Tag: Las Vegas

Parking In Downtown Las Vegas

Posted on | by Plaza Staff

Las Vegas parking has been a hot topic over the past couple of years. There used to be plenty of free parking in Las Vegas, but not so much anymore. When you park on the strip, many hotels and casinos will charge you even if you’re a guest staying there, but parking downtown is often much cheaper. 

Parking in Downtown Las Vegas

Most downtown hotels will allow guests staying there to park for free. Considering the cost of parking might be something you want to take into account when choosing whether to stay on the Strip or to stay in downtown Las Vegas. 

Parking downtown can be tricky, and we believe that your Las Vegas adventure should be hassle-free from start to finish, so we’ve compiled a parking guide to help you when it comes to finding a spot to leave your car downtown.

Parking at the Plaza

Parking at the Plaza Hotel & Casino is convenient and affordable. To access the self-parking garage and the valet service, head to Main Street and Carson Avenue. Located on Main Street at Bridger Avenue is a self-parking surface lot. Self-parking in these areas is always free for Plaza hotel guests, but everyone else can still enjoy free parking for the first 60 minutes! 

Non-hotel guests can have their parking refunded if validated at Oscar’s Steakhouse or the Plaza casino based upon play. Parking at The Plaza is often one of the cheapest options for parking downtown if you plan to stay for just a short time, or if you plan to play in the casino. Some of the advantages to parking at The Plaza are that your car will be safe, it will be covered and out of the heat, and it will be easy to remember where you parked your car. Parking for up to 4 hours is only $5 and parking over 4 hours is only $10.

Parking at the Fremont Street Experience

If you’re headed to the Fremont Street Experience, there are several options when it comes to parking. There are self-parking garages near the Fremont Street Experience, and valet parking at several casinos in the area, including the Golden Nugget, Fremont, and Four Queens. 

Also, you can find street parking that charges by the hour, or there may be free street parking at some times of the day. Be sure to check the signs around street parking because parking is prohibited during certain hours and it can differ even based on which side of the street you’re parked on. 

The five-block area that comprises the West End of the Fremont Street Experience is a popular attraction for visitors, and the Plaza offers excellent parking for this downtown area. Some members of the Royal Rewards Club may be awarded free parking in paid areas, depending upon membership tier and points earned. If you’re not already a member, it’s fast, easy, and free to sign up online!

Container Park Parking

For convenient access to Container Park, consider parking at the El Cortez self-parking area. The price to park at the El Cortez changes based on the day and time that you are parking, so be sure to check what the rates are. You can also find street parking in the area that charges by the hour, or pay-to-park lots. Many businesses and restaurants will validate a couple of hours of parking if you purchase something at their location.

Main Street Parking

If you’re headed to Main Street, there’s convenient valet parking between Stewart and Ogden or you can try the self-parking garage located slightly north of Stewart Ave. There’s another public lot at First Street. Both self-parking garages charge a few dollars for parking.

Downtown Parking Tips

When it comes to parking in Downtown Vegas, parking at the Plaza is one of the most convenient options — especially if you’re a Royal Rewards Club member or a hotel guest! There’s no denying that using the Plaza’s free 60 minutes of parking is the best option in Downtown Vegas, either. Your car will be safe from people and safe from the weather. 

shepard fairey plaza mural downtown las vegas

Read the Signs

There is parking available on downtown side streets for a small fee, although you’re likely to find garage parking far more convenient. If you do opt for side-street parking, make sure to have a major credit card handy to pay the parking fee, as cash is not accepted. Know what times you are parking and research the street parking rules of where you plan to park. The street parking rules and regulations vary downtown, and street parking is typically around one dollar per hour for most spots. 

Watch the Time

If you need to add time to your street parking, some stations will let you add it from your phone through the convenience of an app, or you can add time to your current spot with a code on the ticket that you will receive from the machine. 

For first-time visitors to Vegas, the idea of parking may be intimidating. However, it’s easier than you might think to find accessible parking downtown. When mapping out your Las Vegas itinerary, decide where you’ll be parking ahead of time. With a little planning, you can find the best parking and make your Vegas experience fun and hassle-free!  

If You Don’t Want to Park

There’s always the option of choosing not to park as well. In recent years, Lyft and Uber have become popular in Las Vegas because they offer cheap and convenient ways to get around the city without having to worry about parking or finding a sober driver. You can also take a taxi around the town. Please remember to never drink and drive.  

Free Things To Do in Downtown Las Vegas

Posted on | by Plaza Staff

People love coming to Las Vegas because of the endless entertainment and things to do everywhere you look. The fun never stops in Sin City and the possibilities of what you can do and see are endless. 

Free Downtown Las Vegas Attractions

Downtown Las Vegas is known for its artistic nature and vintage charm. The best part about downtown is that there’s plenty to do for free! With so many things going on each night, you’ll have no trouble finding something to do, but in case you need a starting point, we’ve put together a list of some of the best free adventures in downtown Las Vegas.

