Locals Casinos in Vegas

[BLLittle]

My sister and I are going to be in Vegas Thanksgiving week; we'll have a rental car. Last year, we went to a few casinos off the Strip and my sister has said she'd like to do that more this year. This is because she's been having trouble walking and likes it when we can park close to the casino instead of walking what seems like a miles after parking in the garages at most of the big Strip places. We liked Red Rocks and a couple of the Station casinos we found.

So, the question is, where are some of the best locals, smaller casinos? Who has favorites?

Thanks!
Bruce

 

[ricoba]

For very easy walking between casino's, downtown Vegas can't be beat.

Other local places that I like are Green Valley Ranch & Sunset Station (both Station Casino's), South Point, Silverton and Sam's Town. There's a new Aliante Station, that just opened that would be fun to snoop around, as well as the new Cannery.

Have fun exploring the off Strip places.

 

[Fern Modena]

My favorite place these days is South Point Casino. It is on Las Vegas Blvd about five miles south of Mandalay Bay. I haven't been to the Eastside Canery yet, but it is new and definitely "local." It is on Boulder Hwy. somewhat south of Flamingo. In that same area are Sam's Town, on Boulder at Flamingo/Nellis and Boulder Station, a bit north of there on Boulder.

The newest casino in town, opened last Tuesday. Aliente Station is in North Las Vegas, off the Northern Beltway (northern I-215) at Aliente. I haven't been there and probably won't go, as it is about as far from my house as you can get without going to Utah.

If walking from the garages is an issue, why not valet park? The parking itself is free, the only cost is a couple of bucks to the valet when you pick up your car (I usually tip $2.). It is one of the best bargains in town, to my way of thinking, and usually will put your right in front of the front door.

The only place I generally don't valet park is at Bellagio if I am going to look at the Conservatory (flower garden). I park in the garage for that, as it is right near the doors.

Fern

 

[Dori]

Years ago, Fern steered us to Terrible's and it is still one of our favourites. if we are in LV, enroute to a TS vacation in California or Arizona, we stay there for a few days, as we find LV flights are most often cheaper.

Dori

 

[BLLittle]

Thank you! I should have mentioned that we'd also enjoyed going downtown, not just for the many different casinos so close together but for the light show and street performers as well. We'll definitely being heading back there.

And thanks for the suggestion about using the valet services. I hadn't thought of that and will suggest it to my sister. I think, though, that she's found the smaller casinos to be more comfortable to get around in as well once inside. Not saying Red Rocks is particularly small, but it is so easy to get lost in a place like MGM!

 

[John Cummings]

My sister and I are going to be in Vegas Thanksgiving week; we'll have a rental car. Last year, we went to a few casinos off the Strip and my sister has said she'd like to do that more this year. This is because she's been having trouble walking and likes it when we can park close to the casino instead of walking what seems like a miles after parking in the garages at most of the big Strip places. We liked Red Rocks and a couple of the Station casinos we found.

So, the question is, where are some of the best locals, smaller casinos? Who has favorites?

Thanks!
Bruce

If you don't want to walk at the big casinos then use valet parking where you can get out right at the door. It doesn't cost anything other than a $2.00 tip which is optional but should be given.

I used to be a regular at the Silverton which was one of my favorites. However it has definitely gone down hill. They removed all their full pay Video Poker machines and their machines are now tighter than the Paris which is our favorite but it is a strip property. Not only have the Silverton's machines gone down hill but so have their restaurants and buffet. I definitely would not recommend the Silverton. I keep getting offers for free nights and $500 in cash but I will not go back there.

We have been to many of the locals including most of the Station Casinos, Green Valley Ranch, etc. but I wouldn't recommend any. As I said, we far prefer the Paris and we play where we stay. We far prefer our local casinos here in California to any in Las Vegas except the Paris.

 

[Karen G]

I definitely would not recommend the Silverton.

Different strokes for different folks. We were just at the Silverton last night and thought it was great! We had out-of-town friends here and the guys love the Bass Pro Shop. We took a quick look as we entered through the store and then ate a wonderful meal at the Mexican restaurant there.

