NYE Las Vegas The Strip Vs. Fremont Street

Revealing The Best New Year’s Eve Party Place For Singles

Deciding where to spend New Year’s Eve is always a big decision, and once you’ve settled on Las Vegas – a fine choice, by the way – there’s still another choice to make here.

And that is where in Sin City to be for New Year’s Eve, the Fremont Street Experience – called America’s Party – or the Strip.

Each has a big block party, thousands of people and a fireworks show.

One has a stage with bands, Go-Go Dancers and bars in the street. The other has a couple hundred thousand people, eye-popping fireworks and is in close proximity to some of Vegas’ hottest bars and nightclubs.

Both have casinos and gambling.

One costs $45 and the other is free.

Can you do both? Well, not really. It would be possible to start at Fremont Street, leave after the midnight celebration, jump in a cab and party all night on the Strip. But because of the distance and traffic (it’s only 15 minutes or so normally) you would lose close to an hour of prime party time.

It’s far better to chose one or the other. And here’s the breakdown of Fremont Street vs. the Strip.

NYE THE FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE

It’s fun and, unlike the Strip, compact.

This is a party under the canopy downtown. It’s the original part of Vegas and has the older (and much smaller) casinos. Most have been remodeled the past couple of years, but are still nowhere the size and scope of those on the Strip.

It is this relative simplicity that is the draw for many.

Especially locals.

In fact, this is where the locals go for New Year’s Eve. They make up more than half the crowd. As a result, the event does not begin to fill up until about 10 or 10:30, and is pretty much cleared out by 1 a.m.

In addition to having locals, Fremont Street is better suited for couples than the Strip. Two reasons for this: It’s far less crowded – it’s easy to get separated on the Strip –  and there are live rock ‘n roll tribute bands.

Here’s the welcome to the New Year on the Fremont Street electronic canopy.

It’s not the fireworks on the Strip but the canopy NYE show is pretty cool.

Fremont Street has bands and DJs proving music; this year mega DJ Tiesto is spinning starting at 1 a.m.,  in an effort to attract a younger crowd and keep them there longer  than has been traditionally the norm here.

Here’s the 2019-2020 lineup:

• 7:00 p.m. The Chainsmokers
• 8:00 p.m. Steve Aoki
• 9:00 p.m. Imagine Dragons, Year in Review, Times Square Ball Drop
• 10:00 p.m. World premiere, “Mixology” Light Show
• 11:00 p.m. The Killers
• Midnight – New Year’s Celebration, “Mixology” Encore
• 1:00 a.m. Tiesto

The area is just a few blocks long, as opposed to the Strip which goes on for miles. There is a light show under the canopy and as midnight approaches, it does a countdown and then displays “fireworks.”

From a sex appeal side, there are also Go Go girls dancing on a bar in front of the Golden Gate hotel and casino. And they are pretty hot, too. Inside, more girls are dancing by the gambling stations on poles.

Unlike the Strip, this is a charged event. It’s $45 – not exactly a bargain – but you don’t have to get tickets in advance. Downtown hotels often include a wristband with the room rate and some restaurants have package deals with dinner, champagne and admission.

Advantages Over The Strip: There is live music…It’s less crowded…It’s more compact…There is a zip line under the canopy, which is a fun activity…Using the bathroom close to midnight is far easier on Fremont Street…The gambling odds are better and the minimum on tables is less than on the Strip, so if you want to gamble on a budget, this is the better choice.

NYE ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP

When people talk about going to Vegas for New Year’s Eve, this is what they are talking about, where they are headed.

NYE on the Vegas Strip is a party among thousands – several thousands. The Strip is blocked off to traffic at night and it becomes a huge, miles long block party.

Since you can drink in the streets, you can go into the casinos and bring out beers and cocktails. Or grab something to go from a liquor store. Or mix up a big one in your room and walk out among the throngs (this is PubClub.com’s preferred party strategy).

The evening’s climax is not even the spectacular fireworks that burst along the Strip’s hotels (your location on the Strip doesn’t really matter, for you can see them from almost anyplace, although mid-strip between Caeser’s and the Flamingo is the most crowded place).

It’s after the fireworks, because on the Strip, the party is just beginning at midnight.

Actually, it’s starts when you walk out on the Strip, and goes as long as you like because, well, it’s Vegas.

Advantages Over Fremont Street: It’s more crowded (and thus, has more party potential)…There are more bar options before and after midnight. Some bars also drop their NYE cover charges after midnight…There are real fireworks…There are a lot more single people…The party goes on well past the midnight celebration…It’s free to walk along the Strip…You are already on the Strip for New Year’s Day.

Las Vegas New Year’s Eve Party Tip: It’s cold in Vegas at night for New Year’s Eve. Almost like a ski resort. Have a warm jacket, even gloves.