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Is Las Vegas the Next Detroit?

Discussion in 'Anything goes' started by LanceyHoward, Jan 28, 2012.

  1. playthrough

    playthrough Moderator Staff Member

    I'm still a Downtown guy when in Vegas (it's been a couple years but I was a 1-2x a year guy for a long time), some of it's not the same (RIP Binion's Horseshoe) but the Golden Gate and El Cortez are still classic joints and have even been fixed up a little. The 99-cent Golden Gate shrimp cocktail is still a Vegas staple -- though now you gotta have a player's card to get it.
     
  2. EStoess

    EStoess Member

    Rush Tower at the Nugget is extremely nice, and affordable. Recently stayed there. Considering the Orleans over that for upcoming personal trip because of the shuttle to the Strip. Going back and forth from downtown takes more time and money. If locked into strictly gambling, it's a great choice.
     
  3. doctorquant

    doctorquant Well-Known Member

    Haven't been in a few years, since the main "XXX Night Football" game shifted from Monday to Sunday, but I focused on locals casinos. I used to love to go out for a Cowboys game. The locals casinos did great watch parties, with free admission, discounted hot dogs and drafts, and drawings for prizes between quarters. Once a local "adult novelty" store sponsored those, so winners were getting some pretty interesting stuff. As I was there without my wife, I was kinda relieved I didn't win any of those.
     
  4. Herbert Anchovy

    Herbert Anchovy Active Member

    Ben, it's just that I'd noted more than a tinge of despair. These courtesans usually seem pretty flouncy and confident. She projected that times (and business) were bad.
     
  5. Layman

    Layman Well-Known Member

    Love the new tower at the Nugget. Been a bit of a game changer for us, downtown-wise. My wife wasn't terribly fond of the Fremont area, but she loves the new tower (along with the pool) at the Nugget. Food offerings have gotten better on Fremont, with Hash House a Go Go opening at the Plaza, the Triple George on Third St., etc.. For gaming & drinking, Main Street Station is a too often overlooked gem.
     
  6. EStoess

    EStoess Member

    Totally agree Layman, but my wife hasn't been to Vegas in many years, so we're going to want to check out the Strip and Cosmo and CityCenter and some of the restaurants there. The Nugget casino really has more of an upscale or Strip feel than the rest of Fremont. Less footballs full of beer, at least (not that there's anything wrong with that).

    Reviews still look good for Orleans and it appears they've still got a stop on the Strip with their shuttle, so I think we'll go that route.

    Going to be at Mandalay in the next couple months for work as well. If I'm not on my dime, the Cosmo is my favorite place to stay.
     
  7. playthrough

    playthrough Moderator Staff Member

    Didn't know the Hash House opened another outlet. A definite must-eat. And I'd rather do it at the Plaza than their joint in the (creepy/dumpy) Imperial Palace.
     
  8. maberger

    maberger Member

    Vegas probably has more to offer as a vacation destination than anywhere else in the country, and that concentration is what differentiates it, but when no one can afford to vacation it has problems.

    i do think they are also chasing too much of the high-end dollar, even though i like to think i AM the high-end dollar. When a family of four, say, is out 60-70 bucks for breakfast and may be spending $300-something a day for food ... well, with airfare at a minimum 200 bones per, they're at two grand for a weekend before spending another dime.

    the strip seems to not care about this anymore, so maybe the locals places will see a niche to fill. but for a place living off 'hospitality,' it seems a lot less hospitable than it did even 10 years ago.
     
  9. dixiehack

    dixiehack Well-Known Member

  10. Human_Paraquat

    Human_Paraquat Well-Known Member

    I know this wasn't the point of the thread, but since we've discussed the expense of a typical Vegas vacation, here's how I approach it as a guy with a mortgage who makes $700/week but tries to make it out there once a year:

    1) Absolutely, get the players cards. If you're staying on the strip, most of the properties are either Caesar's (formerly Harrah's) or MGM/Mirage, so you might only need two cards. Not only can you use the little comp dollars you accrue along the way in the gift shop, restaurants, etc., but it can definitely lead to perks later. Went with a buddy of mine; neither of us gambles more than a few hundred dollars in a trip. We play low-limit table games and poker with meager sports betting (and he donks away a little on penny slots). Bally's gave us 5 free nights, including the weekend.

    2) You probably won't really spend much time in your hotel. Unless you're going with someone who needs a spa/pampering, etc., go with the cheapest option. If you can get Imperial Palace for $29/night or Flamingo for $59, take IP. If you stay for three nights, the $30/night difference equals a really nice meal, a show or adds to your gambling budget.

    3) Cheapovegas (which someone already mentioned) is a very good resource. Here are some tips on reasonable dining I've picked up over the years. Ellis Island (back behind Bally's) has a steak or prime rib dinner special that is off the menu. $7.99 and includes all the fixins and a beer or root beer. Battista's is an Italian place across the street from Bally's and while it has a certain kitsch factor to it the prices are solid and the food was tasty. Ceasar's properties also has a Buffet of Buffets option, where you get a 24-hour pass for $45. My suggestion is buy it before a later dinner one night, then use it for three meals the next day. You can sample several places if you'd like but Le Village at Paris is the best option I've found, especially for breakfast.

    4) Along the same lines, there are other resources to find the games you want. wizardofodds.com is a good one. $5 blackjack games are basically impossible to find at night or on the weekends at a major company strip casino. Even worse, the $10 tables at Caesar's/Harrah's properties only offer 6/5 pays on blackjacks (a HUGE swing off the normal 3/2). The best value is, surprisingly, Bellagio, where you should be able to find a $10 game that pays 3/2.

    5) The monorail is a giant waste of time and money. It's kind of set back from the strip, so whatever time you think you're saving gets eaten up by actually walking to the rail in the first place. Plus, it's more expensive than it needs to be.

    6) A cab from the strip to Fremont is probably $20+ each way. This may not be economically prudent depending on the number of people in your party (by yourself or with one other person). I would suggest taking the bus. It's interesting from a historical perspective (bullshit laser light show, Binion's where the WSOP started, Golden Nugget, etc.). Also, there are much cheaper games down there. But, it doesn't have the same vibe as the strip, and you can't walk there. My last couple of trips I haven't gone near Fremont.

    Now, having said all that, I look forward to someday moving up in life and exploring the more luxurious side of Vegas. But you can still have a lot of fun out there without breaking the bank.
     
  11. Ben_Hecht

    Ben_Hecht Active Member


    Re (2): The IP remains a sewer, and there is a significant block of rooms facing the strip which are absolute noise NIGHTMARES during sleeping hours. A must to avoid.
     
  12. Inky_Wretch

    Inky_Wretch Well-Known Member

    Renovations on the IP have started this week. I'll be interested in seeing the remodeled place.
     
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