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Downtown as a true destination.

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by Electroguy563, Feb 12, 2015.

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  1. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    Very good insight. Most likely Downtown will never achieve "true" destination status. Vegas and the Strip are synonymous to most people's minds as far as what they perceive as Las Vegas. There are people who see Downtown as a destination (myself included) but the majority of visitors view the Downtown area as a side trip on their visit.

    The changes Downtown seem to attract more people that normally would only visit the Strip to come. I think this is not a bad thing, but I hope Downtown does not try to imitate the Strip but rather maintain it's quaint, rustic, laid back identity.

    Maybe Downtown will one day become Vegas's destination within a destination. Not a bad thing to be imho. :beer:
     
  2. tom.mckenzie

    tom.mckenzie Low-Roller

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    Personally, I don't want downtown to become a real destination. I like it because the amount of money I'm willing to lose gets me treated very nicely, with rooms, most if not all of my food, and usually a decent amount of FSP. On the Strip, that might get me a buffet. I don't need a fancy hotel room or lots of trendy restaurants. I'm happy with a clean room, decent food and, most of all, decent VP schedules without having to go a $5 denomination. Then, I can go to the Strip for shows and the occasional memorable meal.

    I used to find the tackiness of the FSE part of the fun, but now it's getting a little over the top. It's still a good place to people-watch, though.

    Another observation about the changes DT is that they seem to attract hipsters, artists, neo-beatniks and other associated bohemians, rather than all the trust fund 20 somethings who drove from SoCal in Daddy's BMW on weekends hoping to catch a glimpse of that week's Hottest Ever Celebrity of the Week at whatever the hottest club was for that particular weekend. I don't think DT will ever be that sort of destination. If it is, I guess I'll have to move out to the locals joints.
     
  3. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Well you've certainly got a label for just about everyone, though I would suggest it's many of those neo-beatniks and hipsters that have "rescued" downtown Las Vegas and caused it to be more of a destination point and magnate for investment. I still think downtown lacks a true destination focus for most visitors, but it's popularity seems ever increasing. The canopy project years ago cleaned things up immensely.

    I think we can agree downtown is more "value" driven than the Strip, in terms of room product, meals, gaming, etc. That's not to say you can't have a blast on the Strip on a budget... you can...but downtown is certainly known as more budget friendly. Not every 20 something is on "daddies money" and the new downtown is more than just God's waiting room or senior center's with roulette tables. I know those youngsters musclin' in on the geezers turf is troublesome to some, but others of us (I'm 56) appreciate the life and energy they've brought to the area. Zappos and the Downtown Project has brought jobs, money and a stabilizing influence to the area that visitors alone can't provide.

    I honestly think there's room for a diverse visitor population downtown and that it can be healthy. Of course, ya gotta be willing to let the kids play on your lawn once in awhile.
     
  4. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    I like taking 7-14 day trips, and my preferred arrangements is to book a 3-5 day stay on the Strip and another Downtown (a third could be out of state visiting National Parks or in Summerlin, west of 15 or on Boulder Highway).

    The Strip is a great place to dress up, have a nice meal, play blackjack and live poker.

    Downtown is a great place to play video poker, hang casually, drink at great bars (Downtown Lounge, Atomic Lounge, Redwood Lounge, San Francisco Bar), and get a decent meal at a good price (from Binion's or Magnolia's at the casual end to Redwood or Triple George for a nicer meal). Don't spend much time under the canopy, unless there is a band worth checking out.

    Downtown is just as much a Vegas destination as the Strip, IMO. There is something for everyone at both locations, and I don't feel that my trip is complete unless I spend a good portion of time at both locations.
     
  5. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Well said Viva. Same goes here. I stay downtown but there is a helluva lot I like to do on the strip.

    :peace: :beer:
     
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  6. franknic

    franknic Low-Roller

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    I see the benefits in both and hope downtown continues its climb. Been a strip guy all my trips - and it has been many but seeing the appeal in downtown more and more. I could be stay there soon. Like most things, it's all a matter of what ya like.......
     
  7. news423

    news423 No Respect

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    Made the first visit in '97. Couldn't pass up the flight/hotel deal and stayed at the Circus Circus (it was a tower room and we thought it was GREAT... then again, my buddy and I were 22, about ready to graduate from college, and obviously didn't know better). For that first trip, we mainly stuck around Circus Circus, the Riv, Slots-A-Fun and The Ho. Since that time, I've only stayed on the Strip one other time. All of my other 16 times have been Downtown, with the vast majority of those times when I was in my 20s. I just add that, because Downtown just isn't for the older folks.
    I wouldn't necessarily call myself an 'old soul.' I just like the value and more laid-back attitude that Downtown brings. Sure, occasional bums still litter the place. But it's cleaned up a lot, especially in the Fremont East area leading to the El Cortez.
    There are plenty of folks who want to be chauffered around in limos (who wouldn't???) and eat at fancy restaurants, etc. And that's fine ... it's Vegas after all! It's the one place where you can escape and do something different from back home.
    But Downtown, to me, still affords variety, along with keeping my budget in check so I can spend more time at the tables. The other big draw is that I like hopping a short distance from casino to casino ... and don't have to worry about taking a moving walkway going in, then hoofing it on the way out.
     
