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"Strip" stayer forced to stay downtown, Help!

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by mraudit, May 14, 2012.

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  1. mraudit

    mraudit I wear this on the plane!

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    I have been to Vegas over 40 times, and I have only stayed downtown once, and that was in 1989. Since that stay, I have been downtown only once more when the Fremont Street Experiace Opened and that was for about an hour.

    A year and a half ago, I brought a girlfriend out with me on a business trip, and she loved Vegas. Since then, I have not been back out, but she went with her mother and she went to downtown. Of course, she had great luck, and thinks it is so awesome, that she wants to stay there when we head back in October (Thursday-Sunday). Of course being the sap I am, I said yes dear, we can stay downtown, I agree, it will be a great time!! What a puss I am.

    Anyway I need help with a couple of things. First, I take it the Golden Nugget is the nicest place to stay? I also read the Plaza has remolded and is supposed to be cool now? Where should I stay?

    Second, I will be wanting to bet and watch a ton of football on Saturday and Sunday. What place has the best sportsbook? Can I reserve a table? I need a place that has more than 5 TVs, and where I can sit all day and bet and watch football. I do not care about free drinks, If I need one, I will buy one.

    Third, fun bars to hang out at. My GF loves to go to bars and people watch and have a good time. Any crazy places downtown? Is Hogs and Heifers still there? When I say good time I mean bands, dancing, getting crazy!!

    I have a budget of 3k a day gambling. Mostly play craps, some $25 a hand BJ, and $1 VP if I find a good machine. For football bets, I have a crazy system and will bet a $20 money line game up to a $200 two teamer.

    Thanks for all of your help and insight!!!
     
  2. Fred C. Dobbs

    Fred C. Dobbs Tourist

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    First, I take it the Golden Nugget is the nicest place to stay? I also read the Plaza has remolded and is supposed to be cool now? Where should I stay?

    The Plaza is newly renovated, but it's still rough around the edges and still appeals to the more value-oriented downtown visitor. So, if a Strip experience is your goal, the Golden Nugget is going to be the best choice. If you are more adventurous, you can check out the El Cortez's Cabana Suites. They are by far the most stylish rooms downtown, especially if you go with a Junior Suite or larger. The style is bold and modern, and also polarizing for some. But they are off the beaten path, a couple blocks from the Fremont Street Experience (safety is not an issue at all, despite what people who don't visit here say).

    Second, I will be wanting to bet and watch a ton of football on Saturday and Sunday. What place has the best sportsbook? Can I reserve a table?

    Downtown doesn't have great books for watching. The Golden Nugget and Plaza are the only two that are even decent. But nothing like the mega rooms on the Strip. Much smaller with much smaller TVs. On the other hand, you can shop around for the best odds more easily. Is there a reason you can't head back to the Strip to watch games? If so, GN or Plaza.

    I don't know about reserving a table. Never tried it, but the GN is your best bet for that.

    Third, fun bars to hang out at.

    There are a ton on East Fremont: Insert Coin, Griffin, Downtown Cocktail Room, Beauty Bar, Drink and Drag at Neonopolis, The Vanguard, Mob Bar, the Parlor Bar at the El Cortez. I would suggest visiting several. Some have dancing, some have odd ducks, Insert Coin has dancing and video games.

    One word of advice is not to go downtown expecting to recreate the Strip. You have to adjust your expectations. The thrills and delight aren't as lavish. They come from feeling like you're doing something that maybe you shouldn't. Or that you are out of your element. For me, that's more fun.

    Fred C. Dobbs
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2012
  3. Nevada Kid

    Nevada Kid VIP Whale

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    1. Golden Nugget, definately!!!

    2. I think the Golden Nugget is your spot to watch the games downtown. Another option would be to take the shuttle to Sam's Town and watch in their book. It's big and has a ton of screens.

    3. I echo Fremont East.
     
  4. fremontflo

    fremontflo Tourist

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    Gold Diggers in the Golden Nugget for dancing and live bands. Of course there will be live bands in the evenings on Fremont St. and people feel free to dance to them.

