Old School Las Vegas Provides Fresh New Fun

The Las Vegas strip, a long boulevard filled with massive, modern hotels and casinos, has long been considered the city's main attraction. The site for dozens of movies and television shows, the Strip has become synonymous with Vegas. But what about the older and less expensive casinos, which are just north of the city – the Las Vegas' original central area? Few venture into downtown Vegas, but for those who do, this hidden treasure is well worth the discovery.

The Golden Nugget's Pool and Aquarium

The hotels and casinos that line Fremont Street – including the Golden Nugget, Fremont Hotel and Casino, 4 Queens, and Binion's, just to name a few – are more run-down to be sure, but they also have a sense of history that the newer buildings lack, and some of the older attractions have been beautifully refurbished. At the Golden Nugget hotel and casino, the pool has become a spectacle within itself, having been transformed three years ago into a sprawling oasis complete with a water slide, a private pool and bar for adults, and an enormous aquarium filled with exotic fish and sharks.

Cheap Drinks and Gambling, Free Entertainment

Venturing outside the Golden Nugget, the atmosphere is more relaxed and intimate than on the Strip. The casinos are closer together, so there is less walking involved when going from place to place. There is also free entertainment every night – everything from live bands playing to saxophone soloists, to show girls wandering up and down the street. Another great benefit that is sorely lacking on the Strip is the cheaper prices. For example, a vodka cranberry at the Bellagio is a staggering $8.50, while the same drink at Binion's in downtown Las Vegas is a much more reasonable $5.00. All of the casinos in downtown Vegas have much cheaper buy-ins for their table games, including blackjack and poker. The average price to buy in to a table at a casino on Fremont Street is about $5.00, while the same tables on the Strip can average up to $10.00.

The Fremont Street Experience: A Must-See

In addition to the cheaper drinks and gambling, there is also a unique spectacle that occurs every night, appropriately called the Fremont Street Experience. A large screen extends 90 feet overhead for five blocks on Fremont Street and plays free shows every hour from dusk until midnight. The screen looks like a giant canopy has been turned into a plasma T.V., and the lighting and sound are excellent. Currently there is a 70s-music theme, with the screen displaying images and music from that era. Many of the live bands playing on Fremont Street also have a 70s, disco vibe.

For a change of pace from the usual high prices, long walks, and slick modernity of the Strip, downtown Las Vegas and particularly the Fremont Street experience is an excellent alternative.

Las Vegas Best: Posh Poker Rooms

Las Vegas is the perfect vacation for any poker player. The city allows a poker player to play against the best players in the world and also allows players to find the best poker rooms where the quality of player may be beneficial to the bankroll.

Poker was once just a necessary evil for casinos and for those who look for casino bonus. They put the poker rooms in a far corner and ignored them. Now with the poker boom created by the World Series of Poker, millions of dollars are being spent to create state of the art poker rooms that are as luxurious as the high limit rooms in some casinos. The following are the best poker rooms in Las Vegas.

The Wynn Resort Poker Room Las Vegas Strip

The Wynn Resort on the Las Vegas Strip is by far the poker room with the most diverse action and the most opulent amenities. The room is quiet and the tables are not too close. There is plenty of elbow room and the service is second to none. The table spread is a good mix of no limit Texas Hold em, Omaha and assorted variations.

The poker tournaments are also first class but they do come with a higher price tag. Play in the Wynn Resort poker room is tame by Las Vegas standards. No need to worry about a verbal confrontation in this environment.

The Venetian Poker Room Las Vegas Strip

The Venetian and the Wynn Resort are the two nicest poker rooms on the Las Vegas Strip. Rating both side by side it is simply a matter of personal preference, the bottom line is both are top notch and second to none in the country.

The Venetian poker room's service staff from the waitresses to the dealers is the best in the business. The tables themselves are spaced in a way, so players are not on top of each other and the atmosphere is laid back and relaxed for a big room. There is plenty of action to be had in The Venetian poker room and their 1:00 PM deep stack tournament is the best tournament in Las Vegas.

The Golden Nugget Downtown Las Vegas

The Golden Nugget is out of place in Downtown Las Vegas. A clean, well maintained casino in the midst of Downtown Las Vegas, is an oasis in desert. The Golden Nugget's poker room is first class and after their recent expansion, they are spreading more games than ever for the cash game specialists. The level of play is tourists mixed in with locals and few hard core poker players.

The waitresses are Las Vegas Strip quality and make their rounds quickly now that the recent remodel has moved their station right next to the poker room. The service staff from the dealers to the management is all professional and knowledgeable, handling every situation quickly and painlessly. The Golden Nugget tournaments are frequent and well worth the $65 entry fee.

Best of Las Vegas Poker Rooms Also in Best Hotels

One thing is common with all three of these poker rooms. They are also in the best hotels in Las Vegas. The Venetian and Wynn Resort are the best hotels on the Las Vegas Strip and the Golden Nugget is the best hotel in Downtown Las Vegas.