Change of Heart
Long time lurker who just joined here. I just came back from Vegas and thought I'd ask a few questions along the way. For a long time I was a "strip snob", and didn't think much of downtown because of the reputation that it seemed to have. I've reversed course though because now downtown is still about gambling (still with a few oddities on Freemont Street) while the strip just seems like it's made up of huge hotels that have huge clubs while the casino is almost an afterthought.
Has anyone ever come to the same conclusion or felt the same way?
Either way, hello all.
Quote: LovecompsHello everyone,
Long time lurker who just joined here. I just came back from Vegas and thought I'd ask a few questions along the way. For a long time I was a "strip snob", and didn't think much of downtown because of the reputation that it seemed to have. I've reversed course though because now downtown is still about gambling (still with a few oddities on Freemont Street) while the strip just seems like it's made up of huge hotels that have huge clubs while the casino is almost an afterthought.
Has anyone ever come to the same conclusion or felt the same way?
Either way, hello all.
Welcome, Lovecomps! We've had similar discussions numerous times, but it's hard to think of any one thread or keywords to have you read back on about it. I'm sure people would enjoy the conversation.
I think what you're saying is true in many ways, and in general. However, I think there are still several decent Strip casinos who focus on their gaming.
In my experience, I started out downtown in the 80s, it got kind of nasty, I took my business to the Strip for about 15 years while Downtown was crappy and then started renewing itself, and now I split my time between them. I find good comps both areas, but in different ways.
I'll let other folks get more specific.
Downtown LV is grittier and rough around the edges, but it has character and history. The ease of travel from one property to the next is one aspect I enjoy.
Quote: LovecompsHello everyone,
Long time lurker who just joined here. I just came back from Vegas and thought I'd ask a few questions along the way. For a long time I was a "strip snob", and didn't think much of downtown because of the reputation that it seemed to have. I've reversed course though because now downtown is still about gambling (still with a few oddities on Freemont Street) while the strip just seems like it's made up of huge hotels that have huge clubs while the casino is almost an afterthought.
Has anyone ever come to the same conclusion or felt the same way?
Either way, hello all.
Hello and welcome,
I think the strip and DT offer different products to different types of customers. I agree that the Strip casinos do have a huge emphasis on clubs and rely on high-end restaurants for revenues. For more high-end customers, strip can better cater to their needs. DT Vegas definitely offer better gambling for your dollar generally speaking. I also found DT casinos offering better mailers and comps. With so many room renovations at DT locations, if you’re strictly a gambler, there aren’t many reasons to stay on the strip I prefer to stay on the strip because the Mrs. still prefer the hotel rooms and shows on the strip because that’s high on her priority. However, when she wants to play cards, we take a Uber to downtown because she doesn’t have the heart to play $15 a hand with terrible rules.
there is still Big Strip, Little Strip and Downtown but the groupings blur and the stats blur too.
Poker players will probably always visit the Venetian but sometimes its just to gawk.
Sams Town is known for motorized carts, oxygen tanks and insulin needle disposal devices but it does get a good measure of younger customers too.
And you've already learned the most important factor in having a pleasant trip to Vegas: recognize that if certain items are high on the priority list of the Mrs. then that is often going to be the deciding factor.
Quote: MrVCheck out some of the stand alone casinos located away from the strip and downtown if you want a good gamble.
A caveat would be that it depends on your game, as off the Strip poker is notorious for being filled with locals who will soft play each other, but gang up on visiting fish.
Edit: Other than that, in just about every other gambling offering, the player gets a better deal downtown.
The panhandling and “street life” (costumed characters, artists, buskers, etc.) Downtown have gotten worse since the city lost the lawsuit against their ability to ban them outright. There’s also some funky rules about carrying drinks out of the casinos, and there are music stages, and many shuttered former gambling joints fencing the sheep in under the Fremont canopy, so it makes for a weird experience if all you want is a good gamble.
I think a good term to characterize the vibe Downtown would be “gentrification”. The old is on its way out but the new hasn’t set down solid roots yet. After all, how many times can you ride the same zipline?
Quote: Lovecomps
Has anyone ever come to the same conclusion or felt the same way?
Felt that way my first time in Vegas after about 15 minutes downtown. No kidding, that is all it took.
The Strip is better eats, and probably a better deal on a room. But outside the room or restaurant, I kind of hate it. The place really is like checking into Disney World. Overcrowded and trying to make a buck off every square inch of the place.
I like a laid-back, smaller place.
Quote: AyecarumbaA caveat would be that it depends on your game, as off the Strip poker is notorious for being filled with locals who will soft play each other, but gang up on visiting fish.
Edit: Other than that, in just about every other gambling offering, the player gets a better deal downtown.
The panhandling and “street life” (costumed characters, artists, buskers, etc.) Downtown have gotten worse since the city lost the lawsuit against their ability to ban them outright. There’s also some funky rules about carrying drinks out of the casinos, and there are music stages, and many shuttered former gambling joints fencing the sheep in under the Fremont canopy, so it makes for a weird experience if all you want is a good gamble.
I think a good term to characterize the vibe Downtown would be “gentrification”. The old is on its way out but the new hasn’t set down solid roots yet. After all, how many times can you ride the same zipline?
Oh my God. You're opening paragraph reminds me of a woman who was unfairly beat up when she didn't want to pay for some guy's unwanted magic trick or something like that. He showed her some magic trick that she never even asked for and then he had the nerve to demand she pay him like $50 for this magic trick and she rightfully told him off and refused. He then kicked her ass and was luckily reported by bystanders and arrested.
Quote: NathanOh my God. You're opening paragraph reminds me of a woman who was unfairly beat up when she didn't want to pay for some guy's unwanted magic trick or something like that. He showed her some magic trick that she never even asked for and then he had the nerve to demand she pay him like $50 for this magic trick and she rightfully told him off and refused. He then kicked her ass and was luckily reported by bystanders and arrested.
Oh my God back at you. Source a crazy story like this or don't post it, because right now it's just trolling. Not to mention hijacking.
Better yet, keep stuff like this in your thread rather than other people's. This has exactly NOTHING to do with this thread.
I also agree with MrV, that there are some gems that are neither on the Strip nor Downtown. Last time I was in Vegas, I stayed a few nights at Red Rock -- as nice as any strip property, but they still a offer good gambling value. There is also some good gambling/dining value to be found on Boulder Hwy and in Henderson. I have a soft spot for Jokers Wild, but maybe it's because I hit a RF there!
As for the "Street Life" on Fremont Street that Ayecarumba mentioned, it seems to me that DT gets a little crazy at night, but is much more tame during the day. So, if you want a good gamble, but don't want to deal with that 'other' Fremont Street experience, go earlier in the day.
Definitely agree here. If you are at the Four Queens, and want to see another casino, The D is right across the street -- a 1 minute walk. If you are at Caesars, Bellagio is right across the street, too, but it ain't no 1 minute walk!Quote: KeeneoneThe ease of travel from one property to the next is one aspect I enjoy.
