Vintage Vegas: classic hotels and casinos still open today
Vintage Vegas: classic hotels and casinos still open today
Vintage Las Vegas never shut down. A handful of hotels and casinos still operate with original architecture, neon signage, and decades-old floor plans. Each one offers a direct line to the city's earlier design, entertainment, and atmosphere.
Flamingo Las Vegas (The Strip)
Flamingo Las Vegas opened in 1946 and is the oldest continually operating resort on the Strip. Developed by Bugsy Siegel, it launched with Art Deco influences and a Hollywood-inspired concept. The current design retains retro features such as pink neon signs and a wildlife habitat near the pool.
Recent upgrades include modern rooms and updated venues, but mid-century style remains central. The Caribbean-themed pool, neon signage, and live flamingos stand out from the Strip's more futuristic properties.
El Cortez Hotel and Casino (Downtown)
El Cortez Hotel and Casino dates to 1941 and continues to operate with its vintage identity intact. Located in Fremont East, it features a Spanish Colonial Revival design and a restored 1950s-era marquee. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and claims to be the longest-operating casino in Downtown.
The interior includes low-limit blackjack, coin slots, and a rentable 1940s suite. The floor layout reflects the intimacy of earlier Las Vegas gaming spaces.
Golden Gate Hotel & Casino (Downtown)
Golden Gate Hotel & Casino began in 1906 as the Hotel Nevada, making it the oldest active hotel-casino in the city. Located at 1 Fremont Street, it holds the first street address in Las Vegas.
The hotel offers Roaring Twenties-style rooms and a casino with historic details integrated into modern operations. Vintage photographs, brass fixtures, and a speakeasy-style bar reference its early 20th-century origins. It also housed the city's first telephone.
The D Las Vegas (Downtown)
The D Las Vegas opened in 2012 but occupies the building that housed Fitzgeralds Hotel and Casino. It features coin-operated slot machines on the second floor and retro showgirl imagery. The name references both Downtown and the owners' Detroit roots.
It supports Fremont Street's nostalgic tone through its layout and visual style. The Longbar and second-level gaming floor cater to visitors seeking tactile, vintage elements.
Plaza Hotel & Casino (Downtown)
Plaza Hotel & Casino opened in 1971 on the former site of the Union Pacific train station. The golden dome and marquee remain prominent visual markers.
The hotel retains its 1970s foundation and includes recent additions like a rooftop pool, pickleball courts, and podcast studio. Its location at the end of Fremont Street emphasizes its historic footprint.
Itinerary for vintage Las Vegas
- Start at Golden Gate Hotel & Casino to explore gaming areas and historic photo displays.
- Walk to El Cortez for a cocktail at Parlour Bar or a meal at Siegel's 1941.
- Visit The D Las Vegas for coin-play slots and themed gaming.
- Head to Plaza Hotel & Casino for rooftop views and neon visuals.
- End at Flamingo Las Vegas to see the gardens and original signage.
Why vintage properties remain relevant
These hotels and casinos present original design adapted for ongoing use. The scale is smaller, and the layout more direct. They serve guests seeking authenticity and historical continuity.
Compared to newer resorts, these properties offer traditional odds, simpler navigation, and established service models. Each reflects decades of operation.
Vintage Vegas comparison
| Property | Opened | Area | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flamingo Las Vegas | 1946 | Strip | Neon signs, gardens, wildlife area |
| El Cortez | 1941 | Downtown | Spanish-style, vintage rooms, table games |
| Golden Gate | 1906 | Downtown | Oldest hotel, Fremont location, first phone |
| The D Las Vegas | 2012* | Downtown | Retro slots, showgirl themes, coin play |
| Plaza Hotel & Casino | 1971 | Downtown | 70s styling, dome, rail station legacy |
*The D Las Vegas occupies the historic Fitzgeralds property.