Key Difference – Las Vegas Strip vs Downtown
Las Vegas Strip and Downtown are two different areas in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas Strip is much larger and has more glamorous mega hotels and casinos when compared to Downtown. This is the key difference between Las Vegas Strip and Downtown. Downtown Las Vegas was the original gambling city of Las Vegas. However, with the opening of Mirage, the first mega-casino, Strip began to be famous as the new sin city.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. Las Vegas Strip
3. Downtown
4. Side by Side Comparison – Las Vegas Strip vs Downtown in Tabular Form
5. Summary
Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Strip is one of the most famous streets in the world. Located in the south of the Las Vegas city limits in the towns of Winchester and Paradise, Las Vegas Strip is approximately 6.8 km in length. Las Vegas Boulevard is the real name of this street.
Figure 01: Night aerial view of Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Strip is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, as well as in the world. Many of the world’s largest hotels, casinos and resort properties are located on the Las Vegas Strip. Luxury hotels and resorts like Flamingo Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo and Wynn are found in the Las Vegas Strip. These mega hotels span over 100 acres and are quite an impressive sight. It is not only casinos and hotels you find in Las Vegas Strip; there are also shopping malls, golf courses, amusement parks and rides. Las Vegas Strip is also well known for nightclubs, theaters, and showrooms, and most of these attractions are located inside the casino hotels themselves. Most people use the name Las Vegas to refer to the Las Vegas Strip.
Downtown
Downtown, also referred to as old Las Vegas, is the original gambling district in Las Vegas, prior to Strip. This was the heart of Las Vegas and home to the first Las Vegas casino until 1989 when Mirage, the first mega-casino, was opened on the strip.
Downtown is located about 3 miles to the north from Strip. Here, you’ll find older hotels and casinos, retaining the classic Las Vegas charm. Smaller and less popular than Las Vegas, this is also cheaper and less crowded. Hotels in Downtown are cheaper, and table minimums in casinos are cheaper. El Cortez, Golden Nugget, Golden Gate, Binion’s and The Four Queens are some famous properties in Downtown. There are also more cultural attractions in Downtown compared to the Strip. Some of these include museums, theaters, art galleries and boutiques. Downtown is perfect for clubbing or casino hopping since casinos, bars and restaurants are situated close to each other.
Main attractions in Downtown can be seen in three sections.
- Fremont Street Casino District
- Fremont East Entertainment District
- Arts District (18b)
Figure 02: Fremont Street Experience
Fremont Street Experience, a pedestrian mall and attraction that comes to life every night, is found in Fremont Street Casino District.
What is the Difference Between Las Vegas Strip and Downtown?
Las Vegas Strip vs Downtown |
|
| Las Vegas Strip is where most of the mega hotels and casinos are located in Las Vegas. | Downtown, or old Las Vegas, is the original gambling city prior to Las Vegas Strip. |
| Hotels and Casinos |
|
| Most of the mega hotels and casinos are located on the strip. | Hotels and casinos in Downtown are older and smaller. |
| Cost | |
| The hotels on the Strip are more expensive, and the table minimums in casinos are higher. | The hotels on the Strip are cheaper, and the table minimums in casinos are lower. |
| Ambience | |
| The strip is big, glamorous and busy. | Downtown is more intimate and scaled downed. |
| Entertainment | |
| Entertainment includes casinos, nightclubs, theaters, and showrooms. | Entertainment includes museums, theaters, art galleries, and boutiques. |
Summary – Las Vegas Strip vs Downtown
The main difference between Las Vegas Strip and Downtown is their location, appearance, and atmosphere. Las Vegas Strip is bigger, busier and more famous since it contains mega casinos and hotels. Downtown has smaller and older buildings. In terms of cost, staying in Downtown is much cheaper than staying in Las Vegas Strip.
Download PDF Version of Las Vegas Strip vs Downtown
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References:
1. Borja, Ria. “Las Vegas Like a Local: A Guide to Exploring Downtown Las Vegas.” Canyon Tours, 9 June 2017, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Night aerial view, Las Vegas, Nevada, 04649u” By Carol M. Highsmith – from the United States Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street, Fremont Experience” by Joseph Hunkins (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
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