Downtown Arts District — Neighborhood Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Zoom out. What’s the big picture here? For years, this area of Downtown Las Vegas was a motley collection of antiques stores, galleries, and work spaces. Originally named "18b" after the number of blocks that first comprised the district, the Downtown Arts District has now spread far beyond its original parameters. It has now coalesced into a real district around West Charleston—sort of sandwiched between the excesses of The Strip and Fremont Street to the north.  Tell us about your fellow visitors. Until a couple of years ago, most of the Arts District's visitors were Las Vegas locals. But because of the burgeoning arts scene downtown and events like Life is Beautiful, which attracted international attention for the muralists who arrived from all over the world, tourists began coming to see what this area was all about. Now, a vibrant restaurant scene, plus galleries and theaters anchor the district, and the businesses organize to hold events like "Art After Dark," which include readings at The Writers' Block, art shows at Rogers Studio Gallery (a gallery that shows the work of those granted a residency in its Art Loft), events at the Neon Museum , and more. The Arts District has a dedicated website with great maps and lots of good information to help you navigate. Anything you’ll be remembering weeks or months or years from now? The businesses of the Arts District have pulled together to form cooperative events that are truly incredible. Some have Vegas Strip-level production values, and some are still homespun and crazy, and that's the charm of this area. First Friday (the evening art, craft, and music event around Charleston and Main Streets on the first Friday of each month) has long been a local institution; but now there's a Preview Thursday (which attracts serious art buyers), Ninja Karaoke (in the Sumo Room, Kabuki Room, and Little Tokyo), and even theater at The Vegas Theatre Company. And although this neighborhood now feels like a proper arts district, it doesn't feel commercial (yet). It's one of the last remaining areas close to the Strip where you can feel like there's still a gritty, creator class with paint under its fingernails making real art. So: money, time—how can we make the most of both? This area is good for families, art collectors, and people who are interested in seeing another side of Las Vegas." - Andrea Bennett