The Vegas most people know
So, we arrived in town and hit the strip like usual. Not having a hotel close in, we were required to drive to get to the popular destinations on the strip. There are a couple things you should know about parking. Number one is to go to flynnandollie.com and read the Vegas Parking article. Number 2 is to do a couple of things to help yourself out. First, If you are a veteran and haven’t upgraded your Caesar’s Property players card to Platinum level you are missing out. All you have to do is show them a veteran ID or a DD-214 and they will issue you this card which gets you free parking and Platinum level perks at the properties. The other thing to do is upgrade to Pearl level at M-Life. This gets you free parking at any M-Life property as well as the perks associated with the Pearl level card.
Many of you do not choose to drive here because of time or distance constraints and we understand this as we want to maximize our time in town as well. The players card benefits you as well, not just for free parking. I recently watched a YouTube video made by a “Vegas Local” who advocates that you never apply for or use a players card because the benefits you get don’t match the negatives (search for reasons not to use a players card). The reason to use your card is fairly obvious. You don’t get “free stuff” but it is a way to get a slight return on your money spent. The “comp” points work towards food, sundries and even the hotel bill at the end of your stay. If you play anything in the casino of your choice you should always use your players card. Think of it as a small, minimum interest bearing account. Who can’t use a free or discounted meal or a smaller bill at the end of your stay. Tourists laugh at those of us that have a key ring full of cards but I rarely pay for a meal while playing poker.
Uber/Lyft/Taxi service is on the rebound. Having now been here for a full week including the weekend we have not noticed the reported long lines and horrendous waits for the rideshare action or taxies. This problem is well on it’s way to being sorted out.
The hotels/casinos are full and booming with the normal orgy of gamblers and partiers. There are travelers from all over the world here, doing what they have to do in the Covid-19 restrictions to get to the city. Mask wearing has not totally disappeared yet but the current rule says that if you have been fully vaccinated you don’t have to wear one.
Downtown, at least on Friday and Saturday, is almost normal. Back are the street performers, the beggars, the free shows on the stages and the dancers on the bar tops. The press of the crowd is not as thick as it was pre-Covid but it is close. The Fremont show is active and there are plenty of folks carrying meter long drinks around. There is a different vibe to the orgy of flesh on Fremont as some people try to maintain a distance while wandering through the crowds. The normal free parking is still there and all the shops are reopened with a few exceptions on East Fremont.
bar dancer 
stardust dancer 
a Monday night 
If anything, we have only one issue with Las Vegas. The official state odor existing in every parking garage in town… All of the Marijuana being consumed in the parking garages is truly intoxicating. We park and walk through the garage and might actually get a contact high due to the amount of smoke permeating the air. This isn’t just an occasional thing, it is in almost every garage. Walking on the strip or downtown the odds are about even whether someone will be smoking a blunt next to you or light up at the crosswalk. People, I don’t care if you smoke it, just use a little restraint, please. I used to get sick every time I smelled it but now I think I have built up a tolerance from parking in Vegas. I am from Washington and we don’t experience the perfusion that is Vegas when it comes to public consumption. Here is a link to a very informative website specifically answering everything you need to know about Marijuana and Vegas. https://thegrovenv.com/nevada-las-vegas-strip-recreational-marijuana-visitors-guide/
All in all, Vegas is returning to her typical self.
See you guys out there.
BFD
Good to see that things continue to get better. Las Vegas was kind of quiet during my visits last September and February.
The Strip is ridiculous for the constant smell of pot. It seems like you just can’t get away from it. Now if only restaurants will continue to reopen and poker rooms that close midweek will go back to seven days a week.