Vegas just isn’t fun anymore…. (1 Viewer)

[BlackCrowes]

last time i went, we landed the day they lifted the indoor mask mandate in Nevada. news spread as everyone turned their phones back on. you wouldn't believe the cheer in that plane.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I like it. We go often enough the servers remember us at the hotel bar. Not sure that's a good thing...

I don't care for gambling so the higher stakes don't affect me. I like the hotels and the restaurants and vibe. It's like anything, it's big enough you have to know where to go depending on what you want. And it's for sure not an inexpensive place to go anymore. But I like it.

 

[ghostguy123]

So what exactly is borderline unsafe?
I'm going in May for a couple nights. Probably staying at somewhere like Excalibur, Horseshoe, or the Hilton on the south end of the strip.

 

[McBokonon]

We're going for the first time in a while next month - Wednesday arrival, Saturday departure. Have reservations at two nice places, and the rest of the time we'll basically just eat whatever to survive.

She likes blackjack, I like Hold 'em and sports betting and just moseying around. Staying on the strip but probably doing Fremont on Wednesday afternoon/night (ziplining and tunes, baby!), have a show scheduled on the strip for Thursday night. Friday is up in the air but I just learned that Sugarhill Gang and Tag Team (whoomp, there it is!) are playing for free on Fremont that night so might head down there again and experience that hot mess. I'm not a huge gambler so Fremont is more my speed. We're dinks (dual income, no kids) so cost isn't that much of a factor but it's not completely irrelevant, either. I find making sure you have a few destinations so you're not trying to fill out your day is helpful.

 

[Todem]

You can still get $5 and even some $2 a hand table games if that's what you want to play, you just have to play the stadium seating/video/bubbles. You probably walked right past them and didn't know what they were.

They suck.

 

[Scoresman]

Wife and I go there for college basketball and the food. Going next week.

I will say the college basketball experience is significantly worse since they made it so that you have to spend a gazillion dollars and offer up your firstborn to be able to sit in the sportsbook. Restaurant experience is still as good as ever though.

 

[-OZ-]

Am I the only one here who didn’t care at all for it?
I get that it can be fun, but there’s a lot of other areas more fun. IMO.

 

[Joe Bryant]

So what exactly is borderline unsafe?

I've experienced homeless folks being a little more aggressive than normal. And depending on the crowd and mood, people a little under the influence may be a bit more rowdy.

But I wouln't necessarily call it unsafe. Although I'm sure it all depends on the place and time.

Had an interesting experience a few years ago. We took a bunch of kids camping through Zion and other spots in Utah. Instead of shipping sleeping bags, we just bought a dozen cheap sleeping bags at Wal Mart in Las Vegas to start the trip.

We finished the trip with a few hours in Las Vegas before flying out early the next morning.

A few hours before the flight, I realized we were going to be leaving a dozen sleeping bags behind. So instead of leaving them for the hotel, i got up at 3 in the morning by myself and drove to the rescue mission to drop them off.

Let's say Bonanza Street at 3 AM is not the same as Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the Bellagio.

I couldn't get anyone to come to the door at the Mission so I thought I'll just pull up under an underpass and drop them off and people will find them the next morning.

I pulled up into an area and looked up to what looked like a couple hundred folks. That probably wasn't the smartest idea as I only had 12 sleeping bags to hand out.

But it worked out ok.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Am I the only one here who didn’t care at all for it?
I get that it can be fun, but there’s a lot of other areas more fun. IMO.

For sure it's not for everyone.

What other places do you prefer?

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I have never been, but hopefully one day.

Its so overrated. Go to a tropical island instead.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

What's craps at a b tier strip place like mirage like on a weekend

$25 and up

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I've always had fun when I went with fun people but I've never liked Vegas when I've traveled solo on business.

The table minimums on the Strip have gotten too rich for my blood but dealers don't work for free.

The dealers made probably $7-10/hour, the rest is made up in tips.

I'm sure everyone is tipping 20% now every hand.

