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Poll : 18 July - 31 July 2018

Q:

What's your favorite thing to do downtown? Vote for as many as you like and comments always appreciated.

A:
5485 Total Votes
Fremont Street Experience (light show and pedestrian mall)
12% (682)
Main Street Station buffet
6% (331)
video poker at Four Queens
5% (270)
Free entertainment on Third Street Stage and other places
4% (245)
Mob Museum
4% (237)
LVA free-play coupon run
4% (223)
Street performers
4% (216)
Free photo with $1 million at Binion’s
4% (193)
Neon Museum
3% (190)
Beers at 777 Brewery, Main Street Station
3% (189)
Free machine pulls at Binion's and Four Queens
3% (188)
Main Street Station buffet
3% (187)
Sigma Derby at the D
3% (181)
Shark Tank pool at Golden Nugget
3% (173)
Triple 7 at Main Street Station
3% (148)
99-cent shrimp cocktail at Lanai Express at the Fremont
3% (147)
Hugo’s Cellar
3% (144)
Fremont buffet
2% (136)
Gamblers General Store
2% (133)
Balcony at the D overlooking Fremont Street
2% (132)
Playing video poker at the Boar Bar at Main Street Station
2% (121)
Top of Binion's Steakhouse
2% (115)
Historical Vegas photos at El Cortez
2% (114)
Chicago Brewing Co. at Four Queens
2% (96)
Downtown Container Park
2% (93)
Las Vegas Premium Outlets North
1% (79)
Zipline
1% (66)
Aloha Specialties at the California
1% (65)
Poker at the Golden Nugget
1% (52)
Poker at Binion’s
1% (50)
Second Street Grill at the Fremont
1% (49)
Binion's Barbecue
1% (42)
Andiamo at the D
1% (36)
Noodle House at California
1% (34)
Vic and Anthony's Steakhouse
1% (29)
Triple George Grill
1% (29)
Cabana Room coupon at El Cortez
0% (25)
Dance on the bar at Hogs & Heifers
0% (19)
Laundry Room at the Commonwealth
0% (9)
Spa Suite at the Golden Nugget
0% (9)
Fear the Walking Dead attraction
0% (8)

Analysis

After a total of nearly 5,500 votes, the favorite/best attractions downtown are pretty clear. We're not surprised at all that Fremont Street itself -- the crooning canopy and pedestrian mall -- placed first by a large margin. It's big, it's free, and it's wild. 

We were a bit taken aback that the street performers came in in seventh place; that's the part of the scene downtown about which we get the most complaints. 

The Main Street Station buffet remains as popular as ever, with 61 more votes than the third-place Four Queens video poker, though that gives you an idea of where the best machines are. Main Street Station also took second-place downtown dining honors with its venerable Triple 7 brewpub. Beyond those, you can see the favorite eateries: 99-cent shrimp cocktail at the Fremont and the Fremont buffet, Hugo's Cellar (of course), Top of Binion's, Chicago Brewing Company, Second Street Grill (one of our own favorites), etc.

As far as attractions go, the Mob Museum is right up there; it is unique to Vegas. Then come the other cool downtown stuff: Binion's free photo, Neon Museum, Shark Tank, the D's balcony, and even the El Cortez's historical photos -- all before the Zipline, which isn't everyone's thing; the Fear the Walking Dead attraction has yet to catch on.  

The Golden Nugget's poker room is statistically insignificantly more popular than Binion's.

Update: It's been brought to our attention, privately and in the comment boxes, that we dropped the ball on fun things to do at the Plaza, Golden Gate, and Downtown Grand. Overlooking Oscar's at the Plaza is downright embarrassing; we've loved that restaurant ever since it was the Centerstage long before the Experience arrived and we've eaten there many times since it was renamed to honor ex-mayor Oscar Goodman. Plus there's an excellent discount for Oscar's in the Member Rewards Book. We also like grabbing a slice at Pop-Up Pizza and the Plaza has the only bingo game downtown.

