Discover Downtown Las Vegas, the birthplace of sin

Downtown was able to develop in part thanks to a law passed in the 1930s authorising betting and gambling. This measure considerably boosted local activity and gave Las Vegas a new lease of life. From the 40s onwards, casinos sprang up at breakneck speed. Downtown Vegas was born! "Much to the delight of travellers and residents of Névadais, who saw their city become an increasingly attractive part of the American West.

A not-to-be-missed street in Downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street takes its name from the explorer John Charles Frémont, thanks to whom the first World Series of Poker took place at the mythical Binion's. Fans of the sport - because yes, poker is a sport today - will be delighted to stroll down this street and follow in the footsteps of the man who wrote the history of poker.

For many visitors, especially Las Vegas regulars, Downtown is the soul of the city. This district is the true essence of Las Vegas, a place for gambling and nightlife. For tourists looking for an original experience of a stay in the heart of the city of all vices, a visit to Downtown is a must.

The best time to visit Fremont Street is after dark, when the neon lights are on, as the street loses some of its splendour during the day. More authentic than the Strip, there are fewer souvenir shops in this part of Vegas, and that's not to our displeasure. Less watered-down than the Strip, Downtown is less "family friendly", but we love discovering the old hotel signs, which are a little kitsch but which add to the charm of this district.

Although neon lights make Fremont Street sumptuous, the street loses some of its beauty in daylight, without any of its tricks. In order to make the street more attractive and attract as many visitors as possible throughout the day, Fremont Street has been dressed in an impressive canopy of 12.5 million LEDs, offering sublime light shows.

Slotzilla

Instead of walking down Fremont Street, there's a totally unusual and unique way to discover this iconic street. All you have to do is book a ticket for Slotzilla, a sensational attraction that is nothing less than a 260-metre zip line across Fremont Street.

You start 23 metres above the ground, at the top of a giant slot machine. An incredible experience that can only be had in Las Vegas! For the more adventurous, a second series of urban zip lines is even higher, the Fly LINQ Zipline, at the LINQ hotel, which will take you 40 metres above the buildings and shops at over 50 km/h.

Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel

Binion's Hotel and Casino is famous for its perfect location directly on the pedestrianised Fremont Street. Built in 1951, it is one of the oldest casinos in Las Vegas and one that has written the city's history and made its reputation.

This is one of the must-visit hotels on Fremont Street and in Las Vegas in general. When it was bought out in 2004, the 366 rooms were closed in 2009 and made way for a more intimate boutique hotel with just 81 rooms. In 2019, it was renamed the Apache Hotel and its rooms are all decorated in vintage style.