Experience The Fremont Street Experience

fremont street experience

As one of the most well-known things to do in downtown Las Vegas, the Fremont Street Experience doesn’t disappoint. Amidst an eclectic soundtrack and atmosphere, walk down a long stretch of hotels and casinos with a light show overhead. Tourists and locals alike explore fun shops along the Fremont Street Experience, and you can grab a drink from many different bars and take it on the walk with you!

Enjoy the Free Summer Concert Series

crowd at a free concert

Downtown Las Vegas hosts a free summer concert series right under the lights of the Fremont Street Experience for locals and tourists to enjoy. The concerts are free and open to the public. Most concerns start at 9 PM, and in a city that never sleeps, the fun will continue into the night. 

This year, there are big names coming to downtown Las Vegas. If you’re attending one of the more popular concerts, we suggest you get there early to reserve a good spot since spots are standing room only with no reservations.

Visit Historic Casinos

best of las vegas winner plaza

Some of the casinos in downtown are Las Vegas staples. In 1945, famous mobsters Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky, Gus Greenbaum, and Moe Sedway purchased the El Cortez Hotel and Casino four years after opening. When it first opened in 1971, The Plaza Hotel and Casino was the largest hotel and casino with over 500 rooms. It’s also been the location for films and music videos such as “The Man” by well-known Las Vegas band “The Killers”. 

The oldest operational casino downtown, The Golden Gate, is over 100 years old. It opened in 1906 as Hotel Nevada and was renamed in 1955 to the current name.

Watch Street Performers

street performers fremont street

There’s no shortage of street performers in Las Vegas, and downtown has some of the best ones. You’ll find all sorts of street acts such as musicians, rappers, contortionist, magicians, illusionists, characters, and even some showgirls. 

Get your picture with your favorite characters as you’ll see everyone from Mickey Mouse to Spiderman walking around downtown. In classic Las Vegas-style, you’ll also see some beautiful ladies and attractive gentlemen with which to take pictures as well. Watching the street performers and characters is always free, but tipping is definitely encouraged.

Stay Cool at the Pool

The Plaza Pool is now open

Many pools and pool clubs in Las Vegas charge entry even to locals, but guests staying at the Plaza Hotel & Casino can enjoy a dip at the pool for free. Our downtown pool deck is one of the biggest in downtown Las Vegas with over 70,000 square feet. 

Relax in comfort on one of our many lounge chairs, day beds, and cabanas. If you like it hot, our 12-person hot tub is perfect for you.

Listen to Live Music

pool-at-the-plaza-performance

The live music in downtown Las Vegas is always playing, and many bars and restaurants have bands and musicians that come to entertain their guests. You can catch some free music at the Omaha Lounge at The Plaza Hotel & Casino, but you’re also sure to see some shows out on the Fremont Street Experience where there are bands playing almost every night. 

Many bars in the area also put on shows that are free to attend. Just check around and see who’s playing that night.

Join the Fans for Sports Viewing Parties

plaza events interior

The sports scene is huge in downtown Las Vegas, and several of the bars host their own viewing parties for the games. Most of the viewing parties are free so you can go cheer on your favorites and chat with other fans. 

Try Free Slot Pulls

One of the best things about coming to Las Vegas is gambling, and it doesn’t get much better when you don’t have anything to lose! Some of the casinos in downtown Las Vegas offer free slot pulls. You’ll find them at Four Queens and Binion’s Gambling Hall with no strings attached. Other places offer free slot pulls, but sometimes you’ll have to listen to their pitch.

Check Out Some Antiques

When you think Las Vegas, you don’t typically think about going antiquing, but we have that too! You can take a self-guided tour of all the antiques in the Main Street Station Casino. You just pick up a map and brochure at their front desk and explore on your own. They have chandeliers from the Coca-Cola building, a piece of the Berlin wall, stained glass from the Pullman mansion, and much more!

Take a Picture Worth a Million Bucks

If you want to trick your friends and family back home into thinking you won big in Las Vegas, you can take a picture with a million dollars! Inside Binion’s Gambling Hall, there is a pyramid filled with a million dollars made up of bills ranging from $1 to $100, all adding up to a million. 

It’s free to take a picture, but you do have to be at least 21 to take a photo. You’ll even receive your photo in a nice souvenir frame. For many of us, this might be the only opportunity to ever see a million dollars, so don’t miss your chance.

Explore Container Park

Many uncover all sorts of art and architecture all over downtown Las Vegas, but the Container Park is a unique experience. It’s a park made up of shipping containers, so if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to feel like cargo, look no further!

There are shops, bars, and restaurants in the containers for you to walk through and explore. Everything is completely free to walk through and check out, and there’s even a playground in the middle for kids of all ages. 

