Vegas itinerary tips/advice?
November 11th, 2018 at 9:50:30 AM
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It's 10 months until my birthday, but I'm already planning my weekend of fun in Las Vegas!
I've always wanted to take a "dive"/historic tour of Vegas casinos, and—with help from WoV forum posts—I've cobbled a tentative itinerary. Any thoughts, suggestions, or tips?
*—denotes I've visited before (but have never stayed overnight).
Dive/Historic Casino Birthday Weekend in Las Vegas
Day 1 Laughlin (Thu):
Cal-Nev-Ari Casino
Stay at: Laughlin Riverside Casino
Bullhead City, Arizona
Day 2 Boulder Highway (Fri):
Pilgrimage to former Showboat Casino site
Stay at: Sam’s Town Bowling Center*
Eastside Cannery
Longhorn Casino
Skyline Casino
Joker’s Wild
Day 3 “Strip” (Sat):
National Atomic Testing Museum
Circus Circus*: Carousel of Slots, Midway fun
Palace Station*: Look for Royal Court/Fantastic Fives video poker at the Palace Station between the high limit room and the keno lounge (last seen April 12, 2012)
Ellis Island "secret" steak dinner
Pinball Hall of Fame*
Day 4 Downtown (Sun):
Stay at Golden Gate Casino
Poker at Binion’s*
Sigma Derby at The D*
Coin-operated video poker at El Cortez
Neon Museum
Historic Commercial Center District: pro wrestling at Sahara Event Center (former Ice Palace)?
Day 5 (Mon):
Fly home
I've always wanted to take a "dive"/historic tour of Vegas casinos, and—with help from WoV forum posts—I've cobbled a tentative itinerary. Any thoughts, suggestions, or tips?
*—denotes I've visited before (but have never stayed overnight).
Dive/Historic Casino Birthday Weekend in Las Vegas
Day 1 Laughlin (Thu):
Cal-Nev-Ari Casino
Stay at: Laughlin Riverside Casino
Bullhead City, Arizona
Day 2 Boulder Highway (Fri):
Pilgrimage to former Showboat Casino site
Stay at: Sam’s Town Bowling Center*
Eastside Cannery
Longhorn Casino
Skyline Casino
Joker’s Wild
Day 3 “Strip” (Sat):
National Atomic Testing Museum
Circus Circus*: Carousel of Slots, Midway fun
Palace Station*: Look for Royal Court/Fantastic Fives video poker at the Palace Station between the high limit room and the keno lounge (last seen April 12, 2012)
Ellis Island "secret" steak dinner
Pinball Hall of Fame*
Day 4 Downtown (Sun):
Stay at Golden Gate Casino
Poker at Binion’s*
Sigma Derby at The D*
Coin-operated video poker at El Cortez
Neon Museum
Historic Commercial Center District: pro wrestling at Sahara Event Center (former Ice Palace)?
Day 5 (Mon):
Fly home
Last edited by: smoothgrh on Nov 11, 2018
November 11th, 2018 at 10:06:29 AM
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I'd make a pit stop at one of the casinos in Searchlight. Also, if driving from Vegas to Laughlin, I would take a different route coming and going.
Consider going over the Dam using the new Interstate 11, heading down to Kingman and then to Laughlin. If you have an extra hour or so, take Rt 66 from Kingman to Oatman before heading into Bullhead and Laughlin. Amazing drive, not for the weak of heart.
From your itinerary, it sounds like you might enjoy a trip to the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings.
Lastly, if you are a wrestling fan, try to time it so you are in town for one of the Freakshow cards. The Ice Palace has no AC and is a sauna in the summer. It also houses the weakest of the local promotions.
Consider going over the Dam using the new Interstate 11, heading down to Kingman and then to Laughlin. If you have an extra hour or so, take Rt 66 from Kingman to Oatman before heading into Bullhead and Laughlin. Amazing drive, not for the weak of heart.
From your itinerary, it sounds like you might enjoy a trip to the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings.
Lastly, if you are a wrestling fan, try to time it so you are in town for one of the Freakshow cards. The Ice Palace has no AC and is a sauna in the summer. It also houses the weakest of the local promotions.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
November 11th, 2018 at 11:04:24 AM
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Quote: billryan
From your itinerary, it sounds like you might enjoy a trip to the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings.
Lastly, if you are a wrestling fan, try to time it so you are in town for one of the Freakshow cards. The Ice Palace has no AC and is a sauna in the summer. It also houses the weakest of the local promotions.
Thanks for the suggestions. A stop in Kingman is an excellent idea!
The Pioneer Saloon is now on my list for a different trip. Won't be going that way, but I'd like to visit Jean one day. Too bad Terribles has taken over the casinos and will presumably change their names.
Freakshow sounds like it's held in October, so that might be a good time to visit.
Hey, I see that IMPACT Las Vegas wresting is TONIGHT through Tuesday!!!
November 11th, 2018 at 11:28:25 AM
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Ring Of Honor, Ring Warriors and TNA are all doing tv tapings out of Vegas these days. Future Stars of Wrestling puts on a few shows a month and Big Valley( Ice Palace) does as well.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
November 11th, 2018 at 12:13:58 PM
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If you return from Laughlin via Searchlight, you can hang a left at Searchlight and go thru Nipton to 15. You are about 5 miles south of Primm or 15 miles south of Jean.
Jean now has the only White Castle Drive-Thru west of the Mississippi, as well as being the gateway to Goodsprings.
Jean now has the only White Castle Drive-Thru west of the Mississippi, as well as being the gateway to Goodsprings.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
November 11th, 2018 at 12:29:49 PM
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To be clear, I'm not a HUGE wrestling fan. I watched as a kid on TV, and went to two WWF/WWE events—in the late '80s and late '90s.
But it seems fun to check out the amateur scene—entertainment on the cheap?
But it seems fun to check out the amateur scene—entertainment on the cheap?
November 11th, 2018 at 2:06:58 PM
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I think downtown, you're missing Union Plaza, whatever they're calling it now. It's semi-dive, semi-old Vegas.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
November 11th, 2018 at 2:12:47 PM
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Does the UNLV gaming archives offer tours or interesting photos?
November 11th, 2018 at 4:21:52 PM
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Palace Station high limit room is under renovation for another few months. I think Station re arrange the seats in front of the Keno counter. So you might not find what you have in mind around the area.
November 11th, 2018 at 8:35:10 PM
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Quote: beachbumbabsI think downtown, you're missing Union Plaza, whatever they're calling it now. It's semi-dive, semi-old Vegas.
Thanks! I see from websites, unless they're outdated, that about five downtown casinos still have coin-operated slots.
November 11th, 2018 at 8:37:24 PM
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Quote: FleaStiffDoes the UNLV gaming archives offer tours or interesting photos?
Great suggestion! Looks as if they do. But I think I'll visit on my NEXT-next trip to Vegas—an academic trip!
November 11th, 2018 at 8:38:39 PM
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Quote: speedycrapPalace Station high limit room is under renovation for another few months. I think Station re arrange the seats in front of the Keno counter. So you might not find what you have in mind around the area.
Thanks for the update. The way things change, I figured it would be low probability their arrangement was the same after 6 years anyway!
November 12th, 2018 at 8:19:06 AM
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Quote: smoothgrhI've always wanted to take a "dive"/historic tour of Vegas casinos, and—with help from WoV forum posts—I've cobbled a tentative itinerary. Any thoughts, suggestions, or tips?
When this question came up before, a lot of people said the North Las Vegas strip: Jerry's Nugget, Bighorn, Silver Nugget, Lucky Club, Poker Palace
There's Mob Museum downtown. Can also add Wild Wild West to the south Strip tour, and Aztec Inn to the north; AZ Charlie's to the Boulder Strip; and Dotty's any of the days.
Since you're flying in, the side trip to Laughlin might take up too much time. I would suggest considering one "healthy" day. Since it looks like it will be in August, Mt Charleston / Lee Canyon might be the best choice, usually 30F cooler than the valley (lots of other options, though: Red Rock, Sloan Canyon, Valley of Fire). The less nature inclined might go for a spa day at one of the nicer casinos, probably anywhere from $25 to $200 per person depending on what you want and what deals are available. It seems pools, expensive dinner, sight seeing, shows, and exhibits is the new Las Vegas Tourist experience, pushing out gambling and $1.99 steak dinners.
Should be a great time
November 12th, 2018 at 10:05:38 AM
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For your information. $1.99 steak dinner is out but $9.99 at Ellis Island is great. $7.99 if you put in $5 on a slot. Great value. If you buy in $200 and play 30 minutes craps, steak will be comped.
November 12th, 2018 at 1:21:47 PM
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Quote: TomGWhen this question came up before, a lot of people said the North Las Vegas strip: Jerry's Nugget, Bighorn, Silver Nugget, Lucky Club, Poker Palace
Oooh, I might have to visit the Poker Palace.
Thanks for the other suggestions. I also had considered doing a separate trip entirely in the Laughlin area. Maybe a Route 66 "get your feet wet" trip?
November 12th, 2018 at 1:41:54 PM
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I've done Rt 66 from the Grand Canyon to where it meets 40 in California. The Kingman-Oatman-GoldenShores segment is the only one I really recommend.
If I was coming from Laughlin, I wouldn't even go all the way to Kingman. You can take Aztec Rd in Golden Valley and pick up Rt 66 about halfway to Oatman, saving yourself 45 minutes or so. If you've never been to Oatman, I'd give myself a half hour or so to explore it. I no longer stop there, just past thru.
Next up would be Christmas Tree Pass.
If I was coming from Laughlin, I wouldn't even go all the way to Kingman. You can take Aztec Rd in Golden Valley and pick up Rt 66 about halfway to Oatman, saving yourself 45 minutes or so. If you've never been to Oatman, I'd give myself a half hour or so to explore it. I no longer stop there, just past thru.
Next up would be Christmas Tree Pass.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
November 12th, 2018 at 8:44:57 PM
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The BBQ ribs at Ellis Island are the best. I always go there twice for my trips. Better than the steak. You can get a coupon for a couple of bucks off if you have a card and play a small number of points.
November 13th, 2018 at 5:55:52 AM
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There is only one casino in Jean. It is now Terrible's Hotel & Casino (formerly Gold Strike). You may be thinking of Primm where there are three casinos that Terrible's owned many years ago but sold them in 2011.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
August 7th, 2019 at 11:18:48 AM
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I completed my "historic casino" trip! I'll write a full trip report when I have time, but here's where I went:
Saturday
Neon Museum
California Hotel & Casino
Sunday
McManus Auctions
Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino (Star Trek convention)
Ellis Island Casino & Brewery
El Cortez Hotel & Casino
Palace Station
Monday
Cal-Nev-Ari Casino
Don Laughlin's Riverside Casino—Laughlin, Nevada
Planet Hollywood Casino
Tuesday
Longhorn Casino
Sam's Town Gambling Hall
Saturday
Neon Museum
California Hotel & Casino
Sunday
McManus Auctions
Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino (Star Trek convention)
Ellis Island Casino & Brewery
El Cortez Hotel & Casino
Palace Station
Monday
Cal-Nev-Ari Casino
Don Laughlin's Riverside Casino—Laughlin, Nevada
Planet Hollywood Casino
Tuesday
Longhorn Casino
Sam's Town Gambling Hall
August 7th, 2019 at 5:04:06 PM
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I was at the auction. Bought a lot of southwestern jewelry. Was the underbidder on Johnny 5.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
August 7th, 2019 at 7:21:28 PM
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I was bidding on the Funko Pop figures, but was interested only if I could get them dirt cheap. My kids collect them, but they don't need 9 more—and certainly not 16 more!
The winner got a great deal!
The winner got a great deal!
August 8th, 2019 at 12:00:25 AM
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Quote: smoothgrhGreat suggestion! Looks as if they do. But I think I'll visit on my NEXT-next trip to Vegas—an academic trip!
Re: UNLV Archive. There is a rotating exhibition of their holdings in the library that houses their offices. They are reluctant to let the general public handle the prints in their collection, referring request to the online digital archive. Also, note that you have to pay to park on campus.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
September 4th, 2019 at 5:18:03 PM
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So less than a month after we visited Laughlin for the first time, the Mrs. by coincidence received a promo from Harrah's Laughlin: complimentary round-trip airfare from California and complimentary shuttle/hotel room Monday through Friday!
I think she would actually go for it, were it not for those darn KIDS!!!
I think she would actually go for it, were it not for those darn KIDS!!!
September 4th, 2019 at 8:00:03 PM
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Would like to hear about your visit to the Cal-Nev-Ari. Place has always fascinated me for some reason.
Was for sale along with the entire town a few years ago.
Was for sale along with the entire town a few years ago.
September 4th, 2019 at 8:00:32 PM
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Dupe.
September 4th, 2019 at 8:00:35 PM
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double dupe.
September 4th, 2019 at 10:57:27 PM
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Let me know if you need some Funko Pop protectors.... I know a guy.Quote: smoothgrhI was bidding on the Funko Pop figures, but was interested only if I could get them dirt cheap. My kids collect them, but they don't need 9 more—and certainly not 16 more!
The winner got a great deal!
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
