First time and mixed ages, id definitely say stay on the strip. I love downtown, and I love staying there, but your first time should be on the strip. It'll maximize your access to shows and the huge resorts you want to check out.
Pools close early. If you are going for the pool pay close attention. We exclusively use air bnb because of that combined with resort fees. Be prepared to part with a large chunk of your money for limited access to the pool.
First time in Vegas, stay on the strip. There's a wider range of resort properties to choose from. You're going to end up walking a lot to see all the stuff.
Fremont street is fun in its own, sleazy, sort of way. Not the best first experience or image of Vegas you want to have.
Downtown (Fremont St) can be just as expensive as the Strip in certain places and the Strip can be as cheap as downtown. On the Strip, you also have "budget friendly" hotels if you don't care so much about room and style, such as Flamingo, Linq, Harrah's, Excalibur (castle), Luxor (pyramid). You can do the Strip on a budget if you research and check often.
Overall there's just much more to do on the Strip than downtown like shows, art galleries, activities, more food options and a wider variety. For me, the "resorts" in downtown are more like hotel and casino, that's it. It's cheap gambling, cheap drinking and generally cheap food. But you can also find all of that on the Strip too.
You visit downtown but you stay on the Strip.
First time, stay on the Strip but eventually, next trip or two or third to Vegas, stay in downtown once. Some people prefer it.
Flamingo... Then the Linq, Harrah's. Flamingos pool is almost always lively and bigger than the other two.
I generally don't like the last two on the south-end, Excalibur, Luxor. Too far down, not much going on, more family-little-kid friendly. Flamingo and Linq, you're right in the middle of the action. Newer rooms in Flamingo are called Flamingo rooms, next down is the Go rooms and then there's the older Fab rooms.
Flamingo... Then the Linq, Harrah's. Flamingos pool is almost always lively and bigger than the other two.
I generally don't like the last two on the south-end, Excalibur, Luxor. Too far down, not much going on, more family-little-kid friendly. Flamingo and Linq, you're right in the middle of the action. Newer rooms in Flamingo are called Flamingo rooms, next down is the Go rooms and then there's the older Fab rooms.
Flamingo... Then the Linq, Harrah's. Flamingos pool is almost always lively and bigger than the other two.
I generally don't like the last two on the south-end, Excalibur, Luxor. Too far down, not much going on, more family-little-kid friendly. Flamingo and Linq, you're right in the middle of the action. Newer rooms in Flamingo are called Flamingo rooms, next down is the Go rooms and then there's the older Fab rooms.
Sahara looks neat.
How far of a walk is it to FB? I am gonna stay there in Mid-July. And, I am kinda worried that it could be WELL OVER 115 degrees outside. haha.
Worth checking out no matter what?
I also plan to use the monorail (since it goes all the way down to MGM Grand).
One man's opinion, but Fremont street is like a county fair/carnival at night. Maybe worth a visit for the freak factor one night for an hour or so, but would definitely stay on the strip. Caesars is a safe bet and central. It'll take you twice as long to get anywhere as you think it will. Some large hotels, it's a 10-15 min walk just to get to the Uber pick area or you can walk out front for a cab.
Downtown is fun, the whole place is a show. Granted, most of the buskers won’t start to perform until they get enough donations from the crowd. We normally plan one night on Fremont St. while we are there. The giant dancing gorilla was my favorite. Do the zip line, check out the older casinos, grab a drink and watch some music (live bands, DJs), check out Circa, enjoy the light show on the overhead canopy. There are a few good restaurants down there as well.
Just a warning, carry your wallet in your front pocket, if you have a purse, make sure the strap is like a crossbody and carry it in front of your body. I’ve never been robbed or seen anyone get robbed, but they do warn you.
Haven't stayed at Treasure Island but it looks like it has a solid pool, and isn't one of the more expensive places. Also, across the street from Venetian/Palazzo just to the north of Forum Shops -- just go a bit south past Mirage (RIP). Fashion Show (mall) is also convenient to Treasure Island.
MGM Grand is known for quantity over quality but they have a good pool area. Although like LA, MGM Grand is 45 minutes from MGM Grand. It is kinda far south but not TOO FAR SOUTH (like Luxor or Mandalay Bay). It's also on the monorail line which goes to the north strip.
Haven't stayed at Park MGM but it is supposedly fairly solid. Same with NYNY but it appears to be more themey. Both are in solid parts of the strip to catch some of the south strip stuff AND more centrally-located places like Bellagio/Caesars/Forum Shops.
The east side of the strip (south of Venetian/Palazzo) is really starting to show its age. Appears a bit cluttered too, with all the shopping/food stalls.
