Since S&G readers can’t view my big Las Vegas guides (unless you’re sitting at a computer in a Hilton-branded property at this very moment), I thought I’d share with you who made the cut. And the Downtown elect are …
Restaurants: El Sombrero; The Golden Steer; Lola’s; Pamplemousse; Forte; China MaMa.
Nightlife: The Lady Silvia; Freakin’ Frog (my favorite); Vue Bar [The D]; Artifice; Herbs & Rye.
Working out: Valley of Fire State Park; Aquae Sulis Spa Fitness & Recreation Center [Rampart Casino]; The Spa [Golden Nugget].
Shopping: Patty’s Closet Fashion Boutique; Gambler’s Book Club; Zombie Apocalypse Store.
Hot Neighborhood: it could only be Fremont East, including the El Cortez, the Burlesque Hall of Fame, Le Thai and downtown cocktail room.
Arts & Culture: Smith Center for the Performing Arts; National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement (aka The Mob Museum); Las Vegas Little Theatre (right, from last year’s critically acclaimed Neighborhood III: Requisition of Doom).
See & Be Scene: off the Strip, it’s none other than Palms Casino Resort.
Only in Vegas: Pinball Hall of Fame (Need you ask?). Its Riviera offshoot also gets some love.
Insider tip: Loose slots [including Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock Resort].
“Pinball Hall of Fame” Only in Las Vegas? I beg to differ, good sir. There’s one in the Power Plant complex in Baltimore and its own offshoot at Merriweather Post Pavilion during concert season.
Well done piece and I agree with 98% of what you said, but Vue Bar at the D? That place is dead most of the time. The only saving grace is that the bartop video poker is often positive for the player…