Freemont Street

Andre and I got up this morning early again, time change is killing us.  We decided to go to visit the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop where Pawn Stars is filmed.  We had seen it on the hop on hop off bus tour so knew about where it was.  We arrived at 9AM just as they were opening so we had very little line up before we were able to get in.  When we drove by on the bus the other day there was quite a line up, and I guess when they are filming it is a really long line up.  We were both surprised how small the store was. Didn’t see any of the real “stars” but recognized a few behind the counter. I have only seen the show a couple of times, but Andre does catch it sometimes so it was fun to go and see.  Picked up a magnet for Brian, and had a couple of pictures taken.

Drive by shooting, cool signage on the bakery

Me in front of the Pawn Stars shop

Wendy waiting for the store to open even if the sign says We Never Close.  They have a window where you can do business when they are not open

Not as big as I was thinking it was going to be.  One more section on the left but not allowed to take pictures there for security reasons.  No camera stuff  for sale :-(

The gift shop, probably makes more money that the store itself.

Me with Andy, the head of security, not a main character but has been on some shows.

From the Pawn Stars store we drove on the Las Vegas Blvd. all the way back to our hotel.  Lots of old style motels and signs along the way.  Bring you back to the past as things have not changed much in this section of town, no 3000 rooms mega hotels here.

Free HBO, Whoo Whooo

By the day, week or month.  Must be a pretty nice place.

The Coliseum where we saw Elton John

We meet up with Gilles and John for a little more touring of casinos this morning (walk, walk, walk) and then meet up with everyone for lunch at Toby Keiths bar.  Lots of laughs here.  Started with them saying they would not split bills with 10 of us at one table, and a gratuity would be added, so we requested a 6 and 4 top beside each other, how stupid.  Started with small drinks being ordered, and somehow when John sat down these all turned into big drinks.  When we got the bills turns out big drinks were something like $20, but they did have 4 shots of liquor in them so somehow we justified the price to ourselves.  I wondered why I staggered a little when I got up to use the washroom.  Great waitress, very rude hostess, note to self do not upset John when beverages are involved.

One of the lobbies of one of the hotels we visited with John & Gilles.  The had these cool columns where the had some kind of shows was playing.

One of the lobby bars, I am sure the margaritas are not $1.99 here.

Restaurant $$$$$

This lobby has lots of origami birds

View from 23rd floor lobby

Chocolate Fountain in Bellagio

Ballys Winners

Toby Keiths $18 "big" drinks

Lots of these billboards being driven around town, different way of advertising

Our plans for tonight is for us all to go to Freemont street for supper and to see the Freemont Experience.  Bernie found a shuttle service that would pick us up at our hotel, drop us off, then pick us up again.  We had heard bad experiences with waiting for the bus, and we are now 12 as Johns cousin and husband are also in town for the night and joining us, so a shuttle it is for us.  Great idea Bernie.

I love Freemont Street.  It has so much more of an old Vegas feel, rather than the totally over the top strip.  The casinos are much closer together, and everything seems so much more affordable.  After supper Andre and I walked a couple of blocks further down the street as he had read about some old vintage signs that are still used. 

Tonight is the first night I sat at a blackjack table.  On the strip mostly we had seen $15 tables which is a little too rich for me, but on Freemont there are $5 tables in the casinos.  I sat down with $40 and left with $78, so a good night.  There was only 1 spot at the table so I was the only one that got to play, it was lots of fun, too bad others didn’t join in.

We saw 2 of the music videos on Freemont Street.  What a huge screen.  When they show them they turn off all of the Casino lights so you really get the full effect of the videos.  Fun to people watch here, all kinds of different characters.

Our luxury shuttle to Freemont Street

Check out these 2 girls in the short skirts, tops were electrical tape only...

Water slide going through the shark tank at Golden Nugget

Great old signs at this end of town

This area was all made up of containers

Wendy taking picture of Freemont Experience

All kinds of characters on Freemont Street

2 different stages set up on the street with free entertainment

Back to the hotel at 10:30, goodbyes to Gilles and John as they are leaving for Palm Springs in the morning, and Andre and I have a full day planned so are getting an early start ourselves.