This Iconic Las Vegas Street Is One Of The Best Free Attractions In America, According To Locals

Las Vegas is widely known as the most fun city in America, and Fremont Street is where the thrills of Sin City come to life. Located downtown, Fremont Street has long been a favorite among those seeking an authentic Vegas experience without the prices and frenzy of the iconic Strip. Dotted by legendary casinos like the Golden Nugget and the Four Queens, vintage neon signs, and open-air stages under the famous Viva Vision canopy, Fremont Street is a five-block stretch that melds Sin City's early gambling heritage and modern entertainment. This pedestrian-only district feels welcoming, festive, and distinctly Vegas.

Fremont Street is easy to get to from the Las Vegas Strip and a 15-minute drive from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). It's also accessible on the free Downtown Loop shuttle, which connects Fremont Street with many hotels on the Strip and nearby attractions. Whether you're planning a trip to the nation's most popular summer destination before fall rolls around, or eyeing a getaway to ward off the winter blues, Fremont Street is a quintessential experience you won't want to miss in the City of Lights.

Locals champion the Fremont Street Experience as one of America's top free attractions, and for good reason. The centerpiece is Viva Vision, the world's largest LED canopy screen, stretching 1,375 feet above the pedestrian plaza. It features free shows on the hour from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., complete with immersive visuals and music from artists like Tiesto, Katy Perry, and Imagine Dragons.

Underneath this gigantic display, the Downtown Rocks summer concert series showcases free live music nightly across three stages, with genres ranging from DJ sets to local rock, blues, and funk performances. This concert series typically runs from Memorial Day weekend to mid-October.

Adding to the vibe are buskers — Elvis impersonators, drummers, showgirls, magicians, and more— who perform daily from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., creating a street scene that practically buzzes with excitement. While most entertainment here is free, you'll undoubtedly notice SlotZilla as you stroll. This thrilling attraction, featuring both a 850-foot and 1,700-foot superhero-style zipline, slices through the Viva Vision canopy. It's somewhat pricey at $49 to $69 per ride, but soaring above the action of Fremont Street is an experience you won't soon forget.

Fremont Street still feels like vintage Las Vegas before the mega-resorts, when neon marquees ruled the skyline and the Rat Pack strolled the casino floors. Iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate — Las Vegas' oldest and most historic casino frequented by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin — and Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel where the World Series of Poker was born, still open their doors daily. While many guests come to gamble, you don't need to place a bet to enjoy the atmosphere. Their sparkly allure invites you to roam, admire the vintage coin slots, and soak up the era without spending a dime.

El Cortez, a Fremont fixture since 1941, is one of the most authentically preserved casinos downtown. Its lobby still features vintage chandeliers and red velvet carpets. Inside, the Parlour Bar serves up classic cocktails in a low-lit setting that feels like stepping back in time to old Vegas. Over at the Golden Gate, "Bar Prohibition!" keeps the spirit of Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. alive with a Rat Pack–worthy drink menu.

Just off Fremont Street proper, the Fremont East District has become the neighborhood's culinary and nightlife anchor. Think creative gastropubs, craft cocktail lounges, and late-night tacos. If you have room in your budget for attractions, the Neon Museum of Las Vegas and The Mob Museum are both unforgettable add-ons that still won't break the bank.