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Downtown/Strip split trip Pictorial

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by NickyDim, Feb 13, 2015.

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  1. NickyDim

    NickyDim Hockey is life

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    My Trip Report

    Mrs D and I were in town from Thurs 2/5 to Tues 2/10. Taking off from JFK last Thursday was an little nerve wracking. We pulled out of the gate on time, only to park on the tarmac and wait for de-icing. It was snowing moderately and there was definitely build up on the wings. First they sprayed us with some agent orange stuff, then a whole nuther round of green slime which stays on the wing like a film. During take off these liquids come pouring off the wing. I have to say at 36000 feet and -85 (Virgin America has that info on their in seat flight tracker) that green liquid stayed liquid. Once on our way we had a very smooth flight and made up time and arrived on time. Our bag was literally the 3rd bag on the carousel and we were off to the rent-a-car center.

    We used E-Z rent a car for the first time. Made the res online for a standard, $184/week incl taxes. A bargain, so I didn't know what to expect at the counter. There was noone at EZ and was helped right away. Said no to all the extras and zoomed downstairs to find my brand new Chevy Impala, 3 miles were on the odometer. Never have I had it so easy at the car counter.

    Check in at the Plaza was a breeze. Curtis hooked me up with a room. South tower facing south with a great view.
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    Unpacked, did a little gaming. Unfortunately the Plaza offers Ultimate Texas holdem for only a few hours a day. The table opens at 6pm and is closed by 11pm at the latest. One night we were playing about an hour around 9:30, went upstairs to mix drinks and when we came back down at 10pm (on a saturday no less) the table was closed. Sorry Curtis, I could've given you alot more action had that table been open more, especially since I did pretty good. Had 3+ sessions vs 1-. VP was good at the plaza and the sports book is very comfortable. And never a problem with their one TITO casher.
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    Still love gambling in the 4 Queens. Probably my favorite place to play. The atmosphere is always alive and exciting. They offer Mississippi stud and I had a great round. I won $250 in 15 minutes before sitting down at Magnolia's for dinner.

    Some downtown pics:
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    Dinner at Fellini's at the Stratosphere was dinner the first night. Again a very enjoyable dinner, especially with a $55 dinner for 2 from travelzoo. Cocktails at 107th first.

    Next morning was breakfast at Silver Sevens. $4.99 Buffet breakfast for A-play club player, and an ACG coupon 2-4-1 and breakfast for 2 with tip was less than $10.
    Bingo was next at South Point where we met up with cousins. South Point is pretty nice, not lucky, left a nice deposit there. But I'd stay there.

    We were hoping for some activities downtown for first friday, and if there were any we did not see it. We didn't venture down to Casino Center either were the real activities were going on.

    Next morning was excursion morning. Out to Summerlin.
    Champagne Breakfast at Rampart's. Outstanding breakfast buffet. They only serve Brunch buffet on weekends, but hey honored the ACG 2-4-1 coupon, so even though the cost was $18 it was certainly worth it for 2. They got paid plenty though after I played some VP there. And the JW Marriot is beautiful.
    [​IMG]

    Next to the Red Rock Casino for a quick visit, and then to Downtown Summerlin. This complex is brand new and is beautiful. Unlike other malls, this one is build like a little city, with 3 or 4 blocks wide by a half dozen blocks long. All easy walking, very upscale, under the backdrop of Red Rock canyon.
    [​IMG]

    We had 2 for 1 tickets to see Gordie Brown, but it turned out better to buy their special. 2 Buffets, 2 tickets, and 2 drinks for $60. Golden Nugget buffet was delicious and the drinks were stiff (served at the theater bar).
    [​IMG]

    Sunday morning was breakfast at Marilyn's Cafe at Tuscany. They have a $4.99 2eggs/2bacon/2sausauge/2pancakes special which is yummy. A great Vegas secret is that place. Then back to the Plaza to check out. Went to cousins for lunch and checked in at Bally's around 1:30 where the $10 trick got us an upgrade to a junior suite in the indigo tower. A junior suite has a larger room area, and an expanded bathroom plus a seperate room for vanity closet and bar w/sink. Very comfortable. Had a pretty good afternoon gaming, staying pretty even playing a wide range of games. Couldn't say the same about the Mrs.

