The Old Lady's Trip Report 7-21 to 7-25 GN

Yep, back from the Nugget again!

We drove to Vegas from AZ on Monday morning, got in around 10:30 a.m. and parked at PH so we would have car nearby for shopping (Grandma loves to shop). Then walked to Ellis Island to check it out - neat old timey casino, low ceilings, really smokey - very hot outside! We were not really hungry yet so did not eat there.

Next went to Bally's and played some slots (we are strictly bottom feeders) DH plays nickels and pennies and I play quarters and dollars - usually break about even - same on this trip.

Walked through Paris, shopped at PH - they closed Dept. 56 store so might not go back there, although we enjoyed lunch at Earl of Sandwich, which is a great lunch place.

Left PH garage and went to Freed's Bakery for the first time (Freed's and Ellis Island visits were based on tips from this great board -thanks, guys!). We never had fit in Freed's before because we are usually there in hot summer and you can't buy pastries and store them in the car so we had to plan it that we got the stuff and then went straight to the hotel. The workers at Freeds were extra nice- they had free samples of wedding cake and two kinds of cookies. If you don't know about them - check out their web site, they do those fancy competition type cakes you see on food network, as well as more standard fare. DH got a huge chocolate eclair - this was the biggest thing.... bwa ha ha. I got a slice of wedding cake. They boxed it up and we chatted with the ladies, talked about celebrities who shopped there, basically everyone comes in, it seems. Their most recent visit was from Rita Radner, who they liked a lot.

Headed downtown to the Golden Nugget - had a summer special of sorts - 69 a night plus their show (the Caveman show, we have never bothered to go) and 25 dollar food coupon. The parking garage area is under construction, as the Nugget is moving their main entrance to the "back" of the hotel (facing the parking garage). There was big chart showing the changes. Since we had been there last, they finished a balcony night spot on the second floor that looks out over the strip - it looked very cool. Pool area was packed with various shaped persons who seemed happy to be lined up in row upon row of lounge chairs. The hotel was BUSY with the Longshoreman's convention.

Spent the afternoon running around looking at the new machines. I really liked Wizard of Oz - the sound effects and little movement in the fancy chairs were lots of fun. Did well and got two bonus rounds.

On Tuesday I took the bus (Duece) up to Fashion Show Mall and DH drove up later in the morning after doing some computer work in the room - I shopped and later we met up and walked across to Wynn where we spent a couple hours. Next we drove to Circus Circus - ha ha - what an odd place. We visited Slot's O Fun for the first (and possibly last . . .) time and then ran over to the Riviera, which we liked, in an old fashioned way. We were killing time until our dinner reservations at The Steak House - this was our fourth visit there and it was nice. My sister in law had given us a gift certificate for the dinner so the price was perfect! DH had a NY strip which he thought was okay but not great. I had a very nice petit filet mignon with the rice and tasty asparagus. We might not return there - we like it, but want to try some other places for our "special" meal. I will say, that it is a bottom feeders kind of "high end" place - just a tad pricey but still affordable = check for both of us was like 106 dollars plus 30 tip - (REALLY good service) - so that is quite a good deal. To me, this is also like old style Vegas, with cloth tablecloths and good fun drinks (I had a strawberry daquiri - yum - like dessert!) and adequate wine.

Then back to hotel - now the sad truth is that i never was outdoors this trip after dark because i go to bed early (like before 8) and get up around 3 to 3:30. The good part is that in the wee hours when many are staggering to bed I am just getting started, warming up all the machines downtown - which I have all to myself!

Wednesday we were going to do the outlet mall on the south end of the strip and then go to Sam's Town for a movie, but after the mall, we were so exhausted we just went back downtown. We had breakfast that morning at the Nugget with our 25 dollar credit (buffet) - it was fine, but we prefer Main Street . .. after breakfast we watched the craps lesson (again!!) still don't get it well enough to try it. But I did think about it a lot (does that count? Hmm, didn't think so . ..)


Thursday we hung out downtown, then had lunch at Main Street Station - perfect, as usual = just plain good food and very reasonable price. I had tried to find the two for one coupons at the Fremont office but the elevator by Walgreen's would not stop on the second floor and I simply could not get the coupons. Very irritating. After lunch DH did still more work (he had a huge project to work on that came up at the last minute) and I took the bus over to the downtown outlets and looked around there for a while.

Friday we drove home!

This was a very low key trip - but it was fun to get away!

 

Old lady?

Sounds like you did some solo movements around Vegas and no problems. We need more trip reports like this.
As an old lady myself, when someone says, "you flew to Vegas alone?" I don't know what to say. . .
I couldn't find Wizard of Oz slots on the strip. Or Top Gun. Was looking forward to them.
Did you do the pool and view of the sharks? I am tempted.

 

glad ya had a great time....but 3:30???? are you nuts??!?!?!?!?!? hahahah

 

Ha ha - yes, I am nuts, but I love getting up really early. Some years I do stay up and look at the lights and often we go in the winter, when it gets dark earlier, so I have seen the stuff. DH watched the Fremont shows and thought they were "better" than last year (whatever that means!)

Yes, I mostly solo, since DH has this on-going affair with his computer - jk!

I buy Deuce all day pass sometimes, or take the shuttle out to Sam's Town or a mall - note that we drive so a car is available, but it is a huge hassle to me to drive around the strip area -too many people like us - befuddled tourists, and just does not seem to be laid out very well.

I usually run into solo ladies (of the older, non-working variety) around town.

Saw Wizard of Oz at - Bally's, Golden Nugget, Fremont, 4 Q, Fitz and MSS, I think (Might have been California). They were pretty busy all the time except wee hours of morning.

Forgot to mention that a guy won $17,000 progressive at GN at a 25 cent machine = just as I was walking by - he and I and another lady could not figure out how much he won, he had not looked prior to playing (!!) the "same" looking machine that was also progressive and that abutted his siad five thousand something, so there was much surprise and elation when he heard the actual number from the GN folks.

 

Thanks for the TR Peri.

later, GVJ