Worth visiting boulder highway casinos?

I'm an international player (New Zealand - long way away), but have visited Las Vegas many times and tend to come for 2-3 weeks per visit (due to long distance). Normally I stay mainly on the strip, with a few nights downtown for good measure. I occasionally visit the off strip properties like Hard Rock, Palms / Rio etc.

I've only ever been to one Boulder Highway casino, Sams Town - and that was 6 years or so ago. It seems that since then there has been a lot of casinos opened on the boulder highway area. Just wondering if, as a tourist, it's worth visiting the casinos in that area (which I'm told include some "locals casinos" with good values) - and how long I'd need to see them all (if only for an hour or two each)? Any recommendations welcome.

I've also never been to Henderson area where I believe there's a cluster of smaller casinos. Can anyone recommend whether it's worth venturing there - and roughly how long the drive / taxi fare / bus time is from the strip?

Looking forward to catching up with some of the forum members in March - let's have a few drinks together!

I have stayed a few times at Sam's Town & Arizona Charlie's on Boulder Hwy years ago. I've never stayed at Boulder Station, Eastside Cannery, or Long Horn. Given a choice I would stay at Sam's Town over Arizona Charlie's but Arizona Charlie's doesn't have resort fees so that would have to be factored as well. The rooms at Arizona Charlie's are located separate from the casino building. Not a big deal for me but you have to exit the casino to get to the rooms. Arizona Charlie's provides a map to find your room. Later when I have time I'll post the actual map that they provide me which is just a black and white piece of paper drawing which shows the layout of how to get to the rooms.

FWIW.

I'm not a fan of Sam's Town. If you wanted to head to a nice "locals" casino, I'd recommend Red Rock or Green Valley Ranch.

The only hotels you'd want would be Sam's, ECan or Boulder St. Charlies is more motel style and the casino isn't much. Of those three, ECan has the best rooms, Sam's and BS have the best food. All three should still have decent VP. I haven't been that way in a year and a half. You'll find room rates to be far lower than the strip. The same can be said of food prices. My favorite factor is the lack of crowds like the strip. Far more relaxing to me. The one possible disadvantage is that it's usefull to have a car. There are shuttles to downtown and the strip, but if you like to run around, a car is helpful.
If you'll be in town for 2 or 3 weeks, I would definitely recommend spending at least a few nights out there. You'll see a completely different side of LV. Hope the info helps.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

These casinos have a different vibe, more casual & friendlier. Food is generally good and cheaper. In addition to Red Rock (which is in a different direction) & Green Valley I like Sams Town & sunset station.

I have stayed at Arizona Charlies and Sams Town. They are okay at best. If you are looking for the glamour of the strip hotels, you aren't going to find it here. You will find good priced restaurants though.

Arizona Charlies has something like a $2.99 Steak and Eggs special. They also have a ham steak and eggs special I believe, for the same price. I got the steak and eggs and almost choked on the steak because of all the gristle in it.

I will only stay on Boulder Highway in the future, if something is in town and the strip hotels are fully booked or are too expensive.

I like Sam's Town. It is where old people take their parents gambling

lol, ST does have the old folks vibe to it for sure. BS has some decent table games, but I was so put off by a rude dealer (pai-gow), that I have not been back in a long time. AC turned me off with a rude craps dealer, never went back. they all seem to have a low roller feel to them and are worth a visit. I have never been to eastside cannery but I would like to check it out. I am hoping to be in vegas the first weekend of april. its an easy drive, if you rent a car for one day, you could hit most of them. good luck!

The best thing ever on Boulder Highway was the Longhorn Casino's Chuck Wagon restaurant's 24 inch, pound and a half, all beef, kosher, Monster Dog! And it came with Fries. And the Monster Bun was toasted. Alas...the Monster Dog is no more.