Las Vegas extends far beyond the Strip, with distinct neighborhoods each offering a completely different experience. From the suburban master-planned communities of Summerlin to the revitalized Arts District and the historic Downtown core, this guide covers the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas with details on who each area suits, average hotel rates, and what to expect from each part of town. For monthly weather, see the linked articles.
The Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard South)
The Strip is a 6.8km (4.2 mile) stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South that sits outside Las Vegas city limits in unincorporated Clark County, specifically in the township of Paradise. It is the most famous 4 miles of road in the US, lined with mega-resorts, casinos, and entertainment venues. The Strip divides into three rough sections: the South Strip (Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur near the Welcome to Las Vegas sign), the Central Strip (Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Paris, Cosmopolitan), and the North Strip (Wynn, Venetian, Resorts World, STRAT). The Central Strip is the most walkable and iconic section. Hotel rates on the Strip range from US$30 per night at budget properties like Excalibur and Circus Circus midweek in summer, to US$500+ at Bellagio and Wynn on weekends during peak season. Resort fees add US$35 to $55 per night at every Strip hotel. The Strip suits first-time visitors who want maximum convenience and iconic views.
Downtown Las Vegas and Fremont Street
Downtown Las Vegas centers on Fremont Street, the original Las Vegas casino corridor that predates the Strip. The five-block Fremont Street Experience pedestrian mall is covered by the Viva Vision LED canopy and has a more blue-collar, old-school Vegas feel. Table game minimums here are US$5 to $10 compared to US$15 to $25 on the Strip. Hotels include the Golden Nugget (the nicest Downtown property, rates from US$60 to $200), Circa Resort and Casino (opened 2020, adults-only rooftop pool amphitheater, from US$100 to $300), and budget options like the D Las Vegas and Four Queens (from US$30 to $80). The surrounding blocks include the Arts District to the south and an area of vacant lots and motels to the north and east. Downtown suits budget-conscious travelers, poker players, and those who prefer a grittier, more walkable casino-hopping experience. It is a 15-minute drive or 30-minute Deuce bus ride from the Strip. For more on getting around, see the Las Vegas travel tips guide.
Summerlin
Summerlin is a 91 square kilometer (22,500 acre) master-planned community on the western edge of the Las Vegas Valley, about 20 to 30 minutes from the Strip. It is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the US and offers a complete contrast to the 24-hour chaos of the Strip. Summerlin has over 250 parks, 240km (150 miles) of trails, and the Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa as its major hotel-casino (rates from US$120 to $400). Downtown Summerlin is the community’s outdoor retail and dining center with a minor league baseball stadium (Las Vegas Ballpark, home of the Aviators). Summerlin suits families, hikers, and visitors who want to experience Las Vegas away from the Strip. It provides the closest accommodation to Red Rock Canyon. Hotel options are limited to the Red Rock Resort and a handful of smaller properties; there are no major Strip-style casino hotels here beyond Red Rock.
The Arts District (18b)
The Las Vegas Arts District, branded as 18b (for the original 18 blocks), sits just south of Downtown between Charleston Boulevard and the 95 freeway. Main Street and First Street are the main strips lined with vintage shops, galleries, craft breweries (Able Baker, Hop Nuts, Hudl), and independent restaurants. First Friday, a monthly art walk on the first Friday evening of each month, draws 15,000 to 20,000 people with open galleries, food trucks, and live music. The Arts District has no casino hotels but several boutique short-term rental options and is a 5-minute ride from Downtown. It suits creative types, foodies, and anyone tired of the casino environment. Uber from the Strip costs about US$12 to $18.
Henderson and Green Valley
Henderson is a separate city southeast of Las Vegas, about 20 to 25 minutes from the Strip. It is the second-largest city in Nevada with over 330,000 residents and includes the master-planned Green Valley community. Hotel options include the Green Valley Ranch Resort (from US$100 to $300), the M Resort (from US$80 to $250, popular with locals), and several mid-range chain hotels. Henderson is the closest accommodation area to the Hoover Dam (25 minutes away). The district of Water Street has been revitalized with local restaurants and breweries. Henderson suits families, Hoover Dam visitors, and anyone who wants a quieter, suburban Las Vegas experience with a full-scale casino resort still available at Green Valley Ranch or the M Resort.
Spring Valley and Chinatown
Spring Valley sits directly west of the Strip along Spring Mountain Road (for upcoming events during your visit) and is home to Las Vegas’s Chinatown, a 5km (3 mile) stretch of Asian restaurants, boba shops, KBBQ restaurants, and massage parlors. This is where locals and in-the-know visitors go for authentic Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Thai food at a fraction of Strip prices. Hotel options are limited to mid-range chains (La Quinta, Best Western) with no casino resorts. Spring Valley is a 5 to 10 minute Uber from the Bellagio and suits food-focused travelers and repeat visitors who have already done the Strip. The stretch of Spring Mountain Road (for upcoming events during your visit) between Valley View and Rainbow is the densest concentration of restaurants, with over 80 dining options in 3km. For accommodation in any of these areas, see the where to stay guide.
