One of the many things that most people do not associate Las Vegas with is arts and culture. In most cases, most people will only visit the areas around the Strip, such as the casinos, restaurants, entertainment areas, and so forth. The Las Vegas Art District can go largely ignored by most visitors if they are unaware of its existence; this is very unfortunate since Las Vegas has a thriving art scene.
The Arts District, or 1B, is a vivid and ever-growing area that holds some of the most creative locals you will ever meet. The entire district is decorated in some of the most rousing murals in every corner. This charming district is a place anyone visiting Las Vegas needs to drop by, especially if you enjoy some of the more eccentric sides of life.
The Art District is a paradise for anyone who enjoys art. The district contains a sizable amount of galleries, museums, and studios. Visitors will be able to enjoy some excellent art pieces, from paintings to sculptures and even theoretical performances. The place also has an excellent selection of restaurants, bars, and shops. The Art District provides you a chance to catch a different side of Las Vegas and the locals who live there. For this post, let’s go over some of the best things to do in the Art District.
Cockroach Theater
When it comes to entertainment, most tourists tend to go for well-known and expensive shows, such as the Cirque du Soleil. However, most tourists aren’t aware of the more local shows done by the local people. Of course, these are everyday people, so don’t expect to see some celebrities be a part of the show. That said, the production values for these theaters tend to be excellent, and one of the best around is The Vegas Theatre Company’s Cockroach Stage.
The Cockroach Theater offers some interesting experimental performances that feature local writers, directors, and performers. This creative and lively group of people have united together to create some of the most thought-provoking shows that encourage upcoming talent away from the glamorous production found at the Strip.
The Art Square
Art Square is one of the more interesting places you’ll find in this district. The entire area is made up of a diverse cultural hub that houses several galleries, bars, and even local theaters, all in a single location. The galleries you will find in this place include the inspiring Helios Fine Arts Gallery that hosts a rotating series of artists and the music-themed RM Photo Gallery. The building is filled with so much culture and art you will witness all sorts of talents and artistic styles in a single location.
Graffiti Alley
If you’re one of those types of people who enjoys taking selfies with a fantastic backdrop, then look no further. The Graffiti Alley Art Gallery will provide you with some of the most beautiful and vibrant backgrounds for an excellent picture to share with your friends and family. The place isn’t a traditional art gallery like the other ones. Instead, this one was organically developed by the community over time. These impressive explosions of artistic creativity extend throughout the hidden back alleys of the Art District.
The murals range from traditional graffiti tagging to full-on colorful murals of Vegas landmarks, celebrities, and even surrealist graphics. Since the walls are frequently painted over with solid colors by the building owners, the graffiti art is constantly changing and open for multiple artists to have a turn at splashing their personal art styles onto these walls. If you are an artist yourself, you might get lucky and find an open spot to show off your artistic skills.
Nightmare Toys
If you are a massive fan of horror and Halloween, then this shop is a must-visit. The Nightmare Toy is a fascinating place that offers its customers an assortment of creepy items. It’s a novel and macabre shop that exists in a typically vibrant location.
Walking into this shop will place you in a world filled with hilariously horrifying items such as monstrous custom masks, demented baby dolls, pillows featuring some famous monsters. Plus, you can purchase some romantic Valentine’s Day cards feature some of the most famous serial killers, like the cult leader Charles Manson and crazed killer clown John Wayne Gacy. A perfectly creepy place to visit for anyone who is a fan of the horror genre.
Velveteen Rabbit
If you are one of the many visitors who consider themselves a connoisseur of crafted beer, then you should visit the Velveteen Rabbit. The bar provides you a selection of cocktails that change every season and are all created with house-made ingredients. Some of the drinks they tend to have included sundried tomato, olive oil, and black pepper mezcal. The place services a rotation selection of twelve beers on top and between eighteen to twenty bottled beers. The bar also tends to house local musicians and artists, so there is a good chance you’ll get a nice performance from either a local rock band or a group of actors playing from the vintage furniture.
Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
Aside from the Nightmare Toys, there is another location you can visit that provides you with some chilling yet exciting moments. If you are a fan of the hit series Ghost Adventures, this is the place for you. Here, you can see some of the creepiest and spine-chilling items in the world, along with some paraphernalia seen on Ghost Adventures. The household used as the location for this Museum is surrounded by rumors stating that unfriendly spirits roam through the corridors of this massive 11,000 square foot property. Some of the locals even claim that all sorts of nasty rituals happened inside the home’s storm cellar during the 1970s.
Regardless of what you decide to visit, The Haunted Museum will provide you with an assortment of rooms filled with some interesting displays. From scenes found in Hollywood movies to actual evidence of real-life horrors done throughout human history.
Hop Nuts Brewing
At the heart of the Las Vegas District, you will find a fully equipped microbrewery known as the Hop Nuts Brewing. The microbrewery produces and serves a sizable amount of beer, many of them changing out based on the season or worldly events. The taproom contains over 20 beers on tap, 15 housed-brewed mixtures, and five more from other breweries. It also has an entirely stocked up bar for libations if you are traveling with someone who’s not a fan of beer.
Rockin’ Bettie
For those of you who are fans of shopping, why not head down to the Rockin’ Bettie. The shop provides some of the most old-school clothing you could witness. The retro style clothing boutique pays homage to the 1950’s era when Elvis Presly was still the King of Rock n’ Roll. The shop was opened by Amy Ortiz, a local in Las Vegas, a fan of vintage clothing, and wanted to share that passion with others. The store was opened to cater to others who share similar tastes and adoration for clothing that existed during that era. While they are primarily retro Rockabilly styles, the clothes are created with a modern flair to them.
18bin
While you are traveling through the Art District, make sure to pay a visit to the 18bin. The bar and grill serve an excellent selection of meals that will leave you wanting more. The place was designed to project a hip ambiance, which ideally fits in with the type of vibe felt from the rest of the buildings in the Art District. The exterior has vivid colors, gorgeous flower boxes, and a jaw-dropping gazebo made out of rustic wood that matches the surrounding tables. The menu contains a sizable selection of tasty dishes such as artisan cheese platters, shrimp and grits, and even a wide assortment of vegetarian options.
Vesta Coffee Roasters
Need some caffeine after a couple of hours of walking through the Art District? Then consider checking out Vesta Coffee Roasters. Anyone obsessed with coffee will feel at home in this place with its small yet well-cultivated menu. The shop features a massive Probat coffee roaster near the back of its shop, showing how devoted they are to coffee.
The place serves several varying coffees, such as lattes, Americano, cold brew, and more. Regardless of your choice, the quality beans Vesta keeps in stock will have you coming back for more. They even have specific types of coffee that are seasonally sold, such as the Candy Day Latte. It also provides a selection of pastries, sandwiches, and soup to keep you around for a little bit longer. If you enjoy their brand of coffee, you can purchase several blends and canned drinks to take home with you.
First Friday
The Art District hosts an exciting festival on the first Friday of every month. The block party has artists, food vendors, and musicians line up the streets to display and sell their wares. The event has become so popular that up to 15,000 visitors attended this massive block party. However, if you go there on Thursday, you can mingle with the other art lovers and browse around without the hassle of dealing with a massive crowd.
Wrapping things up
The Las Vegas District is a must if you are looking to visit the city anytime soon. It will provide you with a culture that most people are unaware of and grant you access to the locals. However, before you head down to the Las Vegas District, why not make a stop at the Wallflower Cannabis House. With the legalization of recreational marijuana, outsiders can enjoy themselves with a wide variety of cannabis goods. Wallflower provides its customers with a wide range of products, from flowers, pre-rolls, concentrates, cartridges, edibles, and more. If you want to enhance your experience while at the Art District, then get yourself some cannabis. Come see us at 6540 Blue Diamond Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89139 and start shopping! Our cannabis dispensary is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for in-store sales, curbside pickup, and we have officially launched our 24-hour drive-thru! Stop by the best Las Vegas dispensary today!