30%

 

[dkp993]

So what exactly is borderline unsafe?

I've experienced homeless folks being a little more aggressive than normal. And depending on the crowd and mood, people a little under the influence may be a bit more rowdy.

But I wouln't necessarily call it unsafe. Although I'm sure it all depends on the place and time.

Had an interesting experience a few years ago. We took a bunch of kids camping through Zion and other spots in Utah. Instead of shipping sleeping bags, we just bought a dozen cheap sleeping bags at Wal Mart in Las Vegas to start the trip.

We finished the trip with a few hours in Las Vegas before flying out early the next morning.

A few hours before the flight, I realized we were going to be leaving a dozen sleeping bags behind. So instead of leaving them for the hotel, i got up at 3 in the morning by myself and drove to the rescue mission to drop them off.

Let's say Bonanza Street at 3 AM is not the same as Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the Bellagio.

I couldn't get anyone to come to the door at the Mission so I thought I'll just pull up under an underpass and drop them off and people will find them the next morning.

I pulled up into an area and looked up to what looked like a couple hundred folks. That probably wasn't the smartest idea as I only had 12 sleeping bags to hand out.

But it worked out ok.

This is a good description by Joe and why I said “boarderline”. As I said, I’ve been going there my whole life, I’ve walked up and down the strip probably a 1000 times. While it’s always been busy I never felt like at any moment I could get into a confrontation or bad situation. That’s the vibe I feel now. And for context, I’m not a fearful person. I ran a downtown nightclub for near 15 years, I’m very comfortable in a busy crowed environment. It’s certainly a “feel” thing, but for me it’s palpable.

 

[-OZ-]

Am I the only one here who didn’t care at all for it?
I get that it can be fun, but there’s a lot of other areas more fun. IMO.

For sure it's not for everyone.

What other places do you prefer?

Beach, mountain cabins. Some cities. We’re in Chattanooga right now and headed to Nashville tomorrow.

 

[Joe Bryant]

So what exactly is borderline unsafe?

I've experienced homeless folks being a little more aggressive than normal. And depending on the crowd and mood, people a little under the influence may be a bit more rowdy.

But I wouln't necessarily call it unsafe. Although I'm sure it all depends on the place and time.

Had an interesting experience a few years ago. We took a bunch of kids camping through Zion and other spots in Utah. Instead of shipping sleeping bags, we just bought a dozen cheap sleeping bags at Wal Mart in Las Vegas to start the trip.

We finished the trip with a few hours in Las Vegas before flying out early the next morning.

A few hours before the flight, I realized we were going to be leaving a dozen sleeping bags behind. So instead of leaving them for the hotel, i got up at 3 in the morning by myself and drove to the rescue mission to drop them off.

Let's say Bonanza Street at 3 AM is not the same as Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the Bellagio.

I couldn't get anyone to come to the door at the Mission so I thought I'll just pull up under an underpass and drop them off and people will find them the next morning.

I pulled up into an area and looked up to what looked like a couple hundred folks. That probably wasn't the smartest idea as I only had 12 sleeping bags to hand out.

But it worked out ok.

This is a good description by Joe and why I said “boarderline”. As I said, I’ve been going there my whole life, I’ve walked up and down the strip probably a 1000 times. While it’s always been busy I never felt like at any moment I could get into a confrontation or bad situation. That’s the vibe I feel now. And for context, I’m not a fearful person. I ran a downtown nightclub for near 15 years, I’m very comfortable in a busy crowed environment. It’s certainly a “feel” thing, but for me it’s palpable.

There's also the weird thing that I've never liked about Las Vegas in the encouraging you to be something there you're not normally. The whole, "What happens in Vegas.."

That's always seemed sad to me. If you truly want to do something, I'd hope you could do it where you live. Not have to come to some "other" place where it'll be a secret.

And there does feel a little of that contributes a little to the uncertain vibe. Guy looks like a guy that probably wouldn't do that way out of bounds thing, but you dunno as everything around him is telling him this is the place to go for it.

