If you thought Las Vegas was all hotel rooms, casino resorts, and expensive malls, a walking tour of the Downtown Arts District 18b will make you think again.

Historical, eclectic, and sprinkled with public art, the Downtown Las Vegas Arts District is one neighborhood worth visiting next time you’re in Sin City. The City of Las Vegas renamed the Downtown Arts District “18b,” in homage to the “original” 18 city blocks, which gave rise to the arts and culture corridor of Las Vegas.

The borders of the Las Vegas Arts District are Las Vegas Boulevard to the east and I-15 to the west; everything south of Wyoming and north of Bonneville. The heart of the Las Vegas Arts District starts at the intersection of Charleston Boulevard and Main Street, where it took its first beat with The Arts Factory.

What It Is

18b The Las Vegas Arts Districts brims with public art and galleries, specialty boutiques and antique stores, restaurants and bars ranging from fine dining at Tinoco’s Italian Bistro to the locally famous tamales of Dona Maria’s Mexican restaurant.

Best of all, 18b The Las Vegas Arts District is mostly walkable.

When To Go

Most retails stores in the Arts District keep regular business hours 6 days a week. Most restaurants are open for lunch and dinner. Art galleries generally open between 10 a.m. and noon and close between 4p.m. and 6 p.m.; all galleries accept viewing appointments with seriously interested buyers.

First Friday occurs on the First Friday of every month in the Las Vegas Arts District. One part street carnival, one part gallery crawl, and two parts Las Vegas hipster scene, First Friday is supported by the City of Las Vegas, The Arts Factory, and Whirlygig, a local non-profit dedicated to sustaining the arts scene in Las Vegas.

When regular attendance of the event surpassed 10,000 people, some of First Friday’s organizers enacted a $2 entry fee and wrapped part of the monthly arts festival and street fair in a chain link fence, which you can enter at Colorado and Main.

The First Friday Trolley transports visitors, free of charge, to several stops throughout The Arts District on First Fridays. Trolley runs start at 6 p.m. at the Clark County Government Center, 500 South Grand Central Parkway. Parking is free at the Government Center. Trolleys end at 10:40 p.m.

Galleries and Shops

The Arts Factory / 101 to 107 East Charleston Blvd. / 702 676 1111

Home to over one dozen galleries and arts related businesses, as well as a donation-only yoga studio and Tinoco’s Italian Bistro. Starting in June 2008, The Arts Factory will host an art auction every First Friday, with minimum bids starting below $100.

The Attic / 1018 Main Street / 702 388 4088

This is the massive vintage clothing and furniture store that Visa featured in its commercial about 10 years ago. The owners’ parrots and every era of vintage you can imagine make visiting The Attic essential.

Dust Gallery / 1221 South Main Street / 702 880 3878

Contemporary painters, sculptors and mixed media are represented by this partnership between artist Jerry Misko, and art dealer and Whirlygig co-founder, Naomi Arin.

Gainburg Studio / 1039 Main Street #130 / 702 249 3200

Widely collected and highly accomplished, sculptor Sharon Gainsburg gives stone carving classes at her studio in Las Vegas, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Gypsy Caravan Antiques / 1302 South 3rd Street/ 702 868 3302

Gypsy Caravan Antiques exists in several eccentrically decorated and colorfully painted early Las Vegas houses, which take up an entire neighborhood block. There’s an antique clock shop, an art gallery, and two more buildings full of antiques, furniture, and outrageous décor.

Not Just Antiques / 1422 Western Avenue / 702 384 4922

This 12,000 square foot retail space includes an ebay drop off center; a tea room available for afternoon or high tea, parties and events; and an arts and antique selection that garnered a Review Journal 2007 Best of Las Vegas award.

Red Rooster Antique Mall / 1109 Western Avenue / 702 382 5253

In business since 1987, Red Rooster Antique Mall has eight dealers occupying 2500 square feet of space. If you’re looking for antique Las Vegas architectural items, there’s a good selection here.

The Funkhouse / 1228 S. Casino Center Blvd. / 702 678 6278

Owned by Whirlygig co-founder Cindy Funkhauser, you’ll find a bizarre array of collectibles, junk and “modern” antiques.