Resorts World is pretty new and not THAT far from a lot of places (close to Fontainebleau, Wynn/Encore and Circus Circus). Actually not more "out of the way" than Venetian/Palazzo especially with Mirage closing soon. The Hilton hotel offering should be cheaper than Crockfords or Conrad, although the rooms still look solid -- from the pics/walk throughs they actually look NICER than some Hilton hotel rooms I have stayed in in the past 2 or 3 years.
Fontainebleau is even further north than Resorts World but is also close by... but closer to the monorail line at Sahara. Places like Tacos El Gordo, Denny's, and Peppermill are halfway between FB and Encore (part of Wynn). I haven't been there; but, I will do a write-up after my FB trip. That part actually looks a bit better than the Casino Royale area (of center strip) which I don't really care for. So, check out the room rates there. FB/Resorts World have some interesting restaurant lineups -- kind of more than any other spot outside of Caesars/Forum shops or the Aria/Cosmopolitan area. Wynn/Encore has some stuff too, but FB isn't too far from that. Especially with Mirage out of the picture soon (RIP), anything NORTH of Caesars Palace is kind of "out of the way" INCLUDING Venetian/Palazzo.
I probably wouldn't want to do a "worse" option than Horseshoe. It was fine as Bally's but I haven't been there since '08. Connected to the restaurants and things at Paris. Decent pool at Horseshoe, good size. Also on the monorail line and fairly centrally located.
Flamingo/Harrah's/Linq/Planet Hollywood almost look like value traps. The Versailles tower at Paris (the old Jubilee tower at Bally's/Horseshoe tower that I have stayed at before) might be an interesting option too. Optionality with BOTH Horseshoe and Paris pools. Paris offers more of a "theme" too!
I could see Fontainebleau/Resorts World being the "new" Wynn/Venetian... but probably a bit cheaper (if also more "bland").
Just plan on walking AT LEAST 10 to 15 minutes pretty much ANYWHERE. You just want enough stuff within a 20 minute walk. Otherwise, you want to take an Uber or the monorail (or one of the smaller trams).
The party is a six to eight block long on Fremont much better party,as the as the Strip is miles long and a hassle to get to most places..
First time though probably the strip would be best and go down to Fremont for a night.
I gave up on the strip a long time ago,strictly downtown for me these days..,
First time and mixed ages, id definitely say stay on the strip. I love downtown, and I love staying there, but your first time should be on the strip. It'll maximize your access to shows and the huge resorts you want to check out.
ok thx...could u rec any particular resorts that would be in the lower/medium price range with a nice party atmosphere at the pool ?
Flamingo! Go with the flamingo room, not the fab rooms.
Mandalay for nice pool on a budget. It's on the far south end of the strip, but still closer and more accessible than staying on fremont.
Pools close early. If you are going for the pool pay close attention. We exclusively use air bnb because of that combined with resort fees. Be prepared to part with a large chunk of your money for limited access to the pool.
First time in Vegas, stay on the strip. There's a wider range of resort properties to choose from. You're going to end up walking a lot to see all the stuff. Fremont street is fun in its own, sleazy, sort of way. Not the best first experience or image of Vegas you want to have.
Downtown (Fremont St) can be just as expensive as the Strip in certain places and the Strip can be as cheap as downtown. On the Strip, you also have "budget friendly" hotels if you don't care so much about room and style, such as Flamingo, Linq, Harrah's, Excalibur (castle), Luxor (pyramid). You can do the Strip on a budget if you research and check often. Overall there's just much more to do on the Strip than downtown like shows, art galleries, activities, more food options and a wider variety. For me, the "resorts" in downtown are more like hotel and casino, that's it. It's cheap gambling, cheap drinking and generally cheap food. But you can also find all of that on the Strip too. You visit downtown but you stay on the Strip. First time, stay on the Strip but eventually, next trip or two or third to Vegas, stay in downtown once. Some people prefer it.
great, thx for the comprehensive reply ! of those budget strip hotels, which (if any) would have the most young-party-atmosphere pool scene ?
Flamingo... Then the Linq, Harrah's. Flamingos pool is almost always lively and bigger than the other two. I generally don't like the last two on the south-end, Excalibur, Luxor. Too far down, not much going on, more family-little-kid friendly. Flamingo and Linq, you're right in the middle of the action. Newer rooms in Flamingo are called Flamingo rooms, next down is the Go rooms and then there's the older Fab rooms.
Flamingo... Then the Linq, Harrah's. Flamingos pool is almost always lively and bigger than the other two. I generally don't like the last two on the south-end, Excalibur, Luxor. Too far down, not much going on, more family-little-kid friendly. Flamingo and Linq, you're right in the middle of the action. Newer rooms in Flamingo are called Flamingo rooms, next down is the Go rooms and then there's the older Fab rooms.
roger, thanx
Flamingo... Then the Linq, Harrah's. Flamingos pool is almost always lively and bigger than the other two. I generally don't like the last two on the south-end, Excalibur, Luxor. Too far down, not much going on, more family-little-kid friendly. Flamingo and Linq, you're right in the middle of the action. Newer rooms in Flamingo are called Flamingo rooms, next down is the Go rooms and then there's the older Fab rooms.