The food was great, the prices were very reasonable, and the service was outstanding. We don't gamble, so I don't have an opinion on the tables, slot machines, etc., but the place was packed with people who were gambling.

We took one of our friends down to Fremont St. Friday night and saw the Country Music Superstar Tribute, which is one of our favorite shows, and it's still a wonderful show. We also ate in the restaurant there and later saw the light show and looked around in The Golden Nugget. Fremont St. was packed as was every casino we walked into. The Strip was packed Saturday afternoon and the airport was as crowded as ever this morning when we dropped our friend off.

As for local casinos, as mentioned by others above, I like Southpoint, Green Valley Ranch, and Sunset Station. The new one at St. Rose and the 15 in Henderson, the M, looks like it's going to be very cool when it opens in the spring.

 

[BLLittle]

Thanks for the additional comments!

We did visit Terribles last year and had a good time, so that is probably a place we'll go to again; just didn't stick enough in my mind to mention while writing the original post. And thanks for the warning on Silvertons!

I own and will be staying at Club de Soliel, so playing where we stay is not really an option. I know it doesn't have the greatest reputation, but I picked it up for a song and have generally been pleased.

In researching this for my sister, I cam across an article:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/aug/22/small-casinos-keep-it-simple-friendly/

Has anyone been to the Rainbow mentioned in the article? It also mentioned casinos along Boulder Highway, so I suspect we'll be making a trek out that way.

 

[Fern Modena]

If you are staying at Club de Soilel, you might want to go to Orleans and Gold Coast. Both are locals casinos, one on Flamingo, one on Tropicana. At Orleans you can probably find parking nearby, or there is Valet on the right side as you face it. I haven't been to Gold Coast lately, so I couldn't say about it.

The Rio is also nearby, but it is huge, so I wouldn't recommend it, unless you were planning on going to the buffet and used the valet. That wouldn't be too far away, as long as you stayed in that part of the casino. Otherwise it is a huge walk to things.

The Palms is also in the area, but both the Palms and the Rio are more strip-oriented and larger.

Rainbow is a small locals casino in Henderson. There are several others in downtown Henderson as well. I've not been to any, so I can't comment on them.

Fern

 

[swift]

Fern, when I was at the Hilton Las Vegas Convention Center it seemed as though there were several people in the casino portion on 3 wheel scooters that all looked alike. It was as if they rented them from the hotel. Do the casinos offer that kind of service? Maybe that would work for the OP if they did.

 

[Fern Modena]

I know that scooters can be rented from some hotels, but I don't know the details at all. Sorry.

Fern

 

[BLLittle]

If you are staying at Club de Soilel, you might want to go to Orleans and Gold Coast.

Yes, we've gone to both those before and had a good time. We saw Falsettos at one of them (can't recall which) and just had a great time. And the Big Band lounge band in the Orleans is really nice in the afternoons.

The Palms is also in the area, but both the Palms and the Rio are more strip-oriented and larger.

The Rio is definitely what I'd think of as a Strip type place, but the Palms is nice. I especially liked it when they had Middle Eastern food on the buffet -- something unique! Last time we went, the buffet was closed for remodeling.

Rainbow is a small locals casino in Henderson. There are several others in downtown Henderson as well. I've not been to any, so I can't comment on them.

"Small" is exactly what we're looking for. I google mapped "Henderson Casinos" and got quite a few ideas now. And the food specials some of them have listed are really great! Looking forward to this trip -- Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!

And yes, a couple of years ago my sister developed really bad blisters when we walked a bit too much on the first day along the Strip (may be why she has such an aversion to Strip places now ). We rented a scooter for her and it was really reasonable. I don't recall the details, but there were flyers for them at the concierge table of Club de Soliel, so I'd bet they are all over.

 

[Bob B]

Definitely try the South Point. Very friendly folks, affordable tables for decent blackjack, fabulous cocktail waitresses, and many reasonably priced and excellent restaurants.