At the Golden Gate, the dancing dealers are still going strong, always a treat if you're looking to play a table game while you're on Fremont Street. And the Downtown Grand has a fine brunch at its Freedom Beat restaurant ($20) and the best-paying bar keno in town. 

 

 

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Comments

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  • Kevin C Jul-18-2018
    USED to enjoy Gamblers General Store
    But the last time I was in there, the two old battle axes running the place were rude and acted as though I was inconveniencing them for daring to ask if they had a particular thing in stock. I walked across the street and bought what I needed from the friendly folks at Spinetti's instead.

  • Kevin C Jul-18-2018
    Why is Main Street Buffet listed twice?
    I have NO idea why people rate that highly. I stayed there two years ago and the buffet was "OK" but only barely. Not a particularly great bargain and certainly not great in any other way either that I noticed.

  • Bradley Nelson Jul-18-2018
    You forgot......
    NACHO DADDY'S 

  • [email protected] Jul-18-2018
    Golden Nugget buffet
    I like their buffet for the great bread pudding recipe.

  • Patrick Jul-18-2018
    Fremont Street
    Getting crazier every year, best at night. Some of the daytime visuals are pretty ugly.  Miss Mermaids.  Looking forward to the newest wrinkle from Derek Stevens.  Flair bartenders outside at the D are always fun to watch.

  • Robert Byrne Jul-18-2018
    Why no Oscar's?
    IMO it's the best Steakhouse Downtown.
    I agree with campbellkd14 that Main Street Buffet is over rated, it's certainly good value compared to most others, but not up to the standard of most buffets we've tried.

  • Ray Jul-18-2018
    lots of choices
    Fremont St experience is a good way to spend a few minutes and then to walk along the street. We love Main Street Station, but not enough to check the buffet both times, nor to check the 777 both times (I only check each one once). We never really considered Gamblers General Store as part of downtown, but we love it so I checked it too. I disagree with Campbell about the buffet, because it is better than the cheap buffets and cheaper than the outlandishly priced strip buffets.

  • Dave Jul-18-2018
    Vote early and vote often...?
    Particularly if you love the Main Street Station buffet - which is listed twice. 

  • Christine Jakubek Jul-18-2018
    chrissie
    I have probably stayed Downtown close to 10 times now and we are going again in September.  I like Downtown mainly because I can walk to all of the casino's.  This means a lot when you are getting older.  I enjoy the Freemont Street Experience.  Some of the street performers are really good but others are obscene but make me laugh.  Several years ago I did the shorter zip line and enjoyed it but don't think I will do the newer higher and longer one because I am over 70 now.  This year I want to go to the Neon Museum for a guided tour at night.  Many years ago I went to Gamblers General Store and my friend and I spent lots of money getting gifts for others.  Main Street buffet was not great but I got breakfast buffet for under $2.00 with LVA coupon and points.  Can't beat that.  Hoping to get to Triple George this year also.  To my thinking Downtown is just a much better value than the Strip.  So much to see and do all close together.

  • Chuck Mowery Jul-18-2018
    Downtown Stuff
    Not only did I get to vote for my favorite attractions, but found a few new ones.  Great list.  Thanks
    
    chuck

  • Diana Thorpe Jul-18-2018
    Love downtown
    While I like all the activities downtown, I love the practicality of it. I don't need a car while I'm there.  I can be entertained easily by the decent video poker, fun slot machines, reasonably priced antes on table games, shows, tours and if I feel a need to be on the strip, the Deuce takes me there.  The few times I use a cab or Lyft/Uber is more than offset by how much money I save on car rental.

  • steve crouse Jul-18-2018
    street freaks
    It's fun to hang out with the street freaks and drink cheap beer.
    The evening usually ends with a good fight which is always the highlight.

  • Jim Gawura Jul-18-2018
    Coney Dogs
    Being from Detroit, but having moved to Las Vegas ten years ago, I have to hit American Coney Island. A taste of home. Love those coney dogs.

  • Llew Jul-18-2018
    Where is Barge?
    I mentioned Barge in the pre-poll comments.  Why didn't you list it?  You could have explained what it is.  It's still the main reason I even go to Vegas.  

