Downtown Hotels - Fremont is a freek show

Bev Query

Oct 18, 2012
12:26pm

We just returned from spending a weekend down town. The novelty is gone. The place is a freek show. There are more vendors, less space to walk, and too many panhandlers. It's no fun to walk the street after dark. Just try to walk from the Nugget to El Cortez or the Plaza. The noise and crowds are overwhelming. Fremont Street used to be enjoyable because of the atmosphere and because it was so easy to get to other casinos.

Dan Svatass

Oct 18, 2012
4:15pm

Block User

Those crowds are what have kept downtown economically viable. The vendors pay license fees, which help keep the lights on and security guards paid. The panhandlers are not threatening to those who ignore them or politely decline their appeals. I don't feel the atmosphere has made it tougher to get in and out of the casinos.

This is not to say that downtown is for everyone, it's definitely not. But to my eyes, downtown's more attractive than it's been in 20+ years.

RecVPPlayer

Oct 18, 2012
4:19pm

Block User

I'll check on this during my hopefully upcoming trip in about 10 days!

RecVPPlayer

alexlifeson

Oct 18, 2012
5:52pm

Block User

I do agree with the economically viable argument. However, I find Fremont Street to be annoying and repulsive these days primarily at night. I used to enjoy it when it was just regular people walking around and enjoying the sights. Shirtless weirdos wearing wedding veils might be amusing for a minute or two but it gets old real quick. One of my favorite places to stay is the Four Queens and I have made several trips there that did not involve me stepping out on Fremont Street one time or maybe a short trip to the Starbucks in the Nugget. Fortunately, I can stay at the Four Queens without walking outside. I'm glad that the MSS is not adjacent to this nonsense.

thegreek

Oct 18, 2012
10:21pm

Block User

Agree with chilcoot Fremont Street has come a long way from where it started 15/20 years ago. There is just way too much traffic drawn to Downtown to say it's bad. I'm sure the casinos don't mind the extra traffic. Remember it is Las Vegas. Tons of money has been spent in Downtown area ever since the Fremont Experience enter the picture. Only thing I don't agree with is the Zip Line rest of it is fun in the sun to people watch.

bkrull7

Oct 19, 2012
1:32am

Block User

I think Fremont Street is great and has come a long way since the mid-nineties. It just sort of came to life after the canopy was installed. Before then, there wasn't much to do. We would just go for a visit, have lunch, and then head back to the strip. Now it's the destination.

tonyrob

Oct 19, 2012
3:04am

Block User

I like downtown just the way it is - but I agree with thegreek about the zip lines.

vpoker

Oct 19, 2012
3:49pm

Block User

Absolutely correct. Several years ago there was low income apartments in the downtown area where the highrise condo building now stands. This is a huge improvement from what it used to be. The only two complaints I have is the Zip Line which to me is a very bad "Ugly Looking" eyesore to Freemont Street and the noise in the barside shops around the El Cortez is unexcusable. I fail to understand why the city can't do something about this. I remember years ago sleeping on the 14th floor Tower Rooms at the El Cortez and waking up Saturday morning the the building shaking due to the noise. I have asked several times why the EC does not follow up with the city to fix this but they say they can't do anything about it! I now always ask for a northside Tower Room at the El Cortez. I prefer staying DT vs the strip where both the street and pedestrian traffic is horendous!! Food for thought!

MedicluvsLasVegas

Oct 19, 2012
4:58pm

Block User

I wonder if it has to due with Halloween? We were there the 4-13 and out LATE on FSE since we were at the GN and Plaza. We encountered none of these freeks. BUT we did when we were there a few days before 10/31 a few years ago and the freaks were on the strip.
We walked to the El Cortez, played and walked back. Plus to MSS. I was going to post some pics of where we were, and the decorations. I love how FSE is better then it was a few years ago. The panhandlers got to go but they will tire of them and force them out eventually.

alexlifeson

Oct 20, 2012
3:29pm

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: vpoker
Absolutely correct. Several years ago there was low income apartments in the downtown area where the highrise condo building now stands. This is a huge improvement from what it used to be. The only two complaints I have is the Zip Line which to me is a very bad "Ugly Looking" eyesore to Freemont Street and the noise in the barside shops around the El Cortez is unexcusable. I fail to understand why the city can't do something about this. I remember years ago sleeping on the 14th floor Tower Rooms at the El Cortez and waking up Saturday morning the the building shaking due to the noise. I have asked several times why the EC does not follow up with the city to fix this but they say they can't do anything about it! I now always ask for a northside Tower Room at the El Cortez. I prefer staying DT vs the strip where both the street and pedestrian traffic is horendous!! Food for thought!

Even though I don't care for the character freak show, I will agree with you that it is still preferable to the Strip when it comes to walking around. I just don't like dense crowds and would prefer to be able to walk without being stymied by people clustered around some weirdo.

1 ›»

Already a LVA subscriber?
To continue reading, choose an option below:

Diamond Membership

$3 per month

Unlimited access to LVA website

Exclusive subscriber-only content

Limited Member Rewards Online

Join Now

Platinum Membership

$50 per year

Unlimited access to LVA website

Exclusive subscriber-only content

Exclusive Member Rewards Book

Join Now