The Plaza Hotel & Casino Las Vegas – A Timeless Classic in the Heart of Downtown

 Experience Vintage Vegas with a Modern Twist

Looking for an iconic Las Vegas experience away from the chaos of the Strip? The Plaza Hotel & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas offers vintage charm, modern updates, and a front-row seat to the Fremont Street Experience. In this guide, we dive into everything that makes the Plaza a must-visit, from its historic roots to revamped amenities, unique dining, and lively casino scene. Whether you’re a history buff, a budget traveler, or just seeking something different in Vegas, the Plaza delivers big.

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A Legendary History That Defines Downtown

The Plaza opened in 1971 on the site of the original Union Pacific Railroad Depot—making it one of the most historically significant hotels in Las Vegas. It marked the western end of the railroad line, and its name “Plaza” pays tribute to that history. Over the decades, it has appeared in pop culture hits like “Casino”, “Diamonds Are Forever”, and “Vegas Vacation”, adding to its legacy.

Unbeatable Location at Fremont Street’s Front Door

Situated at the west end of the Fremont Street Experience, the Plaza places you in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas. Step outside and you’re immediately immersed in dazzling lights, live music, and entertainment. Guests also enjoy close proximity to the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum, and top-notch bars and restaurants. With easy freeway access and walkability, this is downtown convenience at its best.

Stylish Rooms & Suites to Fit Every Budget

The Plaza’s accommodations range from budget-friendly rooms to updated suites with stunning city views. Recent renovations brought modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, upgraded bedding, and sleek décor. Rooms overlook Fremont Street or the valley, and all offer comfort, style, and convenience.

Downtown Las Vegas Gaming at Its Best

Slots: With 700+ machines, you’ll find everything from vintage reels to the newest video slots. Don’t miss the Plaza’s smoke-free, social media-friendly gaming area, the first of its kind downtown. We love the great selection of slots here and usually do pretty good here. I like the idea of a smoke-free area but didn’t really feel the selfie spots added much to the area. But that’s my opinion, it may work great for you. Either way, I say stop and check out this unique area on Fremont Street.

Table Games: Featuring 20+ tables with blackjack, craps, and single-zero roulette for better odds.

Stadium Gaming: Try $1 minimums on Big 6, blackjack, roulette, and craps in a relaxed, lower-limit environment. Located in the Omaha Lounge.

Keno: Live Keno lounge is located on the casino floor. Games run every 5-8 minutes from daily from 11am – 8:45pm.

Bingo: Plaza is home to the one and only bingo room in Downtown Las Vegas. With six different daily sessions, you have plenty of opportunities to play the most popular game in the country!

Sportsbook: The William Hill Sportsbook includes massive screens, mobile betting, and bar access.

Diverse Dining for Every Craving

From upscale steaks to doughnuts and Mexican fare, there’s something for everyone:

Oscar’s Steakhouse: Named after former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, this upscale steakhouse offers classic steakhouse fare with a touch of Vegas flair. The restaurant features stunning views of the Fremont Street Experience.

Hash House A Go Go:  Famous for oversized portions and twisted farm food. This is a locals favorite. We have never had a bad meal at any of the Hash House A Go Go’s that we’ve been too. They have great portion sizes and a good variety of breakfast items.

Pop Up Pizza: Serving delicious hand-tossed pizzas with fresh and exciting toppings that will please any pizza lover.

Fresh Mexican Grill: They use only the fresh quality ingredients to create delicious, flavorful menu items for an authentic Mexican dining experience.

Just Rice: Thai-style noodles, stir-fry, and curries. Asian flavors with a twist.

Pinkbox Doughnuts: There are 70 different varieties of doughnuts, from classics to signature creations including the Doughcros®. An unbeatable combination of light and airy croissant and classic doughnut.

Coffee Bar: Coffee Bar’s coffee is a local roasted, Plaza Blend, which provides a wide range of tastes and flavors. They also offer pastries and breakfast sandwiches. I’m pretty much a Starbucks Iced Mocha snob, but the iced mocha here was really good. We also enjoyed a couple of the pastries here.

