Whenever I go down to Freemont Street in Las Vegas I’m always surprised again by just how different it is from The Strip, and how cool, cheap and fun it is!
Freemont Street is basically an outdoor, covered mall connecting about 10 older casinos plus a bunch of shops and restaurants. Of course, the main attraction is the actual covered canopy.
The LED display “canopy”, rising 90 feet in height and stretching 1,400 feet along the Fremont Street Experience promenade from Main Street to Fourth Street is held up by 16 columns, each weighing 26,000 pounds and can support 400,000 pounds, and 43,000 struts.
A section comprising one fiftieth of the total canopy equals the size of the world’s current largest electric sign. Originally, nearly 2.1 million incandescent lights were housed in the canopy. With the completion of the $17 million upgrade, more than 12 million LED lamps illuminate the overhead canopy. Within the canopy itself are 220 speakers capable of producing 550,000 watts of sound.
Here is a little video I filmed of the actual show that I saw. There are others, and they run them once per hour ever hour after dusk.
In addition to the video, I took a boatload of photos, and here are a bunch I felt like sharing publicly.
Vibrant neon signs and lively street performers illuminate Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mermaids Freemont Street
Plaza Hotel Freemont Street
La Bayou Freemont Street
Fremont Street in Las Vegas features vibrant neon signs, including the iconic Golden Goose display.
Vibrant night view of the Golden Gate Casino on Fremont Street, showcasing lively entertainment and colorful lights.
Crowds enjoy the lively atmosphere with colorful lights and entertainment in downtown Las Vegas.
Bright neon lights and vintage signage at Fremont Street in Las Vegas.
The iconic Golden Nugget casino sign illuminated on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Vibrant neon cowboy sign illuminates Fremont Street in Las Vegas, capturing the lively nightlife scene.
Night view of Fremont Street with bright neon signs, street performers, and visitors enjoying the lively atmosphere.
Colorful arcade machines creating lively entertainment atmosphere in Fremont Street.
Neon lights and bustling crowd at Binion’s on Fremont Street, capturing the vibrant nightlife of Las Vegas.
Vivid neon lights highlight the iconic Freemont Street Experience in Las Vegas, Nevada, capturing its lively nightlife.
Night view of Fremont Street with colorful neon signs and lively atmosphere in downtown Las Vegas.
Bright neon sign advertising Mickie Finn’s Fish House & Bar at Fremont Street, capturing the lively nightlife scene.
Night shot of the iconic Las Vegas Blvd street sign with palm trees, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of Fremont Street, Nevada.
Night view of Walgreens store on Fremont Street with neon signage and pedestrians.
Crowds gather at a pizza stand on Fremont Street, Nevada, enjoying the vibrant nightlife and bright neon signs.
Vibrant storefront of Tiffany’s Souvenirs & Gifts on Fremont Street, Las Vegas, featuring neon signs and busy shoppers.
Fremont Street Casino in Las Vegas features bright neon signs and lively nightlife.
Fremont Street in Las Vegas features colorful neon signs and lively crowds, capturing the energetic atmosphere of this iconic entertainment district.
Night view of the lively Fremont Street with the colorful neon sign for Fabulous Las Vegas Jewelry & Gifts.
Bright neon sign advertising a hotel and casino on Fremont Street in Las Vegas.
Vibrant Fremont Street in Las Vegas features bright neon lights, bustling crowds, and iconic casino signage.
Vibrant neon signage at Fremont Street captures the lively nightlife scene in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bustling scene of Fremont Street in Las Vegas featuring neon signs and a lively crowd enjoying the nightlife.
Crowds enjoy the lively atmosphere and bright neon signs at Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada, capturing the energetic nightlife scene.
Indoor aquarium display with sharks and colorful fish in a vibrant Las Vegas setting.
Elegant casino interior on Fremont Street, showcasing vibrant lighting and upscale design in Las Vegas.
People relaxing and enjoying the vibrant nightlife under bright neon lights in Fremont Street, Las Vegas.
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John P.
John P. is a former CEO, former TV Show Host, and the Founder and Wizard behind Texas Metal Works. You can find him on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. Feel free to send shoutouts, insults, and praise.
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4 Comments
Yeah, I was actually shocked at how nice the Nugget seemed too. I think I’ll try it next time I see a really cheap rate there when the Strip is charging a fortune. It’ll make the cab ride worth it…
John
Yeah, but Jenny you have to trust me on this… if you ever make it over to Vegas you aren’t going to want to shop on Freemont Street. Nothing but tourist junk. The really good shopping is over on the Strip at Ceasar’s mall and the Venetian mall. The only thing you’ll want to do on Freemont is play the slots and have a party! ;-)
John P.
Sorry John, but you’ve really lost me on this one, lol
I honestly can’t think if anything that could make my shopping experience much worse than that lot going on. Waste of money! How about they’d used the money they wasted on that to reduce the prices in the stores ;)
Even though downtown Vegas is older and not as flashy as the Strip, the Fremont Street Experience makes up for it. Last time I was there, the FSE was based on an air show with planes flying up and down the street. It was quite amazing.
During that trip, I also stayed at the Golden Nugget which surprised me. Contrary to some of the other hotels downtown, the Golden Nugget is rated as a 5 star hotel and they live up to it. Very clean inside and the restaurant was very good.
Whenever I go down to Freemont Street in Las Vegas I’m always surprised again by just how different it is from The Strip, and how cool, cheap and fun it is!
Yeah, I was actually shocked at how nice the Nugget seemed too. I think I’ll try it next time I see a really cheap rate there when the Strip is charging a fortune. It’ll make the cab ride worth it…
John
Yeah, but Jenny you have to trust me on this… if you ever make it over to Vegas you aren’t going to want to shop on Freemont Street. Nothing but tourist junk. The really good shopping is over on the Strip at Ceasar’s mall and the Venetian mall. The only thing you’ll want to do on Freemont is play the slots and have a party! ;-)
John P.
Sorry John, but you’ve really lost me on this one, lol
I honestly can’t think if anything that could make my shopping experience much worse than that lot going on. Waste of money! How about they’d used the money they wasted on that to reduce the prices in the stores ;)
Even though downtown Vegas is older and not as flashy as the Strip, the Fremont Street Experience makes up for it. Last time I was there, the FSE was based on an air show with planes flying up and down the street. It was quite amazing.
During that trip, I also stayed at the Golden Nugget which surprised me. Contrary to some of the other hotels downtown, the Golden Nugget is rated as a 5 star hotel and they live up to it. Very clean inside and the restaurant was very good.
I still prefer to stay on the strip however.