What can you do in Las Vegas if you’re not interested in gambling, nightclubs, or extreme roller coasters? Why, look at art of course, and if you’re me, it’s street art. Las Vegas is a treasure trove of amazing art!
Shortly before our visit I learned about some large scale pieces (thank you social media), and once we decided that Las Vegas would be our “rest” stop between Los Angeles and Zion National Park, I started researching what else might be available to view! I’d hit the jackpot! Yes, pun intended! There was literally art around and on every corner!
There was so much to see, my head was spinning, or maybe that was the effect of the 112 degree temperatures, and burning pavement? Maybe both? The heat prevented me from exploring the area the way I would have liked, but we managed to see quite a lot. Thankfully many of the works are close to one another.
It was SO hot out!
Fremont East District
You’ll find all this amazing art in Downtown Las Vegas, and more specifically in the Fremont East District. Downtown Las Vegas has experienced a major revitalization, and Fremont Street is the second most popular destination in the city after the famed Las Vegas Strip.
The concentrated number of murals in the area are remnants of the Life is Beautiful Festival, a three day event, which takes place in the Downtown core each year, and includes music, food and street art. The event is put on by JUSTKIDS, an organization dedicated to spreading art all over the world. Who doesn’t love that mission? The 5th annual Life is Beautiful Festival will take place in September 2017. Hmmm, I see a return trip coming on…
Downtown Las Vegas Street Art
The 21 story Plaza Hotel, located at 1 South Main Street, is home to two amazing murals. While Shepard Fairey’s painting can be seen from the street, D*face’s mural, entitled: Behind Closed Doors, is harder to see and requires a trip to the Plaza’s Pool Deck located on the 5th floor.
Artist: D*Face
Location: The Plaza Hotel Pool Deck, 5th floor
Country of Origin: England
Artist: Shepard Fairey
Location: The Plaza Hotel
Country of Origin: USA
Artist: Alexis Diaz
Location: 6th and Ogden
Country of Origin: Puerto Rico
Artist: Chor Boogie
Location: 6th & Ogden
Country of Origin: USA?
Artist: Zio Ziegler
Location: 6th & Ogden
Country of Origin: USA
Artist: ROA
Location: 6th & Stewart
Country of Origin: Belgium
Artist: Vhils
Location: 7th between Ogden & Steward
Country of Origin: Portugal
Artist: Felipe Pantone
Location: 7th between Ogden & Steward
Country of Origin: Argentina
Artist: D*Face
Location: 7th & Ogden
Country of Origin: England
Artist: Mark Drew
Location: 7th & Ogden
Country of Origin: Australia
Artist: Martin Whatson
Location: 7th & Steward (around the corner)
Country of Origin: Norway
Artist: Dface
Location: 7th between Ogden & Fremont
Country of Origin: England
Artist: Pixel Pancho
Location: 7th and Fremont
Country of Origin: Italy
Artist: Ana Maria Ortiz
Location: 7th & Ogden
Country of Origin: Puerto Rico
The Fremont East District is also home to many amazing sculptures!
Artist: Kirk Jullum
Location: 7th & Fremont
Country of Origin: USA?
Take a look at the specs on this! Impressive to say the least!
Created by aerospace engineer Kirk Jellum the mantis is a 150:1 scale exact replica of a female preying mantis he found in an open field. The mantis can speak 20 different languages, and is operated by a team of four.
Street Art After Dark
Visit the Fremont East District at night for a completely different experience, though I can’t promise the temperatures will be any cooler the lights are pretty spectacular!
Miscellaneous Street Art
The second most popular area in the city can’t quite be called “off the beaten path”, but it’s not the Las Vegas most people envision either. If you do find yourself in Las Vegas, I highly suggest you take some time to visit the Fremont East District!
Tips & Advice:
- Las Vegas is HOT! Wear proper shoes, and bring water! I’m NOT wearing proper shoes… My feet were on fire! I had to drive between the murals.
- The Fremont East District is 3 miles from the Stratosphere “end” of the Strip. Don’t plan on walking, especially in the summer months.
- The 5th annual Life is beautiful festival will take place September 22 – 24, 2017.
- The Fremont East District is comprised of six blocks. The boundaries are from Las Vegas Boulevard East to 8th Street, and from Ogden Street South to Carson.
- These are just some of the many pieces of amazing art located within this vibrant district.
Stay tuned for more about our visit to Las Vegas…
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Misfit Vinegaroon
Wow, love this, had no idea there was so much street art. Great photos!