  8. Big dan

    Big dan High-Roller

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    We used to stay downtown all the time and I really liked it but I now travel to vegas with my young children and its a little awkward when you walk past a topless nun or a naked Indian chief.
     
  9. Foos

    Foos High-Roller

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    I love Downtown because I can get a decent room at the Cabana Suites with no resort fee by playing very little and I can pretty much tread water/win a couple hundred playing Full Pay VP at the 4 Queens or even the Plaza or the D and because of that I can come back every month or so without having to budget for my next trip. A low roller can't do that on the strip.

    The best Deuces Wild machine in Nevada last Tuesday (What should I hold?)
    I couldn't play machines like this on the Strip........

    2015-02-11 00.35.14.jpg

    2015-02-11 00.41.27.jpg
     
  10. Big dan

    Big dan High-Roller

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    Actually you better start holding all 5 cards. A friend of mine just held the deuces when a 5th deuce came up it was now a malfunction and he got paid nothing
     
  11. harley777

    harley777 Low-Roller

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    I use to be strip guy but since Downtown Grand opened I have stayed downtown. I use to stay on the strip and gamble downtown. I got tired of paying $65 to $75 in cab fares every time I wanted to gamble. Downtown has the best odds low mins. Not to mention the restaurants are just as good if not better at better prices. Pizza Rock/Andiamos/Carson Kitchen/Dupars. If you like to gamble/drink and not worried about picking up girls, downtown is the way to go...
     
  12. parallax

    parallax High-Roller

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    Based on the comments about the Downtown's resurgence, I always state that I will visit it for a few hours but never make it there. I think it is place that appeals to me if I was with a bunch of guy friends who want to drink or gamble. However, when I'm with the wife or other couples, it never really crosses our minds.
     
  13. woodsie

    woodsie VIP Whale

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    I love downtown and the proximity of everything to each other. It's something that could never happen today if a city was starting with gambling from scratch.

    The canopy, stages, and zip line are a negative for me. Making Fremont a pedestrian mall was smart but the canopy is less impressive than the vintage neon and the stages create traffic jams that make it a pain to get from place to place. Sames goes for the kiosks selling random trash that I wouldn't take for free. I would love it if downtown was for drinking and gambling rather than being set up like a tourist trap.

    Not everyone will agree but that's why it is what it is. I still love it.
     
  14. Foos

    Foos High-Roller

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    There is no 5th deuce to come up....I am sure "your Friend" Took Pictures? or this didn't happen
     
  15. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    Most times nowadays I try to get from one end of the canopy to the other by going through the casinos themselves. I still like to hang outside the casinos and people watch.

    Now with everything in place (last time I was there the Slotzilla was still closed) I'll see if the love I had for everything under the canopy is still there.....
     
  16. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    We usually walk down Ogden to Downtown Grand, then to Las Vegas Blvd to catch Fremont East and the Downtown Grand Lounge. On the way back, we do the reverse, and typically stop in Pizza Rock for happy hour before finishing at The California. In between we'll head in and out Binion's for a traditional photo.

    No 100 beggers / bums to encounter, no crowds to navigate. The Strip is equally bothersome, with the same plus larger crowds plus dozens of human porn card "dispensers".

    The reason I would keep the canopy, however, is to allow people to gather and security to crack down. Pre-canopy, you had bums laying face down in the sidewalk which you had to walk over to get down the street. Downtown would not have improved their fortunes if it were not for the Fremont Street Experience, and while we typically do not partake, I am glad downtown rebounded and many new bars were able to open and most casinos were able to remodel and offer better rooms at great rates. The FSE is a big reason for the turnaround.
     
  17. Big dan

    Big dan High-Roller

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    I am aware there is no 5th deuce that is why it was a machine malfunction. If he would have held all the cards it would not have popped up a duplicate card. Go ahead and just keep holding the four deuces I don't care.
     
  18. tazdev75

    tazdev75 Tourist

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    We always stay Downtown every trip to Vegas. We always have a Rental car and Usually do 1 Night on the Strip for a Buffet and a Show. We also do a lot of Gambling in Henderson and around town at Local Casinos. We never Gamble on the Strip.. Downtown is our Home.
     
  19. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    He is hinting that your friend lied to you. If he didn't, he was ridiculously unlucky there.

    But generally speaking, you are better off holding all 5 cards here, just in case some malfunction on the draw like you described occurs that would cause them to not pay you. Also better to hold all 5 cards there anyway because you're less likely to accidentally throw away one of them. I've never done that before on dealt quads, but someone out there has I'm sure.
     
  20. Foos

    Foos High-Roller

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    If that actually happened the Nevada Gaming Commission would have been there to investigate how that machines chip could have been able to deal 5 deuces. Anyone who had that happen to them would have taken pictures to prove that it really occurred as that would be a picture of a lifetime and also proof that the machines can be fixed....a big no no to the gaming commission.
     
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