It's possible that can play into the vibe a little.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Am I the only one here who didn’t care at all for it?
I get that it can be fun, but there’s a lot of other areas more fun. IMO.

For sure it's not for everyone.

What other places do you prefer?

Beach, mountain cabins. Some cities. We’re in Chattanooga right now and headed to Nashville tomorrow.

Thanks. What specifically makes those places more fun?

 

[Scoresman]

So what exactly is borderline unsafe?

I've experienced homeless folks being a little more aggressive than normal. And depending on the crowd and mood, people a little under the influence may be a bit more rowdy.

But I wouln't necessarily call it unsafe. Although I'm sure it all depends on the place and time.

Had an interesting experience a few years ago. We took a bunch of kids camping through Zion and other spots in Utah. Instead of shipping sleeping bags, we just bought a dozen cheap sleeping bags at Wal Mart in Las Vegas to start the trip.

We finished the trip with a few hours in Las Vegas before flying out early the next morning.

A few hours before the flight, I realized we were going to be leaving a dozen sleeping bags behind. So instead of leaving them for the hotel, i got up at 3 in the morning by myself and drove to the rescue mission to drop them off.

Let's say Bonanza Street at 3 AM is not the same as Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the Bellagio.

I couldn't get anyone to come to the door at the Mission so I thought I'll just pull up under an underpass and drop them off and people will find them the next morning.

I pulled up into an area and looked up to what looked like a couple hundred folks. That probably wasn't the smartest idea as I only had 12 sleeping bags to hand out.

But it worked out ok.

This is a good description by Joe and why I said “boarderline”. As I said, I’ve been going there my whole life, I’ve walked up and down the strip probably a 1000 times. While it’s always been busy I never felt like at any moment I could get into a confrontation or bad situation. That’s the vibe I feel now. And for context, I’m not a fearful person. I ran a downtown nightclub for near 15 years, I’m very comfortable in a busy crowed environment. It’s certainly a “feel” thing, but for me it’s palpable.

There's also the weird thing that I've never liked about Las Vegas in the encouraging you to be something there you're not normally. The whole, "What happens in Vegas.."

That's always seemed sad to me. If you truly want to do something, I'd hope you could do it where you live. Not have to come to some "other" place where it'll be a secret.

And there does feel a little of that contributes a little to the uncertain vibe. Guy looks like a guy that probably wouldn't do that way out of bounds thing, but you dunno as everything around him is telling him this is the place to go for it.

It's possible that can play into the vibe a little.

Pretty sure I'd be homeless or dead if I did all the things I've wanted to do in Vegas where I live.

 

[Major]

What's craps at a b tier strip place like mirage like on a weekend

I'd venture to say $25/min with extreme limits on odds.

 

[supermike80]

I remember when you could go to the Frontier, O'Sheas or Slots of Fun for $1 blackjack tables. Then it all became search for the $5 tables. Now it's $25 mins everywhere.

Very first time at O'Sheas.....One of those Sun-Wed trips. On Tue, I hit a progressive Royal Flush on video poker...was like 1200. I was in college so that was so great!!! Ended up giving it all back by the end of the trip, but man that was cool

 

[dkp993]

So what exactly is borderline unsafe?

I've experienced homeless folks being a little more aggressive than normal. And depending on the crowd and mood, people a little under the influence may be a bit more rowdy.

But I wouln't necessarily call it unsafe. Although I'm sure it all depends on the place and time.

Had an interesting experience a few years ago. We took a bunch of kids camping through Zion and other spots in Utah. Instead of shipping sleeping bags, we just bought a dozen cheap sleeping bags at Wal Mart in Las Vegas to start the trip.

We finished the trip with a few hours in Las Vegas before flying out early the next morning.

A few hours before the flight, I realized we were going to be leaving a dozen sleeping bags behind. So instead of leaving them for the hotel, i got up at 3 in the morning by myself and drove to the rescue mission to drop them off.

