Just a few years ago, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. Downtown Vegas was passé, old fashioned, un-hip, uninviting. At least that was the prevailing theory. The Strip was the ONLY place to be in Vegas.
Well, not so much anymore. Opinions are still divided, but the downtown Fremont Street area has been reinvented and boasts plenty of appeal itself. Here are just a few of the differences:
Size
The Strip is HUGE. Casinos are ¼ to ½ mile apart, and the area is open to the sky. Downtown there are a dozen or so casinos in three covered blocks, which may make for simpler navigation. But either way, consider a pass on The Deuce – the bus system that runs 24 hours a day and is reasonably priced at $6 for a two-hour pass, $8 for a 24-hour pass and $20 for a 3 day pass. It stops at most major casinos, as well as the Town Square Mall and the Vegas Discount Mall. Plus you can use your pass on the city buses around Las Vegas. Either way, whether you stay downtown or on the Strip, you can easily access the other.
The Odds
Many reviewers and frequent travelers comment that the odds are better at the casinos downtown. Of course we all know the odds are never really in your favor, and your particular outcome will depend on your skill level and that mischievous Lady Luck! Try casinos in both locales and form your own opinion.
The Shows
Each of the huge, upscale hotels on the Strip features a variety of jaw dropping shows year round – but at a price. The Fremont Street Experience downtown is a 4-block long overhead LCD screen and light show with an ongoing street party beneath it. All for free, every night. Street performers and costumed folk populate the downtown, but you’ll see some of those on the Strip too.
So roll the dice, do your research, and define your expectations and your budget. If it’s 5 star ambiance and top-drawer talent, the Strip is for you. If you’re more about experiencing the glitz and glamour, hitting a few tables and hanging out soaking up the Vegas vibe, downtown may be your best bet.
Either way, take no chances and reach out to All Star Travel to help you find the best deals on airfare, hotels and rental cars. There are incredible scenic sights not far from Vegas, well worth renting a car for a day trip. The Valley of Fire is composed of 40,000 acres of bright red sandstone outcrops, and the Red Rock Canyon conservation area is just a few miles west of Las Vegas in the Mojave Desert.
With All Star Travel as your partner, you can’t lose! Join our free travel club today and take advantage of the exclusive benefits our members enjoy!