    Hogs n Heiffers is still there but be sure to visit the Mob Bar next to it there at Triple George. There's good vp at Main Street Station.

    Downtown has changed so much in the last couple of years you won't recognize it. Enjoy and have fun!
     
  5. gerry53

    gerry53 VIP Whale

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    we have stayed on the strip many times and downtown a few times.

    downtown is a blast!

    lively and friendly crowd,good free entertainment,cheap food etc etc.

    we have stayed at the plaza, fremont,fitz,el cortez and nugget and we find

    the plaza to be best bang for the buck for us. we would probably still choose a tower room at el cortez but only out of pool season as they do not have a pool.
     
  6. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Outstanding response...

    +1 on all of this... well said!
     
  7. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    We stayed at el cortez in a Jr cabana suite last month and loved it. You could lay in bed and you'd sink a little the beds were that soft. I highly recommend el co
     
  8. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Not being critical. OK, maybe a little, but with the attitude of "forced" to stay downtown, I'm not sure anything is going to please you.:peace:
    There are those of us who love downtown and wouldn't think of staying on the Strip, even if comped.
     
  9. jnojr

    jnojr Tourist

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    I can be happy either place! And the other is only a short cab ride away.

    If you go to Vegas looking for things to be disappointed in or upset by, you can get as upset or disappointed as you want. But why??? All of these are First World problems with simple solutions. Enjoy!!!
     
  10. mraudit

    mraudit I wear this on the plane!

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    Joe, you are correct. Forced was the wrong word to use. I just have a comfort level with the strip, and like what I like. I am sure downtown will be fun, and the strip is a cab ride away if I have withdrawls. I will be going in with an open mind, and ready to have fun.

    I really do appreciate everyones help.
     
  11. djegators

    djegators Low-Roller

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    Different strokes for different folks. I have never really had much interest in staying downtown, and about one day of visiting there on a trip is enough for me. At the same time, I know there are many many people who love it, and barely venture to the strip, so I know there is a lot there to offer. If I were in your situation, I would seriously consider a rental car, so you can easily go back and forth. To and from the airport and a couple trips to the strip, and the car pays for itself. Glad you are open minded, and I;m sure you'll have a blast...with 40+ trips to Vegas, this will be like a whole new adventure for you.
     
  12. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Sent you a PM
     
  13. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    just book a fountain view room (or even better suite) at Bellagio and she'll forget all about DT once you check in.
     
  14. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Not if she doesn't win.:evillaugh
     
  15. brandi.boots

    brandi.boots Low-Roller

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    just a suggestion...if your staying long enough, why not book DT and the Strip? Win/win for both of you!
     
  16. mraudit

    mraudit I wear this on the plane!

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    Did the Bellagio thing last time, and she loved it. However, when the girlie wants to stay downtown, you do not argue. Besides, I have stayed at just about every place on the strip, so Downtown will be a new experiance, and should be a great time.

    Only there 3 nights so a Strip/Downtown split stay would be a pain for us. Some it wouldnt be, for us, yes.

    Thanks again everybody for the help and ideas.

    Now if I can just find a Sports Book that will work for me on Saturday and Sunday.
     
  17. cloudi63

    cloudi63 MIA

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    We've not stayed downtown in years! However we would like too, for us it's not a matter "If We Do" it's a matter of "When We Do" for us it will be the Golden Nugget, still classy with that "old vegas feel"
     
  18. MangoPort

    MangoPort High-Roller

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    It's 50/50 - I like those odds.

    My only advice for downtown is stay in the high traffic public areas and don't wander to the side streets.
     
  19. ttom

    ttom Low-Roller

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    If your lady wants to go slummin' - just play along...you can always run to the strip if need be
     
  20. rbspartan

    rbspartan Low-Roller

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    Funny, that's the same advice I give to people who want to stay on the Strip ... so why are comments like this even necessary?:rolleyes2:
     
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