Let's say Bonanza Street at 3 AM is not the same as Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the Bellagio.

I couldn't get anyone to come to the door at the Mission so I thought I'll just pull up under an underpass and drop them off and people will find them the next morning.

I pulled up into an area and looked up to what looked like a couple hundred folks. That probably wasn't the smartest idea as I only had 12 sleeping bags to hand out.

But it worked out ok.

This is a good description by Joe and why I said “boarderline”. As I said, I’ve been going there my whole life, I’ve walked up and down the strip probably a 1000 times. While it’s always been busy I never felt like at any moment I could get into a confrontation or bad situation. That’s the vibe I feel now. And for context, I’m not a fearful person. I ran a downtown nightclub for near 15 years, I’m very comfortable in a busy crowed environment. It’s certainly a “feel” thing, but for me it’s palpable.

There's also the weird thing that I've never liked about Las Vegas in the encouraging you to be something there you're not normally. The whole, "What happens in Vegas.."

That's always seemed sad to me. If you truly want to do something, I'd hope you could do it where you live. Not have to come to some "other" place where it'll be a secret.

And there does feel a little of that contributes a little to the uncertain vibe. Guy looks like a guy that probably wouldn't do that way out of bounds thing, but you dunno as everything around him is telling him this is the place to go for it.

It's possible that can play into the vibe a little.

Yeah Joe, I’m gonna disagree with you on that point. Vegas is always been that place so those factors were always in play. Covid is 100% a demarcation line in the change and unfortunately like some other major cities the preponderance of homelessness and lack of management of the streets is what I think is driving it.

 

[eoMMan]

Go to Ellis Island for cheap gambling and inexpensive food.

 

[Instinctive]

I've always had fun when I went with fun people but I've never liked Vegas when I've traveled solo on business.

The table minimums on the Strip have gotten too rich for my blood but dealers don't work for free.

The dealers made probably $7-10/hour, the rest is made up in tips.

I'm sure everyone is tipping 20% now every hand.

If you don't tip 30% I thought that meant you were a heartless monster.

 

[B Maverick]

I remember when you could go to the Frontier, O'Sheas or Slots of Fun for $1 blackjack tables. Then it all became search for the $5 tables. Now it's $25 mins everywhere.

Very first time at O'Sheas.....One of those Sun-Wed trips. On Tue, I hit a progressive Royal Flush on video poker...was like 1200. I was in college so that was so great!!! Ended up giving it all back by the end of the trip, but man that was cool

That's awesome. I think the best we did was walk out with some of their green O'Shea hats after playing $1 BJ and drinking Guinness. Well worth it!

 

[massraider]

There's also the weird thing that I've never liked about Las Vegas in the encouraging you to be something there you're not normally. The whole, "What happens in Vegas.."

That's always seemed sad to me. If you truly want to do something, I'd hope you could do it where you live. Not have to come to some "other" place where it'll be a secret

You cannot do Vegas at home.

There's more than one Vegas, but pools plus nightlife plus hotels under one roof, with that many like minded people in town, every weekend?

You cannot find that anywhere else. Vegas, as a party destination, is unique. There's only one

 

[Instinctive]

There's also the weird thing that I've never liked about Las Vegas in the encouraging you to be something there you're not normally. The whole, "What happens in Vegas.."

That's always seemed sad to me. If you truly want to do something, I'd hope you could do it where you live. Not have to come to some "other" place where it'll be a secret

You cannot do Vegas at home.

There's more than one Vegas, but pools plus nightlife plus hotels under one roof, with that many like minded people in town, every weekend?

You cannot find that anywhere else. Vegas, as a party destination, is unique. There's only one

Caribbean? Monte Carlo? Macao?

 

[Joe Bryant]

There's also the weird thing that I've never liked about Las Vegas in the encouraging you to be something there you're not normally. The whole, "What happens in Vegas.."

