Strip or Downtown? What No One Tells You About Staying in Las Vegas
Pre-2010, the question of where to stay in Las Vegas was a no-brainer. Nearly everyone encouraged visitors to stay on the Strip. The Strip had the big resorts and the fancy casinos. It had the grand shopping malls and the celebrity chef restaurants. But most importantly, the Strip had a cool factor that the rest of Las Vegas lacked.
There was simply nowhere else on the planet like it.
Recently, things have been changing.
Downtown Las Vegas, especially around Fremont Street, has made a serious comeback. Hotels such as Circa rival those on the strip, the prices are cheaper, casinos provide better odds, there’s a more laidback vibe, and interestingly, people are longing for an “old Las Vegas” experience.
So, to help you choose the right area for your trip, we’re going to give you a simple breakdown of the pros and cons of staying on the Strip vs Downtown Las Vegas.
This is a long read, and if you’re in a rush, here’s a quick summary:
| Feature | The Strip | Downtown Las Vegas |
| Hotel Prices | Expensive, higher resort fees | More affordable, lower resort fees |
| Vibe | Flashy, touristy, larger-than-life, caters to all audiences | Laid-back, old-school, more local feel, can get rowdy into the night |
| Entertainment | Big shows, concerts, famous nightclubs | Live music, bars, Fremont Street fun |
| Food & Dining | Michelin stars, celebrity chefs, world-class | Casual, local spots, cheaper eats |
| Walkability | Long walks, crowded sidewalks, spread out | Super walkable, compact, easy to explore |
| Gambling | Higher minimums, glitzy casinos | Better odds, lower table minimums |
| Best For | First-timers, luxury stays, classic Vegas | Budget trips, friend groups, casual stays |
Now that you’ve seen a quick summary, let’s review the pros and cons of both the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Strip: Pros & Cons
Iconic Resorts Everywhere You Look, But They’re Not Cheap
The Pro:
Staying on the Strip means being surrounded by some of the most famous hotels in the world. Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The Venetian, Wynn, and The Cosmopolitan, just to name a few.
These aren’t just places to sleep. They’re destinations in their own right.
You can wander through an indoor canal at The Venetian, catch the Bellagio fountains dancing to music, or snap a photo in front of Paris Las Vegas’ Eiffel Tower, all without leaving Las Vegas Boulevard.
The Strip is still home to the big-name, bucket-list hotels that most people associate with Vegas.
The Con:
These hotels are not cheap. Of course, staying in one of these iconic resorts comes at a price, usually a pretty steep one.
Especially if you’re visiting during the holiday season or for a major event.
Even the budget-friendly hotels on the Strip can add up.
When you add in all the extras, your nightly stay can quickly balloon well beyond the advertised rate.
Entertainment Everywhere, But Crowds Come With It
The Pro:
If your idea of a Vegas trip involves seeing a show, catching a concert, or dancing until the early hours, then staying on the Strip puts all of that right at your doorstep.
This is where you’ll find Cirque du Soleil productions, headliner residencies, the Sphere, magic shows, stand-up comedy, and world-famous nightclubs.
Practically every resort has something going on, from live music to every type of show you can think of.
Simply put, no other part of Las Vegas competes with the Strip when it comes to big-budget entertainment.
The Con:
The Strip is built for spectacle, not speed.
Hotels are massive. Attractions are spread out. Sidewalks are often packed with tourists, street performers, and people just trying to get from point A to B.
Even walking to the hotel next door might mean a 15-minute trek involving escalators, pedestrian bridges, or weaving through casino floors.
And if there’s a big event in town? Get ready for lines, crowds, and possibly even surge pricing on rideshares.
Dining Is Out Of This World, But So Are The Prices
The Pro:
If you care about food, The Strip is where Vegas really shines.
This is where you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants, celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, and José Andrés, and just about every type of cuisine you can think of. There’s upscale omakase at Nobu, classic steaks at SW Steakhouse, and wildly indulgent comfort food at places like Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen.
It’s one of the few places in the world where you can eat like royalty every night, if your wallet can handle it.
The Con:
Eating on The Strip Adds Up Fast. While there are plenty of incredible meals to be had, The Strip isn’t exactly known for being budget-friendly.
Breakfast for two at a casual cafe can easily hit $60. Dinner at a nice restaurant often starts at $100 per person, before drinks or tip.
Even grabbing a slice of pizza or a quick coffee will likely cost more than you’re used to.
Here’s an image that was shared on Reddit of Starbucks’ coffee menu at the Flamingo location.
Everything Feels Larger Than Life, But Definitely Tourist-Centric
The Pro:
Nobody does over-the-top like the Las Vegas Strip.
