I'm glad Monte Carlo was mentioned. It changed names to the Park and there is a large Italian very fancy food court type of thing in the front of it. You can get some cheaper eats there. Secret pizza is a very good. Much better than Pin Up Pizza. Bonanos in the Flamingo food court is worth a try for low cost food. I was at their other restaurant that closed up and it was very good. The hallway between Ballys and Paris has some lower cost restaurants.
Las Vegas visit - maybe.
- Thread starter pezzy84
- Start date
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$100 Site Donor 2024
Pezzy, you will want to skip Dollar Rental Car (and Thrifty and Hertz) at all cost, your vacation will get of to a bad start. Hertz is in bankruptcy, and they own Dollar and Thrifty. They are advertising super cheap cars, and then put you through lines often 90 minutes or more, and then put you through a huge mandatory sales pitch, even walking you to the lot trying to get you to upgrade. It is very sorry. Three weeks ago I was working in Dallas and El Paso- attached are the pictures of the lines at Dollar/ Hertz in both locations. And the lines are longer than this. Our organization has a contract with Dollar/ Hertz. When I have lines like this- all I do is take a picture, go on my smartphone, and switch to Avis. By the time I walk to Avis my car is on the screen and I get in and go.
I do have all the "preferred aps" for rental cars. For Hertz/ Dollar they no longer seem to work- you have to go to the desk..... and get the sales pitch.
Do yourself a favor if renting a car. Sign up for Avis preferred on online, which will require you provide your driver license information and credit card. Make the reservation on-line and you can thank me later. Note the very first rental they may ask you to go to the booth so they can verify your DL/CC. I am not sure.
I do have all the "preferred aps" for rental cars. For Hertz/ Dollar they no longer seem to work- you have to go to the desk..... and get the sales pitch.
Do yourself a favor if renting a car. Sign up for Avis preferred on online, which will require you provide your driver license information and credit card. Make the reservation on-line and you can thank me later. Note the very first rental they may ask you to go to the booth so they can verify your DL/CC. I am not sure.
$150/each for 2 days might be enough for gamble. There's no eta on when the shows will return so that avenue is off the table. Buffets are currently closed and the general mood of the service staff has been ho-hum for the past 5 yrs or so. Other than the buffets breakfast isn't really a thing in LV unless you opt to go off strip. Pools will open soon but who knows with the restrictions and you'll soon be bored out of your mind. Yes there are places to eat off strip but obviously that's going to be a cab/uber. Hoover Dam is fine but I suspect with the "restrictions" they're not allowing you to go down inside it so I would just pass for now.
Yes there are gun ranges which allow you to rent automatic weapons and yes you can drive an exotic on the LV Speedway in North LV but that'll run you about $200 sans transportation.
So you're probably wondering when I'm going to get to the good news. For the newcomer the hotels will floor you. It is something you've never seen anywhere else in the world. If you have the time you can contrast "old" downtown LV with the hotels on the Strip. Next is save your food $$ for one nice dinner. If you have to eat at In-and-Out or Chick-Fil-A or a slice of pizza for lunch then do it.
Lastly,...never set foot in Circus-Circus. It is the most depressing property on the Strip.
We've been going to LV for two weeks at a time every year for over 20 years. Had friends which lived there (since moved away like most LV residents).
Yes there are gun ranges which allow you to rent automatic weapons and yes you can drive an exotic on the LV Speedway in North LV but that'll run you about $200 sans transportation.
So you're probably wondering when I'm going to get to the good news. For the newcomer the hotels will floor you. It is something you've never seen anywhere else in the world. If you have the time you can contrast "old" downtown LV with the hotels on the Strip. Next is save your food $$ for one nice dinner. If you have to eat at In-and-Out or Chick-Fil-A or a slice of pizza for lunch then do it.
Lastly,...never set foot in Circus-Circus. It is the most depressing property on the Strip.
We've been going to LV for two weeks at a time every year for over 20 years. Had friends which lived there (since moved away like most LV residents).
+1
Fremont in the evening for some old vegas appeal.
Check if the Counts car shop is open Count's Kustoms. It's fun to walk through it.
Coworker went a few months back.
It was not flight but driving on a Tesla (with free super charging). Hotels were cheap and he was basically eating and walking around the buffets. He and his wife went there because they were bored WFH.
Typically people either go there for shows, concerts, boxing or MMA matches, conferences, or clubbing. Gambling isn't really on too many people's mind and most young people are into hookup instead of the adult entertainments (I heard they try to clean up the image).
IMO you probably will miss a lot of the fun going during a pandemic instead of getting the real Vegas experience if you go now.
It was not flight but driving on a Tesla (with free super charging). Hotels were cheap and he was basically eating and walking around the buffets. He and his wife went there because they were bored WFH.
