When Las Vegas was first formed in 1905, the center of all the action was downtown. A booming area, it was the first to be cool -- with refrigeration and air conditioning. But cool means that when the sun goes down, the fun heats up. And it's always fun at Fremont Street.

Four blocks of the neon-lit street have been converted to a pedestrian mall and covered with a huge, arching canopy. The 90-foot-tall structure contains 2.1 million lights that deliver shows filled with dancing figures, colorful scenes and great sounds each night. Visitors are mesmerized by the computer-generated images that burst to life overhead, but the rotating, six-minute shows are only part of the fun.

Down at street level, the Experience continues with a strolling pair of Las Vegas showgirls who pose for pictures and answer questions. But when the three zany Attitude Girls make their appearance -- wearing latex suits and hip-hop wigs and sun glasses -- snap a picture but don't expect any conversation. Attitude means they walk the walk but won't talk any talk.

Other nights you'll see the talented zebra mimes. They're easy to spot in their striped outfits. They, too, rate a zero on the conversation end. But you can count on their skits delighting all ages.

Fremont Street also brings you mobile musical stages. Depending on your visit, you'll hear the hot fiddle playing of Barry Van Wie or the cool sounds of saxophone artist Carl Ferris.

While the Strip may boast mega-resorts, downtown has its own cool charm, and part of that coolness is the Fremont Street Experience. Check it out for yourself!