Everything here feels like it was designed to impress (or overwhelm). For that reason, for first-time visitors, staying on the Strip just makes sense.
It puts you right in the heart of the action, surrounded by the hotels, casinos, and attractions Las Vegas is famous for.
The hotels are enormous. The lights are blinding, and the casinos never sleep.
Even the people-watching can feel like part of the entertainment.
For many visitors, that’s exactly the point. The Strip delivers that classic, larger-than-life Vegas experience people dream about.
It’s fun, wild, and unlike anywhere else in the world.
The Con:
The Strip isn’t really where locals hang out. It’s built for visitors.
Expect packed sidewalks, higher prices on everything, street vendors selling you glow-in-the-dark gear, and costumed characters looking for tips every few feet.
The energy is electric, but it’s also chaotic.
Pros & Cons of Staying in Downtown Las Vegas
Hotels Are More Affordable, But Less Flashy
The Pro:
One of the biggest draws of staying Downtown is the price.
Hotel rates are often cheaper than The Strip, and resort fees tend to be lower too. It’s not unusual to find rooms at classic spots like Golden Nugget, Fremont Hotel, or Downtown Grand for a fraction of what you’d pay at a Strip resort.
Our study found that the average room price on the Strip is $204.22 per night, whereas the average price of a room in Downtown Las Vegas is $104.25.
Circa has brought a more modern appeal, it’s the flashiest hotel in Downtown. It arguably has the best pool area (pictured below), but most hotels here are smaller, older, and more straightforward.
The Con:
You’re trading luxury for value. Other than the Circa, Downtown hotels usually can’t compete with the size, luxury, or wow factor of Strip resorts.
Rooms are more basic. Pools are smaller. And many Downtown properties show their age
If staying somewhere over-the-top is part of your Vegas dream, Downtown might feel a little underwhelming.
Gambling Odds Are Better, But The Casino Scene Feels Old-School
The Pro:
Ask any seasoned Vegas gambler where to find better odds, and Downtown almost always comes up
Many Fremont Street casinos still offer lower table minimums, better blackjack rules, and more player-friendly odds on games like craps or roulette.
The Con:
While the odds might be better, the casino vibe Downtown is completely different from the Strip.
It’s old-school, sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a worn-down way. The energy feels more casual.
If you want big, glitzy casino floors with state-of-the-art everything, The Strip is still king.
Everything Is Walkable, But The Party Scene Isn’t For Everyone
The Pro:
One of Downtown’s biggest strengths is how compact it is.
Most hotels, casinos, bars, and restaurants are within a few minutes’ walk of each other. No 30-minute treks between properties. No crazy Strip traffic.
Fremont Street itself is basically one big, wild, open-air party. You’ll find live music, street performers, and a digital light show overhead every night.
The Con:
It can get rowdy. The Fremont Street Experience isn’t exactly subtle. Loud music, large crowds, street performers, and lots of late-night drinking are all part of the vibe. For some, that’s the fun of it.
For others, especially families, it can feel chaotic or overwhelming after dark.
Food & Drink Are Cheaper, But With Less Variety
The Pro:
Downtown Las Vegas has come a long way in recent years when it comes to food and drink.
Fremont East, in particular, is home to some fantastic local restaurants, craft cocktail bars, and casual dining options.
Restaurants like Esther’s Kitchen in Downtown (pictured below) even made it to our list of the best Brunch spots in Las Vegas.
You’ll generally pay a lot less for meals and drinks Downtown compared to the Strip, and the food scene feels a little more local, a little less corporate.
We’ve actually put together a handy guide that talks about the best off-Strip restaurants in Las Vegas.
The Con:
While Downtown has great spots like Le Thai, Carson Kitchen, and Therapy, it doesn’t have the sheer volume or star power of Strip dining. You won’t find the variety of Michelin stars or celebrity chef empires here (at least not yet).
Perfect if you’re after casual, fun, and affordable. But if fine dining is a big part of your Vegas trip, the Strip wins.
So… Where Should You Stay?
Choosing between the Strip and Downtown really just comes down to the type of Vegas trip you want.
If it’s your first time in Las Vegas, or you want the full glitz-and-glamour experience, the Strip is probably where you’ll want to be.
The hotels are iconic, the entertainment is nonstop, and everything feels big and bold.
But if you’re after cheaper hotels, better gambling odds, and a more casual, local vibe, Downtown Las Vegas is hard to beat. It’s easier to get around, easier on the wallet, and delivers a completely different side of the city.
Either way, the good news is you can’t really go wrong. And no matter where you stay, you can (and should) always explore both. It’s all part of the fun.
Even better news is that no matter where you choose to stay, we can help you find the best hotel deals for the Strip or in Downtown Las Vegas.
