Brad and I were out and about yesterday and today, both on the Strip and in local casinos. All I can say – the recession must be over! It is a zoo here in town. The traffic is horrendous. Koval is as clogged as the Strip, with everyone thinking that it is a good street to use to avoid the Strip! The sidewalks are so crowded you can hardly make your way from one casino to another, and casinos everywhere are swarming with tourists. I thought most casinos didn’t book Saturday arrivals, especially on holiday weekends, but the registration lines were long all afternoon.
Maybe the recession isn’t fully over. I noticed so many guests coming in loaded down with bags full of groceries, coolers, and cases of beer and soda. I guess if you are limited on money, you will economize on food and drink so you can have a bigger gambling bankroll.
Or…maybe they are just frugal… like us. We stopped in the Tuscany gift shop this afternoon and stocked up on snacks and drinks (using comp points, of course) to take to Caesars when we check in on Monday. We will be welcoming 3 always-hungry always-thirsty “youngsters” that evening. Celebrating the end of the school year is granddaughter Kaitlynn, now 18 and just finished with her first year of college on a cross-country athletic scholarship – and grandson Zachary and his new bride Taylor, both 20 and just finished with their second year of college. Zachary will be enjoying a break from his ROTC and Army National Guard duties.
Gone are the days when we walked the Strip with their parents, the kiddies in strollers. Gone are the days when they were feisty toddlers whom Grandma and Grandpa babysat in a hotel room while their parents could go out and gamble. Gone are the little-kid days when we could put them in casinos childcare centers to enjoy our comp accounts they could use to treat their friends to unlimited junk food and they could spend hours on the free dance machine.
Now Grandma and Grandpa can entertain them in a free suite with unlimited in-room movies, comps to cover meals wherever and whenever they want to eat and shows they want to see. But when they want to “do” the Strip, Grandma and Grandpa can stay put and give them the freedom to do their own and independent sightseeing. The kids are a little sad to see that Brad is using a cane and is limited to short walks, but they joke that they won’t miss the “death marches” that he used to take them on up and down the Strip back in the day when he was a bundle of energy!
We are really looking forward to their visit. Can you tell?
Hey Now!
we just got back this morning after 10 days at Orleans. It was packed the entire time. We were at NYNY for dinner at 9 Fine Irishmen and front row Zumanity tickets courtesy of My Vegas on Facebook on May 24th.. When we got out of the 7:30 show we could barely make it thru the crowds back to the self park garage. On my way out for my first coupon run, I can’t find my MRB. So I GPS Huntington Press, and stop by the store for a copy in my wife’s name.I enjoyed looking around the Bargin Bin, and meeting the office people and feral cats outside.
We always get a 2-bedroom suite in the Forum Tower, which is more convenient since we park in that nearby garage and don’t have to walk so far.
Hope you have a good time. What Tower do you get a suite in at Caesars?
I sure agree with you about the crowded sidewalks on the strip! I first noticed this when the Mirage and TI were built. The corporations keep adding hotel rooms but do nothing to add more walking space. Are they trying to force tourists to stay in the casino they are staying in?
My wife and I solved the problem by switching to nice off strip properties that have everything we want.
Oh Jean, you just brought memories of me dragging my children to Las Vegas. We were staying at the Luxor, and walked the strip to take the kids to Circus Circus in July. That was a death march. To and from. To cheap or shall I say to frugal to pay for a taxi back then. The kids are now 30 and 26 but they still remind me of that trip. Thank you for all wonderful tips. Because of you I don’t go to a casino unless I get something back.
My wife and I thought about coming into Vegas for Memorial Day, but thought better of it as we assumed it would be the madhouse you are saying it is. Enjoy the time with the family Jean and Brad.
How familiar this all sounds….I guess it is part of the Golden Years!!!….and we are suppose to enjoy the Golden Years….Personally…I don’t …I wish we could all stop the time clock…right?
Tony Roma’s closing and Brad with a cane, is nothing sacred? Seriously I have used a cane for a few years and it’s no big deal. What is important is family and you are blessed, as am I. Have a great Memorial Day!
Great blog! As a grandfather with young grandchildren I can relate. Have a great time with your grandkids!
Aunt Starr is excited too!
Yes, I can!! Have a wonderful time!!