  • David Miller Jul-18-2018
    Video poker and Blackjack
    Video poker and blackjack at El Cortez

  • Dave in Seattle. Jul-18-2018
    MSS,all of the way.
    I always go to the Triple 7 during one or both happy hours.
    3-6 PM and/or or 11-3 AM.The buffet is a good value and better than the Fremont one. Bj,craps and video poker at the Boar's Head bar. When I stay there ,I like that they have a LOT of elevators!
    
    
    

  • Jul-18-2018
    1950s facades & neon lights
    I like to do a lot of the things on the list, but probably my favorite thing, which is unique to downtown, is simply to appreciate the old facades & signs, including neon lights at night, that still exist at some of the properties, notably the El Cortez, Fremont and Binion's.  (It's such a shame that the beautiful facade of the Mint came to an end a couple decades ago.)

  • Melvin Leshner Jul-18-2018
    LuvToVisitVegas
    Aloha Specialties at the California is one of my favorite restaurants in Vegas -- delicious, authentic Hawaiian food.

  • A J Conner Jul-18-2018
    QOD
    What I like about Downtown - don't like how your gambling is going, it is easy to move from casino to casino trying to change your luck.There are still some good VP and table games at low limits. Reasonable food prices along with a decent variety. 
    
    

  • John Chance Jul-18-2018
    Downtown
     I prefer playing video poker at Main St. Station over the Four Queens.  The reason: Fremont St. has become too noisy and aggravating and I have yet to find a quiet room at the Four Queens.

  • Sylvie LEROY Jul-22-2018
    Tour of historic places
    Renting and riding a bike for a tour of the historic places around Downtown, taking as many pictures as I can (before one day they destroy these places) is my fav thing to do. Here is the guide: https://www.live-in-las-vegas-nv.com/support-files/guide_to_historic_web.pdf
    Looking at the Pullman car and the Winston Churchill's Snooker Table at Main Street Station is another thing I do on every visit to Downtown.

  • Seamans Jul-25-2018
    better time
    Fremont street is awesome everything is so close. I believe it is a better value than the strip.The food is great with good variety. It is a lot cheaper to gamble downtown.I love the place.

  • bantam32 Jul-26-2018
    Root Beer at Magolia's
    That is one of my favorite things! Of course, Ellis Island Root beer is better,though!  We mostly go on coupon runs.  We have stayed at Golden Nugget twice in the past and enjoyed it.  However, I think the Fremont street area is lacking in luster!  To say the least!  We usually stay at The Orleans, so it is not like we are used to high dollar places. Every time I visit the Fremont street area I say that I am not going back.  This spring the Mob Museum lured us back and a coupon run.   

  • vegasdawn Jul-30-2018
    Walking Fremont St.
    Walking Fremont St. going from one Casino to another used to be the most enjoyable part of downtown for us.  That is no longer the case because of the street performers either who play loud instruments or purposely impede our walking by attempting to sell us something.  Those who stand off to the side and wait for people to come to them are not the problem.

  • James Walter Aug-04-2018
    Downtown Poll
    First I didn't see the zip line on your poll results but second Mainstreet Station buffet is listed twice. Once with 6% (331) and once at 3% (187). Does that mean they received 9% and 518 votes or was that a mistype and should be titled something else?  

  • Patrick Jaeger Aug-04-2018
    VP@4 Queens
    The last time I went to 4 Queens the 10-7 vp progressive against the wall was no longer there. Did I miss some other good vp?

  • Seamans Aug-04-2018
    faves
    coupon runs are the best, everything is so close.

  • Roy Furukawa Aug-04-2018
    This got me thinking...
    Is the Center Stage Restaurant still at the Plaza? I know they just remodeled the hotel and this poll got me wondering about the Plaza. I remember going there decades ago and getting the old school dinner treatment where they made the Bananas Foster tableside. I would imagine it would be a great view of the Frement Experience today, but back then it was a view all along Fremont Street. The movie Casino even filmed a scene in this restaurant.