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First time downtown

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by mackraym, Aug 8, 2012.

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  1. mackraym

    mackraym Tourist

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    I have been to Vegas about 5 or 6 times, but this weekend will be my first time going downtown. I'm excited!

    The plan is to take the SDX from the strip to downtown. Then the deuce from downtown back to the strip, since I've heard the deuce is 24 hours. Is this true? Is this a good plan? And can the $7 dollar bus pass be used on both the SDX and the deuce?

    Also, what are some tips downtown? Any places known for cheap drinks or loose slots? We are planning on going down the zip line also.
     
  2. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    For getting there and back that all sounds fine... its pretty much that or take a taxi or rent a car.

    You can get cheap drinks almost everywhere Downtown, they even have a Walgreens and an ABC, plus a few souvenir shops that sells drinks, if you want to get them that way.

    For most people the best tip I would offer is: don't go down there too early. Wait a little so that you arrive around 4-5PM. This is because the light shows don't start until 6PM and the concerts and other performances not until 8PM.
     
  3. raisingoo

    raisingoo Medium-Roller

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    You claim to have been to Vegas multiple times, yet if you've never actually been north of The Strip, you technically have not been to Las Vegas. The Strip is really in the unincorporated municipality of Paradise, NV. (The only exception is The Stratosphere .)

    As someone who likes downtown (which, again, is the "real" Las Vegas) and prefers it for most of his time over The Strip, here are some answers to your questions:

    1) Yes, if you buy a 24 hour bus pass for $7, you can use it on both the SDX and The Deuce.

    2) Yes, the SDX will stop running late at night, and your plan is a good one. The Deuce is 24 hours and will get you back to The Strip at any time.

    3) All places downtown offer cheaper drinks in comparison to Strip properties. The only place downtown which "tries" to be like a Strip property is The Golden Nugget (the biggest of them all). However, you'll find prices downtown are much cheaper for drinks and food.

    4) You probably already know this, but drinks are free when gaming. Drink service from cocktail waitresses, in my opinion, is almost always quicker downtown than The Strip.

    5) The downtown casinos are all much smaller than most Strip properties and closer together. Therefore, if you don't like one-- or, if you want to try out another one-- it's an easy walk to the next one.

    6) There are 14 casinos downtown. Try to visit them all. You can easily do this in 5-6 hours. I do this every visit-- the downtown casino crawl!

    7) Some places downtown advertise that their slots are the loosest-- two of these places are El Cortez and Las Vegas Club.

    8) You didn't mention table games, but you'll find very low minimums at casinos downtown, such as $5 or even $3 during slow periods.

    I can't answer any questions about the zip line, having never been on it. Maybe others can.

    Some people don't like downtown because it's older and less "fancy" and "glitzy" than The Strip. I disagree. There's a lot of history... good deals to be found... and if you like to game, the odds are better in your favor. Google "slot payback Las Vegas downtown vs. Strip" and you'll find that downtown beats The Strip across the board on all denominations. "The hold" (Casino edge) is higher on Strip properties because something has to pay for all that extravaganze.

    This isn't to say that there aren't sights to behold downtown. Check out Main Street Station in particular... Ask for a brochure at the Players Club on their antiques collection, and take a walking tour. You'll be surprsied. Then have one of their microbrews ($1.75 per pint on tap, or complimentary when playing) which are excellent.

    Hope this helps.
     
  4. mackraym

    mackraym Tourist

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    Already so much great info. Thanks auggie and raisingoo. Now I feel like I can plan accordingly without wasting as much time trying to figure out downtown. I can't wait to see the REAL LAS VEGAS!!
     
  5. ebuzz7

    ebuzz7 Low-Roller

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    Simply put you just can't really go wrong downtown.
     
  6. wishman35

    wishman35 VIP Whale

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    Except when it is completely dead - for a first timer. If someone is used to Strip, younger in age, and go during the week, when there is bad weather.. or when Downtown is dead..it really can be depressing.

    I have been there for an awesome summer Saturday night, and I went on a Monday night in December when it was raining just for contrasting purposes..

    When it is bustling downtown, it really can outshine the Strip.
     
  7. Smo

    Smo Mr. Las Vegas

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    I'll be downtown on Sunday afternoon/evening, so if you need a tour lmk.

