The following thread is NOT about the Turd and his war crimes

Rather, I'd like your opinion on Vegas as your vacation,/gambling destination and how that may have changed. I used to visit there quite often; I also lived there for eight years. Now, I would absolutely do neither.

So my alternative destinations are Reno and San Diego. I visit both pretty often and nowadays only visit Vegas on my way to San Diego and during the post-rodeo bargain time. What about you? Have you cut back on Vegas visitation? Do you have a destination you prefer now?

I was in Reno in October. It was pretty dead but I had fun. Several nights at the El Dorado. Fully comped including resort fee. I just had to pay some tax. I kinda like Reno. The river walk in nice, the weather is cool. It isn't too crowded. 

I like the proximity to Lake Tahoe. Vegas has no place nearby worth visiting and no scenery.

The Eldorado used to have a lot of good VP. Was that still the case when you visited?

I have friends and family in the Placerville Ca area. It's about an hour from Tahoe. Use to visit Tahoe with the family when I was a kid.

The first time I gambled in a tahoe casino I was about 15. Won some money on slots and got served two drinks before getting kicked out. Took my mom to dinner at Hard Rock Cafe with the winnings and told her the story. Haha

I didn't do a whole lot of gambling. There was some good vp but most good machines stayed pretty occupied with folks that look like they've been there a while. 

Will still visit Las Vegas two times this coming year, and not the three or four times we usually do.  Will visit in March for Spring Break (4 days-already booked) and during the summer (July- already booked).  The past few years we have gone for the Westgate Slot Tournament series, (3 or 4 days), but they aren't doing it in 2026.  Also, we usually will go during Thanksgivng Break, but planning a trip to Germany to visit the German Markets.....a bucket list thing for my wife.  Vegas is still our go-to spot, but we figure that will change in the next 4 years when both of us are retired.

You'll really enjoy the Weinachtsmarkte. I recommend the big one in Nuremberg and the multiple smaller ones in Koln, especially the one near the cathedral. Have some Gluhwein and gingerbread.

Also, there will be LOTS of concerts to attend, both Christmas and classical music. You'll love it.

My wife's family lived in Crailsheim.....father was Army, so she remembers the Nuremberg Christmas Market.  We will want to hit that one if it's open since we will be going to Rothenberg Ob der Tauber.  We went to Rothenberg back in the summer of 2014, and really liked it.  

Me too! Back in 2005. Took a guided group tour of the old city. Fascinating!

That part of Germany is super-touristy but nonetheless very enjoyable. 

I am currently starting my fifth day in Vegas. I only went once last year with baby and found the pricing was way out of control. This is my first trip back since then. 

Now as I walk up and down the strip I see all kinds of good deals on food that I haven't seen since towards the end of the pandemic. My Friday and Saturday night room rate at the MGM Grand was $102 a night including resort fees. That's in a brand new room. Got 25% off my first night at Four Queens and then a second night free. I think I also get something like $80 in free play from them via two promotions. 

I have spent less on food this trip than I did my last 3-4 trips to Vegas. The comped drinks on the bar tops seem to be coming faster with less of you aren't playing fast enough sir or you only have $18 in the machine you need to put in at least $20 in for the free drinks bs that you used to get at some places. 

I am going to buck what the current conventional wisdom is on Vegas that you see from influencers on social media bandwagoning that prices are out of control theme type post.  For the savvy traveler now is the time to go to Vegas because room rates are dropping and they are offering deals to lure you back. 

 I first came to Vegas 24 years ago. I have seen several boom and bust cycles. Boom: prices go up, deals dry up and more new ridiculous fees are added to everything because during boom times there is such high demand that idiotic people pay whatever is being asked. 

The sweet spot to visit Vegas is now. And from past experiences you will only get so many of these windows and at best they last a year or two. So, I am planning on making 3-4 2026 visits. 

I was in Vegas last August. Found some good deals.

Sayed a couple nights at The Downtown Grand. They had a great special. If I remember correctly for a couple hundred bucks I got two nights, a $100 food and beverage credit and half a dozen drink tickets. 

Also did two nights at Circa. That was $400 and got a $100 food credit and a $100 beverage credit. 

Saw Absinthe. A bit pricey but I felt it was worth it and really enjoyed it. Word of warning though. The seats are small and very close together as in pushed together with no space between. I am kind of a big guy and if the person next to me wasn't a no-show this may have been an issue. I may have had to stand in back by the bar or something. Speaking of bar I had their featured absinthe drink which obviously was a little expensive but pretty darn good. 

Hit the downtown casinos with my rewards book and did pretty well with the match play offers.  

Took advantage of the say hi to Matthew promotions as well. A friend of mine was with me and didn't want to pony up 25 bucks for one bet so I got his matchplay chips too. 

Overall it was a fun trip. Strong likelihood I will be doing it again this August.