Possible downtown trip help..

Hi all,

Been reading this forum for a while and finally joined up, mainly because I need some help

I'm coming for a trip to lv next year in may. It's my first time to Vegas and I've been planning it on and off for the last year. Now I'm considering staying downtown on freemont street rather than on the strip as most would no doubt do on their first trip. My reasons for this are two fold

1) I like the fact everything is close downtown, I'm not going to be there for long (4 nights) so I'll be cramming a lot in, I also love the history of lv so getting to see the older side of town appeals

2) cost! With the trips I'm looking at I'll save around $150+

Now I'll certainly spend time on the strip too, but downtown just seems like a better base and with it not costing much to get to the strip think it may be a better bet

Thoughts?

 

Not sure what kind of help you're asking for. Hotel or dining suggestions? Activities or shows? Parking vs cabs? Please specify.

 

Mainly whether people feel its a good idea staying downtown on my first trip, or not

 

Downtown is also cheaper for food and liquor. Not just rooms. You'll also save on shoe leather.

 

I'm sorry, I mis-read your question. I thought you meant the first trip you're considering downtown. Not first trip ever. I agree with Sonya.

 

Great post. I 100% agree.

 

Another who totally agrees with Sonya Although I think she is low on the cost of the cabs going back and forth....more like $20-$25 each way depending on where you are headed, traffic, etc.

I love downtown too and have stayed there on occasion for a night or 2 of my trips but never for the whole trip and I would NEVER suggest first timers stay anywhere but on the strip!

Whatever you decide you will have a blast and be sure to bring comfy shoes

 

How about two nights on the Strip and two downtown? You'll still save some money and have enough time to check out both areas. That's probably what I would do, but I travel light and don't mind moving around. In fact, after a couple of nights I'm usually begging for a change of scenery.

 

Another vote for the strip. I love downtown and stay there almost all the time but for a first time visitor the strip just has more to see.

 

As a fan of downtown, I would advise to stay on the strip for your first trip. There are too many things to see and do on the strip that all first timers should experience.

 

Staying Downtown

I think in my opinion the first time you should stay at least part of the time on the strip. This is our 7th trip my husband likes it downtown and I like it on the strip. We usually divide the time between the two.

After the first time you will know if you like the strip of downtown better. Right now with all the construction I like the feel of downtown better.

 

I agree that for first time, you will probably want to spend most of your time on the Strip. But I would advise staying at least one night downtown. Not only will you save money, but Fremont Street has a different feel in the daytime than it does at night. And I love both.

Also, I went to Vegas about 10 times before ever checking out downtown. And once I discovered it, I really regretted not having checked it out sooner. Since then, it's my only base.

But like Sonya and some others said, first time the wonders of the Strip will enchant you!

 

Thanks all for your comments and suggestions much appreciated. The strip it is then, I've found a half decent deal for harrahs which looks like a good location but ill certainly be spending a good amount of time downtown too.


Cheers

Ross

 

Harrah's is a great location for the first time. Comfortable shoes is a must!! You're gonna walk more than going to Disneyland!

As someone has mentioned, downtown is so different, day and night, no pun intended! Very mellow during the day and quiet, totally different at night. It doesn't even look like the same street!

My daughter and her friends did the zipline this year and loved it.

This board is a good source of information for all your questions.

Nothing like the first time! Have fun!

 

Harrah's is an excellent choice for a first time visit. You're right in the center of the action. And if you want to cab it to downtown from there, it's not a bad ride.

I'm trembling with excitement for you...

 

First Trip

While I agree with Sonya, in general, about the strip for a first-trip, it really does depend on what it is you plan on doing with most of your time.

The strip has many more intriguing sites to see...the Bellagio fountains, Paris' Eiffel-Tower wanna-be, NYNY is a sight to see... the decor (and ceiling!) at the Venetian, the volcano & aquarium at Mirage...the ship-battle at TI... all of the various night-clubs geared to the 'young'... and LOTS of 6/5 blackjack & $25-minimum tables.

If you plan on spending most of your time gambling, I would stay downtown & plan on an 18-hour excursion to the strip to see the sights...use a cab & have them drop you off at Mirage... from there, Venetian, TI, Caesar's, Bellagio & others are (for the strip) "easy" to get to...Harrah's is also right there, although there's not much to see there (IMO). The cocktail waitresess at 'Margaritaville' are certainly worth going in for to have a drink or two & play some 3-card... also, your poker-room options & sports-books are certainly far better on the strip than downtown.

FSE is certainly worth seeing once or twice, but the main appeal to DT for me is the gambling... the casinos are so close together that 'bumping-and-running' is a piece of cake... lots of 2-deck blackjack to be found (although DAS is almost non-existent for downtown 2-deck games)... Golden Gate is loads of fun... the crazies on the street at night are certainly interesting...music is very loud...several interesting stand-alone bars on the east side (on your way to the El Co to play blackjack!)
And, as has already been mentioned, all of your food, entertainment, drinks & rooms will be far-les expensive downtown than on the strip.

So, you and your friends are mostly planning to gamble, I recommend downtown, with a side-trip to the strip for sight-seeing... if you're into seeing shows & sites, going to nightclubs, shopping, people-watching, sports-books or poker rooms, then the strip is for you.

Whatever you decide, I'm certain you'll have a blast!