The transformation of Downtown Las Vegas over the past couple of years has made the area more family friendly than ever. Today, there are plenty of different attractions and activities to keep every member of the family happy. The eccentric atmosphere of Downtown Las Vegas means you are also sure to find truly unique activities while enjoying the area. If you are in town with younger family members, make your way Downtown for a day the whole family can enjoy.

Container Park

  This open air shopping area is made up entirely of shipping containers is one of the best places to go to entertain the entire family. The complex features an interactive kid’s play area, known as the Treehouse, unique shopping opportunities for both kids and adults, and enough food options for even the pickiest eaters in the family. Don’t forget to check the events calendar before heading to Container Park, as they host family movie nights, live music and much more.

Slotzilla

This one-of-a-kind zip line attraction lets visitors experience Fremont Street from unexpected heights. This attraction offers two different experiences, one from 77 feet up and the other from 114 feet up. This attraction is sure to get your adrenaline pumping with speeds up to 40 miles per hour. Although there is no age requirement, flyers under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult and meet weight requirements. Slotzilla is perfect for all members of the family and is an experience you are not soon to forget.  

Segway Las Vegas

  If you are looking for a new and exciting way to explore Las Vegas, look no further than Segway Las Vegas. This unique tour company specializes in tours of Segway Personal Transporters throughout the city. These tours give you the opportunity to operate your own Segway while cruising around different parts of the city, presenting unparalleled photo opportunities. The age limit for these tours is 12 year of age and are sure to be the most exciting tour you will ever take.

Museums

Discovery Children’s

Perfect for kids of any age, the Discovery Children’s Museum, located in Symphony Park, is both fun and educational. The three story, 58,000 square-foot facility features nine award-winning interactive exhibits including toddler town, eco city and water world. Each exhibit and interactive activity in the museum is geared toward teaching children more about how certain things work. Discovery Children’s Museum provides hours of fun and exploration for the whole family.  

Natural History

  Created in an effort to foster understand and appreciation for global life forms, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, located in the Cultural Corridor of Downtown Las Vegas, offers a truly unique experience. As a Smithsonian affiliate the museum features exhibits with treasures you can’t see anywhere else. Explore everything from Egyptian relics to displays on diverse African wildlife and much more. These are only a few of the exciting family friendly activities Downtown Las Vegas has to offer. So the next time you are in town with your family, remember that Las Vegas is fun for both adults and kids!

Made entirely out of empty shipping crates, Container Park is one of the most unique shopping and entertainment centers in the city. With a distinctly downtown Las Vegas feel, Container park is full of fun stuff to see along with one-of-a-kind shopping opportunities. The shops located inside the 3 story open-air retail center give visitors a chance to find boutique apparel, jewelry, art and more while supporting small, local businesses. Here are 5 of the most unique shops to check out next time you are exploring Container Park.

Blumarble

Blumarble offers unique, handcrafted glassware, jewelry, gifts, home décor pieces and much more that you can feel good about. This is because Blumarble collects as many glass bottles from the Las Vegas Strip as possible, and then upcycles them into unexpected products that can add variety into your everyday life. They partner with businesses on the Strip and currently collect over 15,000 bottles of month to keep up with the high demand for these amazing products.

IndianSoulArt

Founded in 2004 with the goal of sharing Native American Arts and Crafts with others, IndianSoulArt not only sells art, but provides a space for display as well. Offering and expansive collection of paintings, pottery, totems, dreamcatchers, jewelry, traditional baskets and much more IndianSoulArt also offers documentation of authenticity for all pieces of art. No matter what kind of original Native American products you are looking for, this is the place to go.

San Miguel Trading Company

Featuring an eclectic mix of authentic home décor, furniture, art, jewelry and apparel offerings, San Miguel Trading Company strives provide customers with only the most unique offerings. The company was founded in an effort to bring the rare and one-of-a-kind artisanal goods from Mexico to share with more people. All of the good in the shop are handmade with lots of love and pride and are sure to bring you joy.

Max Luxx

Max Luxx is the perfect place for anyone looking for great prices on authentic designer handbags, wallets, belts, travel gear, sunglasses and much more. This unique resale boutique that combines the best aspects of luxury and affordability. With amazing products from some of the most well-known designers in the world, you are sure to find exactly what you want at Max Luxx.

