and Charleston Boulevard host many of the shopping options in the downtown area. Container Park houses boutiques and high-end shops in a creative and architecturally interesting environment, made with shipping containers.

Check out the trendy 702 DTLV, a women's boutique with a collection of clothing, jewelry, gifts and accessories, with frequent inventory turnover meriting regular returns to shop for in-house jewelry designs and charming housewares. Unique offerings don't stay in the store long, and most items are produced locally, adding value to the neighborhood.

For a tour of American cultural ephemera, take a peek inside Swag Antiques, a purveyor of American-made antiques and collectibles. The shop specializes in relics of the motor age and classic American advertising memorabilia. Check out odd items, including door handles from closed Vegas haunts, slot machine chairs, and vintage playing cards and casino chips. Swag proves to be great for furniture, so you may find a treasure to add flavor to any room needing a little visual excitement.

Grocery options include the massive Smart & Final, with conventional grocery and produce items; The Market for craft beers, specialty teas and a full-service deli; and Sister's Oriental Market for Asian ingredients, sauces and imported produce. The Downtown 3rd Farmers Market runs Wednesdays on Casino Center Drive.