Typically people either go there for shows, concerts, boxing or MMA matches, conferences, or clubbing. Gambling isn't really on too many people's mind and most young people are into hookup instead of the adult entertainments (I heard they try to clean up the image).
IMO you probably will miss a lot of the fun going during a pandemic instead of getting the real Vegas experience if you go now.
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Just off topic: they won't let you into ER for COVID, they want you in a separate tent in a separate ambulance and a separate hotel. Most people won't show symptom until days later, and insurance usually cover that.
Despite that I still won't go to Vegas at the moment due to all the shows closing and activities isolated, it is just not the same experience.
I go somewhat often as it’s only a 3-4hr drive. Stayed at Caesars for $50 +fees for 2 nights. Parking is free right now too. I still wouldn’t stay there again. The resorts that are less popular are definitely showing the stress of not bringing in money. By far the best place to stay during the Covid rules is Venetian/Palazzo, Wynn/Encore is second. Downtown is a dump don’t stay or visit at night. The crowd is rougher in Vegas since prices are so low. Especially at the cheaper places. Police presence is heavy and welcomed by us. Most shows are closed and check on the pools in advance if you plan on swimming. A lot of museums and sights to see. Try to explore the off strip options for dining. A lot of good restaurants in Vegas for the residents not just tourists. Shooting ranges with machine guns and exotic cars / off road trucks are some more expensive fun things to do.
It's funny you say that downtown is a dump. Are you talking about Fremont Street?
I was there about 18 months ago, and was thinking I may stay downtown for my next trip.
I usually only go for work conferences and stay at a strip resort. Some of the downtown joints were quite fun. They are old casinos, and some have been refurbished.
We enjoyed the cheap drinks and the weirdo attractions on Fremont, and the Fremont East district was pretty fun as well.
When I go with my wife we don't gamble so much, we like to walk around, check the attractions, and she does some shopping at the various outlet malls.
I was there about 18 months ago, and was thinking I may stay downtown for my next trip.
I usually only go for work conferences and stay at a strip resort. Some of the downtown joints were quite fun. They are old casinos, and some have been refurbished.
We enjoyed the cheap drinks and the weirdo attractions on Fremont, and the Fremont East district was pretty fun as well.
When I go with my wife we don't gamble so much, we like to walk around, check the attractions, and she does some shopping at the various outlet malls.
As others have said, a quick drive up to Red Rock is worth the time. Mt. Charleston (Kyle and Lee Canyon) as well. I've lived in Vegas for 44 years and it still amazes me that I can drive 30 minutes from my house and hike around pine forests shaded by a 12,000 ft mountain peak.
Hoover Dam and the bypass bridge is a must. The tours might be available by May. If you are feeling extra adventurous, consider driving up to Southern Utah and spend a day in Zion National Park, or hit both Zion and Bryce (only about an hour apart). It's worth the drive. I think Southern Utah and Northern Arizona might have some of the most spectacular scenery in the entire county.
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by the time you go a lot more places should be open .
downtown has been having a revival these last few years. in the past it was where old folks and budget folks stayed . now with the circa open it seems to have brought in a different crowd. at least that's what i noticed when i was there a couple of weekends ago. never felt unsafe there and the food specials in downtown are pretty good. the only thing i have disliked the last few times i have visited vegas is the MJ smell . its in all the hotels, even the most expensive ones.
op go and have a good time. The last time i saw prices this low was right after 9/11.
Spoken like a true Vegas person. Could care less about the lights and glitter of the gaming casinos, but instead point out the beautiful sights that surround Las Vegas.
I too don't understand at all any attraction to Las Vegas. It's just a bunch of big buildings. Now Zions. That is something. Same with Bryce. Absolutely stunning. There are some real memories to create. And a drive out to the dam is always beautiful, except it's kind of sad to see how low it is right now.
i love off-strip las vegas, and the high desert scenery and climate, but that means a car. i was last there a couple of months ago for two weeks, definitely a low rent, rougher clientele now. i felt uncomfortable out at night, compared to past years, due to crime, not this year’s edition of sars. just take simple precautions for both and carry on, or just stay home. l.v. is less pleasant overall with shows and concerts closed, “socially distanced” casinos, restaurant cutbacks, disappearing deals. conventions are totally dead for a long while. given its dependence on discretionary spending, unfettered domestic and international travel, and non socially distanced activities, i worry about las vegas’ recovery and long term economic viability.
I also think all the bright lights, casinos and wasting money gambling is dumb.... not to mention the thugs and prostitutes always looking for a guy to buy them a drink then ask them to room.
I think the sights at Zions and Bryce is absolutely amazing.
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It’s ok ON Freemont street during the day. 1 block over stinks like Pee, homeless sleeping on the sidewalks, trash blowing around. We stayed at the 4 queens one time. Even got the huge suite as a comp upgrade. Late night Freemont is a little scary. At least for us. Some people obviously like it. We are more spoiled and like the cleanliness and safety of the Palazo.
