Shady people downtown.

We always stay mid-strip, but love to enjoy one night downtown every trip. We love the atmosphere, low tables and good drink. Since we started this routine 12 years ago, we always noticed a good amount of shady type people downtown. Granted, I'm sure they are just there enjoying downtown for same reasons we like it, but I'm curious has anyone ever had any real issues with this group. We are street smart, but rather not go off of the main Freemont street area at night. I bet we are missing some cool places because of this.

Been going there often for many years, never had a problem. The area where tourists go is quite safe, the area bounded by Fremont, Main, Ogden, and 7th. I'd also add Main Street to Main Street Station, and North 3rd Street to Stewart. Be as alert in this area as you are at the Bellagio fountains and you'll be fine.

Hmmmm . . so you are saying bring an umbrella?

Have been staying downtown for the past 12 years (6 trips a year) and have yet to have any type of problem. On occassion there will be a person ask for spare change or in some cases a dollar to get a beer but nothing more serious than that. Have walked to all casinos in the immediate area and felt very safe. Being street smart does not even enter the picture. As you said they are there to have a good time same as you are. Well lit and always a huge crowd moving about.

I've never found downtown to be unsafe.

I will say its getting a little annoying with all the costumed characters. They seem to grow in number every trip. Its starting to look like Halloween down there.
The half naked chicks can stay. Spiderman and his grimey outfit that was last washed 4 months ago needs to go.

We've been going to Vegas for 16yrs. and the last 6 we have started to stay downtown. In fact each year we spend more of the trip downtown than the previous. We have never had a problem.

We've been going to LV 2 to 5 times per year since 2000 and always stay downtown. Our preferences are 1) MSS 2) GN, 3) Cal, 4) 4Q, though we sometimes also book a couple of nights at off strip properties Orleans or Sams Town. The last time we stayed on the strip was at the Stardust (RIP). We always rent a car and drive over to the strip to see the shows we want and to eat/shop where we want over there. IMHO, the strip seems to have at least as many or more wackos per square foot than downtown. But if you don't like people, or if you are afraid of them, you shouldn't be going to LV in the first place. Relax, have fun, and don't be reluctant about staying downtown as it is as safe as anywhere in the area... As always, be as aware of your surroundings as you are when you are in your local shopping mall and you will be just fine. And you will have a whole lot of fun too!!!

It's not that hard to go to LV if you don't like random people. I can park in the FQ garage and choose to never step out on Fremont St which I have done before. I can drive to the parking garage of any casino and avoid the street traffic altogether.