Subway: A familiar and affordable favorite.

Pool & Pickleball With a View

The Plaza Pool: The Plaza’s rooftop pool is a hidden gem, offering stunning views of Downtown Las Vegas. The pool area features a spacious deck with lounge chairs, cabanas, and a full-service bar. It’s the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun.

Pickleball: There are 12 permanent pickleball courts and 1 championship court on the rooftop in the pool area. Equipment rentals and lessons are available, which is nice if you’re new to pickleball!

Plaza Gym: If you’re looking for more exercise, Plaza Gym has all the equipment you need.

Entertainment & Nightlife That Keeps the Party Going

Plaza Showroom: The Showroom hosts live music performances, comedy shows and special events. The Plaza Showroom is a fully seated, 21+ theater with GA tickets. Seating is first come, first served.

Sand Dollar Downtown: It’s a legend within a legend: The Sand Dollar resurrects the energy of rock’s golden era. The iconic local Las Vegas bar offers free nightly entertainment from local bands and national headliners accompanied by original handcrafted cocktails, pizza, and pool tables.

Carousel Bar: Here you will find a cocktail bar experience unlike any other. Located under the iconic glittering lights of the Plaza’s porte-cochère, the one-of-a-kind Carousel Bar serves cocktails, shareable drinks, and a premium selection of beer and wine inside a life-sized, animated Vegas-themed carousel. The unique design includes carousel horses that move up and down, a ribbon of lights rotating above the bar, and life-sized Vegas-themed elements such as a deck of cards and a 14-foot-tall neon showgirl sign at the entrance. Carousel Bar also offers Nevada’s only outdoor video poker machines.

CORE Arena: CORE Arena is the very first and only permanent outdoor equestrian center in Downtown Las Vegas. The location features two outdoor arenas for roping practice and exercise during the rodeo. It is adjacent to the Plaza Hotel & Casino, has 80 stalls available for year-round use.

Plaza Murals: The Plaza has embraced downtown’s growing art culture. The trio of murals, likely the largest ever installed on a single building, add a vibrant artistic flare to the Plaza without compromising its historic integrity or classic ambiance. The murals are a unique element that further diversifies the visitors’ experience at the Plaza.

Why Stay at the Plaza?

The Plaza Hotel & Casino offers a unique and compelling experience for visitors to Las Vegas. Here are a few reasons to consider staying or visiting:

Prime Location: Direct access to the Fremont Street Experience and other Downtown attractions.

Affordable Rates: The Plaza offers competitive rates with lots of perks, making it a budget-friendly option.

Classic Vegas Charm: The hotel retains its vintage Vegas appeal, providing a nostalgic experience.

Gaming Variety: Slots, table games, bingo, sportsbook and more!

Diverse Dining Options: A wide range of restaurants and bars to suit different tastes and budgets.

Recent Renovations: Updated rooms and facilities provide a comfortable and modern experience.

Final Thoughts: Classic Vegas with a Modern Edge

The Plaza Hotel & Casino isn’t just another Vegas hotel, it’s a vibrant part of downtown history, with a bold future. Thanks to recent upgrades, stellar dining, unbeatable location, and throwback Vegas flair, the Plaza offers a unique and value-packed experience. Whether you’re playing bingo, sipping cocktails under neon lights, or dancing at the Sand Dollar, one thing’s certain: the Plaza is where vintage cool meets modern Vegas. We love going to Fremont Street and we always make sure to at least stop by the Plaza. We always find slots we love and have a good time while we’re there. Be sure to get the Plaza Rewards Player’s card even if you’re only going to be there awhile, you can get discounts in restaurants and earn points for future discounts on rooms and free slot play.

We give you information and tips we learn along the way to help you when you are planning your trip. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, get out, have fun and make lots of memories. Planning your Vegas trip? Don’t overlook Downtown and don’t miss the Plaza.