The loud, wild, often inappropriate Fremont Experience

By comparison to the glitzy, uber-massive decadence of the “Vegas Strip,” the downtown original “Fremont Street” is the naughty uncle – loud, wild, inappropriate often, flashy and a happening old dude! Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with The Strip – with it’s big name shows, classy, expensive restaurants and miles of casino walking, but Fremont is an experience! A very different, very adult experience – not suitable for children after dinner. Ready to get gritty with us on Freemont?

So much to see, so much do on Fremont

The Golden Nugget - built in the 1940’s, is the grand dame of the downtown Freemont Experience. Book a room in the newest (2009) Rush Tower and enjoy respectable business class accommodations as you would in any other major city. Their other older rooms, not so much. The 4 Queens is cheap and a well-used option (reserve a room here at your own risk), as is Binion’s and some of the other older names that line the Fremont strip - Sam Boyds, the Plaza, the Golden Gate and the D Hotel.

The Fremont Experience - a 1,500 ft domed Viva Vision light show with music and lighted special effects broadcasts on a multi-block dome (hourly after dark) ~ a real visual treat. Whether it’s Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody or Styx’s Come Sail away (my absolute favorite at midnight), you’ll enjoy these rock sensations brought to life in a wild graphics and light show. The Fremont strip attracts all manner of “entertainers” (the term used loosely) looking for your donations. Chippendales are the big hit, as are the naughty nurses and body-painted and teeniest-thonged patriotic young women (usually body painted the red, white and blue). But there’s some cool musicians as well – the pail drummers, the sax players, the dancers – and 3 stages with hip professional musical acts that rotate throughout the night. We spent a few hours enjoying Spandex Nation (serious rock hits from the 80’s) air guitaring and singing along. But expect to see more than a few disturbing bystanders like the naked bunny guy in a tutu, the unclothed man in the slingshot thong – don’t google that! … or the pastied girls vying to get you to take their picture. Awesomeness and sleaziness side by side is the Freemont Experience.

The Chicago Brewing Company (Four Queens) – I was seeking wings and beer one night and struggled to find them until I came across this gem off the back corner of the Four Queens. Their chicken tenders deliver more and better than their wings which were excellent and they have a great craft brew offering (Hardway IPA and Rambin Reck would be my recommendations for $6 a 22 oz glass). Best table for people watching is the little 2-seater table at the top of the stairs – great view of the slots and all it’s noisy action!

Top of Binion’s Steakhouse – Red velvet walls old enough to have seen the Vegas greats eat there, 24 floors above the Fremont experience, their steaks were well-priced and excellently done. Both their Filet Minion (10oz) and 12oz Ribeye each came in under $50 with sides included. While the food was good, the corner table offered an expansive view of the Vegas landscape.

Therapy – Yes, I think I need some therapy after the exposure to the Fremont strip, but this chic, happening restaurant farther down the strip towards the container park is a gastronomic surprise. Our group enjoyed their Chicken and Red Velvet Waffle sliders and their “in the Gnudi” appetizer. Be sure to reserve a table ahead of time or wait for a table while enjoying their inventive cocktails or craft beers.

Pizza Rock – Like their name states, pizza is the main reason to go, but the menu has a wide span of options. Their pizza selections are classed by cook temperature (500’F, 650’, 700’ and 900’ ovens) to deliver a variety of crust options. Loaded with toppings, these are a pizza lover’s taste delight! Given its popularity and sports bar vibe, this is a loud, popular meeting spot for business get togethers and for smaller table dining.

Triple George – Steakhouse and restaurant, the vibe hear is more intimate dining (enclosed booth panels) and rich dark hardwood décor. Business meetings continue after office hours with great food and healthy amounts of cheers over contracts signed.

Banger Brewery – The only craft brewery located directly on the Fremont Experience (east end), the selection of craft beers rotates as availability and demand shifts. Happy hour ($5 for 20 oz) runs 1-3pm and 9-11pm making this a popular haunt to sit and relax with a great beer (my favorite was the Rebellion Red). Note: there is no food offered here, simply enjoyment of the craft brews – and they were good!

Slotzilla Zip Lines – Opened in 2014, two strings of zip lines give a zippy thrill and new perspective to the Freemont experience. The main lower level (approx.  $25) is a seated zip line traversing 850 feet starting about 77 feet high. The higher zip line (approx. $45) starts 114 feet up and zips you superman style 1700 feet down to the far end of the video canopy for quite a thrill. As we discovered, book in advance to secure an evening timeslot that suits your schedule. Line-ups for this experience can be hours of waiting.  

Shoutouts to the Fremont Experience and our next visit wish list!

The Freemont Experience offers more than anyone – or their liver – can do in one visit. And we’ve already got our dance card planned for our next visit.

• Le Thai Restaurant – Expect long lineups at this delicious small, vegetarian-friendly Thai restaurant – they don’t accept reservations.
• Veggie Nation – To satisfy the Vegetarian in your life (even a few meat lovers are rumoured to have fallen in love with their amazing creations). Cauliflower wings, anyone?
• Simply Pure by Chef Stacey Dougan – In the Container Park, another fantastic vegetarian offering with what I hear has a to-die-for nacho platter with cashew cheese!
• Ellis Island BBQ – On the other Vegas Strip, a well-priced and delicious steak and BBQ recommendation (thanks Bob!).
• Mob Museum – What’s Vegas without tracing the mob history and influence as Vegas grew from it’s desert roots into the mega-millions money maker and crazy experience that made Sin City what it is today.

If you’ve toured Vegas, but never been to Fremont, you’re missing the colorful roots of Sin City. Be warned though – this is no place for kids or anyone under the age of 21 after dark.

Oh, and did I forget to mention there are casino’s? It’s Vegas, so that’s understood, right?

There’s a wide selection of what Vegas has to offer – what have you enjoyed (or not) on the Fremont strip? Drop a comment below or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!