Hilary
Thank you! I’m definitely planning a return trip!
butterboy5556
ill be excited to check out some of this artwork but of course I will wait for the temperatures to drop down a bit more. Also, I think the food scene off the strip is great especially in China Town. Thanks for the great blog tip
Hilary
Yes! I’d wait if I were you! Glad you enjoyed the post… I’ll check out Chinatown next time I’m in Las Vegas!
joylovestravel
Looks incredible Hilary, I never knew there was all this wonderful artwork in Las Vegas. I’ve long been intrigued by this place and always fancied visiting – not interested in gambling, nightclubs or extreme rollercoasters (alas) so good to know about all of this in case we do manage to get there sometime. The heat though – that would definitely be a challenge for us white and pasty UK folk!
Hilary
It was incredible! Still, The heat was a big challenge even for this Southern California girl, so If I do go back it will be in autumn or winter! There are many things to do in Las Vegas beyond gambling, nightclubs, and rides, but I’m not 100% on bringing kids, even though I brought mine… I’ll be writing about things to do with kids next… Still, if you have limited time in the States, I wouldn’t put Las Vegas first on your list!
Agness of Fit Travelling
Wow! I loved the murals, Hilary! What’s the best way to explore Las Vegas? Is it on foot, by bike?
Hilary
Glad you enjoyed the post! Getting around really depends on time of year. It was well over 100 degrees during our visit, so car was the only option, at least for us…
California Globetrotter
Love (almost) ALL of this! Whats with the snail and the skull haha! Pinned! I would totally do this because beyond eating and the Thunder from Down Under, there’s not much else for me to do in LV! haha #FarawayFiles
Hilary
I know the snail was quite different from the others, but so well done. It was my older son’s favorite.
Clare Thomson
Well done you, Hilary, for finding all that amazing street art in Vegas! Who knew? I was so disappointed when I visited Las Vegas. I went expecting the glamour of the casinos from the old films and found it all so tacky. If only I’d gone looking for art instead…. Thanks for sharing your wonderful finds on #FarawayFiles
Hilary
I know how you feel, it’s not what people think… I was so pleased to find all the art, made my whole trip!
Ruth
Hilary, this is so awesome! This is one of the reasons I want to go back to Vegas. Last time, I couldn’t do it. I t was too hot and I was already having problems with a bleeding nose (the heat was going to make it worse). So cool the Life is Beautiful Festival is going back to the city. I have heard it is great! #farawayfiles
Hilary
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, it was TOO hot, I literally drove from block to block. My little one suffered bloody noses from the heat, he stayed back for this part. I’d love to attend that festival!
stripSearchLA
I love this photographic essay. I also love your attention to detail (i.e., listing all the important information) and taste in art. Thank you for sharing these. Hope you had a blast. I’ve never been, so I’m looking forward to my trip there next year. Cheers!
Hilary
Thank you so much! I’m a BIG fan of public art, and love to take photos, so this was a perfect day for me! From what I can tell there will be even more amazing art coming to Las Vegas soon, so I’m sure you’ll get to see some new works when you visit!
stripSearchLA
That’s good to hear. Thanks 😉
annette @afrenchcollection
Thanks for this info. I’ve visited Las Vegas 7 times with my husband and kids as he often attends conferences there. We usually do short tours in the area and of course heaps of shows and shopping etc – best to make the most of it when travelling from Australia. I have never heard of the Fremont East art so thanks again as we’ll check it out when next there. Annette #TheWeeklyPostcard
Hilary
It’s a great area! I’m excited to see the new art that is sure to arrive for September’s festival! Hopefully, I’ll be able to get back in the near future!
annette @afrenchcollection
If you do, please share your photos. I’ve just joined your insta followers so will love seeing more of your gallery. annette 🙂
Hilary
Thank you!
Will definitely share!!
Michelle | michwanderlust
Wow! I’m not a gambling person so have never been interested in visiting Las Vegas, but its street art scene is really something. I might have to reconsider 😉 Awesome photos! They should have a street art tour (if there isn’t one already). I went for one in Bogota and it was really informative.
Hilary
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos! I completely agree! Because I don’t gamble It’s not a place I go often, but now that I know about this amazing art scene I may rethink that… I’m not sure if there is a tour, but there definitely should be!
Esther
WOW!!! I love this post, I am a huuuuge street art fan!!! Never thought it could be found in Vegas. Now I really have to get back there, I have bee telling my husband for years how great it is. I can’t believe there’s a ROA in Vegas!
#TheWeeklyPostcard
Hilary
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!! I am also a huuuuuge street art fan, and was thrilled to discover all this amazingness!!
oregongirlaroundtheworld
I love that you shared the names and country origins of the artists – I have seen many of these same artists around Europe and love that public art is so worldly and connected. Fantastic finds in Sin City – thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Hilary
Thanks! It’s pretty neat to realize how art can bring people together!!
