Flavors of Vintage Vegas: The Downtown Arts District
Discover “Vegas cool” on a spirited trek through the Downtown Arts District — the hub of the local arts scene. This two-hour Vegas tour with an artist guide takes you to storefront galleries, nifty pop culture stores, and vintage-Vegas antique shops. We see some awesome public artworks and meet up with local artists who give the place its creative buzz. Along the way, we sample some tasty bites at a local eatery, and have a complimentary cocktail or brew at an urban lounge. It’s a unique tour, off the beaten track, mixing highbrow/lowbrow arts with an inventive culture of libations and food — exactly what you would expect in a Las Vegas arts district!
Art & Food Tour of Vegas Highlights
- Explore the heart of the Las Vegas arts scene
- Meet local artists in their studios
- Savor the tastes of a neighborhood restaurant
- Check out cool pop culture stores and vintage Vegas antique shops
- Enjoy a complimentary cocktail/brew in a local bar
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, sample-sized tastings at a local neighborhood eatery, and a cocktail/beer at a popular local bar.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, transportation from the Strip or Downtown to the Arts District, and tips/gratuities for your guide.
Schedule details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Meeting point: In front of the main entrance to the Art Square Building, located on Boulder Avenue, just off the intersection of First Street and Boulder Avenue. Address: 1025 S First Street.
- Starting time: 1.00 PM
- Ending point: Boulder Plaza, at the intersection of First Street and Boulder Avenue.
- Full Itinerary
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Your Las Vegas arts tour begins at a repurposed industrial complex of 20 galleries in the heart of an 18-block neighborhood that’s in a flurry of redevelopment. We showcase a few of our favorite galleries and shops, point out some cool spots for lunch and introduce that hybrid-type tavern known as the 18b Urban Lounge. We visit the landmark building where the neighborhood was founded, check on the new arts trail from Fremont Street, visit the Burlesque Hall of Fame, and hear of plans to build a Las Vegas Art Museum nearby.
We encounter neighborhood murals, stroll by the latest “street art,” stop by a pop culture sculpture that’s a favorite photo op, and we might show you the quirky secret portrait of the legendary Las Vegas mayor who paved the way for this arts neighborhood.
Your artist guide gives you the big picture and some neat little details about the neighborhood on this retro and artistic Las Vegas tour. Want to know the best place to get a cappuccino, a craft beer, or a Cornish pasty? We happily point the way. Want to buy a Steam Punk hat? We know just the place.
And here’s a wow bonus: If you take this tour on the first Friday of the month, you can be part the biggest home-grown cultural block party in Downtown, known as First Friday in the Arts District.
Finally, we trek a block or so to a nearby antiques district developing along South Main. If you’ve ever wanted to be in the middle of a real vintage Vegas experience, this is it! Up and down the street are the best retro Vegas stores ever, many specializing in the mid-century modern era. You might see a classic restored neon sign or that look-a-like couch from the Brady Bunch or that Lucite dining room set you swear is from a James Bond movie. Look around and you see more cozy bars and shops — everything from a retro beauty parlor to a yoga studio. It’s all happening on Main Street Las Vegas where “what’s old, is new again” — and on an arts tour that is the Best. Day. Ever.
Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, sample-sized tastings at a local neighborhood eatery, and a cocktail/beer at a popular local bar.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, transportation from the Strip or Downtown to the Arts District, and tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Remember that it’s very hot in Vegas in June, July and August. There will be water and refreshment stops along the way.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We’ll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Travelers under 21 years of age are not permitted to join this tour.
Local contact
Office phone number: +1 702 592 2164 or +1 702 370 6961
Email address: [email protected]
