Get To Know The Las Vegas Arts District - Eat, Drink & Shop
Key Points:
- The Las Vegas Arts District is known for its collection of restaurants, breweries, and unique shopping (art, antiques, & more).
- The neighborhood's vibe is more "residential" than "touristy" - It's nothing like the resort corridors.
- Get to the Arts District for free from Fremont Street via the Downtown Loop Shuttle.
Situated in a bit of a "no man's land" between the Strip and Fremont Street, the Las Vegas Arts District is commonly (and unfortunately) overlooked by visitors.
Those who stop are rewarded with 18 blocks of opportunities to dine, drink craft beer, and shop for unique, rare, and eclectic items found nowhere else in town.
I recently spent a day exploring the arts district to get a feel for what there is to do and help you gauge if it's worth visiting.
Getting to the Arts District
From Fremont Street
If you're on Fremont Street, the cheapest way to get to the Arts District is the FREE Downtown Loop shuttle.
Running Sunday - Thursday from 11 am - 6 pm and Friday - Saturday from 3 pm - 10 pm, the Downtown Loop picks up at Circa, the Mob Museum, Fremont Street Experience, and Fremont East and drops you off in the Arts District.
From The Strip
The cheapest way to reach the Arts District from the Strip is the Deuce bus, which runs up and down the Strip to Fremont Street and costs just $6 for a 2-hour pass or $8 for a 24-hour pass.
Just get on and off at the "Arts District (Charleston) stop.
Things To Do in the Arts District
Experience Brewery Row
The Las Vegas Arts District is home to a vibrant craft beer scene that includes:
- Hop Nuts Brewing
- CraftHaus Brewery
- Able Baker Brewing
- Nevada Brew Works
- Beer Zombies Brewing
As the name "Brewery Row" would suggest, the breweries are located within walking distance of each other, making this the perfect place for bar hopping.
In addition to craft beer options, the Arts District is home to other worthwhile bars, including The Silver Stamp and Servehzah Bottle Shop & Tap Room.
My brother and I just spent a day jumping from brewery to brewery in the Arts District and couldn't have had more fun.
Unique bars are also plentiful, including The Stadium Sports Bar, Viking MIke's Alpine Yurt Bar, Craft Creamery Speakeasy, Dark Sister (a witch-themed lounge), and the Horse Trailer Hideout.
If you prefer stimulants to depressants, the Arts District is also home to unique coffee joints like Vesta Coffee Roasters and Makers & Finders Coffee.
Philly Freeze-Me serves unique shaved ice that has the consistency of ice cream.
They're unreal good.
Grab a Great Meal
Whether you're craving Mexican, Cajun, or Thai, the Las Vegas Arts District is chock-full of unique restaurant options.
Vegas history dweebs (like me) will enjoy Esther's Kitchen, which uses flatware and utensils from the Dunes, which was imploded in 1993 to make way for Bellagio.
Check out these top dining picks in the Arts District from Eater Vegas. You're destined to find something that fits your tastes.
Can't decide where to eat? Consider booking the "Arts District Lip Smacking Foodie Tour" which takes groups to Esther's Kitchen, Jammyland, and the Cornish Pasty Co. Tickets are $125 per person and there is an optional beverage package that is $50.
Get a $10 Tattoo
Koolsville in the Arts District ranks as one of Vegas's more unique tattoo shops, offering a selection of $10 tattoos.
Yeah, they're basic and small, but a $10 tat could be the perfect permanent souvenir.
Evel Knievel Experience
One of Vegas's newest attractions, the Evel Knievel Experience is a museum attraction that pays homage to the iconic daredevil with interactive exhibits, artifacts, and add-on VR Experiences.
I recently visited the Evel Knievel Experience and was impressed by the quantity and quality of the artifacts.
I was somewhat unfamiliar with his career (as he was before my time), but found the storytelling to be exceptional.
See my Evel Knievel Experience review.
Sing Karaoke
Ninja Karaoke is in the Las Vegas Arts District and uniquely offers several themed rooms that groups of 6 to 40 people can rent. Themes include sumo wrestling, Little Tokyo, anime, and a ninja dojo room, among others.
Unique Shopping - Antiques, Art, and More
I'm not a shopper.
With that out of the way, I have to say that exploring the shops was easily my favorite activity in the Arts District.
Options included shops specializing in antiques, crafts, and art - The Arts District WILL have a shopping option you find to be interesting. I guarantee it.
I loved visiting the Antique Alley Mall, home to 65 different vendors across 12,000 SF.
Inside, vendors offered clothing, pottery, glass, art, furnishings, collectibles, Hollywood memorabilia, and more.
My favorite items were related to Las Vegas history. And there was a LOT of it.
I found old Video Poker machine pay table inserts, casino chips, slot buckets, ashtrays, and matchbooks from long-gone properties like Maxim, Desert Inn, Marina, and Holiday Casino, among others.
Preview Thursday / First Friday
On the first Friday of every month, the Las Vegas Arts District hosts a popular block party where artists, food vendors, and musicians line the streets to display and sell their products.
The event has become so popular that it typically draws upwards of 15,000 people.
Keep tabs on upcoming events in the Arts District here.
For a less stressful way to browse and buy art, stop by the Arts District the night before First Friday for Preview Thursday, a chance to shop without the crowds.
Pawn Stars Pawn Shop
While not "in" the Arts District, the pawn shop made famous by the hit show is Arts District Adjacent and worth a walk for fans.
It's free to get in, and you can buy show merch in addition to standard pawn shop fare.
See the Murals
I particularly enjoyed stumbling across the numerous murals scattered throughout the Arts District, each unique in its own way, many of which commented on current events.
Here are a few of my favorites!
Is the Arts District Worth Visiting?
I've visited Las Vegas over 50 times and have never before prioritized visiting the Arts District. That was a mistake.
The area provides a needed contrast to the environment along the Strip and Fremont Street - Not a casino in sight, with what I'd describe as a more "neighborhood" or "commercial" vibe.
It's chill, laid-back, casual, and genuinely fun to explore.
I recommend stopping by in the late afternoon to shop, grab a couple of drinks, and have dinner before heading back to a tourist center to gamble.
If you've grown tired of slot machines, crowds, buskers, and cigarette smoke, or just need a break from gambling, the Arts District could be the perfect place to explore and recharge your batteries.
Check out these other things to do besides gambling 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.
