From AUS - right and wrong sides of town????

50pie

Hi there,

I'm planning (well trying) to plan a destination wedding in Vegas and heard there's a 'good' and a 'bad' side of Vegas but i have no idea what/where that means?! lol

Can anyone give me an idea on what/where those boundaries are? I'm scared we'll get over there and it's not safe or what we were expecting. I don't have a venue as yet but looking at The Mandalay, MGM Grand and Aria for accomodation so far...

Thanks so much
Sophie

aegrish

The hotels you mentioned are all on the strip.  You will be fine there.

I am not personally comfortable with taking my guests to the 'north' side of the strip, by the sahara, circus circus and stratosphere.  I know some brides have no problem going to chapels on the north side or staying north of the strip at those hotels, but IMO it's a little seedy for me. 

The Aria is beautiful and newer than Mandalay and MGM, but all 3 are popular hotels.

MeatAuditor

Every town has it's "bad" parts, but I have yet to hear of any wedding venues that I'd say are in a bad part of town or unsafe. 

Some people may not be comfortable in the downtown/Freemont Street area (which is not the Strip) because you do see more homeless people there, and people who drink stuff wrapped in paper bags.  But it's still a tourist area.

No matter where you go, no matter how new or safe it looks, people should follow basic precautions against pickpockets and such.  You know, those general travel safety tips.  Nothing different in Vegas.

I think you'll be fine in any hotel.  If you end up looking at other venues away from the Strip, ask us and we'll be happy to let you know.  But in general it should be fine.

smokeybailey

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_aus-right-wrong-sides-of-town?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:30e542c9-449f-4086-a080-6ff117e8abdaPost:c620acf6-cb01-426b-a367-124b6e72fec4">Re: From AUS - right and wrong sides of town????</a>:
[QUOTE]Every town has it's "bad" parts, but I have yet to hear of any wedding venues that I'd say are in a bad part of town or unsafe.  Some people may not be comfortable in the <strong>downtown/Freemont Street area (which is not the Strip) because you do see more homeless people there, and people who drink stuff wrapped in paper bags</strong>.  But it's still a tourist area. No matter where you go, no matter how new or safe it looks, people should follow basic precautions against pickpockets and such.  You know, those general travel safety tips.  Nothing different in Vegas. I think you'll be fine in any hotel.  If you end up looking at other venues away from the Strip, ask us and we'll be happy to let you know.  But in general it should be fine.
Posted by MeatAuditor[/QUOTE]

Dude, for reals?  I see people on the strip all the time doing this.  I have been hit up for money on the strip way more than in downtown.

I have never, ever felt unsafe either downtown or in the north strip area.  We often go to the Riviera to gamble and have walked there from the Wynn many times. 

Now if you are asking about new, renovated hotels vs. older in-need-of-a-facelift hotels, then the south strip has more selection.  I know the strat has some renovated rooms but I am not sure if any of the other hotels have done renovations at that end of the strip.

Also, as people around these parts will tell you, I am a HUGE proponent of downtown and am getting married at the Golden Nugget.  I love downtown and we have the most fun there.  The GN has done some signifcant renos in the past few years (with Rush Tower opening during the last three, I think) so that is always an option.

However, if you are looking for bright lights, themed casinos, gigantic buffets and lots of touristy picture spots, then the south strip where you are looking is right up your alley.

50pie

Thanks heaps for that I know it was probably a silly question but i was just a little concerned as it's our first trip there for us and most of our guests but sounds like we should be fine!

Thanks ladies

ricekim

"Also, as people around these parts will tell you, I am a HUGE proponent of downtown and am getting married at the Golden Nugget.  I love downtown and we have the most fun there."

Ditto. I love downtown. We're having our recpetion at Firefly b/c FI and I love the atmosphere of Freemont so much.

 The touristy parts of Las Vegas are fine. I wouldn't stress about it much.

MeatAuditor

I was just trying to say not everyone feels comfortable there.  My family prefers downtown, but some of my younger friends are a little too skittish for it for some reason.  Depends on the person.

I haven't seen many homeless on the Strip, but you do get those fun guys handing out cards for "escort services".  Those guys are everywhere!  And they have no discretion!  Only in Vegas

zitiqueen

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_aus-right-wrong-sides-of-town?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:30e542c9-449f-4086-a080-6ff117e8abdaPost:2d2523ce-e836-4768-a094-83cb10a0059b">Re: From AUS - right and wrong sides of town????</a>:
[QUOTE]I was just trying to say not everyone feels comfortable there.  My family prefers downtown, but some of my younger friends are a little too skittish for it for some reason.  Depends on the person. I haven't seen many homeless on the Strip, but you do get those fun guys handing out cards for "escort services".  Those guys are everywhere!  And they have no discretion!  Only in Vegas
Posted by MeatAuditor[/QUOTE]

Your friends are skittish downtown? Really? Do they not travel much? Fremont Street is safer than the Strip!