Kappa Toys

This one-of-a-kind toy store is carefully designed and well-stocked to instill a heavy dose of nostalgia to everyone who enters. The store is sure to provide hours of discovery for both adults and children. With never before seen toys from all over the world to classics sure to remind you of your childhood, Kappa toys is a great place to find something fun for both you and the kids.

It’s no secret that the mob was linked with the establishment of the city of Las Vegas as it is today. The history of both the city and some of the better known hotels in Las Vegas is strewn with some of the most recognizable mob names imaginable. Although this was previously considered to be a weak point in the evolution of the city, it has been embraced in recent years. This is in large part due to the opening of the Mob Museum in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas. This uniquely Vegas museum breathes history, including everything inside, along with the building in which it is houses.

The Building

One of the most exciting aspects of the Mob Museum is the corresponding history of the building where it is located. Falling perfectly in line with the rich history of the entire Downtown area, The Mob Museum was originally both the U.S. Post Office and courthouse and was opened in 1933. Although it was not primarily used as a courthouse for several years after opening, in 1950 the building gained notoriety for holding one of the Kefauver Committee Hearings.   The famed hearings, led by Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver, were to investigate organized crime in interstate commerce. Although these hearings took place across the country and were intended to investigate organized crime in general, it became clear the mob connections in Las Vegas were front and center. The courtroom on the second floor of the museum, where testimony was heard for these hearings, has been restored to its original glory. The building was sold to the city in 2002 with the agreement that it be preserved and used as a museum.

The Museum

The idea of the museum was proposed by the Mayor of Las Vegas, and well-known mafia criminal defense lawyer, Oscar Goodman, as a way to tell the complicated story of organized crime in society. Officially known as the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement the museum is an interactive journey using a vast collection of exhibits to tell true stories. The underlying theme of the museum is how mobsters led to the rise of the city and how law enforcement led to their eventual downfall.

Exciting Exhibits & Artifacts

One of the most anticipated exhibits in the museum is the restored second floor courtroom where visitors can see video clips of the actual Kefauver hearings that were broadcast to Americans during the time. There are also plenty more interactive exhibits to visit including a wiretapping display, a firearms simulator and an audio visual panel where you can see FBI testimonies. The most valuable and exciting artifact in the entire museum, however, is the blood stained and bullet battered brick wall where the infamous Chicago Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre took place. Some of the other notable artifacts include the sunglasses worn by Bugsy Siegel on the day of his death, the white suit famously worn by John Gotti during court appearances and a 1919 World Series ticket showing the game has been fixed.

Notable Names

  Those who curated the amazing artifacts for this one-of-a-kind museum clearly spared no expense in securing artifacts from some of the most well-known names in organized crime. There are rare items from Al Capone, Charlie Luciano, Tony Spilotro, George Moran, John Gotti, Bugsy Siegel, Carlo Gambino, Edgar Hoover, Estes Kefauver, Eliot Ness, Rudy Giuliani and many more. This unique museum is a must visit next time you find yourself looking for something interesting to do in Downtown Las Vegas. You are sure to leave the museum with a great understanding of how organized crime infiltrated American culture and society during these times.

The exciting transformation of Downtown Las Vegas continues as more retailers and restaurants come to the area. As the community continues to grow, we are able to experience some of the most amazing new food the entire city has to offer. No matter what you are looking for, you are likely to find it right here in Downtown Las Vegas. So come down today to check out some of these great restaurants.

VegeNation

As one of the few truly vegan restaurants in the city, VegeNation is sure to get you excited about healthy eating. Featuring a wide variety of different types of cuisine, you can get everything from Vietnamese pho to Mexican and Italian dishes all made with 100 percent plant-based products. Don’t forget to also check out their signature “juicetails” featuring local distilled liquor and cold-pressed juice while you are there!

Carson Kitchen

This Downtown favorite, located at Sixth and Carson streets features a perfectly crafted menu of new American food with a unique twist. The restaurant also has a garden-style rooftop patio for an outdoor dining option. Designed for sharing with your party, the menu features favorite items including crispy chicken skins, bacon jam, sandwiches, flatbreads and much more. The restaurant also features a wised variety of beer, wine and stiff specialty drinks.

Le Thai

Frequently lauded as one of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Le Thai is a small restaurant that delivers big flavor. Located across the street from the El Cortez, the restaurant features a large outdoor dining space complete with a misting system for those warm Vegas nights. Le Thai is best known for its delicious three color curry complete with strips of fresh daikon, carrot and basil. Other must-try dishes include the short rib fried rice, awesome noodles and fried bananas.

