These are a few questions I get asked a lot. Should I stay on Fremont Street or the Strip? What has more to offer? Is the strip too crowded?

It would seem that these two destinations are causing a little bit of a dilemma for travelers.  Over the next few posts, we are going to attempt to list the pros and cons of both areas. Armed with the right information, your decisions shouldn’t be nearly as difficult.

Fremont Street

A history

Established on May 15^th 1905, by a railroad land auction, Fremont Street is where the legend began and the original Las Vegas started. Fremont Street has been the site of numerous “firsts” in Las Vegas:

• First paved street (1925)
• First Nevada gaming license – issued to the Northern Club at 15 E. Fremont St.
• First traffic light and first elevator (the Apache Hotel in 1932).
• The first high-rise (the Fremont Hotel in 1956).
• The Horseshoe was the first casino to install carpeting, while the Golden Nugget was the first structure designed from the ground up to be a casino.
            
                            

In 1995, Fremont took on the look that today’s visitors recognize, with the $70 million Freemont Street Experience. This seven block open air pedestrian mall features live entertainment, permanent performance stages and an amazing light show.

As of June 14^th 2004, Fremont boasts a $17 million digital video display system unlike any other in the world. The four-block long,  90-foot canopy now features state-of-the-art LED technology that creates a myriad of eye-popping color combinations, while 12.5 million bulbs ramp up resolution to deliver superb picture quality and clarity.

Pros

You will find that the hotel rates are generally a lot more reasonable on Fremont. The hotels are quite nice but compared to the Strip they feel somewhat dated, although most people consider this the Fremont experience.

Fremont Street is all about the classic Vegas. The ambience is generation bridging. You can almost see “the brat pack” walking the casino floors. There are about 14 smaller, yet somehow just as awe inspiring casinos. With places like The Golden Nugget, Binion’s Horseshoe, Four Queen’s, Fitzgerald’s and Freemont to choose from, there are more than enough to keep a traveler busy for a weekend.

The hotels have a “genuine” feel to them. You feel appreciated here, even if you aren’t touting a large bankroll. Casino games on Fremont are generally better for the player. With “looser” slots and a wider offering of “player friendly” table games, like single deck blackjack, most gamblers will enjoy their visit to Fremont.

Cons

Nostalgia aside, Fremont does fail to deliver on a few fronts. All the Casinos on the street are small operations, at least compared to the billion dollar corporations on the Strip, and they are run with the bottom line in mind. You MAY find that some of the perks that you are used to on the Strip are a bit harder to come by on Fremont. I personally have not noticed a lack of free drinks or buffets but I have heard of people not receiving as many as the monster casinos like to doll out. One thing I have noticed is that the points on Player’s cards are much harder to obtain and don’t appear to be worth as much as some of the other places I frequent.

Also, if you are traveling to Vegas for the shows, nightlife, or multi-dimensional dining, than Fremont is not for you. Yes, it has some shows and dining and nightlife but, it does not deliver on the same level as the Strip. This being said a lot of people enjoy the fact that you do not have to choose amongst hundreds of restaurants for every meal. This all being said the Strip and it’s influx of shows and nightlife is a mere $20 cab ride away.

Check back tomorrow when we will be discussing The Strip

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