So you're thinking about taking a day trip away from he hustle and bustle of The Strip but then you sit down to review your options. The Grand Canyon is too far. Red Rock Canyon is closer but it's, you know, outside. You left your boat at home so Lake Mead isn't a great option. Then what's left?
Well, most of you probably came to Las Vegas for the hustle and bustle but there's plenty of it off The Strip so how about a driving tour of the city's other hotel/casinos. Scattered around town are more than a dozen so-called Locals' Casinos - hotels that offer a lot of what The Strip does but in a more low-key way often at lower prices all the way around.
What follows is a day-long driving tour of not all, but many, of these Locals' Casinos. Think of it like a stay-cation while you're on your vacation.
If it wasn't obvious from the name "Driving Tour," you're going to need a car to do this.
From the Las Vegas Strip where Caesars Palace and Bellagio are located, head east on Flamingo Rd. about 6 miles to Boulder Highway. Here you'll find four Local's hotels. Right in front of you at the corner of Boulder and Flamingo is Sam's Town, most notable as having the second-largest casino in Las Vegas behind only the MGM Grand. Turn left (north) on Boulder Highway and you'll run into Arizona Charlie's East, a small casino with lots of video poker, and then Boulder Station, with plenty of low-limit gambling in a nice building designed to resemble a turn-of-the-century train station. South on Boulder from Flamino is the Eastside Cannery, a newer hotel-casino with an interesting mix of new machines (the latest high-tech wonders) and old including a whole section that still take and dispense actual coins.
From the Eastside Cannery you're going to continue driving south on Boulder Highway about 4 miles to E. Sunset Rd. Turn right and go about 2 miles to Sunset Station. A sister property to Boulder, this one has a lovely casino with a stained glass ceiling above the main pit and a big bowling alley if you feel like throwing a few frames.
By the way, if you need to do some shopping, right across the street is the Galleria at Sunset mall, filled with all the usual shopping mall suspects.
Interstate 515 is right next to Sunset Station. Get on it heading south and go about 1.5 miles and then take the W. Lake Mead Parkway exit. This is kind of a confusing interchange so watch the signs carefully. As soon as you get off the freeway you'll see Fiesta Henderson on your right. Originally opened as The Reserve with a jungle theme, it was redone a few years ago with a Mexican Pueblo theme and has lots of low limit gambling and movie theaters if you need a break from driving already.
When you come out of the Fiesta Henderson parking lot, turn left (heading west) onto Lake Mead Parkway and it becomes I-215, which winds around the southern edges of the Las Vegas valley. Take the freeway about 3.5 miles to the Green Valley Parkway exit. Turn left onto Green Valley Parkway and you'll see Green Valley Ranch on your right. This is one of the nicest of the locals' hotels; a true resort getaway with a beautifully designed low-limit casino and lots of great restaurants. It's probably nearing lunch time so while you're here, maybe pick up a Capriotti's sandwich from the food court or go explore The District shopping mall right next door where there are plenty of other dining options.
Instead of going out the way you came, exit Green Valley Ranch on the south side to Paseo Verde Parkway and turn right (heading west). In a little less than a mile you'll run into St. Rose Parkway. Turn left and take that street about 5.5 miles and you'll arrive at The M Resort. Opened last year, this is a gorgeous hotel with a big, rambling casino (mostly low limits) and some pretty cool views of Las Vegas off in the distance.
The M Resort is located on Las Vegas Boulevard South, otherwise known as The Strip. Head north on that street and in a little more than three miles you'll see South Point on your left at Silverado Ranch Road. Alternately, you could take Interstate 15 north to the Silverado Ranch exit.
South Point opened as South Coast but was bought by a former Coast Casinos executive who rebranded the property. It features a large casino, many lower priced restaurants, and a giant equestrian center where they often have horse shows and rodeos.
