Fremont Street Experience

We are taking first timers to Vegas in May. DH and I have been going to Vegas for 15 years and now stick strictly to the Strip - we probably haven't been Downtown in 9 years - we just enjoy the Strip more so that's where we spend our time. I'm wondering if you'd consider the Fremont Street Experience a must-do for first timers? It's not something we'd do on our own, but I don't want them to miss out on anything just because we are creatures of habit.

 

I sure do... I give the geezers that favor downtown crap every chance I get, but there's no denying downtown's "feel"... It's clean, well lit, VERY walkable and is something that can be accomplished in an afternoon and/or evening. I still get a kick after all these years when the outside lights go dark and the light-show commences and I know first-timers will too.

 

For first timers Freemint is a must.

 

agree. I think it's a must see, especially the light show.
I can do without all the 'circus acts' that go on downtown, but sometimes you gotta take the good with the bad.

first timers must see or do (IMO) - some are based on my age. example - I don't think slotzilla is a must do for anyone over 40, but littles may have that on their list.

The FSE light show
play Vintage slots/sigma derby at the D
take a pic w/ 1MM at Binions
eat a shrimp cocktail at Dupars
Check out berlin wall in MSS men's restroom

there are other things, but they take longer (i.e. Mob Museum, neon museum, etc).

 

If you're thinking purely to see the light show, I would say no unless you have an easy way of getting down there. Downtown is always fun though for the casinos, seeing the gold nugget at the golden nugget etc. though.

 

Going downtown - yes for a Vegas Virgin. The light show itself is lame. I may be in the minority. But what was once cool technology is now very outdated

 

I have been to vegas twice, and only did downtown once on my first trip. I regretted not doing it again. Like you said the strip is where I spend most of the time, but one evening I think you should head down there around 6 or 7 and spend a few hours down there one night. cheap drinks, more favorable gaming rules, the giant gold nugget at the golden nugget, free live band, the above music light show is pretty cool first time thing also, and more street performers!!

Id say its worth a few hours one evening..

 

I would say "must see", go at night. There's just so much to see in a short time. I think you will find it has changed a lot since your last visit. Fremont Street is more lively now. Some folks are put off by the character people but I like the feel they add, so I tip a few bucks as we walk around.

 

It is outdated tech but it is also a quarter mile long. Pretty incredible and worth the trip downtown. If you haven't been there in 9 years, I would go to check out the new stuff, too. Great restaurants like Pizza Rock and Andiamo. Fun/cheap gambling and a nice peek into what Vegas used to be. The light show is cool to see for first timers, so I say certainly do it.

 

A first timer? Absolutely. It's still fun to see, though old. Who knows what they could produce if it was updated with current tech...

 

I think the easy answer is "must do," but I think it depends on the type of person and what you find entertaining.

Why you might like downtown:

- Party atmosphere (more so at night)
- To see the FSE light show (as others said, no longer cutting edge, but it is still a thing)
- Low(er) limit gambling and easy to jump from one casino to another
- To see some of the history of what Old Vegas was like (although most of the places are more like Old Vegas in the mid-80s not mid-50s)


Why you might not like downtown:

- You like the opulence and glamour of the Strip (downtown isn't a dump, it just ins't the same as the Strip)
- You don't want to be around crowds and drunks and loud music
- It may take up a whole evening of your trip (or if you see it isn't your thing right away, you spent time getting there and back to the Strip)


I took an early-20s first timer couple to DT a few years back and they loved it. Loved the cheap drinks and the scene. And I had more fun that time DT than ever before (and I've even started staying DT on my solo trips since then).

I'm no DT basher, just saying it certainly is not everybody's scene.

 

Thanks to everyone for the opinions. Downtown is definitely not our thing, but since we are traveling with first timers, I think we'll head down one night and check it out. It's been so long since we've been there, maybe our opinions will have changed.

 

Although we are in our late 40s, we still enjoy a loud party atmosphere. Therefore, we either stay downtown (every other trip) or make a day of it during every vacation. While there I always send my friends plenty of photos and video of the dancing girls, bands, drunks, characters, and overall freaks.

Recently a younger couple I know went out and came back disappointed that they didn't see any of the craziness, bands in the street, kind of fun. Did you go to Fremont like I suggested? No....we didn't want to ride the bus. We just looked for it on the strip....

 

Now we're expecting a TR to see how you and your friends felt about Downtown.

 

Now we're expecting a TR to see how you and your friends felt about Downtown.

 

Based on everyone's comments, a trip Downtown is officially on the itinerary. Where should we have the taxi take us? I'm thinking we want to start at one "end" and work our way down to the other checking out the highlights at each casino and catching the light show at some point.

 

Coming from the Strip, have him drop you outside Golden Gate. Then you are at the furthest west end of Fremont. Don't forget to also walk 1 block north and check out Cal and Main Street Station. Good micro beers at MSS and also a chunk of the Berlin Wall in the mens room.

 

agreed. neat, but not spectacular.

 

We have been to Fremont street a few times and for first timers I would say for sure to take them. We have driven down...taken a cab and also taken the bus. Whatever is easiest for you. There are a lot of homeless on the bus and the drivers are constantly kicking them off. Also I have read lately that there is a lot of pickpockets at Fremont Street...just be careful.

 

I would have the cab take you to the El Cortez... which is NOT under the canopy, but a great, historic casino to start out with.
From there, walk west toward the canopy & start out at 'theD'... then to Four Queens...then, cross over to Fremont, cut over to Binion's & the Nugget... hit Mermaids (if that's your thing) and Golden Gate (+ LVC for 2-deck blackjack) to finish up with the canopy.
If it's still early (daylight), cross Main & check out the Plaza...then walk north to Main Street Station. From there, take the bridge over to the Cal.
From the Cal, it's just a couple of blocks to DTG.
From there, head due-south & you'll be back under the canopy by 'theD'...go west again to the '4-corners' (4-queens/Nugget/Binion's/Fremont) which is THE great place to catch the light show.
From there (Casino Center Blvd), you can easily catch a cab or the bus back to the strip. You'll see the cab stand & bus stop on the side of Binion's.

Have fun & good luck!