Anisa & Katherine (@2travelingtxns)
I hadn’t realized there was so much great street art in Vegas. I guess I have been to busy with all the typical Vegas stuff! Pinning this for my next trip. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Hilary
Me either! It’s always fun to discover something new!!
Pooja Thapliyal
Phenomenonal Street art ! Best in world I guess. Loved this photo tour through your blog 😍
Hilary
Definitely up there with the best! Glad you enjoyed!! 😄
galanda23
I haven’t been in Las Vegas for a while, but it seems they’ve come a long way. Look at these beautiful mural paintings! Gorgeous!. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Staci
Awesome pics. I love downtown Vegas street art. Did you see the colorful cartoon abstract of Hunter S Thompson? I don’t remember what street it was on but it was one block off Fremont, I think. I love staying on the strip but spending all my time at Fremont. Did you stay in one of the hotels?
Hilary
Thanks!! We stopped in Vegas on the way to Zion and on the way home, so we stayed on the Strip and downtown! The Delano and the Nugget. I didn’t see that piece, but I knew I must have missed some works, because it was so blazing hot outside I had to cut my “tour” short.
Rachel ¦¦ A Nesting Nomad
I’m not a big drinker or gambler either, but street art I do like a lot. You found some really great pieces! I love the variety and how it brightens things up so much.
Hilary
I completely agree! Many of these were bright and cheerful!!
oneadventuretraveler
Love your street art that you have found off the strip. I have been to Las Vegas numerous times and have not really paid much attention to it. After reading this the next time I visit, I will go seek it out. Just love it. Thanks for sharing! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Hilary
I always love to discover something new in an old favorite!
RobRob @TravelLatte(.net)
We love it when people move beyond the bright lights – there is so much more to Vegas! And wow, all of the Street Art is just spectacular! (Although, the Mantis does kind of freak us out a bit. 😉 Thanks for showcasing it, and for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard!
Hilary
I’m so glad you enjoyed! I hope I did it justice! 🙂
hoopdoggydogshop
Very cool! I’ve been to Vegas 6 times and seen some of these but there’s plenty I haven’t seen and will hunt down when I’m there next year (especially the ones at the Plaza as that’s where I’m staying!).
Hilary
I’m not sure when you’re going, but there should be plenty of new art up in September for the festival!
hoopdoggydogshop
Oh not til the end of April actually, but we shall definitely be on the hunt for art 🙂
mobilebeautyteam
Downtown Vegas has so much to offer if you’re looking to get away from “New Vegas”
The stores, hotels and casinos are great! Lots of great food too!
The praying mantis shoots fire from its mouth at night and looks really cool!
Travelynn Family
What fantastic street art! It really brings a city to life (not that Las Vegas needs it!) Lovely to see a different site to this city. #citytripping
Hilary
Ha ha! That’s true no one, would ever accuse Las Vegas of being lifeless! I was very pleasantly surprised by all this wonderful art!
Sam | North East Family Fun Blog
I had no idea there was so much art to see in Vegas so thanks for bringing it to my attention. I am really feeling for your feet though! Sketchers or trainers next time!
Hilary
Yes! Definitely proper walking shoes next time, either that, or a mid winter visit instead! ha ha!
Marta - Learningescapes
I loved reading (and seeing!) this. We might be in the area next summer and we were just debating whether to stop in Las Vegas or skip it – now I know we must include it! I love street art, sounds like a stop there would be quite a treat after all
Hilary
I’m so happy you enjoyed this!! I truly did, and I happen to know more art is being added currently, so there will be new works!! If you’re interested I also wrote about the Neon Museum and some kid friendly activities…
Annabel Kirk
Amazing art, I hadn’t realised Las Vegas had all that. Another reason I’m going to have to one day pay the city a visit! #citytripping
WanderMum
Incredible artwork! Thanks so much for the insight. I love how international it is too. Artists from all over the world showcasing their work. Good to see what else Vegas has to offer! Thanks for linking #citytripping
Hilary
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!! I’m pleased to say it was chosen for the August Pathfinders roundup!!
WanderMum
Fantastic!!
Hilary
😊
Jonathan Hopwood
I rarely leave comments on blogs written by people I don’t know but great post. I’ve been to Vegas more than 15 times and have never seen most of what you’ve photographed here. Well done.
Hilary
Thank you for your kind words! I’m so pleased I could share something new and fun with you!
Habiba
I have a friend who lives in Vegas. I really miss her. It’s great to have read your post. Thanks for sharing about your experience! 😊
Hilary
I completely understand how you feel. Hopefully you’ll visit her soon!
Habiba
It would be a pleasure if you pay a visit on my blog and leave your valuable feedback too.
Regards
Habiba
Habiba
Thanks Hilary. Cheers!
Dr. K
I’ve been more times than I can count and agree! So many more things to see and do!!!!!
Hilary
Yes! So fun!