Things to do at the 18b Las Vegas Arts District
Known as The most happening neighborhood in Las Vegas, the 18b Las Vegas Arts District is located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. It’s a small funky neighborhood that’s home to murals and public art, galleries, colorful cafes, unique shops, bars, and fresh, local restaurants.
Why Explore The 18b Las Vegas Arts District?
The 18b Las Vegas Arts District is a vibrant, creative neighborhood where residents and tourists alike enjoy the unique atmosphere created by the combination of art, music, fashion, dining, and entertainment.
There’s a lot going on in the Las Vegas Arts District. Its First Friday monthly event highlights local musicians, artists, makers, and more. Some of the events include live performances, workshops, and exhibits.
You’ll also find plenty of places to eat and drink. There are lots of cafes, bars, and eateries here. Many of them feature local artists’ work on the walls.
The Las Vegas arts district is a great place to visit during the day. However, many of the events happen at night. So, plan accordingly. Visitors come here to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and explore the creative side of life.
Things to do at the 18b Las Vegas Arts District
Named after the 18-block area where it’s located, it’s a great place to visit if you’re interested in seeing unique artwork, browsing through vintage items, eating delicious food, and enjoying live music.
Check Out The Unique Art Galleries & Shops
Considered to be the heart of the Las Vegas art scene, you’ll find plenty of places to shop for unique one-of-a-kind items or visit one of the many art galleries in the Las Vegas Arts District, making it a great place to spend your free time. From art galleries to over 20 unique local shops, there are countless opportunities to indulge your inner artist.
Get your thrifting on or shop for some eclectic antiques at Antique Alley Mall where you will find great resellers such as Party Fowl Antiques. Down the street be sure to stop in at Main Street Mercantile and Martin’s Mart Thrift Shop for some more great finds. Search for your favorite horror film collectibles at Nightmare Collectibles.
And finally, have that hard-to-shop-for Vegas fanatic on your list? Stop by the Gamblers General Store or Spinettis Gaming Supplies for some classic Vegas gift ideas.
You’ll also find no shortage of vintage clothing stores in the Las Vegas Arts District. Start at the Glam Factory Vintage where you will find clothing from the 50s to the 80s. They also have shoes and accessories, and you might even find some cool cookie jars. From there find unique signature and classic items at The Red Kat Vintage and make sure you do not miss Rockin’ Bettie where you can pick up some rockabilly, retro & vintage clothing, plus gifts & homewares.
The Arts District is also home to several contemporary art galleries where you can peruse the works of emerging local talent, plus pieces by renowned international artists. Get inspired at the Trifecta Gallery or the Sin City Gallery, both of which hold regular exhibitions.
And finally, you can’t write about the 18b Arts District without mentioning The Arts Factory which has been a local artist hub way before the Arts District became the hottest neighborhood in Las Vegas. Here you can find over two dozen studios and small galleries of Vegas’s hottest local artists.
Bars & Nightlife in the Las Vegas Arts District
One of the biggest draws to the Arts District is Brewery Row: a collection of craft breweries that offer something for every pallet. Notable spots include Craft Haus Brewery, Able Baker Brewing, Hop Nuts Brewing, and Nevada Brew Works, where you can sample original brews on their dog-friendly patio.
If you’re a fan of pop culture and cosplay, Millennium Fandom Bar is definitely worth checking out. From comics to cult classic movies and shows, you’ll find countless memorabilia adorning the walls, plus themed cocktails and the opportunity to play with lightsabers.
The Arts District is quickly becoming one of the hottest spots for live entertainment in Las Vegas. With several venues hosting regular events, you’ll find everything from jazz and blues to rock and punk, plus karaoke nights and even stand up comedy. Be sure to check out the nearby Bunkhouse Saloon, Beauty Bar and Artifice for some of the best nights out in the district.
Do Some Sightseeing
For a comprehensive tour of the district, join a walking food tour. In just a few hours, your knowledgeable guide will take you to the must-see spots, including the best murals, wedding chapels and eateries, while also giving you plenty of chances to sample local bites, beers and desserts.
The Las Vegas Reality Show VIP Tour will take you behind the scenes to the locations of Pawn Stars, Tanked, American Restoration, and Counting Cars,’ which are all filmed Downtown Las Vegas. Other tours include the Taco Lovers | E-Scooter Downtown Foodie Tour, an Arts District Photo Tour to capture those Instagrammable moments or a Segway Tour for those rollin’ types.
For a little extra fun, no trip to the Arts District is complete without a visit to the Burlesque Hall of Fame. Inside this museum, you’ll discover costumes, props, photographs and the entire history of the art form, plus interesting exhibitions.
Explore the Food Scene at the 18b
Quieter and more relaxed than the Strip, the Las Vegas Arts District has become home to a thriving food scene. Esther’s Kitchen is one of the hot new hidden gems that serves seasonal Italian fare, Makers & Finders is a bright, colorful restaurant/coffee-bar which is known Latin food with a spin, a great brunch menu and specialty coffee options, Tacotarian offers up some excellent Vegan Mexican food and is known for “the largest selection of vegan tacos in the universe”.
With so many great choices there are some that will be left out but we also wanted to mention DE Thai (yummy traditional south-east Asian fare), Taverna Costera (fine casual dining with a roof-top bar), Yu-Or-Mi Sushi (upscale sushi with an awesome happy hour) and SoulBelly BBQ (a superb barbeque and live entertainment venue headed by Bruce Kalman of “Top Chef” fame). And finally don’t miss Davy’s for affordable yet delicious late night bar food.
If you want to try a bit of everything be sure to sign up for the Foodie Tour which will take you to many of the top establishments above. Be sure to check out our full guide to dining in the 18b Las Vegas Arts District.
Peruse the Murals
Oh, we almost forgot, the Las Vegas Arts District is renowned for its numerous murals and street art pieces. Take a walk down the 18 blocks of vibrant art and be amazed by the creative visions of local artists. Why not use this as the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot? From lighthearted cartoon scenes to mesmerizing splashes of colors, there’s something for everyone to admire here.
Final Thoughts
The 18b Las Vegas Arts District is a vibrant and diverse part of the city that offers incredible sights, sounds and unique experiences for visitors of all ages. From craft breweries and street art to hot new restaurants and reality tv tours, you’ll have plenty to choose from when planning a day in the district.
Enjoy all of the exciting attractions and make sure to check back for updates over the next few years as the area continues to evolve and grow.
