While much of Las Vegas is erased and rebuilt every few decades, Golden Gate has stood the test of time. Originally opening its doors in 1906, the boutique hotel has watched the neighborhood continually reinvent itself.
Although small by resort standards in Vegas, with just over 100 hotel rooms, Golden Gate’s historic significance and myriad itinerary-worthy activities make it a “must-visit.”
Quick side note: Their “Original 10” hotel rooms have been in service since 1906 and are spectacularly unfunctional.
Golden Gate Activities
Portal to the past: This one is fun, as most visitors are completely oblivious to its existence. History buffs will enjoy the small, 1-foot-by-1-foot unmarked door in the small hallway leading to Golden Gate’s high-limit room.
When opened, you’ll see an original wall that has supported the structure since 1906.
Check out the fountain: After opening the small portal to the past, take a right into the high-limit slot room and make your way to the back.
Once in the small end room that resembles a closet, take a right to see an intricately tiled fountain that was installed in the early 1900s.
Drink where legends did: Bar Prohibition! has seen some things over the years, and proudly proclaims that Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. have once imbibed there.
Bar Prohibition! is hopping daily from 6-7 pm, as they hand out free drinks as part of Golden Gate’s “The Night Starts Here” promotion.
Show up early to sign up for Club One if you haven’t yet, get your wristband, and grab an envelope loaded with a mystery amount of free play.
It’s the best drink deal on Fremont Street.
Stay in a 110+-year-old room: Golden Gate’s “Original 10” hotel rooms date back to 1906 and are a “must-stay” for anyone who dweebs out about Vegas’s history.
As old AF rooms, they’re tiny, lack amenities, and don’t have any opulent finishes. They can also be extremely loud, as many are a stone’s throw away from a live entertainment stage.
If you want a quiet hotel room, you can ask nicely at check-in (I got one!), or book a suite, which is located on the back side of the property.
I found my O10 room to be terribly unfunctional, but so freakin’ fascinating.
Swim next door: While Golden Gate doesn’t have a pool, hotel guests have complimentary access to Circa’s Stadium Swim rooftop pool across the street. With a 135-foot TV, heated pools, swim-up bars, and great views of downtown, swimming at Circa needs to find its way onto your itinerary.
Things To Do Near Golden Gate Las Vegas
Walkthrough Circa: Even if you don’t stop by to swim, Circa’s world-class sportsbook, 2-level casino, and restored Vegas Vickie are a sight to be seen. Seeing Circa isn’t negotiable.
Play Roulette at Plaza: While most casinos in Las Vegas are scrambling to install triple-zero roulette wheels that dilute player odds, Plaza went the other direction by installing a single-zero variant.
Minimums start at $10.
See The Tank, and gamble poolside: Golden Nugget’s pool scene is top-tier, boasting an aquarium filled with fish & sharks as its centerpiece.
My favorite part of the scene is the poolside craps game offered at a $5 minimum. Anyone, even non-hotel guests, can go out to the pool to gamble.
A museum in a casino: Main Street Station is a short walk away from Golden Gate and offers a number of museum-caliber artifacts that patrons can see for free. Notable items include a large section of the Berlin Wall and William Churchill’s snooker table.
Related: Historic things to see on Fremont Street.
A rotating bar with a view: Few bars offer the scenery of Binion’s Whiskey Licker Up, which has a circular rotating bar with astounding views of surrounding Fremont Street properties.
Of course, given Golden Gate’s location in the heart of the action downtown, there is no shortage of itinerary-worthy activities. In addition to the suggested things to do near Golden Gate above, I’d suggest perusing my rundown of things to do on Fremont Street besides gambling.
See Also: 90+ completely free things to do in Las Vegas.
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.