The best of Las Vegas is different for everyone. My best of Las Vegas can be different depending on the time of day. Some casino experiences are best when the sun is out while others are more fun at night. There are very few singularly best of Vegas experiences. I prefer to group things as “best in class” since there are few things that are way above and beyond the competition. Having said that, I take best of Las Vegas lists with a grain of salt.
Best Las Vegas Casinos
This week USA Today revealed the best Las Vegas casino. Readers narrowed a pool of 20 casinos selected by a panel of experts. Take a look.
- The D Las Vegas
- M Resort Spa Casino
- Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
- Plaza Hotel & Casino
- The Venetian & The Palazzo
- Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
- Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
- The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
- Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa
- ARIA Las Vegas
The 20 nominees for the best casino were selected by panelists that include Steve Bourie from American Casino Guide and Michael Shackleford (Wizardofodds.com). The final list of 10 was voted on by USA Today readers.
This could conceivably be a list of best properties in Las Vegas. There’s certainly something to enjoy at each property. However, this is a list of best casinos in Las Vegas. USA Today offers very little commentary on each casino but it appears the size of the casino and free lessons are important.
The D offers a great selection of games and rules with an entertaining atmosphere so it’s understandable that they’re on this list. Being number one is probably a matter of opinion. I always have a fun time at The D.
What’s particularly strange with this list that these panelists would nominate casinos that deal 6:5 blackjack and 000 roulette. I don’t expect USA Today readers to know the difference in games but the panel certainly knows.
The Venetian and The Palazzo have great restaurants and a lot of slot machines but their table games and video poker games are a joke. I’m not sure how anyone who gambles can say they have good gambling. Anyway, this is a great excuse to share some resources to find the best casino games in Las Vegas.
I refer all blackjack players to check out the blackjack survey from earlier this year. This website outlines the best and worst blackjack games in every casino. Video poker players should be aware that vpfree2.com offers the best games in each casino. Vital Vegas seems to be keeping up with 000 roulette. Craps players should either go downtown or play at The Cromwell on the Vegas Strip. USA Today also posted a Best Players Clubs list. I’ll leave that alone since it’s a national list.
What’s your favorite casino in Las Vegas? Leave us a comment below.
Taco Bell Cantina Expanding On The Strip And Opening At Fremont Street Experience
I think we all knew the Taco Bell Cantina on the Vegas Strip would be popular when it was announced two years ago. The combination on cheap eats and booze is a perfect combination for Las Vegas. The Harmon Corner location is the busiest Taco Bell in the United States. This location is being renovated and expanded already.
But wait…there’s more Taco Bell
Taco Bell is opening another cantina location in Las Vegas. The next Taco Bell Cantina in Las Vegas will occupy part of the space that was El Portal at the Fremont Street Experience. This Taco Bell will be across from The D and down the street from White Castle.
The Taco Bell Cantina in downtown Las Vegas will occupy two floors and have patio seating. Don’t be surprised if this location becomes the second busiest Taco Bell in the country. You can read the press release about both Taco Bell Cantina locations in Las Vegas here.
Vegas Golden Knights Partner With Golden Entertainment And Play AGS
AGS is the first gaming equipment supplier to enter into a multi-year corporate partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights. We should learn more about the partnership at G2E when AGS reveals a promotional VGK slot machine. You can read the press release from AGS here.
The Vegas Golden Knights also announced a partnership with Golden Entertainment. This deal will include parties and promotions at the Stratosphere and more than 60 PT’s Pubs and their other branded taverns throughout Nevada. You can read about most of the other marketing from this deal in the press release.
The most interesting thing to come from this partnership could be “A Knight on Top of the World.” This series will in part be recorded at Stratosphere Top of the World restaurant. Follow the Golden Knights social media for updates on the show.
These two deals follow up a partnership two weeks ago between the Vegas Golden Knights and sportsbook operator William Hill. You can read about that deal here.
Quick Hits
It was a pretty quiet news week in Las Vegas but that doesn’t mean we’re done. Don’t sleep on the importance of the news in Quick Hits. Two weeks ago we told you that you should “Expect to see a lot of offers from Total Rewards in the fourth quarter. Caesars isn’t good with short-term fixes and have a big fourth quarter promo push in the works.”
Plenty of you are already taking advantage of better discounts and comps. A friend was able to bump a comp room for a week from Harrah’s to The Cromwell. The C was charging well over $100 per night when the rooms first booked. Get on the promos and get down with the rest of the news in Las Vegas.
- ZZ Top is returning to The Venetian for a blast of shows in January and February 2019. Read more here.
- The Sphere at The Venetian broke ground this week. Read more here.
- The Fremont Street Experience added one last free show for the summer. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones will perform on October 21.
- On The Record at Park MGM will have Karaoke. Read more here.
- Shaquille O’Neal has a Facebook show called Big Chicken Shaq. Check out the promo video here.
- Taste of Downtown is a food festival happening at the Plaza. There are few details but you can read more here.
- Caesars Entertainment hates straws. Read more here.
- Mandalay Bay finally upgraded the screens in the sports book. Read more here.
- Celine is done with her residency at Caesars Palace after next summer. Read more here.
- There’s a new strip front restaurant coming to The Linq. Read more here.
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