What Casinos Should I Visit Before They Die?

I never really spent time in O'Shea's, now it's gone. I never visited The Western, now it's gone, but maybe that's okay. I never visited the Lady Luck, now it's in transition.

What casino's should I visit before they are gone in the next few years? I've visited the strip many times and will be downtown this trip. I've visited some off strip, Sam's Town, Fiesta Henderson, Red Rock, Green Valley. I just don't want to think, oh no xxx closed and I never bothered to visit it.

You don't know what you've got till it's gone.

 

if they're close enough to death to worry about how long they'll be around, they're not worth visiting anyway.

 

I would visit Hooters, LVH and the Riv. I don't know that they are closing per se, but I think it's possible they could easily change ownership leading to a radical change in theme.

 

Exactly. Perhaps if you'd have seen them in their heyday...

I really don't think anyone is lamenting not visiting Sahara six months prior to shutdown unless they just had fond memories from when it was relevant.


But, if you gotta see something that isn't long for this world, my money's on Riv to be next.

 

Thanks all. It's not so much about visiting a place I may find some charm in. It's more about history.

 

johnvic, I agree with the Riv and LVH. May as well see them while you have a chance.
My previous trip in 2008, bypassed a few places including Bills, IP and anything north of Wynn, thinking I would stop in next time (which was not supposed to be 5 years later )
Much like yourself, I will be staying DT on my upcoming trip, but plan to stop in at the LVH sportsbook for Monday night football, and will likely pop in to Riv and maybe even Circus Circus.

 

I would see Riv just because of the history. Heck, its where the movie Casino was filmed. But you'll probably just want to walk-in to have seen it and then walk out.

I want to see LVH or whatever its called now just because I've watched that Louis Theroux gambling/Vegas documentary so many times and it was all filmed in there. Seems kind of old school.

Another one I'd say is Circus Circus. I've never stepped foot in it either but it probably won't be around long. I hope the place would feel like an acid trip but in reality I know it will just suck and be dull. I still want to see it though.

By the way, not everything that has its days numbered is "dead". Bills/Barbary Coast was probably the most lively casino I've ever been in. I only visited it a few times but the place was always a blast. Packed with a lively and fun crowd even midday and had lots of tables for such a little place.

 

As much as people dont like it. CC will still be there for a long time. I guarantee CC will last longer than Hooters, and even some DT ones. Theres still a big draw to CC due to the Midway and the Dome.

 

There is no reason to put CC on a deathwatch. They are looking to expand it, not close or change things. Also, the new bug rumor is that Starwood is looking at LVH. I think the best time to have seen it was as the Hilton with the Star Trek Experience but in this case, it may be fun to see it at its low in anticipation of needed change.

 

Why don't you just download a list off the internet of Las Vegas area casinos and then mark off the ones you have been to and the ones that you consider too far away.

Then figure out which ones are where and each trip you can maybe come up with a little day trip on each future Vegas vacation where you can go visit a few and mark them off your list.

Otherwise right now there probably isn't going to be too much changing in Las Vegas for the next few years and since the US economy is recovering its not very likely that any of the current casinos are going to go out of business and actually shut down.

 

Right, CC is going nowhere as it is owned by MGM. It is profitable and fills their niche at the "absolute cheapest" end of the marketplace, where there is significant demand.

Riviera and Hooters are legitimate implosion candidates.

LVH is a huge, landmark property but some major change will have to be made there in order to make it viable. Starwood badly needs a presence on the strip but I'm not sure they could make the property work as a Sheraton or Westin. It is poorly located and too big to be viable without the casino as a major focus.

 

My plan for DT was to do a casino crawl. There was a recent post on someone doing one where they played in each casino, just $20 or so. I could definitely do a strip casino crawl like that, but avoid all the places I usually go to, like Bellagio, Wynn, etc.

 

"There is no reason to put CC on a deathwatch. They are looking to expand it, not close or change things"

I'm not doubting you, but where have you heard this?

I literally cringe when I hear people saying they are staying there.

 

I don't think CC or the Riv are closing soon, either. If the Chinese group gets that Echelon thing actually up and running, it will probably INCREASE CC and Riv's action as people will have an excuse for going down to that end of the strip.

I stayed at the Riv and CC quite a bit as the event I attended was usually at the Riv. The Riv is one of the deadest casinos I've been in; low energy doesn't even describe it. There is a check-box on the dealer employee application that asks 'Are you funny looking?'. You must say yes to this to get the job.

CC isn't as bad as people will tell you, they usually had a decent $10 DD game (not sure now) and the steakhouse is fantastic. Several years ago we got full RFB there for three trips from my blackjack play ($10-$100) at Slots-A-Fun.

 

I know I've had people tell me that CC is actually one of MGM's most profitable individual properties, due to the lack of direct debt attached to it. I can't stand it either, but the place always seems to be pretty full, and given the combination of its price point and being the only place in Vegas I can think of that's directly marketed towards families with kids, it's attractive to a huge segment of the population.

 

Personally, I would like to see someone buy and finish the Fontainebleau before buying the Riv. Having said that, it would be nice to see the Riv renovated. I stayed there in the '70's and it was a class joint.

I don't think CC is that bad at all. It is what it is and doesn't pretend to be anything better.

The Asian-themed place where the Frontier was should be very interesting and I think may help revive Riviera and Sahara.

 

"I know I've had people tell me that CC is actually one of MGM's most profitable individual properties, due to the lack of direct debt attached to it. I can't stand it either, but the place always seems to be pretty full, and given the combination of its price point and being the only place in Vegas I can think of that's directly marketed towards families with kids, it's attractive to a huge segment of the population."

I agree. I should have added to my comment..."newbie couples". I just think people going for the first time should stay center strip. I actually recommend it to people traveling with kids.

 

THIS! Each of these are worth a visit (at least to see and take pics of) and are all teetering on the edge.

Perhaps Silver Sevens (once Terribles), Ellis Island (definitely), Clarion, Royal Resort (not a casino), Circus Circus (probably not going anywhere though), Slots of Fun, Casino Royale (you never know when they might take it away), Mirage (it seems to be doing well but you never know), Ballys (there's a lot of changes going on here...so check it out as it is now), LVC downtown, Binions, Planet Hollywood (also doing well but they may revamp rooms within the next few years), NYNY and Monte Carlo (they won't die but they are being reborn), Harrahs (due for an update), etc

 

This is so true. It was so sad to see Bill's go.

 

Whenever I walk into Riv, I can strongly imagine how awesome it must have been. It's the steps with the gold railings that kind of make you feel like a superstar. Or the crystal shingles (not sure what they are called) hanging from the ceiling. I very much still attach "luxury" to the 70s and older generations. But now they are viewed as "tacky". Hmm....it's so sad to see it so dead.