Why even bother with Vegas anymore?

Does Minnesota have a gambling facility with a 1700 foot tower with rides like Insanity, Big Shot and Xtreme? Simply put, there is no Stratosphere in Minnesota. Ok, the Strat's kind of difficult to duplicate...Maybe there's a place with dancing fountains and a conservatory like Bellagio? A pool like Mandalay Bay's? A light show like Fremont Street?

Well there must be a half dozen Cirque shows up there in Minneapolis...and another 100 show choices nightly....right? I know...Gourmet Dining...I'm sure there's numerous Beard and Michelin award winners in the tri-cities...No? At least you've got lutefisk...and some nice paytables.

alanleroy is confusing Minnesota with Indiana.

I could have sworn Minneapolis was in Minnesota, not Indiana...but I will defer to DonDiego's knowledge of Geometry. It was never my strong suit.

AlanLeroy is confusing Geometry with geography.

"Why even bother with Vegas anymore?"
For me, it's definitely because of the overall "feel" of Vegas. As others have already stated, Only Vegas is Vegas. Anywhere else simply does not have the same vibe, the same action, or the same excitement.
Here in Canada (BC) , I have half a dozen casinos within a 45 minute drive of my home. I've been to all of them and they are an ok substitute for Vegas in between my visits - but they are NOT Vegas (even though I like that there is no witholding on my big wins here, unlike in the US! ).
I've been to casinos in several states in the US - including Michigan, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington and California (as well as non-Vegas casinos in Nevada, of course). Some are better than others, but again, none are quite like Vegas.
I've also played in casinos elsewhere in the world - places as diverse as Finland, France and Russia. They are sometimes quite different and interesting, but they aren't Vegas either.

After several decades of visiting Vegas, I just never get tired of it. There's always something new or different to see and do. So, "Why even bother with Vegas anymore"? - Because I love it there!

Pre 9/11

RT flights from Mpls. to Vegas could be had for $99.00

I flew many times on those crazy cheap airfares, now
we have a third of the carriers flying routes there.
Prices now are 3 and 4 times that amount, so that is
definently affecting people's travel, which I suspect
the OP was referring partly too.

Personally, it is difficult for me to imagine anything more depressing that gambling at a local or indian casino.

Local/indian casino: "I've been gambling for a while now, and my luck seems to be down, guess I'll do something else. I could: (1) go to the restroom; (2) eat at the mediocre buffet or restaurant; (3) spend some time watching all of the sleepy casino patrons; (4) buy a ticket to whatever country act or half-assed 60s/70s/80s band is playing the theater; (5) gamble some more; (6) look at the bland landscape; or (7) go home."


Las Vegas: "I've been gambling for a while now, and my luck seems to be down, guess I'll do something else. I could: (1) walk around and look at the crazy architecture; (2) walk around and look at the neon lights; (3) have an amazing meal at a fabulous restaurant; (4) go see a Cirque show; (5) go see a headliner; (6) spend some time looking at all the freaks and weirdos; (7) go to a different casino that is less than 5 minutes away; (8) look at the mountains; (9) go to a strip club; (10) go to a museum; (11) go watch the FSE/Bellagio Fountains/Mirage Volcano/Sirens of TI (OK, maybe not that one); (12) go to a night club; (13) go sing Karaoke at Ellis Island; (14) go to a comedy club; (15) go to a fancy mall and look at the crazy things that rich people buy..."

Really, if all you want to do is gamble, then maybe it's not worth going to Vegas. But then again, if all you want to do is gamble, maybe you have a problem.

pffft...Geometry, Geography, Geology, Gynocology...

There is a amusement park called Valley Fair. It's not far from Mystic Lake casino.

One thing Minnesota has is professional sports. Top tier players get free tickets to Vikings, Twins and Wild games. So, it's not all one-sided.

And, at a couple of casinos you can get free golf all summer long.

BTW, there are no casinos in Minneapolis. The closest one is about 25 miles south. There are many shows from well known entertainers. But, you won't get any of the long running Vegas shows.

PS. where is the "tri-cities"?
PPS. very few nice paytables.

Tri-Cities/Twin Cities...Geometry isn't my strong suit...I already mentioned that.