Question of the Day - 20 October 2024

The river is its forte. Beyond that, imho, it's depressing frankly. The vibe reminds me of downtown Reno. Haven't been to Laughlin since 2020 or so and don't plan to go back. Same for downtown Reno, no thank you, won't ever go back again. But with that said, for those here on QOD who endlessly complain and whine about Las Vegas being too expensive? Just want cheap above all else? I think Laughlin and downtown Reno is your holy grail. It's waiting just for you. 

The only way to go to Laughlin is on a totally free junket.  Rent a car and spend a couple of nights in Vegas.

Haven’t been there since Covid. At that time I would drive from Chicago and spend the winters there in comped rooms and never paid cash for food. Weather perfect. Seven star card meant I spent most of my time at Harrahs. Some state law forced me out of my room for a couple of days to another casino. For some time Harrahs had 9/6 job quarter machines. I could marathon on a hundred dollar bill. Thanks Bob Dancer. Good nonsmoking section with bar. The Aquarius had plenty of 9/6 job and bdlx. Golden Nugget had the Tall Grass restaurant and the casino always was comfortable for me. Don’t forget Laughlin pioneer/founder Don Laughlin’s Riverside Planning a charter trip for New Years. Hope it’s good.

I always thought LVA didn’t comment on Laughlin because you wanted to concentrate on Vegas.

I personally LOVE Laughlin!  We go annually when we plan our 15 day trip to Nevada.  The scenery is fabulous! , the river amazing!  Driving around, you come to areas where wild baby burros are feeding.  It’s a great break from the “lights, camera, action “of Las Vegas. They have a tiny casino called the Pioneer Hotel and Gambling Hall, where you can sit at the bar, looking at the action on the Colorado River, drink COLD draft beer and eat WARM, FREE popcorn, while playing video poker!  What’s not to like?? We go to chill out in the middle of our trip, AND IT WORKS FOR US!!  Yes, it’s old, but so are WE!! 

It's easy to get around Laughlin,Golden Nugget and Aquarius had 5 dollar craps tables, other places had 10 craps tables, In and out burger next to Tropicana, not crowded. Small restaurant at think it was Laughlin River Hotel good food and cheap. Video poker is no worse than vegas on strip, no homeless like in Reno, which is now a dump, with 25 dollar craps tablesl at night at El Dorado and Sliver Legacy :( 
Lake Tahoe is beautiful, but 15 dollar craps tables :( yes its an older town, but cheap tables is worth it to me!

(My last trip was probably early spring of this year.  I'd have gone again but family needs limit me to 3 nights.)

I like Harrah's Laughlin just fine.  
Eateries: 
1. Sadly, they closed the buffet after Covid and never reopened.  It was excellent.  
2. The Range, their upscale restaurant is truly upscale.  Very nicely appointed, overlooks the river from every table. Prices not ridiculous, great service. Make a reservation.
3. The Beach Cafe surprisingly good, breakfast all day long, sandwiches, regular fare as well.  Fast friendly service.
4. Guy Fieri's-Fast Mex food, big margaritas.  Every time we ate there we'd swear never again.  Always crowded, so somebody likes it.
5. Fast food court--a burger place which I forget the name of but OK. A pizza place, OK.  Problem is they close around 9 PM, so plan ahead.

More in my next post.  Never enough room in QoD for wordy people like me.

Candy

The charter is a great deal, unless you are determined to find the best VP and table schedules in the universe.  I haven't played VP there in years.

The casino is split so as to have a non-smoking section.  Last trip they had removed the gaming tables from non-smoking...boo.  I like the carnival games which is where I learned High Card Flush ($10 minimum bet) and 3 Card Poker (same). Dealers were fun and friendly. I often did well on their slots and tables.

Rooms are fine, especially if you can score a suite (truly two big separate rooms) which has a refrigerator, coffee pot, huge bathroom.  Housekeeping was fine.

And, they get your bags from plane to hotel and hotel to plane.  You walk from the plane, outside to the bus that takes you to the hotel. Gamble for an hour while they deliver bag to your room.  A letter that comes with your keys explains pick-up times, tourist things, etc.

At that price, try it once.

Candy
 

I used to go to Laughlin for the River Run, a motorcycle rally in April. Covid killed that, at least to my knowledge. Haven't been there since although I heard of one that Bullhead city was trying to put together. The hotels haven't been keen on supporting the River Run ever since the shooting at Harrah's. But I've been there during several years past that event, and it was OK. Last time I was there, a Panda Express existed at the Aquarius as well as a Subway and a Starbucks equivalent. Gambling was average, but still a better deal than the strip. I liked it because I hit a royal, who wouldn't? And it seems to me Mr. Minnesota missed a good deal for $179. Because of the river that's a trip worth taking especially to escape frigid temps. Maybe he has Eskimo blood....
Enjoyed the QoD and don't forget the classic auto display is free at Don Laughlin's place. Worth every penny and more.

When we used to give Harrah's play (back when we could find a good VP play at Harrah's) we would get free offers to Laughlin.  We only used them a couple of times, and when we would use them we did our play at Aquarius (this was when Aquarius also had a good VP selection).  Restaurant offerings were not great.  We patronized the In and Out frequently.  The prime rib restaurant at Riverside that was mentioned wasn't terrible, but it wasn't particularly great either.

