On my trip to LV I visited the new pinball hall of fame on the south end of strip. Here is a photo of the outside of building:
The neon sign from the strip.
I took the strip bus to the LV sign and then walked about 5 min to get there. Here is a photo I took from the inside, the place is huge, they have hundreds of machines.
I like the venom game the best because of the multiball action. I found a soda vending machine in the back along with candy for 25 cents. I spent $10 in about an hour. Each game is 50 cents to a dollar. The older games cost less. I found some dating back to the 1050s. I prefer to play the newer games for the mulitball action. You should bring some cash because they have bill changers but do not take cards.
Here is a picture of one of the games from the 90s. It costs 75c to play and you get 3 balls. I think it has been refurbished because the lights and flippers work well. I found the best way to get a higher score is to keep going for the corner pocket.
Here is a view of some of the classic games. I played Getaway, ACDC, and Metallica. I found a Getaway and Deadpool machines that were in good condition and fun to play.
Here is a photo of the older games from 40s, 50s, and 60s. They are 25c to 50c per play. I played a couple but they are not as much fun as new games because the flippers are weak and they do not have multiball action.
The Sphere
I went to the Sphere and saw the postcard from earth movie. The screen was incredibly huge and the seats shake, the sound was loud and clear. It was way bigger than an Imax screen. Here is a picture I took:
As you can see the inside seats have steep vertical drop. I think it is more like a wall than sphere inside because it does not wrap around. It would be great place to see concert. It has assigned seats and some cost more. I got the cheapest seat for $129 and it had decent view. I think it is overpriced for a 45 min movie. You can watch the outer building for free.
This is what is looks like when you first arrive, the screen grows much bigger when the show starts.
There is a snack bar but prices are outrageous, like $20 for a beer. I suggest eating before you go to save money.
Games
I played some poker games like this 100 play poker game. It was fun. I spent $20 in about 15 min.
I played in a live poker tournament. There was over 100 people. I lasted about 4 hours and did not win anything. I was fun and the room was luxurious.
Resort Hotels
This is the Aria poker room. I found that is it crowded all day. I signed up to play and waited about 20 min to be seated at a cash game table.
The Aria has cool art like this:
I could not figure out what kind of art these stones were. I think they look cool, here is a photo:
Inside the Aria is large:
This is a pic of the leaning tower outside the Aria. The building looks like it is leaning. I would not want to stay there, it seems scary.
Here is photo of one of the many cool limos I saw:
This is outside the Aria, it is some sort of art of kayaks. I could not believe it when I saw it. Here is a photo I made with my cell phone camera:
I stayed a Harrah’s, it is in middle of strip. I walked about 5 min to the Venetian and then 15 more min to the Sphere via bridge. The room was decent, it had a partial view. The heat and ac worked and bed was king size, soft and comfy. I found 2 pizza by the slice places there. The one in front cost a little more but is easier to find. Both about $9 for 1 large slice. The other is way in the back and would not have seen if it was not near the elevator to my room.
I want to go back and do a few things I did not have time for on this trip such as:
- Ride the supersize Ferris wheel call High Roller
- Explore the Neon Sign Museum
- Meet Elvis
- Take walking tour of downtown
- Hike and bike in Red Rock Canyon
- Walk entire length of strip
- Visit the Arts district
- Watch a UFC fight
- Attend event at new football stadium
- Try out Topgolf
- Go to the Flamingo garden
It looks like you had fun. I luv vegas. Have you ever been to escape room, red rocks park, Ethel M Chocolate Factory, 18b Arts District, or Neon Boneyard.
I bring 300 dollars for each day I plan to be there. I use 100 for food, and 200 for gambling or shows. I usually spend 1k per weekend and have a great time. Also try hot air balloon, and the Springs Preserve. I also loved the sphere, and would definitely go again.
I am visiting next month. Thanks for the write up.
Is it better to stay downtown, middle, or south end of strip? I like slots and people watching mostly. I usually stay near MGM. I have never statyed downtown although the prices are tempting.
I rode the monorail on my visit last fall and loved it. It is like a 20 min ride showing you the back half of the strip. I found it not crowed like the bus. Sometimes I walk it, but everything is really far. I also use uber there but pick up locations are not convenient.
My best memory is from the shark tank and auquarium. I had a few hours free from a conference and wondered in there. For about 15 bucks you get to see tons of strange looking fish. There is a petting area for stingrays, that I did not do. My favorite part was the jelly fish tank with neon lights and a spherical bowl I walked around. I think those things are cool. I would not want to see one swimming in ocean because they have super long tentacles and sting everything.
I hit the pinball place which was filled with kids during the day. Next time I would visit later in evening. It was fun. There is Harley store next door which I recommend. They have clothing, helmets. I bought a sharp looking tshirt. The bus takes you about 1 block away, get off near the LV sigh, and walk over.
I have been there many times. I would say:
1. visit in winter
2. use points to get room upgrade
3. stay by airport
4. eat off strip
5. topgolf is a blast, you can drink, eat, watch tv
6. tip everyone, one dollar is fine, the doorman, carhop, servers, dealers
7. do all the free stuff, like flower room at B, the flamingo park
8. avoid the bums
9. get a pic with elvis or dancing girl
I did notice the bums and beggars. It was annoying. They ask for a dollar, I gave one, they they ask for more, they are aggressive and should be avoided. On my trip last year I notices less of them on the strip sitting in the way. Otherwise I always have fun here.
I found some good deals on eating. If you go way south on the strip down to the outlet mall our further, then normal prices at restaruants. The have the usual like mcd, and chillis. I like to stay an NYNY, they have everything you need inside one dome. You can stay, eat, play, drink all at one place. They have a free live band outside when I was there in March, it was decent, good and loud, hehe. Drinks were $15 which does add up. The NY deli has a good pastrami sandwich, it was like $20, mostly hot meat stacked and overflowing, with good bread and spicy mustard.
I saw Elvis. I wanted to get an autograph but he looked busy. He looks the same. I loved the starwars characters on the strip, and the showgirls. They seem to be working for tips. They must have certain areas for them because I saw many south of flamingo on lvb. I took some pics from a distance using my cell phone.
You forgot about the new stadium. It is near the mandalabay, it is huge and you will not miss it. I want ed to goto a game but nothing was happening the weekend I was there. The do have a tour running everyday, but its not free, so I skipped it. I had a blast trying to hit golf balls at the topgolf range. It is near the MGM so if you are staying there you can walk half mile to get there. I am not a golfer but have heard there are many good parks. I noticed they really push the booze here so beware.
I bring my cards so I can do some shopping and conserve cash. I spent hours at the shops in Caesars and Bellagio, also the mile long indoor mall.
I hit the outlet mall on south side but did not buy anything, they have all the same stuff we have back home. The onstrip shops have the unique stuff. I did 2 laps at the outdoor mall near Paris, my personal favorite was the beefjerky store, I got 4oz pack of spicy hot for $8.
Has anyone mentioned the STRAT?
You can repel down 20 story tall building.
It does not look safe.
The neighborhood is on the edge of bad area.
I saw it from air while landing.
It is on my bucket list.
Love this and just got my tickets. I will be staying at the Flamingo, got a great deal, room for $40 plus tax and extras, still good.
I plan to walk the strip, hang with friends at outdoor pubs. I read your blog last night and got somany good ideas.