Golden Nugget vs Strip Hotels???

Although I have not been to Vegas in over 20+ years, I am wondering what is the big difference between Freemont St/Downtown Vegas vs. the Strip??

I am asking because I just viewed the Golden Nugget website and the hotel looks fabulous, especially the new pool and the rates are fantastic for the 3rd week in August.

I am also looking at the package rates at some strip hotels, for instance, Treasure Island has a pkg that includes buffet coupons and tickets to the George Wallace Comedy Show!

One of the features I was looking for in a hotel is nice pool area, with pool bar, or just a fun atmosphere.

My husband was in Vegas 5 years ago, but it will all be totally new for me! Is the Golden Nugget a good choice for my ';1st time visit'; or should we stay on the strip for the full experience!

I also read somewhere that Freemont is an hour away from the strip?? That is rather far!

Thanks

Golden Nugget vs Strip Hotels???

First off, it%26#39;s Fremont, not Freemont. It can take an hour to get from Mandalay Bay to Fremont Street if you%26#39;re going by bus. Other than that it can be done in 10 minutes by car if you use the freeway under light traffic conditions.

The Golden Nugget is the nicest hotel downtown, the new pool area and bars are nice, but it%26#39;s a pretty small pool. They do have a few table games by the pool, 21 and 3 card poker. The shark tank there is very nice.

TI%26#39;s pool is very plain, The Mirage, Rio, MGM, Monte Carlo, Flamingo and Mandalay Bay have much nicer pool areas.

Not sure how long you%26#39;re ataying, one option is to stay at the Golden Nugget for 2 nights and then switch to a Strip hotel for the rest of your stay.

Golden Nugget vs Strip Hotels???

First, Freemont is minutes away from the strip by taxi, car of bus.

The Golden nuggett is a classy property .especially after the latest renovations. It is as good or better tham most of the hotels on the strip. The Rooms are identical to the Mirage, as Wynn owned both at the time . I have stayed there 3 or4 times and had no complaints.

The downtown area is quite different, the properties are all within walking distance, the gambling is generally better with looser slots, better video paker paytables, favorably blackjack rules, and good craps odds. It is a more working class atmosphere and is , in my opinion a fine experience.

I would recommend renting a car as you will want to spend some time on the strip, and at some of the fine locals properties.

If it is your first visit , a mid strip location such as Flamingo, Mirage, or Ballys may be better, and for about the same cost as the GN , but do visit Freemont for the experience.

Louise-

No, the Strip and Fremont are not an hour apart- Maybe 10 -15 minutes by cab- Maybe alittle more depending on how you go there and traffic.

While I am a total ';Downtowner '; I would always reccomend that anyone who comes to Vegas for the first time ( and in your case it being 20 + years since you were there) should stay on the strip- It s really a sight to behold.

I have heard that the Golden Nugget has a great new pool ( we will be checking it out in July!!!) I think that you will find that several places on the strip have very nice pool areas as well. Maybe MGM or Monte Carlo. Wherever you stay have a wonderful time and good luck-

Shona ;-)

Well, if you haven%26#39;t been to Vegas in over 20 years, I would recommend staying on the Strip so you can see all the new hotels and stuff. Also, if a nice pool is important, then I would definitely pick the Strip! I haven%26#39;t been to the Nugget since they re-did their pool, but none of the hotels in Downtown have pools that are comparable to the ones on the Strip.

The biggest difference to me between Downtown and the Strip is the Strip is SO outrageously more crowded than Downtown!! Long lines to check in, check out, eat dinner at the buffets, and it%26#39;s even too crowded to play blackjack sometimes! But of course, if you%26#39;re going to be there during the week instead of the weekend, then it will probably be better.

I would stay on the strip and then take a cab to visit Fremont! Strip is so much better! Search for cheaper hotels on the strip! If you can get the Flamingo (because of the pool) maybe there. Planet Hollywood has some decent rates due to the renovation (read reviews, you shouldnt be bothered by construction anymore). Mandalay Bay is a good choice! from the tone of your message you want to have the ';experience'; of vegas! Dont stay downtown! Too good of deals going around on the strip these days to stay downtown! Go ahead honey,... take a chance!

Perhaps Louise is referring to the information that a ride from Strip to Downtown on the Deuce bus can take as long as an hour- and I do think that is accurate. We are big fans of Downtown as well and ride the Deuce and have found it to be that long depending on time of day etc.

We love the Nugget, but for a first trip i think I would agree that staying on the Strip would be a better intro to Vegas- take a bus trip Downtown one day ( assuming you aren%26#39;t renting a car or don%26#39;t wish to pay about $20 taxi fare) and see what you think for your next trip. After a few trips staying on the Strip ( back in the days when Stardust was a good budget accomodation for us) we decided we preferred Downtown- but you%26#39;ll soon see the difference and decide what suits you.

I agree with the others - stay on the Strip this time. I enjoy downtown and the Golden Nugget is a perfectly decent hotel. However, downtown does not offer as much in terms of shows, clubs, nightlife, restaurants (There are some excellent downtown restaurants but not as many.) Downtown is a great place to gamble, though, so it%26#39;s worth a visit unless you are a non-gambler. If you decide you love the atmosphere downtown, you can probably save some money staying there for your next trip.

i love downtown and have stayed there and would stay there again, but i wouldn%26#39;t recommend it for a first time visit. stay mid strip and spend an evening downtown. it%26#39;s a quick cab ride or a cheap bus ride.

if you find that downtown is the place for you, you can stay there next time (and there WILL be a next time... no one can eat just one ;))

the strip has all the spectacle and glamour. the strip has the fancy buffets and the lion habitats and the fountain shows. the strip has the fabulous pools.

downtown has better gambling, good dining values, and short walks between casinos.

on a first visit, you will want to do the touristy stuff, which is on the strip.

Wow,

Thank you all for your replies, I really appreciate it!

I forgot to mention and I am not a gambler at all! My husband does play blackjack, and I may play the slots for 5 minutes, but thats it.

I want to go for the shows, nightlife, dining, shopping, and just the overall Vegas experience. I know much has changed since my last visit, and so it would be like going to disney world on a grown-up scale for me!!

Thanks again

Keep it coming!!!!!!

Well, if you%26#39;re not a gambler and if you want to be CLOSE to all the shopping, shows, nightlife, etc., then you should definitely stay on the Strip.