Enjoy free samples from some of the food places like Jojo’s Jerky. If you’re looking for some more entertainment, there’s a stage in the back that often has live music going on, so you can relax and enjoy the tunes in one of downtown Las Vegas’ most interesting atmospheres.

Walk under the Dome at Container Park

The Dome is part of Container Park, but it can be considered an attraction entirely on its own. It is an immersive 4K experience that speaks to the art culture present in downtown Las Vegas. 

When you enter the dome, millions of pixels and an HD 360-visual display surround you and will dazzle the senses. There are seats that recline and movie displays that play at the dome for you to immerse yourself in the experience. Some of the displays that play feature famous bands like U2 and Led Zeppelin. Other displays include Dinosaurs at Dusk and Perfect Little Planet. 

The tickets to the movie displays are not free. However, it is free to check out the dome and enjoy the architecture and engineering that went into building the structure.

Meet a Giant Praying Mantis

A 40-foot tall praying mantis that breathes fire looms at the entrance of the Container Park in downtown Las Vegas. No, we’re not kidding. Aerospace artist and engineer, Kirk Jellum, created the mantis after a real-life female one that he found out in a field. The mantis is mechanically operated and breathes fire into the sky. Sometimes the mantis even dances along to music.

Appreciate Art

Downtown Las Vegas is known for its art scene. From giant downtown murals on the side of The Plaza Hotel & Casino to painted walls along the streets, art is on display everywhere you look. Even many of the businesses and bars downtown can be considered works of art in their own way. There’s plenty of art to enjoy while having an adventure downtown. 

The Place to Be Downtown

Looking to stay at a downtown hotel? Try one of our many suite options or our new luxe rooms. Whether you’re visiting or living here, The Plaza is the place to be downtown.

Super Bingo Tournament At The Plaza

Posted on | by Plaza Staff
February Super Bingo at the Plaza Hotel Casino Bingo is one of the most popular games in Las Vegas, but Super Bingo takes it to an entirely new level. The Super Bingo Tournament brings hundreds of people from all over the world into Downtown Las Vegas for the chance to win big and meet other bingo players. It’s not uncommon to see people come from as far as Hawaii and even Canada to take part and play in the tournament. The tournament at The Plaza Hotel & Casino takes place over two days in the newly remodeled ballroom, and all players have the chance to win $175,000 overall. There is a super coverall both days of the bingo tournament, giving players even more of a chance to win. The super coverall on the first day of the competition awards $25,000 to a lucky player, and on the second day, $50,000 is awarded for the super coverall. To join the tournament, The Plaza Hotel & Casino offers bingo only sessions priced at $130. However, players also have the option to book room-and-bingo packages, which start at $239 for a three-night stay. The room-and-bingo packages are even a great option for locals because there will be an open bar during the sessions! Having a hotel room to go back to after a full day of the bingo tournament means that everyone can enjoy the open bar responsibly. A Super Bingo & Hotel Package includes a three-night stay at the hotel, two sessions of Super Bingo, two daubers to use during bingo, a gift, and provided lunch during each day of the tournament. The tournament takes place over several weekends during 2019. The next Super Bingo takes place February 10-12! Register Now In addition to the Super Bingo tournament, there is plenty to do and see in Downtown Las Vegas. You can step outside The Plaza and step right into the famous Fremont Street Experience. Downtown Las Vegas is also known for having some of the best food in the city. When you come to Las Vegas for the Super Bingo tournament you’re sure to enjoy all that the city has to offer.

Why You Should Cool Off at the Plaza Hotel & Casino and Beat the Vegas Heat!

Posted on | by Plaza Staff
No need to fear the summer heat. Cooling off has never been so much fun and entertaining. Soak 75 at the Plaza Hotel is the summer entertainment series to ensure that catching those rays and cooling off at a pool and hotel in Las Vegas are loads of fun. The pool deck is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 am to 8 pm. Las Vegas pool party Fridays, enjoy drink specials and the smoothing acoustics of Cameron from 4 pm to 8 pm poolside.  Saturdays bring more drink specials and the energy of DJ Ryno from 2 pm to 6 pm. When you’re ready for a little A/C go on inside. There are just as many things to do and ways to stay and be cool at the Plaza. Pool parties happen at many different venues and attract hundreds of people each day. The best way to enjoy them is to arrive early, stake out your spot and enjoy the water as people flood in throughout the day. Happy hour at one of many bars is always an option as well. Something about an ice cold beer or cocktail sure makes it easy to forget the heat and take your relaxation to the next level. There is also plenty on offer as far as Las Vegas entertainment goes. From shows to casino floors, and plenty of great dining options, this city has everything you could possibly want and more. Enjoying the air conditioning in any number of locations can provide a welcome break so check out a museum, eat in one of the countless buffets or restaurants, sit back and enjoy. Summer temperatures bring a little sizzle almost everywhere. Only in Las Vegas does the fun and entertainment out-sizzle the heat.