Back to Vegas, baby!

[Eduardo]

I have decided to get a car everyone, thanks!
 
I'll start with driving to the hotel (very easy to the hilton) and work from there.

[marie meijer]

log on to generic    "free transportation Vegas" and this gets you to great site with a couple errors: Barbary Coast is now BILLS (across from Ballys and next to Flamingo) and there is NO longer a tram from Bellagio to Monte Carlo. We have been happy without a car in Vegas for many years. We used to fly into Phoenix for a few weeks vacation and drive rental to Laughlin, Vegas, Death Valley and Yosemite. Now, we fly to Vegas for 5-6 nights, catch a shuttle to hotel and return by cab - for convenience and negligible price differential. (Just paid $20 including tip for cab from Venetian to Spirit at airport to save time) One carry on for each of us on the plane works for us since Spirit now charges $10 per bag. Perhaps other airlines will do likewise soon. Saves waiting for luggage that might not ever arrive and we can catch shuttle bus quicker than those waiting for checked bags. Our huge paid checked bag was missing for 2 days in AC in Nov. and we picked it up at the airport when leaving. Walking between a few casinos helps rev up the metabolism from a buffet.  We actually walked farther when parking in casino parking lots and driving in Vegas is scary! No worry about fender benders, law suits, theft from car OR trying to locate our car! Leaves time for focusing on WINNING! There are too many drivers and pedestrians, too tired, too drunk and/or not familiar with Vegas and driving laws, or too bummed out over losing, IMEO!  Bourbon Street no longer exists and that is where we used to hop bus to Sam's Town and to about a dozen locations from there probably including Fashion Show Mall, Fremont Street, Stratosphere, Hooters (formerly San Remo and about to change names again) etc. Perhaps bus to Sam's town leaves from Bill's now. Sign outside Sam's Town gives times for bus transportation to other locations. Get bus schedule from driver. Ride the double decker DEUCE for $5 for 24 hr time span. Transfer from Strip at NY to Orleans, i.e. when you wish to venture further from Strip.  We did not see CAT buses or trolleys this trip. Electric cars are still for rent. Before leaving home, click on to the off strip casinos you wish to visit and find out their shuttle schedules. One was for 5 hour visit and we decided not to risk being there for five hours lest a dry spell hit. Today, four aces with a kicker DDB at MOTOR CITY Casino, Detroit, helped recoup my New Years Vegas losses! Great comped buffet, mailed free play offers and cash backs. YES! 

[clwn2]

Eduardo,
Since you are staying at the Hilton I can give you a little more driving advice.  The Hilton is located on Paradise.  Paradise is one of those parallel streets I was telling you about.  Paradise is parallel to the strip so it is much easier to commute back and forth on Paradise instead of using the strip.  Also some of the strip casinos parking are accessible from there.  I think the Riv and the Sahara are the easiest. However, this is not up to date information. I have not been to the strip in years.  I have learned by experience to avoid the strip at all costs.  But since you are a new visitor it is a must see. 
 
If you go North on Paradise you cross LV blvd by Stratosphere.  Take a right on LV  blvd and you will run into Fremont Street(downtown) in a mile or so.  Not the best scenery(keep the family in the car) but it is not a real long trip unless you drive there during peak traffic times.  I the usually use the Golden Nugget parking garage because they have a free 3 hour validation stamp at the cashier.  Otherwise some of the other casinos have free parking, I know the Plaza does.
 
Hope this helps...  

[clwn2]

Today, four aces with a kicker DDB at MOTOR CITY Casino, Detroit, helped recoup my New Years Vegas losses! Great comped buffet, mailed free play offers and cash backs. YES! 
 
Congrats!  I was there in 2003 and got nada with $300 on quarter DDB.  DDB can be a killer that is for sure. 
 
Do you live in Michigan?  I have relatives in Monroe.
 
Hit the Royal next time!

