Reno Vs Las Vegas - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Krackt420 · 08-31-2004, 12:28 PM

I'm contemplating being really spur-of-the-moment here and taking off sometime during Christmas break to go belatedly celebrate my 21st bday in Vegas.

I probably should be throwing it into my savings account, as my expenses as a student are steadily mounting...but I figure it's high time to throw caution to the winds and gamble my student loan away. hehe I never was a good decision maker.

At any rate, one of my friends is suggesting we check out Reno instead, as a cheaper option.

Anyone ever been? To both places even? How does it measure up?

habernac · 08-31-2004, 12:29 PM

it's not even a contest. It's like comparing Lake Chestermere to the Pacific Ocean.

gdoll · 08-31-2004, 12:36 PM

Been to Reno a couple of times, and Vegas about 10 times...I like Vegas a lot more than Reno, because its Vegas!! If you are on a budget, Reno is okay, but it is pretty old and quiet compared to Vegas...you'll likely spend half as much on hotels when you are there, and it's cheaper to gamble there as well. If you go to Reno - I would suggest the Reno Hilton, decent hotel, good casino. Night life is whatever you can find within 4 city blocks, not much - couple of hotel bars, a men's club or two, other than that, pretty quiet.

Vegas on the other hand is a night and day better time than Reno...up all night, anywhere on the strip!! All the new hotels are pretty cool, but EXTREMELY expensive, both for rooms and gambling. If you want to venture off the strip, must go check out the Hard Rock. If you wanna see the Old Vegas, and the tackiest place on Earth, go to Fremont Street!

If you are going to gamble and are looking to spend the least amount on hotel/food, Reno is your place. If oyu can spend a bit more because you don't gamble and want the night life, etc, do Vegas - you won't regret it!!

Krackt420 · 08-31-2004, 12:36 PM

that bad eh?

Aw well...we were thinking of making a road trip of it anyways.....that should cut costs considerably.

MrMastodonFarm · 08-31-2004, 12:41 PM

To quote Vince Vaughn in Swingers... Vegas Baby, Vegas.

Krackt420 · 08-31-2004, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fotze@Aug 31 2004, 06:39 PM
Go to the Golden Nugget and punch that host idiot Tommy in the head for me and one for Matt Dusk too

haha

I'll be sure to pencil that into my itinerary for you fotze.

troutman · 08-31-2004, 01:11 PM

If you drive to Vegas, and stay somewhere not-so-fancy on the strip (like the Travel Lodge near Circus Circus), a trip to Vegas does not have to cost a fortune. If you can visit between Monday and Thursday, lower prices everywhere.

jam26 · 08-31-2004, 01:16 PM

Be sure to check out last minute packages though...Sometimes you can get airfare and several days accommodations for just a few hundred bucks.
Vegas is definitely a fun town. I could go there again and again, but I find I'm ready to come home after three or four days max....It's almost TOO much fun!
Great way to celebrate your b-day though, you'll have a good time.

Table 5 · 08-31-2004, 01:23 PM

I just went to Vegas a month ago, and unless you're the type of tourist that loves the disneyficiation and sterilization of everything, Id stay away. The place is tacky, but not even in a good way any more. Its EXTREMELY touristy, and doesnt really have anything to offer if you are into more alternative and original ( read interesting ) forms of entertainment.

I went there with my buddy ( he's 23, just like me ) and we were utterly bored after the third day. We didnt really have much money to gamble, so if you are not into that sort of thing, it might be a bore. penny slots can only hold your attention for so long.

The best thing I did in Las Vegas was go a one-day bus trip to the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. Now THOSE are worth it, as both sites are pretty spectacular ( especially the Canyon, which amazed me to no end ).

But if you still wanna go, we stayed at the Casino Royale. While it was nowhere as fancy as the big hotels, it was super cheap and in a great location right on the strip. If you dont mind sleeping in a basic ( but clean and safe ) room, definitely check it out.

If I were you though, id rather spend that money and go to a real city.

Krackt420 · 08-31-2004, 01:29 PM

I voted New Orleans during Mardi Gras, myself. But something tells me that might cost a little bit more than a brief stint in Las Vegas.

O_M_A · 08-31-2004, 01:33 PM

Vegas isn't really my thing, but is vastly better than Reno.