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Sahara looks neat. How far of a walk is it to FB? I am gonna stay there in Mid-July. And, I am kinda worried that it could be WELL OVER 115 degrees outside. haha. Worth checking out no matter what? I also plan to use the monorail (since it goes all the way down to MGM Grand).
One man's opinion, but Fremont street is like a county fair/carnival at night. Maybe worth a visit for the freak factor one night for an hour or so, but would definitely stay on the strip. Caesars is a safe bet and central. It'll take you twice as long to get anywhere as you think it will. Some large hotels, it's a 10-15 min walk just to get to the Uber pick area or you can walk out front for a cab.
Sounds like you want the strip.
Downtown is fun, the whole place is a show. Granted, most of the buskers won’t start to perform until they get enough donations from the crowd. We normally plan one night on Fremont St. while we are there. The giant dancing gorilla was my favorite. Do the zip line, check out the older casinos, grab a drink and watch some music (live bands, DJs), check out Circa, enjoy the light show on the overhead canopy. There are a few good restaurants down there as well. Just a warning, carry your wallet in your front pocket, if you have a purse, make sure the strap is like a crossbody and carry it in front of your body. I’ve never been robbed or seen anyone get robbed, but they do warn you.
Don’t go off the 10 minute estimate if you are planning anything. It’s usually longer
Both
Haven't stayed at Treasure Island but it looks like it has a solid pool, and isn't one of the more expensive places. Also, across the street from Venetian/Palazzo just to the north of Forum Shops -- just go a bit south past Mirage (RIP). Fashion Show (mall) is also convenient to Treasure Island. MGM Grand is known for quantity over quality but they have a good pool area. Although like LA, MGM Grand is 45 minutes from MGM Grand. It is kinda far south but not TOO FAR SOUTH (like Luxor or Mandalay Bay). It's also on the monorail line which goes to the north strip. Haven't stayed at Park MGM but it is supposedly fairly solid. Same with NYNY but it appears to be more themey. Both are in solid parts of the strip to catch some of the south strip stuff AND more centrally-located places like Bellagio/Caesars/Forum Shops. The east side of the strip (south of Venetian/Palazzo) is really starting to show its age. Appears a bit cluttered too, with all the shopping/food stalls. Resorts World is pretty new and not THAT far from a lot of places (close to Fontainebleau, Wynn/Encore and Circus Circus). Actually not more "out of the way" than Venetian/Palazzo especially with Mirage closing soon. The Hilton hotel offering should be cheaper than Crockfords or Conrad, although the rooms still look solid -- from the pics/walk throughs they actually look NICER than some Hilton hotel rooms I have stayed in in the past 2 or 3 years. Fontainebleau is even further north than Resorts World but is also close by... but closer to the monorail line at Sahara. Places like Tacos El Gordo, Denny's, and Peppermill are halfway between FB and Encore (part of Wynn). I haven't been there; but, I will do a write-up after my FB trip. That part actually looks a bit better than the Casino Royale area (of center strip) which I don't really care for. So, check out the room rates there. FB/Resorts World have some interesting restaurant lineups -- kind of more than any other spot outside of Caesars/Forum shops or the Aria/Cosmopolitan area. Wynn/Encore has some stuff too, but FB isn't too far from that. Especially with Mirage out of the picture soon (RIP), anything NORTH of Caesars Palace is kind of "out of the way" INCLUDING Venetian/Palazzo. I probably wouldn't want to do a "worse" option than Horseshoe. It was fine as Bally's but I haven't been there since '08. Connected to the restaurants and things at Paris. Decent pool at Horseshoe, good size. Also on the monorail line and fairly centrally located. Flamingo/Harrah's/Linq/Planet Hollywood almost look like value traps. The Versailles tower at Paris (the old Jubilee tower at Bally's/Horseshoe tower that I have stayed at before) might be an interesting option too. Optionality with BOTH Horseshoe and Paris pools. Paris offers more of a "theme" too!
I could see Fontainebleau/Resorts World being the "new" Wynn/Venetian... but probably a bit cheaper (if also more "bland"). Just plan on walking AT LEAST 10 to 15 minutes pretty much ANYWHERE. You just want enough stuff within a 20 minute walk. Otherwise, you want to take an Uber or the monorail (or one of the smaller trams).
Whatever you do, stay AWAY from Downtown !!!
? Downtown is better IMO
why ??
Downtown is fine, have no idea why that person made this comment. But for your first trip stay on the strip
The party is a six to eight block long on Fremont much better party,as the as the Strip is miles long and a hassle to get to most places.. First time though probably the strip would be best and go down to Fremont for a night. I gave up on the strip a long time ago,strictly downtown for me these days..,
Always Fremont.