[jm002546]

Eduardo,
Since you are staying at the Hilton I can give you a little more driving advice.  The Hilton is located on Paradise.  Paradise is one of those parallel streets I was telling you about.  Paradise is parallel to the strip so it is much easier to commute back and forth on Paradise instead of using the strip.  Also some of the strip casinos parking are accessible from there.  I think the Riv and the Sahara are the easiest. However, this is not up to date information. I have not been to the strip in years.  I have learned by experience to avoid the strip at all costs.  But since you are a new visitor it is a must see. 
 
If you go North on Paradise you cross LV blvd by Stratosphere.  Take a right on LV  blvd and you will run into Fremont Street(downtown) in a mile or so.  Not the best scenery(keep the family in the car) but it is not a real long trip unless you drive there during peak traffic times.  I the usually use the Golden Nugget parking garage because they have a free 3 hour validation stamp at the cashier.  Otherwise some of the other casinos have free parking, I know the Plaza does.
 
Hope this helps...     MGM is easy to park at (LV Blvd @ Tropicana) - multi-level garage  with nice entry. Gets you at one corner of main strip where you can walk to several nice hotels.  Easy to drive to, also. 

[MikeA]

Just a couple of comments.I don't think that Plaza is free parking any longer.And, when you "cross" Las Vegas Blvd on Paradise, if you go straight, you'll end up on Main Street which goes right in front of Plaza and the end of Fremont St.  You can get pretty easily to Golden Nugget parking from Main Street.  Just a little East of Main.And the MGM garage comment:Yes, it is easy to get to off of Tropicana.  But once you park, you are likely to have a 27 mile hike to get to the casino <LOL>  Seriously, it is a HUGE parking garage.  For it, I would seriously consider valet parking.For that matter, Valet parking is not a bad deal in Las Vegas.  Mostly, it's free other than for the $5 toke you give the Valet when you claim your car.  And, with Valet, you are pretty much getting out of your car and stepping into the casino.  A lot less stressful!

[jm002546]

  I never chose to park the full 27 - always parked very close to the elevators. That's weekdays.

[marie meijer]

Clwn2 and everyone else: Detroit casinos have improved tremendously from their humble beginnings! Motor City, Ilich owned along with Tigers and Red Wings, has been revamped and the cool exterior is still in progress. No longer looks like the original, Wonder Bread Factory. I started playing there recently and am having some luck. I doubt any of the machines are the same ones when you were there. MGM opened it's new, world class casino in October, near the old, closed MGM facility and is impressive! Again new machines. Greektown got rid of it's rustic water tower landmark through engineering feat with much scaffolding. Greektown has also beautifully remodeled and added lots of new machines. New, super 13 floor parking structure with cool spiral ramp has 3rd floor, carpeted walkway diagonally across Monroe St. with spectacular view of St. Mary's land mark, historical church and the couple blocks that comprise Greektown. Parking structure not open 6-9 AM M-F ! Windsor Casino, Canada, is now Ceasar-Total Rewards connected, remodeled and a pleasant place to gamble. Too bad the exchange rate is now almost equal after years of being in favor of USA. Too bad there is usually a wait at the tunnel to return to Detroit, 30 min to an hour, for me. Sadly just heard they have discontinued their birthday buffet bash with mailed invitations. Great pool! Best!

[ginxxxx]

Eduardo,Valet parking is the way to go!  It costs nothing except the tip and it's easier all the way around.One thing, if you have the time, go to google maps or any mapsite and MAP OUT YOUR DAY TRIP ROUTES.  Not all of it, just little pieces, like enter the address (from their website )of say, the MGM to the Hilton. Print and save to take with you.  Then try like from the Hilton to GVR.  If you print these one-sheet mini maps you will find that getting around is fairly easy, and in no time you will be coasting around like a local.The very best of luck to you.  Hope your family has a good time/hope you win!

[Eduardo]

Valet sounds really good.  I don't want to have to walk too far to the car or drive around a garage too much. Going into the front door of a hotel is a much nicer experience and it seems worth $5 for all that.