And you're right, those porn-slappers are everywhere... well, except downtown.

OP, as long as your guests stay where the neon and the tourists are, they'll be fine.

nycheryl

I would say don't walk east or west of the strip too far.  If you're going to walk, only go north/south.  If you'd like to visit a hotel like Hard Rock or The Palms, you're better off cabbing it (because of distance and partially safety).  That's my personal opinion.

I've stayed downtown before (Golden Nugget, pre-reno).  It's a totally different atmosphere than the strip. 

HTH!

vegasgroom

If you stay on "the strip" or ON freemont, you'll be fine.  So, if you're staying on the strip and want to go to freemont, get a cab from your resort to freemont, don't try to walk a few blocks off the strip to get a 'deal', same with freemont.  Freemont is perfectly safe, and you'll get the same bums handing you hooker business cards on the strip that you get on freemont, but either one is fine from a safety persepective with a million cameras everywhere, just don't venture too far off the beaten path.

j_jaye

I stay off the strip and walk everywhere and have never had a problem. Of course there are homeless people but they are mostly halmless (except for asking for change which is no big deal) . I have also walked from MGM to Stratosphere and yes from Stratosphere down E Sahara to Fremont st and have never had a problem. I think just being aware of your personal safety is the key. i wouldn't walk down some streets in my own city but plenty of tourists do with no issue everyday.

smokeybailey

I know that a lot of people are talking about walking around but Vegas isn't truly a walking town.  Hotels that are "next door" to each other can be a hike, especially in summer in heels.  It has nothing to do with safety but just a little heads up that the strip is very far flung.

Downtown is very dense so it's easy to pop into one hotel or another.

Definitely look into cabs or the monorail when staying on the strip.  Especially if you will be making multiple stops or multiple trips in a day.  The monorail is great for that.  Some hotels have walkways that connect them but it can still be a long journey to get from one end of a hotel to the end of a hotel next door. 

Enjoy your planning!

j_jaye

No offence but I (as a lot of aussies) always find american's defination of a far walk a little bit ofa wtf. It must be a cultural thing. It's like when English people complain about a long drive (2 hrs) that is a short trip by australian standards!

vegasgroom

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_aus-right-wrong-sides-of-town?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:30e542c9-449f-4086-a080-6ff117e8abdaPost:f45f6b48-f36f-4cec-9cb1-7447c87a25ca">Re: From AUS - right and wrong sides of town????</a>:
[QUOTE]No offence but I (as a lot of aussies) always find american's defination of a far walk a little bit ofa wtf. It must be a cultural thing. It's like when English people complain about a long drive (2 hrs) that is a short trip by australian standards!
Posted by j_jaye[/QUOTE]

The distance I consider a long walk decreases as the temperature goes up.  For most months of the year I won't walk more than a few blocks in Vegas simply because I don't like being sweaty, and if it's 85+ (or 100+) outside, I'm going to end up all sweaty and then I won't enjoy wherever I was walking to.  During the summer it's hot even at night.

smokeybailey

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_aus-right-wrong-sides-of-town?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:30e542c9-449f-4086-a080-6ff117e8abdaPost:f45f6b48-f36f-4cec-9cb1-7447c87a25ca">Re: From AUS - right and wrong sides of town????</a>:
[QUOTE]No offence but I (as a lot of aussies) always find american's defination of a far walk a little bit ofa wtf. It must be a cultural thing. It's like when English people complain about a long drive (2 hrs) that is a short trip by australian standards!
Posted by j_jaye[/QUOTE]

Well, I have walked from the Hilton Grand Vacations to the Wynn in 5 inch heels at night and that is 1.2 mile one way.  I would NEVER do that during the day.  It's ridiculous.  Also, I am not in Vegas to walk around.  For your information, I walk everywhere at home I don't drive on the weekends at all so I am well versed in the ways of walking. 

For those that don't expect it, they think that Las Vegas is a great walking town.  Oh, well hotel A is only 4 blocks from hotel B...that is a hike.  Some people aren't up to walking a mile in the Las Vegas heat or cold or wind (all of which are common depending on the time of year.)  If your idea of a short walk is a mile then have at it.  Most people walk at an easy pace which is 3 miles per hour.  Most people don't expect it to take them 20 minutes to walk from a place that is just "a few blocks" way.

So what is an Aussie's definition of a long walk?  3 miles? 

Oh, and remember you cannot catch a cab on the strip so if you get tired of walking you need to get into a hotel and get in a cab line.

50pie

What great advice! Thanks so much everyone.. i will keep all that in mind. esp about the cab's. I didn't know that!! Thanks again