Fremont Street is more than just bright lights and bustling casinos—it’s a living testament to Las Vegas’ rich history. When you’ve done all the well-known attractions on Fremont Street, there’s more history to explore. From Prohibition-era bars to mobster-run casinos, here are some of the must-see historic spots in downtown Las Vegas.
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.Golden Gate Casino: A Step Back in Time
Built in 1906 as the Hotel Nevada, Golden Gate Casino holds the title of Las Vegas’ oldest hotel. It even had Nevada’s first telephone, with the number simply being “1.” Guests can still stay in the Original 10 rooms, which, though updated, retain their historic charm. Golden Gate is located on Fremont Street.
Uncovering Hidden History:
The Original Hotel Wall: A small, unmarked door near the high-limit room reveals a preserved portion of the original 1906 structure.
Historic Fountain: Located in the high-limit room, this intricate tiled fountain harks back to the early 1900s.
Bar Prohibition! Hosting legends like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, this iconic bar is a must-visit for history lovers.
There are also historical artifacts on display at Golden Gate’s hotel registration desk. You can see old gaming books, chips and even the rotary phone! Once we took the time to actually walk around the casino and hotel we were amazed at all of these cool artifacts here. Fun little casino.
El Cortez: The Mob’s Former Playground
Opened in 1941, El Cortez was once owned by the infamous Bugsy Siegel. While it’s undergone updates over the years, its neon sign from 1952 and classic exterior remain unchanged. Notably, El Cortez is the only casino on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving its legendary status in Las Vegas history. They’ve retained the historic look with neon signs inside and rooms that have been redecorated in retro colors and décor. Fremont St. is the address for El Cortez but it’s a little off the part of Fremont Street where most of the other casinos are. Even if you don’t want to gamble, El Cortez is a fun casino to walk around with all of it’s historic decor and neon signage. We always enjoy coming here.
The Blarney Stone at The D: A little piece of Ireland
Head to the second level of the D to find this piece of Blarney Castle. A piece of Ireland’s history sits right in Las Vegas—a chunk of the Blarney Stone from Blarney Castle in Cork, Ireland. While tradition says kissing it grants the “gift of gab,” a simple touch might be a more sanitary way to absorb its legendary luck. While you’re heading into the D, be sure to check out the largest keno board on the outside wall. It seems like every time we come to the D, I find something new.
Artifact Collection at Main Street Station
Main Street Station may not be historic itself, but its artifact museum is a treasure trove of history. Located on Main St. a few blocks from Fremont Street. I like this casino because of the decor and architecture here. It feels to me like an old European casino. There is a reasonably priced breakfast buffet here, so if you’re hungry start with breakfast and then check out these artifacts as your walk around this casino:
Berlin Wall Segment: Uniquely housed in the men’s restroom.
Kuwait Royal Bank Facade: A beautifully preserved piece of Middle Eastern history.
Winston Churchill’s Snooker Table: Once used by the British Prime Minister himself.
Louisa May Alcott’s Pullman Railcar: A piece of literary history from the author of Little Women.
The Mob Museum: A Crime Lover’s Dream
Only a few blocks from Fremont St. this museum is dedicated to the history of organized crime, the Mob Museum offers an immersive look into the role of the mob in shaping Las Vegas and beyond. Historic artifacts include:
Weapons and personal possessions of mobsters like Bugsy Siegel and Al Capone.
Jewelry and memorabilia once owned by infamous crime figures.
Interactive exhibits that bring the underworld stories to life.
Even the building that houses the museum is historic in nature. Serving as both a post office and courthouse, the Mob Museum’s structure opened for business in 1933 and served as the arena for the Kefauver hearings in 1950 which was intended to dig into organized crime in America. While you’re there, be sure to stop in the Underground Speakeasy and Distillery. I was surprised how close this was to Fremont St. which is really nice so you don’t have to find parking.
Hotel Apache at Binion’s
Binion’s is a cornerstone of Fremont St. being one of the oldest casinos here. Binion’s recently renovated and reopened 81 hotel rooms that were originally part of the Hotel Apache which opened in 1932 and housed the first electric elevator in Vegas. While the refreshed rooms now have modern amenities, Binion’s maintained that 1930s feel with period decor and design elements. If you don’t mind a few ghosts, book Benny Binon’s VIP Experience Stay the night in the Penthouse of the 1930s – Room 400 is the only room on the 4th floor. This room is known to be the most haunted room on the property. Located right outside the old count room known for supernatural activity. Room 400 has vintage-style furnishings reminiscent of the original Hotel Apache that opened in 1932. The room includes a vintage clock radio with blue tooth capabilities and a period-inspired rotary dial telephone. Hotel Apache is definitely a spot for spooky experience. We’re not really big ghost explorers, but this sounds kind of fun. Maybe we’ll do it one day just to say we did. We do enjoy spending time in the casino here.
See The Mint: While at Binion’s, stop by Whiskey Licker Up where the petrified wood exterior of The Mint, along with some of The Mint’s towering sign are still visible. The Mint was absorbed by Binion’s in the 1980s, but part of her historic facade lives on! The Mint was one of the most photographed hotels on Fremont St.
Conclusion
Today, Fremont Street continues to be a popular destination for visitors seeking a taste of vintage Vegas. The street offers a blend of modern casinos, iconic landmarks, and a lively atmosphere that harks back to the city’s earlier days. Visitors can explore the Fremont Street East district, a vibrant area brimming with bars, restaurants, and live entertainment venues, adding a contemporary touch to the historic district.
From early 1900s hotels to mob-run casinos and artifacts from around the world, Fremont Street is packed with historic gems. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a unique experience in Las Vegas, these sites offer a fascinating glimpse into the past. So when you take a break from gambling check out some of these unique sites. Which historic spot will you visit first? For more fun things to while visiting Fremont St. read this blog.
As always, we hope to help you find fun adventures for you to explore on your vacation. We want to help you make informed decisions with information and tips we’ve learned during our travels. So find your adventure, grab your camera, make some memories and have fun! to see some of our Freemont street videos check out our YouTube slots page
