Las Vegas, with its more than three dozen golf courses within 20 square miles, is considered one of the premier golf destinations in the world. Its courses include award-winning layouts like the TPC Las Vegas, Bear's Best and Angel Park. Before Vegas became a golf mecca, even before the rise of the mega-resort, the action was in the hotels and casinos that once resided on Fremont Street in the historic downtown district. Today, most of the modern excitement has moved to the Strip, but for a sense of history, head downtown.
Golden Gate Casino
Built in 1904, Golden Gate Casino claims the title of Las Vegas's most historic hotel still standing. Located on Fremont Street, the 106-room hotel has an almost boutique feel when compared to the monstrous gaming palaces located on the Strip and some of the new construction on Fremont. The rooms and the casino have all been redone to be modern, clean and comfortable. The Shrimp Bar and Deli is world famous and proudly claims to serve Las Vegas's original shrimp cocktail.
Golden Gate Casino
1 Fremont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(800) 449-4167
goldengatecasino.com
Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel
Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel is another of the old Fremont Street hotels still bringing in gamblers looking for a good deal. The place was opened in the 1950s and claims to be the originator of the World Series of Poker, a tournament that today brings in millions of dollars and has a regular slot on television. The rooms have been renovated to provide modern comfort, while the Binion Ranch Steakhouse serves prime cuts with fantastic views of the Strip. You can still head into the Hall of Fame Poker Room at Binion's for a good game with lower-stakes tables. There's also a 25th-floor sun deck and pool.
Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel
128 E. Fremont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(800) 937-6537
binions.com
MGM Grand
The MGM Grand may not be that old, but it is historic in that it was the first of the mega-resort casino hotels on the Strip. The MGM Grand you see today is not the original version, which was built in 1973. That hotel was sold to Bally's in the 1980s, and a new hotel was built on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. The new hotel, with over 5,000 rooms, was the largest in the world when it was built, and remains the second largest hotel today.
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(877) 880-0880
mgmgrand.com
About The Author
Patrick Cameron is a freelance writer with 10 years of diverse experience in consumer goods branding, promotions and retail communications. He works out of his home in Denver, Colo. He received his Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from the University of Minnesota.
