From Tim: Not being a gambler, I have avoided Vegas as a vacation stop in the past. I just returned from a conference hosted by the Golden Nugget, and I have to admit my past opinions of the city were turned on their proverbial heads.
The hotel was excellent, with a pool area that was beyond imagination. The food was, of course, unbelievably good (I took two cannolis home). As for whoever revamped Fremont street really knew what they were doing. Cars are no longer allowed, and the street between the Nugget, Binions, Four Queens, Pioneer, and the Plaza has been turned into a showpiece that pays homage to every Vegas movie you have ever seen. They even AIR CONDITIONED THE ENTIRE STREET FOR FIVE BLOCKS! It was 98 degrees once you get to Jillians, but in the domed fremont experience area, it was a cool 75 - outside!
As for costs, I'm a bit on the cheap side -- and they had a Walgreens where I could get some dessert containers for 99 cents. Shops with everything from T-shirts for $2 to dance clubs to restaurants were within a 4 block area. I never even broke a sweat! To top it off (literally), they have a dome that runs for five blocks down Fremont where they play videos on the ceiling. It's incredible. We were treated to an updated version of Don McClean's "American Pie" on a screen that appeared to be the size of the Astrodome. Later on they had a 15-foot golden steel ball where acrobatic motorcylers put on a show INSIDE THE BALL.
Needless to say, I've added this place to my list of spots for me and my wife. I didn't feel the negative energy here that I've felt pouring off of desperate and addicted gamblers at casinos on the strip. It seemed much more traditional and relaxing, with an almost theme-park atmosphere. Like the mall in Vegas, a definite must-see.
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