That's always seemed sad to me. If you truly want to do something, I'd hope you could do it where you live. Not have to come to some "other" place where it'll be a secret

You cannot do Vegas at home.

There's more than one Vegas, but pools plus nightlife plus hotels under one roof, with that many like minded people in town, every weekend?

You cannot find that anywhere else. Vegas, as a party destination, is unique. There's only one

Sorry I wasn't clear.

For sure, Las Vegas has entertainment opportunities that many people don't have at home.

I'm saying be the kind of person you want to be.

If you're the kind of person that wants to be wild or outgoing or creative or a zillion other things, I'm saying you can be those things at home.

You don't need permission.

Where much of the undertone marketing for Las Vegas is it's giving you the permission to be the things you want to be.

 

[Major]

There's also the weird thing that I've never liked about Las Vegas in the encouraging you to be something there you're not normally. The whole, "What happens in Vegas.."

That's always seemed sad to me. If you truly want to do something, I'd hope you could do it where you live. Not have to come to some "other" place where it'll be a secret

You cannot do Vegas at home.

There's more than one Vegas, but pools plus nightlife plus hotels under one roof, with that many like minded people in town, every weekend?

You cannot find that anywhere else. Vegas, as a party destination, is unique. There's only one

Not sure I'd say unique. Vegas reminds me more and more of Cancun each time I visit (a place I swore off in college).

 

[Joe Bryant]

So what exactly is borderline unsafe?

I've experienced homeless folks being a little more aggressive than normal. And depending on the crowd and mood, people a little under the influence may be a bit more rowdy.

But I wouln't necessarily call it unsafe. Although I'm sure it all depends on the place and time.

Had an interesting experience a few years ago. We took a bunch of kids camping through Zion and other spots in Utah. Instead of shipping sleeping bags, we just bought a dozen cheap sleeping bags at Wal Mart in Las Vegas to start the trip.

We finished the trip with a few hours in Las Vegas before flying out early the next morning.

A few hours before the flight, I realized we were going to be leaving a dozen sleeping bags behind. So instead of leaving them for the hotel, i got up at 3 in the morning by myself and drove to the rescue mission to drop them off.

Let's say Bonanza Street at 3 AM is not the same as Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the Bellagio.

I couldn't get anyone to come to the door at the Mission so I thought I'll just pull up under an underpass and drop them off and people will find them the next morning.

I pulled up into an area and looked up to what looked like a couple hundred folks. That probably wasn't the smartest idea as I only had 12 sleeping bags to hand out.

But it worked out ok.

This is a good description by Joe and why I said “boarderline”. As I said, I’ve been going there my whole life, I’ve walked up and down the strip probably a 1000 times. While it’s always been busy I never felt like at any moment I could get into a confrontation or bad situation. That’s the vibe I feel now. And for context, I’m not a fearful person. I ran a downtown nightclub for near 15 years, I’m very comfortable in a busy crowed environment. It’s certainly a “feel” thing, but for me it’s palpable.

There's also the weird thing that I've never liked about Las Vegas in the encouraging you to be something there you're not normally. The whole, "What happens in Vegas.."

That's always seemed sad to me. If you truly want to do something, I'd hope you could do it where you live. Not have to come to some "other" place where it'll be a secret.

And there does feel a little of that contributes a little to the uncertain vibe. Guy looks like a guy that probably wouldn't do that way out of bounds thing, but you dunno as everything around him is telling him this is the place to go for it.

It's possible that can play into the vibe a little.

Yeah Joe, I’m gonna disagree with you on that point. Vegas is always been that place so those factors were always in play. Covid is 100% a demarcation line in the change and unfortunately like some other major cities the preponderance of homelessness and lack of management of the streets is what I think is driving it.

Sure. You're not disagreeing with me. I see some of those things too.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

So a little back history….. Being born and raised in Southern California I’ve spent countless hours in Vegas, going all the way back to when I was a little kid and my parents would come here and gamble while I played in the arcades (the 80’s were a very different parenting time! lol).