Continue north on Las Vegas Blvd and you'll come to Blue Diamond Road in about 2 miles. Turn left on Blue Diamond, cross over the freeway, and on your left you'll see Silverton. This is another hotel that started as something else - Boomtown with a 1800's mining theme - but got completely redone with an Aspen ski-lodge look and feel. It's got a nice casino, a giant aquarium with plenty of colorful fishies and the occasional mermaid, and the huge Bass Pro Shops if you're in the mood to pick up a fishing pole, a gun, or that boat to go out to Lake Mead with.
When you leave Silverton, turn right onto Blue Diamond and then take the I-15 northbound. In less than a mile you'll see the exit for the I-215/Las Vegas Beltway. Go west (young man) away from the airport and you'll take this freeway about 14 miles around the outskirts of Vegas. As you get to the west side of town you'll be able to see the red rocks of Red Rock Canyon just off to your left, but remember that's outside and so why bother? Instead, go to the Charleston Blvd. exit and turn right where you'll almost immediately see Red Rock Resort.
This is one of my personal favorite hotels in all of Las Vegas - a gorgeous, mid-century modern design with lots of eye candy in terms of the decor. They've got a great, lively casino and plenty of places to eat if you're feeling peckish again.
Exit Red Rock Resort and turn right onto Charleston. Take that about 2.5 miles to Rampart Boulevard and turn left (going north). Note that the same street to the south has a different name (Fort Apache Drive) so pay attention to what you're doing. Actually you should be doing that the entire time you're driving, but you get my point.
In about half a mile you'll see Alta Drive. Turn left (west) and the Suncoast Hotel and Casino will be dead ahead. This one is part of the same family as Orleans and features lots of gambling action and another chance for bowling if you didn't take my suggestion the last time.
Back the way you came on Alta to Rampart again and turn left (north). In less than a mile you'll see signs for the JW Marriott Resort and the Rampart casino. This one is small-ish but there's still plenty of gambling options and it's located in a beautiful resort property so why not?
Go back to Rampart Blvd. heading north just a few feet and you'll see Summerlin Parkway. Take this freeway-like road east toward Las Vegas a couple of miles and it will merge with Interstate 95 heading east. A warning that this particular interchange is notorious for traffic so pay even more attention than you already are while you pass through it. Four more miles (give or take) and you'll come to the Rancho Drive exit. Go north on Rancho a little less than 2 miles and you'll come W. Lake Mead Blvd. (which is totally different than the Lake Mead Parkway you were on a bit ago). At that intersection are two locals' hotel-casinos - Texas Station, a yeehaw themed sister property to Boulder and Sunset, and Fiesta Rancho, another Mexican themed joint that is kin to the one on that other Lake Mead road.
If you time it right and are there around dinner, do check out Austins Steakhouse at Texas Station. It's one of the best steak joints in town.
If you're done, you could go back down Rancho to Sahara Ave., turn left, and take that back to The Strip. But if you have the energy for a few more, we still have the North Las Vegas area to explore.
Go north on Rancho Drive from Fiesta about 5 miles and you'll come to Santa Fe Station on your left. This one is yet another sibling to the other station properties you've seen and is similar in design (although not quite as nice) as Green Valley Ranch.
Just past Santa Fe Station on Rancho, you'll see an entrance to the I-95 northbound. Take that about 2 miles and you'll see signs pointing you to CR-215, the Las Vegas (or Bruce Woodbury) Beltway. Take that eastbound a little less than 5 miles and you'll come to Aliante Parkway where you'll see Aliante Station. Yes, it's another Station property but this one looks more like Red Rock Resort and has a great casino.
Head south on Aliante Parkway and it becomes N. Simmons St. In about 2.5 miles you'll arrive at W. Craig Road. Turn left and take that another 3.5 miles to the original Cannery hotel. This one has a fun 40's theme, a nice casino, movie theaters, and much more.
When you leave The Cannery, turn right onto Craig road and in less than a mile you'll come to Interstate 15. Take that south and you'll get to the Strip exits including Sahara, Spring Mountain, Flamingo, and Tropicana.
Then you can go back and gamble in the casino where you're staying!
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