Plaza opened in 1971 and, at the time, was the largest casino on Earth. While no longer the largest, Plaza still serves as the iconic bookend to the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas.
Featured in numerous movies set in Vegas, like “Casino”, “Diamonds are Forever”, “Back to the Future”, and “Pay it Forward”, among others, Plaza has achieved immortality.
In 2010, Plaza underwent a $35 million renovation project to morph it into the property it is today.
Plaza has done an amazing job of continually reinventing itself, adding new attractions, dining options, and reasons to visit while staying true to the old school vibes I’ve come to love.
The hotel product, while not my favorite in town, is affordable and solid for the price.
As one of my favorite properties in Vegas, I thought it’d be fun to run down some of the best things to do at Plaza.
Things To Do at Plaza Las Vegas
Play Roulette: One of the few remaining bastions of value, Plaza recently installed and now operates an affordable single-zero roulette wheel, typically with a $10 minimum.
Play Video Poker: Plaza offers more advantageous video poker pay tables than peer casinos on Fremont Street, according to John at VegasAdvantage.com.
Silver Strike Slot Games: I always drop $20 into one of Plaza’s Silver Strike slot games located right in front of the cage. For those unfamiliar, Silver Strike slot machines dispense a collectible token when the “Silver Strike” logo lines up with the pay line.
While they have a face value redeemable at the cashier’s cage, I can’t bring myself to do so.
Rooftop Pool: Plaza’s rooftop pool is open year-round, and guests enjoy views of downtown in addition to the “Behind Closed Doors” mural by D*Face, which is painted on the side of the casino facing the pool.
Play Pickleball: Among the more unique things to do at Plaza is the ability to play pickleball.
Located next to the resort’s rooftop pool, Plaza has 12 permanent pickleball courts and one championship court open daily.
EAT: Plaza offers a few unique dining options. First, if looking for a quick slice, Pop Up Pizza is among the best in Vegas.
This was my $7 slice of “Mike’s Hot Pepperoni”, which is topped with a hot honey drizzle. Man, it’s right up there with my favorite slices in Vegas.
If you’re like me, a huge breakfast is a perfect way to recover from the previous night’s shenanigans, while also setting the base for a new day. If that sounds like you, check out Hash House a Go Go, which is known for its outlandish portion sizes.
Lastly, Fresh Mexican Grill, a similar concept to Chipotle, kind of blew me away with an $11.50 taco plate. Not fancy, but good and filling.
Plaza is a great spot to find cheap eats on Fremont Street.
Play Bingo: Standing apart as the only place to play live bingo downtown Las Vegas, Plaza offers the game between 11 am – 9 pm daily, with sessions starting on odd hours.
Play Keno: Although more common in downtown Las Vegas, live keno has almost completely disappeared from casinos on the Strip.
Although not the most player-friendly game from an odds perspective, keno can be a fun way to pass time while making a relatively small bet with the dream of winning a substantial haul.
Gamble Smoke-Free: Plaza is the ONLY casino downtown to offer a completely smoke-free gaming area.
The smoke-free slots area is physically separated from the rest of the gaming floor (where smoking is still allowed) and offers a solid selection of new slot and table games.
Grab an Outdoor Drink: Plaza’s new Carousel Bar is situated underneath Oscar’s dome.
Although it was momentarily in doubt, the bar offers complimentary craft cocktails to those playing bar-top video poker.
Grab a Treat: Pinkbox Doughnuts sells some of the more photogenic pastries you’ll find and has been a great addition to Plaza.
Things To Do Near Plaza Las Vegas
Given Plaza’s location in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, there are endless things to do nearby.
I suggest checking out the antique collection at Main Street Station, which includes a chunk of the Berlin Wall, Winston Churchill’s snooker table, and so much more.
On the topic of historic stuff, Golden Gate is one of the most historic structures in Las Vegas and allows guests to see some of the building’s historic features like this window to a wall constructed in 1906.
Circa, also across the street boasts the largest sportsbook in the world and a rooftop pool amphitheater.
Ride SlotZilla: The SlotZilla Zipline is immensely popular, and the upper Zoomline sends riders flying “superhero style” 5 city blocks at heights of up to 11 stories. I recently confronted my crippling fear of heights to ride SlotZilla and can confirm – It’s awesome.
At Golden Nugget, I suggest swinging by The Tank, their swimming pool built around an aquarium stocked with tropical aquatic life, including sharks. If you are feeling lucky, try your hand at poolside gaming.
There’s a $5 craps table out there that, despite only allowing 2x odds, is one of my favorite spots to play downtown.
Circa’s Stadium Swim also offers day passes starting at $20, with prices rising based on demand.
There are a ton of things to do at Plaza and nearby on Fremont Street. With that in mind, I’ve put together a compilation of things to do on Fremont Street besides gambling. Check it out, as you are sure to find an item or two that are itinerary-worthy!
See Also: Let us help you find the loosest slots in Vegas with data from the Nevada Gaming Commission.
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.