I haven’t been for a while just due to general life busyness, but I’m out here right now attending a conference for work. It’s only been maybe four years since I was last here but man has it changed.

1. Way dirtier. Walking down the strip is disgusting and feels borderline unsafe. Never felt that way before to me.
2. There’s no more cheap gambling. Table minimums everywhere are super high. I couldn’t find a pai gow table with under a $25 minimum, and it’s a Wednesday early afternoon. Wtf. Not long ago 10$ was common.
3. Everything is incredibly expensive now too. I bought a 16 ounce bottle of Coke, was 7.99! The club sandwich at the little sports bar was $28.

I was looking forward to this conference as I hadn’t been here for a while and use to love it. But either I’ve aged 25 years in the last 4/5 years, or Vegas just isn’t fun anymore. Either way it sucks.

I like Harrah's cause I can wander over to stage door casino and drink for next to nothing

 

[Bob Sacamano]

So what exactly is borderline unsafe?

I've experienced homeless folks being a little more aggressive than normal. And depending on the crowd and mood, people a little under the influence may be a bit more rowdy.

But I wouln't necessarily call it unsafe. Although I'm sure it all depends on the place and time.

Had an interesting experience a few years ago. We took a bunch of kids camping through Zion and other spots in Utah. Instead of shipping sleeping bags, we just bought a dozen cheap sleeping bags at Wal Mart in Las Vegas to start the trip.

We finished the trip with a few hours in Las Vegas before flying out early the next morning.

A few hours before the flight, I realized we were going to be leaving a dozen sleeping bags behind. So instead of leaving them for the hotel, i got up at 3 in the morning by myself and drove to the rescue mission to drop them off.

Let's say Bonanza Street at 3 AM is not the same as Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the Bellagio.

I couldn't get anyone to come to the door at the Mission so I thought I'll just pull up under an underpass and drop them off and people will find them the next morning.

I pulled up into an area and looked up to what looked like a couple hundred folks. That probably wasn't the smartest idea as I only had 12 sleeping bags to hand out.

But it worked out ok.

This is a good description by Joe and why I said “boarderline”. As I said, I’ve been going there my whole life, I’ve walked up and down the strip probably a 1000 times. While it’s always been busy I never felt like at any moment I could get into a confrontation or bad situation. That’s the vibe I feel now. And for context, I’m not a fearful person. I ran a downtown nightclub for near 15 years, I’m very comfortable in a busy crowed environment. It’s certainly a “feel” thing, but for me it’s palpable.

There's also the weird thing that I've never liked about Las Vegas in the encouraging you to be something there you're not normally. The whole, "What happens in Vegas.."

That's always seemed sad to me. If you truly want to do something, I'd hope you could do it where you live. Not have to come to some "other" place where it'll be a secret.

And there does feel a little of that contributes a little to the uncertain vibe. Guy looks like a guy that probably wouldn't do that way out of bounds thing, but you dunno as everything around him is telling him this is the place to go for it.

It's possible that can play into the vibe a little.

Pretty sure I'd be homeless or dead if I did all the things I've wanted to do in Vegas where I live.

"Croupier, there are 3 of us. I need 3 dice to throw. How much? I'll pay extra!!!"

 

[ghostguy123]

Can ya get free drinks playing love keno anywhere?
I saw horseshoe has keno. I'm likely not going to Fremont street

 

[fruity pebbles]

Am I the only one here who didn’t care at all for it?
I get that it can be fun, but there’s a lot of other areas more fun. IMO.

I can see how some think it’s great but it’s too overstimulating for me. I’m exhausted within a half day. Wish that weren’t the case.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Am I the only one here who didn’t care at all for it?
I get that it can be fun, but there’s a lot of other areas more fun. IMO.

I can see how some think it’s great but it’s too overstimulating for me. I’m exhausted within a half day. Wish that weren’t the case.

Last time I went, we stayed at a property with no casino. That was wonderful. Having to go through the labyrinth of the casino to go anywhere is the suck.

