Occasion: The Nostalgia Tour
Walking through the Fremont Street Experience makes us nostalgic for the old days. There are so many light shows, explosions and such that sometimes you just long to get back to the days when Frank, Dino, Sammy and Joey were performing in the Copa Room. So here's our walk through old Vegas. Care to join us?
Q: Where is the the oldest hotel in Vegas? What are some of the classics?
A: The Golden Gate located downtown near the Fremont Street Experience is the oldest. It feels old and smells old, but that's because it IS old, circa 1906. But we love it for all of those reasons. Plus the shrimp cocktail for $1.99.
Other classic Fremont Street casinos are the Golden Nugget and Binion's. For Rat Pack era Vegas, check out the Sahara, Riviera, Tropicana and Flamingo.
Q: I need my Rat Pack fix. Are there any tribute shows?
A: The show The Rat Pack Is Back plays at the Plaza.
Q: I want to see some classic Vegas entertainment. What can you recommend?
A: The long-running productions of Jubilee! and Folies Bergere are reminiscent of Vegas' heyday. Legends in Concert at the Imperial Palace has become a mecca for tribute artists all over the world with over 25 years of success in Las Vegas.
Q: Where can I find some food like they made it back in the day?
A: Old school in your tastes? Lounge in old Vegas style when you have drinks at the Peppermill. For perfect prime rib, check out Lawry's. You can also find a nice piece of meat at the Circus Circus Steak House. At Mr. Lucky's, inside the Hard Rock Hotel, check out the memorabilia and the steak and shrimp special (that's not on the menu). They're both classics. While you're at the Hard Rock, maybe try AJ's Steakhouse -- though it's only a decade old, its vibe (complete with in-house piano entertainment) is 100 percent classic Vegas.
If you don't mind heading a few minutes off of the Strip, stop by Golden Steer Steak House, the oldest steakhouse in Vegas, and dine where the stars once did. Since their opening in 1958 they have hosted such celebrities as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and even Elvis Presley.Downtown, visit the Ice House Lounge, built on the location of Vegas' original ice house. The new Ice House features Miami Beach styling on the outside and retro '60s style furniture on the inside. Throughout the Ice House you'll find pictures of Vegas from the 1930s through the 1960s and the food and drinks would tempt the Rat Pack. Another great spot downtown is Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse at the Golden Nugget, an old-school joint in a classic casino.
Q: Is there anything I'm missing?
A: Sure is, you haven't made a run at the museums yet. Liberace fans shouldn't miss the Liberace Museum. For Elvis fans, check out Legends in Concert at the Imperial Palace or stop by the Las Vegas Hilton, where they have a statue dedicated to The King.
Here's our last piece of advice on the subject: Be sure to check out the historic neon signs on Fremont Street. Even if you don't make it out to the actual Neon Boneyard you can take a self-guided walking tour where you can check out some of the original neon signs that once illuminated the Strip.
