Downtown Container Park playground
Rating
Price
Free
Duration
1.5–3 hours
Best Ages
All ages
About
Downtown Container Park is one of Las Vegas's most creative and family-friendly destinations — an open-air shopping and entertainment complex built from repurposed shipping containers in the heart of the Fremont East neighborhood. While it functions as a boutique retail and dining hub, the park's standout feature for families is its extraordinary free playground.
At the center of the complex stands a custom-built interactive treehouse structure that invites children to climb, explore, crawl through tunnels, and discover hidden nooks across multiple levels. It's the kind of adventure playground that makes kids forget their devices and disappear for an hour while parents settle into nearby seating. The playground is designed for ages 3–12 and supervised by parents on the surrounding benches and café seating areas.
The park's most dramatic feature is Sammy, the giant praying mantis sculpture — a 40-foot-tall fire-breathing art installation that shoots controlled jets of flame at scheduled intervals in the evenings. The fire shows draw crowds of delighted families and are completely free to watch. Few things in Las Vegas are more purely impressive for a 6-year-old than standing near a 40-foot fire-breathing insect.
Beyond the playground and Sammy, Downtown Container Park hosts an eclectic mix of boutique shops, art galleries, and casual food vendors. The food options range from gourmet grilled cheese to Asian fusion to artisan ice cream, providing something for even picky family eaters. The entire complex is pedestrian-friendly, stroller-accessible, and thoughtfully designed with families in mind.
Located in the Downtown Arts District just east of the Fremont Street Experience, the Container Park works perfectly as an anchor for a full downtown Las Vegas family day. Come early for the playground, stay for lunch or dinner, and linger for the evening fire show.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Nursing / Changing
true
Kid Meals
true
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Weekday afternoons; evenings are lively with music but can get crowded on weekends
Wait Times
No wait to enter; individual restaurants and shops may have brief waits on busy evenings
Nearby Food
Food is available inside Downtown Container Park from multiple vendors covering American, Asian, desserts, and beverages. The broader Fremont East district has numerous restaurants within walking distance, including Carson Kitchen, Pizza Rock, and various bars and eateries.
Why Kids Love It
Downtown Container Park is unlike any other playground in Las Vegas — or anywhere. Kids are mesmerized by the giant praying mantis sculpture that breathes fire at scheduled times, and the elaborate treehouse playground at the center of the complex is a genuine adventure. Built from repurposed shipping containers, the eclectic outdoor mall has a creative, whimsical energy that kids respond to instantly.
Add a kids' boutique, ice cream options, and casual food vendors, and families can spend hours here without planning to.
Pro Tips from Parents
- The interactive treehouse-style playground is the standout family feature — kids ages 3–12 can climb, explore, and play freely while parents relax at nearby seating.
- The giant praying mantis (named 'Sammy') shoots fire on a schedule — ask at the entrance for show times (usually evenings).
- The Container Park is in Fremont East, part of the Downtown Arts District — pair with a walk down the Fremont Street Experience for a full downtown day.
- Some vendors and shops are adult-oriented — the overall atmosphere is family-friendly but some evening entertainment skews older.
- Strollers navigate well on the smooth concrete paths throughout the complex.
- Restrooms are located inside the Container Park and are clean and accessible.
What to Bring
- Cash and credit cards (vendors accept both)
- Sunscreen for daytime visits
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Phone for photos — the praying mantis fire show is very photogenic
Cost Info
Free Admission
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$30–$70+.
Entry is free but plan on spending $8–$15 per person on food and drinks from the diverse vendor lineup.
Budget $30–$60 for a family meal and a treat.
Tips to Save
- ["Entry to the Container Park is free — you only spend what you choose on food and shopping."
- ,"Visit on a weekday afternoon for a quieter, more relaxed experience with kids."
- ,"The giant praying mantis fire sculpture shows are free entertainment — check the schedule at the entrance."
- ,"Kids can enjoy the playground and treehouse for free while adults browse."
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 11AM-1AM
- Monday
- 11:30AM-11PM
- Sunday
- 10AM-11PM
- Tuesday
- 11:30AM-11PM
- Saturday
- 10AM-1AM
- Thursday
- 11:30AM-11PM
- Wednesday
- 11:30AM-11PM