And while I’m at it, the cigarette smoke is utterly DISGUSTING

 

[Drunken knight]

Am I the only one here who didn’t care at all for it?
I get that it can be fun, but there’s a lot of other areas more fun. IMO.

I can see how some think it’s great but it’s too overstimulating for me. I’m exhausted within a half day. Wish that weren’t the case.

i love spending time at the pools to relax

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

Not sure I'd say unique. Vegas reminds me more and more of Cancun each time I visit (a place I swore off in college).

huh ...we went to an AI place there a couple of years ago and it was great!

 

[dkp993]

And while I’m at it, the cigarette smoke is utterly DISGUSTING

No doubt. I don’t know why, but I guess I thought casinos had banned it for some reason. But man, it’s so bad

 

[Joe Bryant]

And while I’m at it, the cigarette smoke is utterly DISGUSTING

No doubt. I don’t know why, but I guess I thought casinos had banned it for some reason. But man, it’s so bad

Some do. And some hotels do. It's a super interesting decision for businesses I think.

 

[Terminalxylem]

I guess my experience in Vegas is not the norm here. I stay on the Strip mostly (Vdara) or sometimes on Fremont St (Circa this year), but don't gamble and seldom dine in any casino resort. As someone else pointed out, there is a lot of great food off the Strip and away from downtown. Plenty of other things to do too. Each time I visit, I travel to at least one of the area state parks and/or national parks. I do see shows from time to time. I am seeing Penn and Teller on 4/2 and a concert at Virgin on 4/4 (Ministry). I do enjoy a good meal and people watching early on a Saturday morning at Mon Ami Gabi, but I seldom actually spend time doing anything else on the Strip. Things are expensive there for sure, but I guess it's really no different than anywher else. People keep going, gambling, and dining so it must be working for them.

I try to avoid the Strip altogether, and have gambled less than $100 total, in a dozen trips over the years. Unless I’m with my wife, stay in an Airbnb in Summerlin and eat in smaller, local restaurants. Rarely will go to shows, at Mrs. Xylem’s behest.

But for me, it’s home base for climbing in Red Rock, or a starting point for excursions to national parks.

Completely different world from the typical Vegas experience. Yet it’s still one of my favorite places, and a world class destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Am I the only one here who didn’t care at all for it?
I get that it can be fun, but there’s a lot of other areas more fun. IMO.

I can see how some think it’s great but it’s too overstimulating for me. I’m exhausted within a half day. Wish that weren’t the case.

Last time I went, we stayed at a property with no casino. That was wonderful. Having to go through the labyrinth of the casino to go anywhere is the suck.

And while I’m at it, the cigarette smoke is utterly DISGUSTING

Not going to lie.

This post from a Kenny Stabler loving Raiders fan made me smile.

 

[Terminalxylem]

I live in Vegas. If you are looking for cheap food or are focused on gambling, then yes I agree it isn’t the way it used to be 100%.

But I have a major airport 20 minutes from my house where I can go anywhere in the world. Last weekend my wife and I saw Journey and Toto at Mandalay Bay and spent the night. Tomorrow I’m going to see Springsteen at T-Mobile arena, having a nice dinner at Bavette’s At Park MGM. I’ll be seeing Neil Degrasse Tyson lecture with a meet and greet afterward at the Smith Center. Ringo Starr in June and Lady Gaga’s Vegas only Jazz show in July. I got to see Silk Sonic live twice, which was only in Vegas. Art exhibits, shopping, NHL, NFL (and Super Bowl) Formula 1 (not sure that is a good thing), and some of the best restaurants in the world are here.

There aren’t many places on the planet that can match that.

Add in the outdoor stuff, and it’s truly unparalleled.

But of all the sordid badness in Vegas, why do you consider F1 questionable?

 

[Major]

Not sure I'd say unique. Vegas reminds me more and more of Cancun each time I visit (a place I swore off in college).

huh ...we went to an AI place there a couple of years ago and it was great!