Reno's a joke compared to Vegas.

spydermal · 08-31-2004, 01:34 PM

I camped at circus circus when i went there, i think it was a fairly good rate. And u could make a road trip to reno, when i did it i think it took at least a day to get there.

Table 5 · 08-31-2004, 01:34 PM

Id go to mardi-gras....that event is steeped in tradition and will offer much more of a party than las vegas. las vegas will offer you kitsch you can get elsewhere. I was actually extremely surprised how early stuff closed in vegas, and it was pretty damn hard to find a place for two dudes to get some decent nightlife without it being some chain-based situation. There are some good concerts at the House of Blues though ( we saw Sonic Youth there )....so check that out if you go, there might be a band or two there that you might like.

Krackt420 · 08-31-2004, 01:38 PM

Celine Dion anyone??

If there's one thing I would apologize to the States for...that'd be it..

Table 5 · 08-31-2004, 01:41 PM

go see penn and teller, it was the one show we went to see and i had a pretty good time. plus you get to shake their hands at the end, if your into that....

Bring_Back_Shantz · 08-31-2004, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Table 5@Aug 31 2004, 01:23 PM
I just went to Vegas a month ago, and unless you're the type of tourist that loves the disneyficiation and sterilization of everything, Id stay away. The place is tacky, but not even in a good way any more. Its EXTREMELY touristy, and doesnt really have anything to offer if you are into more alternative and original ( read interesting ) forms of entertainment.

I went there with my buddy ( he's 23, just like me ) and we were utterly bored after the third day. We didnt really have much money to gamble, so if you are not into that sort of thing, it might be a bore. penny slots can only hold your attention for so long.

The best thing I did in Las Vegas was go a one-day bus trip to the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. Now THOSE are worth it, as both sites are pretty spectacular ( especially the Canyon, which amazed me to no end ).

But if you still wanna go, we stayed at the Casino Royale. While it was nowhere as fancy as the big hotels, it was super cheap and in a great location right on the strip. If you dont mind sleeping in a basic ( but clean and safe ) room, definitely check it out.

If I were you though, id rather spend that money and go to a real city.

I don't mean to be a jerk, but Vegas is not about bus trips to the Hoover dam. It is about three things:
Booze
Strippers and
Gambling.

That's what it was founded on and that's what it is for. Sure there's lots of other things to do (theme parks and rides, shows, shopping etc), but those are just diversions to do between or possibly concurrent with the big three.

You think the Rat Pack ever went to Hoover Dam?

Wookie · 08-31-2004, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Table 5@Aug 31 2004, 01:34 PM
Id go to mardi-gras....that event is steeped in tradition and will offer much more of a party than las vegas. las vegas will offer you kitsch you can get elsewhere. I was actually extremely surprised how early stuff closed in vegas, and it was pretty damn hard to find a place for two dudes to get some decent nightlife without it being some chain-based situation. There are some good concerts at the House of Blues though ( we saw Sonic Youth there )....so check that out if you go, there might be a band or two there that you might like.

Seriously?

I went there when I was 20, a few years ago and it was nothing but a haze of gambling, drinking, buffets and bars.

We'd gamble and drink until 10:00ish.. Go to the rooms get ready and drink until 12:00ish then head to a club and come home around 5:00 - 7:00 am

Get up at noon and repeat.

I had a blast, but was ill after 4 days and couldn't wait to get home.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 08-31-2004, 02:00 PM

How did you manage to drink and gamble if you were only 20?

jam26 · 08-31-2004, 02:07 PM

Krackt....My favourite city to visit in the US is San Antonio, Texas. Lots of fun to be had there on the Riverwalk, but it'll cost you much more than Vegas.

Table 5 · 08-31-2004, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bring_Back_Shantz@Aug 31 2004, 07:57 PM
It is about three things:
Booze
Strippers and
Gambling.

well duh. but even that i found was rather lame, and uber-expensive for college kids ( this is not a good place to go if you have no money, which from what i gather, krackt doesnt have too much of either ). The place is no where as glamorous as they have you believe, and its just full of touristy families and addicted grandmas. they don't even have any sleazy, dirty sh*tholes anymore....its more like going to the mall to gamble. its not so bad its good. its just bad. all rather lame if you ask me.

the only reason i mentioned the canyon, because its actaully a decent thing to do in a place that is full of letdowns.

I went there to drink and gamble and all that, but I didnt go there to do it with a suburban family from Arkansas. Sin City is nowhere as sinful as they want you to think.