11 Things to Do in the Arts District Las Vegas in 2024 (UPDATED)

The Arts District in Las Vegas is one of my new favorite neighborhoods to visit in this city.

It’s trendy, eclectic, full of art and bursting with breweries and unique restaurants and bars.

You definitely want to spend a few hours here for a completely different vibe from your classic Las Vegas experience.

This up and coming area is the perfect area to hang out during the day before heading to the Fremont Street Experience or back to the Las Vegas Strip for nighttime fun.

If you’ve never checked this spot out before, here are the top 11 things to do in the Arts District of Las Vegas.

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Unique, Antique and Thrift Store Shopping

One of the main draws of the Arts District is the amount and variety of unique stores, boutique and vintage shops, antique malls and markets, thrift stores and more.

Craft Breweries

The Arts District is perhaps most well known for the extensive number of craft breweries along brewery row.

Each put their own spin on high quality craft brews, something for every palette.

If you can’t visit them all, here are a few of my favorites:

Servehzah

Many of the beers at Servehzah have a Mexican influence.

I highly recommend trying the michelada flight. Each beer sampler is made into a michelada, and includes the fruit lagers like mango, pineapple, guava and the regular Mexican lager.

Able Baker Brewing

The theme of this brewery pays homage to the atomic testing history in Nevada and offers over 30 beers on tap.

The ambience and atmosphere is casual and inviting, and the tap room feels like an outdoor patio brought inside.

Neon Desert

What’s not to love about a tap room decorated in bright green and pink hues?

Among the dozen choices of beer on tap is the 11 Circles of Helles – where you choose how hot you want it on a scale from 1 to 11.

This beer has a mix of ghost, serrano and habanero peppers. I chose a 6 out of 11 on the hot scale and it was spicy!

Murals and Street Art

One of the best places to find murals in Las Vegas is in the Arts District.

Street art, sculptures and murals have become somewhat synonymous with this part of Vegas.

You could spend all day walking up and down each of the 18 blocks and never run out of finding new murals.

We can thank the Life is Beautiful music and arts festival that started in 2013 which has been transforming downtown into a visual feast ever since.

Arts Factory

Inside a converted warehouse you’ll find the Arts Factory which houses over 30 small galleries and artist studios.

It’s free to walk around and browse all the art, shop for jewelry and more.

Fun tip: there’s an art vending machine where you can purchase small pieces of art from local artists.

$10 Tattoos

Koolsville Tattoo is home to the famous $10 tattoos in Las Vegas.

You’ll find it on Main Street and you can’t miss the bright pink façade.

You can choose from a list of small and basic tattoos that range from $10 to $80.

Authentic Mexican Food

When you’re ready for lunch or dinner, try Letty’s Cocina for as-authentic-as-it-gets Mexican food.

Load up on tacos (including birria), tamales, tortas and the best margaritas.

They also have a solid happy hour from 3 to 6pm, Monday through Friday.

Sightseeing Foodie Tour

One of the best ways to see and experience the highlights of the Arts District is to join a walking tour.

Taste Buzz Tours offers a sightseeing and foodie tour where your guide will take you along some of the best streets within this neighborhood.

You’ll pass by the best murals for photo opps, see famous wedding chapels and other noteworthy hidden gems, all while stopping for coffee, tacos, pizza local beers, desserts and much more.

Burlesque Hall of Fame

The Burlesque Hall of Fame is a one-of-a-kind museum you won’t find anywhere else.

Inside you’ll find a comprehensive collection of burlesque costumes, props, photographs and the entire history of this provocatively fun style of entertainment.

Admission is $15.

Millenium Fandom Bar

Pop culture and cosplay fans are going to love this place.

Millennium Fandom Bar is a local bar and hangout space filled with memorabilia and props from all your favorite cult classic movies and shows.

Not only is the décor on point, they have a massive list of pop-culture inspired cocktails.

I love the ambience here – it’s moody and dimly lit to showcase more of the props, and yes, you can play with lightsabers here.

Also, if you’re dressed in cosplay you get a discount!

Luv-It Frozen Custard

Luv-It Frozen Custard has been a Las Vegas staple since the 1970s.

At the edge of the Arts District near Las Vegas Blvd and Oakley Blvd, you’ll find this small, blue walk-up shack that serves up fresh frozen homemade custard.

When it’s hot out and you’re craving something cold, try this classic Las Vegas treat

First Friday Festival

First Friday is a monthly festival that occurs on the first Friday of every month and includes a showcase of art, live music, artisanal goods, food trucks and more.

Inside tip: for a more chill and intimate experience, you can check out Preview Thursday, the night before First Friday.

What’s the Best Way to See the Arts District?

Walking

While it’s jam-packed with shops, eateries, bars and art galleries, the Arts District isn’t a huge area.

In fact, it’s very walkable and you could see a lot of it in a full afternoon and into the evening hours.

E-Scooters

If you prefer to cover more ground much quicker, you can rent e-scooters from Atomic Scooters in downtown Las Vegas!

From downtown, it only takes a few minutes to ‘scoot’ your way to the Arts District.

Arts District Tours

If you only have a few hours, the best way to see the best of the Arts District offerings is to join a tours.

Most of them combine sightseeing, fun facts and food and booze!

Try this Arts District Foodie Sightseeing Tour.

Full of insider tips, your guide will take you past some of the best hidden gems and most famous murals, while stopping for local bites and brews in between.

Some highlights include am artsy coffee shop, tacos, trendy new restaurants and breweries.

By Bus and Public Transportation

You can also get to the Arts District using public transportation.

One of the best options for tourists is the free Downtown Loop Bus.

This is a free shuttle service that runs from the Strat all the way to the Fremont Street Experience, with many stops in between, including the Arts District.

You can find the daily schedule on their website.

What Is the Arts District in Las Vegas?

The Arts District is an 18 square-block neighborhood between the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip (think Stratosphere) and the Fremont Street Experience.

This community was originally called 18b, short for 18 blocks, which is why you’ll see retro-style signage with this logo.

It’s going through a gentrification transformation and is now one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city.

It’s a popular spot among locals, and full of arts and culture. If you’re looking for the art scene in Vegas, the Arts District is your spot.

Is the Arts District in Las Vegas Safe?

Yes, Las Vegas’ Arts District is a safe area. There are lots of tourists and locals who visit here during the day and into the evening.

You may run into homeless people in this neighborhood, but that doesn’t mean it’s unsafe.

And just like anywhere else in Las Vegas (including the Strip and Fremont Street), it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense.