Las Vegas - Casinos off the Strip Worth Driving To

I will be taking a trip with my wife to Las Vegas next month and for the first time in years will be renting a car. We will be staying at the Hotel in the Mandalay Bay.

Every afternoon, I will have about 3 or 4 hours to myself while my wife attends some classes. My question is this: are there any casinos (or places) that you would strongly recommend visiting? I was planning on checking out an interesting casino for a few hours, playing some craps, and then having dinner with my wife back on the strip.

I would be also be open to some non-gambling suggestions (rated PG please). What are the must see places in Las Vegas off the strip that you would recommend?

Quote: gambler

I will be taking a trip with my wife to Las Vegas next month and for the first time in years will be renting a car. We will be staying at the Hotel in the Mandalay Bay.

Every afternoon, I will have about 3 or 4 hours to myself while my wife attends some classes. My question is this: are there any casinos (or places) that you would strongly recommend visiting? I was planning on checking out an interesting casino for a few hours, playing some craps, and then having dinner with my wife back on the strip.

I would be also be open to some non-gambling suggestions (rated PG please). What are the must see places in Las Vegas off the strip that you would recommend?

Hoover Dam for sure. If you like plant tours, I used to have a book that said a local vitamin company had a fun tour. Maybe a local can add to that one?

If you like craps, most of your good options are off the strip.

Either one of the Cannery Casinos offers craps with 100x odds and minimums that range between 3 and 5 dollars depending on how busy things are. In particular the Eastside Cannery is a pleasant, modern casino and I think it's a lot nicer than most casinos offering good low-roller craps games. They also have one of the better coffee shops, I think.

Downtown has Main Street Station with 20x odds, 3 dollar minimums and a microbrewery. If you like downtown and want to explore more there are some decent craps and blackjack games at the other casinos.

If you want something nicer you could try the Green Valley Ranch, the games aren't as good but there is more to do than most local casinos if you aren't a gambler. If you want to stay closer to the strip The Palms is moderately upscale, has good video poker and a ton of extra shops, restaurants and bars.

As far as non-gambling goes, I suggest Hoover Dam, especially now that the bypass bridge affords superb views (as judging from pics posted here). Other than that there's the pinball hall of fame, if you like old pinball machines and a few video games. Ethel M's offers tours of its factory floor, if you're interested in how chocolates are made. There's also the Atomic Testing Museum on Flamingo Rd. And for shopping both nearby outlet malls are very good.

Neon boneyard is great for pictures. Non casino you literally have tons of options.

Drive out Charleston, past Red Rock Casino, take the scenic drive at Red Rock Canyon ( $ 5 fee I think ), and then
play some 100.7 Deuces Wild VP at Red Rock Casino. The machines are right at the front entrance, or at
least they used to be.

Quote: gambler

I will be taking a trip with my wife to Las Vegas next month and for the first time in years will be renting a car. We will be staying at the Hotel in the Mandalay Bay.

Every afternoon, I will have about 3 or 4 hours to myself while my wife attends some classes. My question is this: are there any casinos (or places) that you would strongly recommend visiting? I was planning on checking out an interesting casino for a few hours, playing some craps, and then having dinner with my wife back on the strip.

I would be also be open to some non-gambling suggestions (rated PG please). What are the must see places in Las Vegas off the strip that you would recommend?

A better question would be is the strip worth driving to from the locals casinos.

Quote: dm

A better question would be is the strip worth driving to from the locals casinos.

haha