Get a taste of old Vegas

Head to Fremont Street for a classic Vegas experience. Photo: Jupiterimages / Getty

No one’s denying the glittery appeal of the Las Vegas strip. Still, there’s something to be said for the good old days, when Rat Pack crooners took the stage and restaurants, situated just offof casino floors, were rock-bottom cheap.

For a throwback experience, the Fremont Street Experience is a great place to start. Spanning five blocks once dubbed the “Glitter Gulch,” its canopied light show and concerts draw crowds. It’s also where you’ll find the Golden Gate, Sin City’s first hotel, as well as Nevada’s first gaming license (at the Northern Club, 15 E. Freemont St).

From there, mosey over to the Golden Nugget, the city’s first structure designed top-to-bottom as a casino. Having appeared in countless films in its heyday, including the James Bond film “Diamonds are Forever,” it features the world’s largest golden nugget in the lobby, not to mention two aquariums stocked with sharks.

For a taste of the Old West, make Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel your next stop. The 1951 brainchild of Texas gambler Benny Binion, it was the first casino to—gasp—install carpeting. Today, it remains a poker lover’s paradise. Experience it firsthand at one of 10 tables in the iconic Binion’s Hall of Fame Poker Room. Then, take your winnings and splurge on a meal in the 24^th floor steakhouse, which offers panoramic city views amid vintage Vegas surrounds. Alternately, blow your wad at the Golden Steer, Vegas’ oldest, and arguably most beloved, restaurant.

Finally, for a dose of culture, swing by the Mob Museum. Situated in the former post office and courthouse, the historic building contains endless interactive exhibits chronicling the history of organized crime, villains and law enforcement. Follow with a stop at the Neon Museum, a “boneyard” displaying old casino signs.

Tagged: Las Vegas