If you follow me on social media or heard me talking about my gambling plans at Rudies Weekend 2025, there is a high chance you heard me use the phrase “Downtown Rat” at least once. While at first the mention of a small rodent with a less than shining reputation may seem negative, “Downtown Rat” is actually a term of endearment.
My East Coast upbringing tends to lean my humor a little more on the dark, sarcastic side with a heavy dose of self deprecation. That self deprecation transfers to some of my favorite things including Downtown Vegas. I love everything Downtown has to offer, from chaotic Friday nights to peaceful Sunday mornings, but the real star to me is the walkability of it all. The East Coast didn’t just give me a questionable sense of humor, it also gave me a deep appreciation for being able to walk from place to place without having to rely on a car. Downtown Vegas affords me the opportunity to wake up in my hotel of choice (hi, Plaza Hotel & Casino) and almost immediately hit the slot floor.
Following the trend of New England things in this article, I start off my typical Vegas day with a walk to Dunkin inside Fremont Hotel & Casino – it has received a MAJOR remodel/relocation since I spent a couple of years working in one of the nearby casinos. After grabbing my coffee I’ll get comfortable in front of a game and, like any of us do, hope for the best. During my most recent trip, on the last day I followed my normal routine of grabbing a coffee and playing when I locked in on a maxed out Dragon Link major. I had seen the progressive sitting at $1,000 for a few days and thought it was worth it to try my luck on my favorite bet- $1 denomination, $5 total bet. To my amusement, within a couple sips of my XL caramel ice coffee, I had won free games, got the bonus in the bonus, AND heard the satisfying smack of the major hit dead center screen. The free games wrapped up and I waited for my handpay to be paid out.
Winning is an obvious part of why I also prefer to play downtown over The Strip. My Dragon Link jackpot was the third hand pay I had landed that weekend, each at a different downtown casino. In addition to the handpays, which you can see below, I also had very good luck at El Cortez Hotel & Casino which is located a little further down Fremont Street.
- Binion’s Gambling Hall: Huff N’ Even More Puff – Big Money Edition, Super Mansion win of $3,447.30
- Plaza Hotel & Casino: Frankenstein, Free Games win of $23,752.48
- Fremont Hotel & Casino: Dragon Link Happy & Prosperous, Free Games win of $1,359.00
Even if I don’t win after a trip to the Fremont area, I do believe that the comp offers and levels of service are far, far better. At Binion’s Gambling Hall, for example, I was able to earn enough points in three days to take roughly $70 dollars off of a meal at their delicious (and breathtaking) steakhouse. If you haven’t tried it out yet, Top of Binion’s Steakhouse is a great option to add to your list next time you are in Vegas. From its top floor location, Top of Binion’s offers sweeping views of not only the downtown area but Vegas as a whole. In addition to the equally show stopping views and plates, the steakhouse also offers some of the best service I’ve found in Vegas. This is the perfect spot to celebrate special occasions or just a regular day, window seating can be limited, reservations are highly recommended!