    Made a call to Casa di Amore for dinner, and they scheduled a complimentary limo pickup for us. We figured it'd be more like a bus and shared with others, but to our surprise it was a personal full stretch limo with a very courteous driver. They picked us up and dropped us off. The atmosphere was very old school Vegas, with Sinatra and Elvis on the walls and playing in the background, and the food was outstanding. I highly recommend it. Plus we have a Restaurant.com gift certificate ($10 for $25 credit) to ease the already pretty inexpensive cost. The whole trip was a grand slam.

    The mrs. in the limo;
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    Monday found us back out for an excursion. We decided to take the rt159 drive through red rock canyon, mainly because I wanted to go to the Suncoast and drive by our house in Lone Mountain we're currently renting out. Did I mention we had perfect weather each day, highs in the mid 70s.
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    look closely. Great day for a bike ride
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    Monday night found us Strip walking and going to see Legends in the Donnie and Marie theater at the Flamingo. We got 2 for 1 tickets as platinum TR members, so we bought balcony seats. When we got there the guy took our tickets and walked us down to stage front and sat us in the first row. hey that was worth a $5 toke.

    I enjoyed the show more than I thought I would.
    Steven Tyler wannabe:
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    Strip pics;
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    Tuesday found us at the Gold Coast for breakfast buffet and then across the street to Palms Place for our travelzoo $75 Swedish massages for the mrs. and me. The facilities are nice, not the best, but nice. And sorry no pics of that. Then back to Marilyn's cafe for our $13.99 NY strip steak dinner and using our ACG 2 for 1 coupon. A steak dinner for 2 for under $20. God I love this city.

    Back to bally's and dropped some cash, packed and took the red eye back to NY with just over 1/3 of my original buy in/budget. Any deposit towards next trip is a plus.

    NYC at 5am
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    Hope you enjoyed the trip
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2015
  2. scottydoog

    scottydoog Low-Roller

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    Great TR, agree 100% about casa Di Amore.
     
  3. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    What a great trip and I loved all of the pics, including the one of NYC!
     
  4. macwjp

    macwjp Low-Roller

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    Nice trip report, loved all the pics.
     
  5. carolineno

    carolineno VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the report! That pool area looks cool - I will have to check it out - do you know how late it is open?
     
    Ladies getaway, somewhere on the strip with a pool :)
  6. Suekel

    Suekel VIP Whale

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    Awesome TR with lots of great pictures! Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us.
     
  7. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    Fantastic pics as always, Nicky. Thanks for sharing. :beer:
     
  8. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Love your pics! Glad you had a good time! Hoping the mid 70s trend continues...so far so good on the 10-day forecast! :thumbsup:
     
  9. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    Beautiful photos, never saw skies so blue. It's been some time since I was to Rikers, is that what it looks like from above all lit up?
     
  10. Niteshade

    Niteshade VIP Whale

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    Great trip report. Thanks for the lovely pictures.
    Enjoyed the read!
     
  11. kingpasty

    kingpasty High-Roller

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    I've used EZ before as well and had a great experience. Going to book them again for my May trip.
     
  12. jovegas

    jovegas Tourist

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    Loved the great pictures!! Thanks so much!
     
  13. NickyDim

    NickyDim Hockey is life

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    I used a polarizing filter which really deepens the sky. And that is NYC you can see GW bridge and Manhattan on the left, the center is the bronx with the east river and Rikers island and long Island sound to the right.

    Thanks all for the nice words.
     
  14. NickyDim

    NickyDim Hockey is life

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    I took this while taking off. I realized we'd be taking off on the runway heading NE with the strip to our right and I was lucky enough to have a window seat.

    <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hyPGbkacpx8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2015
  15. blackjackfreak

    blackjackfreak Newbie

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    Thank you for a great TR!!!!
     
  16. gambler

    gambler VIP Whale

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    Nice report Nicky, your pics are so clear. Love that blue sky!
     
  17. Iamrice

    Iamrice High-Roller

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    That's a great shot of NYC!

    Thanks
     
  18. garrman

    garrman Low-Roller

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    Really nice pictures. Thanks for the TR!
     
  19. TheCanoe

    TheCanoe Low-Roller

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    Casa Di Amore is getting added to my to do list. Please talk me out of it if it isn't a good idea. Thanks for the TR
     
  20. The Ost

    The Ost Low-Roller

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    Very well put together TR, good photos and some good info on the deals you got.
     
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