Yeah, if you stay at your resort and relax there I'm sure it can be enjoyable. Overall though, Cancun feels like an Americanized adult Disneyland much like Vegas. More nightclub and partying focused but you can gamble as well. I'm partial to other parts of Mexico but if I'm in that area, I'm taking Tulum.

 

[Desert_Power]

I have not made it back since Covid, but I've never really enjoyed gambling there. The table mins are too high things like black jack odds and triple zero roulette really make it tough to enjoy. Shows, pools, and restaurants are a lot of fun there.

 

[Terminalxylem]

I go to Vegas once every few years. I still have a blast. I break up my time between being on the strip and being out in the desert hiking or climbing or something. The two different worlds thing makes me appreciate them both. Agree that if I was just gonna be gambling and eating and staying in a strip hotel it would not nearly be as fun and I would max out at probably two days of that

Never thought of approaching it that way. Always avoided Vegas since I don't drink or gamble but if you threw in some solid hiking, would make the trip worth it since I do like the shows, food and just overall wandering around.

Yeah, I hated Vegas (at least the stereotypical experience), until I was introduced to their lesser known outdoor attractions. Now I like it so much, I’ve considered a second home there.

 

[Major]

I have not made it back since Covid, but I've never really enjoyed gambling there. The table mins are too high things like black jack odds and triple zero roulette really make it tough to enjoy. Shows, pools, and restaurants are a lot of fun there.

Same here. It actually infuriates me when I see some of these ridiculous table odds and kills any urge to gamble (actually a good thing). I got accustomed to $5 mins and 100x odds on the crap tables in Shreveport and Lake Charles. $25 mins and 3-4-5x odds kills any chance at a profit for me. And don't get me started on triple zero roulette. Dumbest thing ever

 

[Softballguy]

And while I’m at it, the cigarette smoke is utterly DISGUSTING

No doubt. I don’t know why, but I guess I thought casinos had banned it for some reason. But man, it’s so bad

Some do. And some hotels do. It's a super interesting decision for businesses I think.

Of the main strip resorts, Park MGM (formerly the Monte Carlo) is the only completely smoke-free resort. I think it's worked out well for them, but I've also heard no other casinos are seriously thinking of making the switch.

 

[Mookie]

Am I the only one here who didn’t care at all for it?
I get that it can be fun, but there’s a lot of other areas more fun. IMO.

I'm with you. I find it very fake and depressing in a part of the world where there are so many incredible jaw dropping things to see and experience. No thanks.

 

[Todem]

I've always had fun when I went with fun people but I've never liked Vegas when I've traveled solo on business.

The table minimums on the Strip have gotten too rich for my blood but dealers don't work for free.

The dealers made probably $7-10/hour, the rest is made up in tips.

I'm sure everyone is tipping 20% now every hand.

If you don't tip 30% I thought that meant you were a heartless monster.

Scum of the earth actually.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

And while I’m at it, the cigarette smoke is utterly DISGUSTING

No doubt. I don’t know why, but I guess I thought casinos had banned it for some reason. But man, it’s so bad

Some do. And some hotels do. It's a super interesting decision for businesses I think.

I think the only one is the park mgm

 

[Willie Neslon]

We went last year. Stayed downtown for one night, on the strip for 3 nights and back downtown for the final night. I found downtown to be way more fun. It felt like Vegas where the place on the strip we stayed at (Pak MGM) felt like a mall. Loved those little places downtown, terrible smell and all. The vibe downtown was more of a party and people seemed to be enjoying themselves more there.

 

[Joe Bryant]

And while I’m at it, the cigarette smoke is utterly DISGUSTING

No doubt. I don’t know why, but I guess I thought casinos had banned it for some reason. But man, it’s so bad

Some do. And some hotels do. It's a super interesting decision for businesses I think.

I think the only one is the park mgm

Vdara hotel is all no smoking. And no casino. But 100 yards from Aria.