La Comida

La Comida, located on Sixth street, is a rustic yet chic interpretation on a traditional Mexican cantina. The vast restaurant features a large indoor dining area complete with interesting furniture and light fixtures along with a comfortable outdoor dining area as well. The menu features plenty of tasty Mexican classics such as Pozole, Mexican street corn, ceviche, tacos and much more. Take some time to sample one of the over 100 tequilas on the menu or one of their famous fruit margaritas.

Therapy

This hip new restaurant, located in the Fremont East District, touted as a “gastro-lounge” gives a whole new outlook on American cuisine.  The restaurant features both tapas-style dishes that are meant for sharing, along with individual entrees, and something called cast iron s’mores, which sounds worthy of a trip on its own. The restaurant caters to everyone with offerings like a wagyu beef burger, charred kale salad, steak tartar, Scottish salmon and much more.

Monta Japanese Noodle House

Monta Japanese Noodle House serves “KURUME” style Tonkotsu Ramen, with a broth made from selected pork bones and the unique soy sauce imported from Japan. The prices are great and the portions are large, pick up any of their delicious Ramen bowls downtown. Downtown Las Vegas is quickly becoming the place to be if you are looking for uniquely delicious food offerings. Make sure to stop and check out one of these new restaurants next time you are looking to try out something new.

Las Vegas boasts a rich history, and the city offers up plenty of opportunities to step back in time. Throughout the years, Las Vegas has undergone several shifts in identity leaving traces of each change behind. From the Wild West era to mobster playground, and now a gambling mecca, Las Vegas is more than just neon lights and craps tables. If you’re looking to experience something a little different next time you visit, here are 5 pieces of Las Vegas history sure to change the way you think about the city.

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort

Serving as the very first permanent structure in the valley, the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort was built in 1855, strategically located near a spring fed creek.  The original structure was a 150-foot adobe fort intended to serve as a mid-point regrouping area on the trail from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles. Today, a small portion of the original structure still remains just east of Las Vegas Boulevard. Make sure to take some time to check out the visitor center of the state park for great details about this historic place.

Railroad Cottage District

The rail services in the area helped Las Vegas develop into the city it is today. In order to provide housing for those building the rails, the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad built a total of 64 cottages in what is now Downtown Las Vegas. Although only a handful of cottages remain in the original district, the area remains on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is sure to bring you back in time.

Famous Neon

Vegas Vic is the unofficial name for the famous neon cowboy located outside of a souvenir shop that was formerly The Pioneer Club. This staple of Downtown Las Vegas since 1951 measures in at 40 feet, and can wave and talk. Located directly across Fremont Street is another famous piece of Downtown neon known as Vegas Vickie. She is a seated cowgirl with a leg kicked over Fremont, erected in 1980, who now sits over the Glitter Gulch Neon Sign. In 1984, Vic and Vickie were married in a fun ceremony covered by local news. For more pieces of Vegas neon history, be sure to check out the Neon Boneyard.

The Bellagio Fountains

Since their first show over 15 years ago, the fountains at Bellagio have become an award winning staple of Las Vegas. This amazing (and free) fountain show takes place at regular time intervals every day and featured over 30 different combinations of water movements carefully choreographed to a variety of popular songs. The fountains are located on an 8-acre manmade lake and feature over 4 thousand lights and over a thousand nozzles. For another amazing free show, make sure to head down to The Mirage for the famous volcano show!

Hoover Dam

One of the most well-known manmade landmarks resides just outside of Las Vegas on the border of Nevada and Arizona. The Hoover Dam, completed in 1935 to control flooding and irrigation along the Colorado River, was built from 5 million barrels of cement and 45 million pounds of reinforced steel. This amazing artificial wonder of the world created Lake Mead, the largest manmade reservoir in the U.S., now a mecca for outdoor activities in the area. Make sure to take some time to check out some of these amazing historic sites next time you find yourself looking for something different to experience Downtown.

Source: Vegasseven.com

Downtown Las Vegas is one of the most unique areas in the city. Over the past couple of years, and still continuing today, the area has undergone a massive transformation to make it a truly captivating destination for locals and visitors alike. One of the many things making Downtown so unique is the one-of-a-kind shopping presented by the wide array of boutiques located throughout the district. Whether you are looking for a special Vegas-themed antique, the perfect book for the gambler back at home or a highly coveted record, the shops in Downtown Las Vegas have you covered.

