Poll : 25 September - 08 October 2013

Analysis

This was an interesting survey that yielded diverse responses; here's some of your feedback:

• "Wow!! What a timely question. My wife and I just got back from an 11-day stay and the "Downtown Vibe" was the only bad experience of the trip. We love hitting the FSE, normally 3-4 times per visit...but not this time. Biggest turnoff was the panhandlers--way out of control. Also, a popular band was playing that night and foot traffic was cut off making it quite frustrating. Then the drinks at the open kiosks were charging excessive prices for draft and bottle beers. We stayed about 45 minutes and then went back to the Strip. We're coming back out at the end of November for another 11 days and have no intentions of going back downtown. Well, it was nice while it lasted."
  
  
• "I like what I hear about what is going on downtown ... but my wife refuses to go there with me."
  
  
• "The revitalization at El Cortez, Plaza, Container Park, etc. is great. That said, I could do without the Disneyland-esque tourist-trap atmosphere along the Fremont Street Experience."
  
  
• "Downtown LV used to be as exciting as downtown Reno (not good). I think that now, since the Fremont Street Experience and the many more recent improvements that have come along, Downtown is the place to be. I do wish there was a way to eliminate the panhandler/character folks and make it a safer-feeling place but in general, kudos LV!!"
  
  
• "Disappointing during the day. Boring. The "new" D casino is still a dive, just like old Fitzgeralds was. It looks like Bills/Barbary Coast, with 50-year-old dirty carpeting. We like a few of the casinos -- Main St. Station for example (great buffet) But aside from the light show, what's the real attraction here? We're not scared, but we are uncomfortable there at night. It's sure not the Strip. Casino Royale is still a good alternative to downtown and just as much fun. The myth of looser slots downtown is just that. (P.S. Just visited 9/13.)"
  
  
• "I go downtown because of FSE and the "old-school vibe" at the same time. I'm a tourist and I was there last week. Whenever I am in Vegas I ALWAYS have to go to eat at Binion's Steakhouse and see the scene on Fremont. I like the canopy show, the random mix of people (including the dressed-up characters), and I love to watch the drunk tourists with the giant plastic drinks dancing like drunk tourists. It is part of my ritual and I would miss it badly if it wasn't there. Then I head back to the Strip for shows and bad payout tables on video poker, but in a lovely casino where they treat me very nicely. But Fremont Street remains one of the reasons why I love Vegas."
  
  
• "I like downtown a lot. When I first started going to Vegas, downtown was easier to navigate and you didn't have to buy walking shoes just to get to a washroom. The LVA turned me on to Main Street Station and then I kept going back with friends. (I'm glad they're adding to your Rewards book again.) Downtown allows you to participate or not participate in all the fun things that are happening. Are their panhandlers? Of course there are. Every larger city has them. Say no and keep walking. But, downtown is small enough that companies can experiment. The first zipline was fun. This huge one now? I'm looking forward to it! I like the Boneyard and the arts scene. I like the re-use of the mall that was built. I can't wait to go drag-bowling. [Ed: Sorry, you missed the boat on that one, as did we.] What keeps me coming back to downtown primarily is the decent video poker and that you don't need a car to get back and forth from the casinos.Thanks for listening. Happy polling.
  
  
• "In June we were very disappointed with all the "characters" hanging out wanting paid for photos. Many were rude, some were barely dressed, and some were just trashy. In addition, two of the females in our party were approached for money, once inside the Golden Nugget and twice outside. Evenings were uncomfortable even inside some of the casinos (security can't be everywhere). We've stayed downtown for 10+ years, but not next time..."
  
  
• "We can’t even have a conversation downtown anymore. The constant roar is making us go there in the morning or early afternoon, thus missing Carl Farris, who we love to see.Turn It Down!!! Just a little..."
  
  
• "For 15 years I could get my wife to go downtown, but I could not get her to stay there. Eighteen months ago I made reservations at the Golden Nugget for our anniversary. I didn't tell her where we were staying, just that we were staying somewhere we hadn't stayed before. She loved the Nugget and the fact that we could go from casino to casino to casino without moving the car. The restaurants leave nothing to be desired, and the "characters" on Fremont Street are a plus. My daughter and her family, including sons 12 and 6 years old, couldn't get enough of the craziness -- the 'rock' characters and 'super hero' characters, along with the light shows, zip lines, fried Twinkies, etc. mesmerized them. My wife and I now alternate: every other trip to Las Vegas we stay downtown! P.S. I almost forgot to mention the proximity to the World Market mall and all it has to offer, which is another big positive as far as my wife's concerned."
  
  
• "I love the development of the Fremont area arts and bar scene. The Grand promises to bring something new. Neon Boneyard revitalization has been wonderful. The Gold Spike renovation (game lounge) is FANTASTIC. The Strip continues to deliver abandoned construction sites, boring shopping/condo developments, and upscale restaurants and clubs that do not attract me. So I can't wait to see what else Tony Hsieh has in mind, and can't wait for the infusion of youthful energy and ideas. The recent changes have made Downtown the *only* place I now stay. Bravo indeed!"