Explore Las Vegas History Through Public Art
The City of 100 Murals was created as a signature arts project for the Las Vegas Centennial in 2005. Despite its name, the project produced more than 170 permanent and temporary murals at schools, public buildings, businesses, community spaces, and other locations across the city.
The project used public art to share stories about Las Vegas history, neighborhoods, people, landmarks, culture, and community life. Visitors interested in additional free sightseeing options in Las Vegas can use the city’s current public-art maps to build a self-guided Downtown outing.
The original Centennial murals do not form one fixed walking route today. Some works were temporary, some buildings have changed, and some murals may be indoors, inaccessible, relocated, painted over, restored, or no longer visible. Use the current City of Las Vegas map instead of relying only on an old address list.
Last reviewed: July 11, 2026. Mural conditions, locations, property access, construction, parking, and public-art installations can change. Confirm a work’s current status before making a special trip.
Las Vegas Centennial Murals Quick Facts
- Cost: Free to view from publicly accessible areas. No general mural-tour ticket is required.
- Original Project: City of 100 Murals.
- Centennial Year: 2005.
- Original Scope: More than 170 permanent and temporary murals.
- Locations: Murals were placed at schools, public buildings, commercial properties, community facilities, and indoor and outdoor locations across Las Vegas.
- Experience Type: Self-guided public-art and local-history exploration.
- Current Planning Tool: Use the official City of Las Vegas Public Art Collection and Map.
- Time Needed: Flexible. View one work during another Downtown activity or spend several hours following a public-art route.
- Best For: Art lovers, photographers, local-history fans, Downtown visitors, families, and urban explorers.
- Access Note: An artwork’s inclusion in a historical archive does not guarantee that it is currently visible or publicly accessible.
- What May Cost Extra: Parking, transportation, food, drinks, paid attractions, and purchases at private businesses.
- Parking: Rules and fees vary by location. Review the Las Vegas parking fees guide before driving Downtown.
How the City of 100 Murals Project Began
The City of 100 Murals was organized as part of the community celebration marking Las Vegas’ 100th anniversary. An eight-member mural task force spent approximately two years planning and coordinating the project.
Thousands of artists, students, residents, community leaders, organizations, and other participants contributed to the murals. The artwork was intended to celebrate recognizable Las Vegas imagery while also telling the city’s story from a wide range of community perspectives.
The project included murals created in different sizes, materials, styles, and settings. Subjects ranged from familiar Las Vegas landmarks and entertainment history to neighborhood stories, cultural traditions, civic life, and events that shaped Southern Nevada.
Additional Centennial grants in 2007 and 2008 supported maintenance and reworking of selected murals. That early preservation work did not turn every temporary or privately hosted mural into a permanent public attraction.
What Visitors Can Find Today
The City of Las Vegas and Public Art Archive continue to document artworks associated with the Centennial project. Archive records include works such as Our Community, Our History, The Old Ice House, and Chase.
These records are useful for learning about the project, its artists, original placement, materials, and date. They should not automatically be treated as confirmation that a mural remains unchanged, visible from a public sidewalk, or accessible during a current visit.
The original list on this page included locations that have experienced redevelopment, business changes, demolition, remodeling, or changing public access. For that reason, the historical list has been replaced with current official map and archive resources.
Official research resources:
How to Plan a Downtown Public Art Walk
Start with the current city map:
Select artworks that appear in the same part of Downtown instead of trying to follow the original Centennial address list.
Use the Downtown walking-tour map:
The city publishes a current walking route covering public artworks around Main Street, Casino Center Boulevard, Third Street, First Street, the Arts District, and Symphony Park. The route includes newer sculptures and installations as well as historical public art, so it is not limited to the Centennial murals.
Explore the Arts District:
The Las Vegas Arts District contains murals, galleries, sculptures, changing street art, shops, restaurants, and other creative spaces. Artwork can change as buildings and businesses evolve.
Open the current walking-tour PDF:
View the City of Las Vegas Public Art Walking Tour.
Confirm individual stops:
Search the current map, review recent photographs when available, and contact the property when an artwork is inside a business, school, government building, or controlled area.
Plan for Downtown distances:
Public art is spread across several districts. Some locations are walkable from one another, while others are easier to reach by car, bus, bicycle, or rideshare.
Photo and Access Tips
Stay in public areas:
Photograph from sidewalks, plazas, trails, and other spaces where visitors are permitted. Do not enter loading areas, fenced property, construction zones, school grounds, or private parking lots without permission.
Do not assume an address guarantees access:
A mural may be inside a building, behind a gate, on a wall facing private property, or no longer present.
Keep sidewalks clear:
Step aside when framing photographs and do not block storefronts, doors, driveways, transit stops, bicycle lanes, or pedestrian traffic.
Ask before staging a shoot:
Tripods, lighting, models, costume photography, commercial shoots, and organized groups may require property permission or a permit.
Respect the artwork:
Do not touch, climb, lean on, mark, attach items to, or place props against murals.
Watch the weather:
Many artworks are outdoors with little shade. Carry water, wear sun protection, and avoid a long midday walk during extreme heat.
Use current parking and transportation information:
Downtown street closures, events, construction, and garage operations can affect access. Confirm the final walking route before leaving the vehicle.
Other Free Art Stops in Las Vegas
Rotunda Art Gallery
Clark County Government Center presents changing public exhibitions in its circular gallery space. Review the Rotunda Art Gallery visitor guide.
ARIA Fine Art Collection
Large sculptures, paintings, digital displays, and site-specific installations are spread throughout ARIA and its surrounding campus. Use the ARIA Fine Art Collection guide.
Cirque du Soleil Art Gallery
The Richard MacDonald gallery near Bellagio’s “O” Theatre displays sculptures inspired by dance, movement, and live performance. See the Cirque du Soleil Art Gallery guide.
Video Preview of Downtown Las Vegas Murals
This video shows a broader selection of Downtown Las Vegas murals and public-art installations. Not every work shown is part of the original 2005 Centennial project, and some locations may have changed since filming.
Las Vegas Centennial Murals FAQ
Q: How many murals were created for the Las Vegas Centennial?
A: The City of Las Vegas states that the City of 100 Murals project produced more than 170 permanent and temporary murals.
Q: Are all of the original murals still visible?
A: No current official source guarantees that every original mural remains in place or publicly accessible. Some works were temporary, and buildings, businesses, and property access have changed since 2005.
Q: Is there an official map?
A: Yes. The City of Las Vegas provides a current Public Art Collection and Map, a Downtown Public Art Walking Tour, and access to its Public Art Archive.
Q: Is viewing the murals free?
A: Publicly accessible outdoor artwork is normally free to view. Parking, transportation, paid venues, food, drinks, and other purchases cost extra.
Q: Can visitors follow the old Downtown address list?
A: The old list should be treated as historical information, not a verified current route. Use the city’s current map and confirm individual locations before visiting.
Q: Are all of the murals outdoors?
A: No. The original project included interior and exterior artwork at schools, public buildings, businesses, and other properties.
Q: How long does a mural walk take?
A: It depends on the chosen route. A visitor can see one or two works during another Downtown stop or spend several hours exploring public art across multiple districts.
Q: Can visitors take photographs?
A: Casual photography from public areas is usually practical. Follow posted rules, respect private property, and ask permission before using professional equipment or staging a commercial shoot.
Q: Is the Centennial mural project worth a special trip?
A: It is most worthwhile for public-art and local-history enthusiasts. Most visitors should use the current city map and combine the murals with other Downtown art, architecture, dining, or sightseeing.