11^Th Street Records

The perfect stop for the music lover in your group, 11^th Street Records is dedicated to buying, selling, trading, and even recording records. The store boasts vinyl listening parties, in-store parties and performances, live streaming webcasts of these performances and much more. Stop in and do your part to help support the music industry and community today.

The Writer’s Block

The Writer’s Block is the only independent bookstore in the entire city and is much more than just that. The shop boasts not only an amazing selection of unique books, but also books from larger publishers, a collection of children’s books, apparel, collectibles and a book machine that prints, binds and trims paperback books in 5 minutes.

Retro Vegas

Just up the street from the Plaza, Retro Vegas is the place to go if you are looking for one-of-a-kind Vegas antiques. This massive shop is full of both Las Vegas themed collectibles and general mid-century antiques, and enough variety to fit into any price point. While you are there make sure to check out the famous pink kitchen. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, simply saunter up Main Street for over 10 more different antique shops to peruse.

The Gamblers General Store & Book Club

For the widest variety of gambling related products, including books, The Gamblers General Store is your go-to in Downtown Las Vegas. For over three decades, this Downtown staple has specialized in providing all your gambling needs including personalized chips, high-quality cards, dice, poker tables, memorabilia and much more. If you are searching for a book about gambling, check out the over 3,000 gambling books available at Gamblers Book Club.

Container Park

What good would an article about shopping in Downtown be without a mention of the amazing Container Park? This one-of-a-kind open-air shopping area is made entirely from shipping containers and contains enough activity to keep everyone in your group (especially the kids) occupied and entertained for hours. No matter what you are looking for, you are sure to find it here. Don’t forget to check out some of the mouth-watering food and drink options while you are here. No matter what you are looking to buy or do, Downtown Las Vegas has it all.  So make sure to give yourself ample time to explore this district the next time you are in town!

Downtown Las Vegas may not be the first thing you think of when you think of Vegas, but in recent years it has done a fabulous job of rebranding itself. Instead of competing with the circus of the strip, downtown Las Vegas has worked hard to create an image that embraces art, music, and culture in a world-class destination. If you’re wondering why you should consider a stay in downtown Las Vegas, here are five must-visit spots that showcase the best of the downtown revival.

Mob Museum

Located in the heart of downtown, the Mob Museum shares the thrilling story of organized crime in Las Vegas. The mob scene played a huge role in the shaping of modern Las Vegas – helping it evolve and to become the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” At the Mob Museum, you’ll explore high-tech theater presentations, unique artifacts, and awesome interactive exhibits that tell both sides of the story; that of the mobs and that of the law’s. This intriguing presentation of Las Vegass’ colorful history will surprise and enthrall you. A must see.

Smith Center for the Performing Arts

From Broadway shows, to jazz, ballet, and the Las Vegas Philharmonic, there is always something happening at the Smith Center. This thriving cultural complex has enabled southern Nevada to take its place on the international stage, and the sprawling campus has become a mecca for world-class culture, art, and musical events. In fact, the Smith Center is an exhibit in-and-of itself, with unique architecture, outdoor sculptures, and beautifully landscaped grounds. A picnic in Symphony Park is almost as exciting as the first-rate performances.

Downtown Container Park

Downtown Container Park is a truly unique experience, unlike anything in Las Vegas. A Fremont Street destination built entirely of shipping containers, this urban gathering area features nightly music, boutique shopping, world-class cuisine, and a kids’ play area, complete with a 30-foot slide and water-play attraction. There’s always something going on at this hip, downtown destination.

The Neon Museum

Founded in 1996, the spectacular Neon Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and displaying the iconic Las Vegas signs that used to tower over Sin City. Indoor and outdoor display areas, with more than 150 rescued signs, chronicle the changes and trends in sign design and technology from the 1930s to the present day. This uniquely Las Vegas museum is located downtown on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Discovery Children’s Museum

Located in Symphony Park, adjacent to the Smith Center, the Discovery Children’s Museum has helped redefine downtown Las Vegas as a cultural and artistic destination. This huge, interactive and educational play space provides a vibrant and engaging experience for kids of all ages. The 58,000-square foot building has nine exhibition halls spread across three stories. Science, art, technology, music, and theater: It’s all here, just waiting for your family to discover. Over the years, Las Vegas has become so much more than an opulent gambling destination. Thanks to a modern revival, Downtown Las Vegas is now an attraction in its own right, helping to define Vegas as a culturally diverse and internationally renowned urban center.