    Bring your quarters and head on down towards the Plaza to a little casino on your left called LaBayou. As soon as you walk in, the girls put beads around your neck, hand you a numbered ticket, and someone takes your drink order. Unpack your quarters and sit down at a machine and start playing. Within seconds your drink magically appears. Listen for the numbers to be drawn, like every 15 minutes IIRC, they give away free play sometimes.

    Also, watch the street painters high on fresh krylon paint work their magic. These guys create Vegas cityscapes and planetary goodness from wet paint! Easily one of the best free shows!!!

    Then go on down past the zip line entrance to an awesome restaurant called Luna Rossa. If they have the filet mignon sandwich lunch special, I highly recommend it. Also, their pizza is excellent thin crust and flavorful.

    Guess what?
    I just described my day this coming Sunday, ha! :faint:
     
  8. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Hard to beat the 9/6 video poker at Main Street Station and also check out the 777 during happy hour for some good drink/food specials.
    http://static.boydgaming.net/mainstreet/media/downloads/777_Happy_Hour.pdf
     
  9. Mango68

    Mango68 Tourist

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    We were downtown last Fri and Sat..Brett Michaels was playing the free Saturday Rock of Vegas show and it was absolutely WALL TO WALL people at the 4 Queens intersection! Wow! But it was fun to try to cut through all the casinos to get to the next one and avoid the crush. We liked Mermaids for their coin-in games, too...fun to get 100 bucks in silver dollars! The Las Vegas Club was nice, Main Street Station and the Californian..lots of little hole in the wall things going on Fremont East..try Insert Coins for a trip back to Galaga. I just love being able to go inside/outside at my leisure. We followed our 2 days downtown with 3 at the Rio and I hated being inside the dark casino and struggling to get outdoors to enjoy a little sun. Enjoy!
     
  10. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    Be careful. This board does not take kindly to any positive comments about the Las Vegas Club. :trolls:
     
    USBC Nationals are back in Vegas
  11. Mango68

    Mango68 Tourist

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    OOps

    ok, I guess I didn't get that memo! Won't happen again....:peace:
     
  12. VP PLAYER

    VP PLAYER Tourist

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    Vp player reply

    Downtown is fun. Make it a long night and go into every establishment
    To get the feel of the place. Loose VP machines at the back bar at Binions
    And they serve strong drinks in larges glasses. Check out the street vendors and live music. You will have a great time
     
  13. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    Wow...really?!?
    I actually liked playing their 2-deck blackjack shoe... other than the El-Co, it's the only 2-deck BJ game downtown that still allows DAS.

    At least, that was the case 6 months ago.

    I plan on being there this Sunday evening, so I guess I'll find out.
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  14. NickPapageorgio

    NickPapageorgio OG of the Sal Sagev Hotel

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    C'mon man. Barf.

    Nick:beer:
     
  15. Frisky

    Frisky Tourist

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    The Vegas Club used to be a great place to hang out downtown. I have no idea what the owners have in mind but a lot of people still like to stay and play there. We spent a few hours there a couple of days on our last six day downton stay and can't say own bad thing about it except for the empty spaces that we hope thy are refurbishing for the future. Enjoy
     
  16. ebuzz7

    ebuzz7 Low-Roller

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    Plan on hopping in there for awhile next week. I love the older ones and hate it when/if they close anything, so I will give them some love as long as they are open. (LVC)
     
  17. TableToddyy

    TableToddyy VIP Whale

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    Mr

    Make sure you pick up those player cards downtown. At Binions get your picture with a million dollars. free with player card sign up. Plus swipe players a kioske for more gifts.
     
  18. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    I prefer downtown to the strip. Less people, better casino hopping like someone else mentioned, they are so close, and I love the FSE. My only gripe about the FSE is they are still showing the same Queen show they played in 2010 during my first Vegas trip. You would think that they would replace them more often. I am a Queen fan, have no gripe with them- just want to see something different down there.
     
  19. Candy Apple

    Candy Apple VIP Whale

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    zamboni, do you remember what time the Queen show plays? I'm a big fan and haven't seen it.
     
  20. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    not off hand. I think it was Bon Jovi first, then Queen, then Don McLeans American Pie.
     
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