About only think I miss is playing the good VP at Aquarius that overlooked the very captivating river view and riding the river taxis too and from Aquarius.

It seems like the letter writer had primarily concentrated on Harrah's, which I believe to be one of the worst casinos in town.  Most of the casinos have cheap table games without that 6:5 nonsense that has overtaken much of Vegas (Harrah's still has 6:5).  I'm not a foodie, so the lack of gourmet restaurants never bothers me.  Plus you can usually get very cheap rooms.  It's not Vegas but sometimes that may be okay.

No porno slappers, or street beggars hanging around asking for money, there's 9 or ten other casino's to go to in a 5 mile stretch. Good food if you look around, decent table games except at Harrah's. It's an older clientele so yes, it's more laid back. The sights are beautiful and there are some interesting places to go and see. I don't mind Vegas, but Laughlin is a nice reprieve, we go there on a charter from MI a lot, in 6 more days actually.

When our son lived in Bullhead, going to school for EMT, we went over about 5 or 6 times in about a year and a half.  Stayed at the Aquarius in comped rooms and enjoyed the free concert tickets (Skynard, Clay Walker, Clint Black to name a few).  The Outback was absolutely horrible the one time we went there.  When we want to eat we'll just head over to the Edgewater for the Denny's....great service and Capriotti's.  Otherwise we'll just go over and eat on the Bullhead side, where they have a couple of good Mexican spots and a nice diner, the Coyote Cafe.   The VP is a joke in Laughlin, and the comps aren't great.  Basically, we would head over for a couple days to see our son and play a little, taking advantage of comped rooms and show tickets. 

Haven't been there in years.  Before that some really great trips with the family. 

I thought when they started building the large California casinos that that would kill off Laughlin.  If California casinos ever can offer free drinks to players and get sports betting, you can say bye bye to Laughlin.

Before I retired, I played at Caesars/Harrahs top Seven Stars tier for seven years. They were generous with visits to their casinos around the US and with free cruises. When I retired and moved to Vegas 12 years ago, I cut my play WAY down. I played for a while at the locals casinos until they tightened their games and tightened their comps. Now I play in Laughlin several times a year at the Aquarius at lower play levels and they treat me well. Host, comped top floor riverview room, a little food, a little free play, friendly staff, good video poker if you look for the best pay tables, comped concerts and tourneys. No glitz, no excitement, just what I want, a good deal at age 73. I don't like going to concerts at the Laughlin Events Center because it has bleacher seats with no backs. Instead I like the Edge venue at the Edgewater-- comfy seats, A/C and heat when appropriate. My room is perfectly fine. The food is not five star but is generally good, especially the Aquarius Cafe. 

Whom ever did the review sure got Laughlin wrong. It is very simliar to downtown vegas. There is a little more separation between casinos. Yes some of the hotels are very small and are old but the food is awsome. The  river is very scenic and there are lots of water sports. The cost is cheaper than Vegas but you have to drive there or take a charter. It is an extremely gopod bargain, I could write a book about thecity.

Having bought a house in bullhead where my wife resides year round, I get dow there 6 or 7 times a year ..love the good ole boys in Riverside poker room..3-2 blackjack and $5 ultimate hold em.  Plenty of restaurants including all at Golden Nugget...great place for gamble, golf and visit to oatman 

We go on the Harrah's junket to Laughlin a couple times of the year.  Where else can you take a airline trip for four nights for $100 for two people?  All you have to do is check your luggage at the airport and then Harrah's does everything else.  Catch the shuttle when the plane lands and head to eat and gamble a little and then when you get to your room the luggage is delivered.  They do the same thing when you leave, pick your luggage up in the room and you head to the shuttle to the airport.  Harrah's South Tower has remodeled rooms.  There is a free shuttle to the Trop every 2 hours or you can take the River Taxi.  The view of the Colorado river is awesome.  The Range at Harrah's and Bumbleberry Flats at the Pioneer and also In & Out have great food.  The rest is regular coffee shop food.  The video poker could be better, but adding the comps in probably make up for the tables.  Remember Jean Scott always said you have to account for the comps in your return.  We love Laughlin!

Take the free watertaxi across the river to Bullhead city and back.
Buy gas in Bullhead City where it's about $1 cheaper.
Rent everything on the Bullhead side where it's about half the cost for watersports.

Take the free watertaxi across the river to Bullhead city and back.
Buy gas in Bullhead City where it's about $1 cheaper.
Rent everything on the Bullhead side where it's about half the cost for watersports.

We go to Laughlin 2 or 3 times a summer with the family with our Seadoo's.  Stay at Harrahs.  Full comps.  I have mostly done well there gambling, both slots and tables.  VP is tighter there than at some of the other hotels.  Aquarius has the loosest slots and VP in Laughlin, I have found.  The food is OK at the hotel.  The Range steak house is very good, and not outrageously priced.  The river is the best.  Spend the day on the river (Lake Mojave) and the evenings at the hotel.  Very fun 5 day trip, driving in from Los Angeles.  I am 7 Stars, and they comp me the large suites, and a couple other rooms for my kids and friends.  For me, its worth it to be with family and friends for amost a week.