Coming to Las Vegas? This is the second of updates around some great side trips for you. All within less than two hours—plenty to see and do, and recommended by me, your Las Vegas host. I have been to all the outlying cities mentioned below numerous times, so take a well-deserved day away from the Las Vegas strip. I actually see a few venues that I haven’t visited yet, but plan to soon.
Laughlin: www.VisitLaughlin.com
Here is an overview since the beginning of the pandemic.
–Property updates and changes:
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- Their Bingo room closed permanently prior to the pandemic at Dotty’s
- This property now offers a private sandy beach for guests.
- This property is part of Dotty’s and offers five unique casinos in one:
- Dotty’s
- Red Dragon
- Bourbon Street
- Los Villita
- Strike Bowl
- Suites and deluxe rooms:
- Family Suites: Our newly added Family Suites are perfect for families. Each Family suite includes a beautiful Master bedroom, 2nd bedroom that sleeps up to 4 children, Living room and Kitchenette. The children’s rooms are 5 different themed rooms for the children to enjoy. The Adult room, children room and the living room are all River view rooms with 55-inch flat screen tv’s. The Kitchenette includes a refrigerator and microwave.
- Master Suites: Each suite includes a beautiful master bedroom, spacious living room and kitchenette areas. Beautiful river views accent the dining room and comfortably sized living room. A spacious bar and kitchenette area featuring a refrigerator, microwave makes it easy to entertain small groups.
- No resort fees
- Free WiFi
- Deluxe rooms include 55 in LED TV, microwaves, refrigerators, coffee makers, ironing boards and hair dryer.
- Family and Master suites
- No longer offers the Gold Room meeting space.
- Gold Rush Villa is still a wonderful honeymoon suite or place to host small girlfriend getaways, groups, bachelor/bachelorette party, and other smaller gatherings.
- Updated and renovated the Gold Diggers’ lounge, now known as Rush! They now feature bands and DJ entertainment in Rush on weekends.
- Has new owners
- Soft remodel to the interior of the casino just prior to the pandemic.
- Completed 75% of room remodel in 2021
- Updated area and resurfaced pool
- Granny’s is in the process of being remodeled and renovated for group and wedding programs.
- Colorado River Coffee & Ice Cream opened in late 2021 serving coffee and ice cream treats for everyone.
- All now under Golden Entertainment’s umbrella
- Entertainment:
- Thursday – Sunday in the Splash (Aquarius)
- Friday – Sunday in the Edge Lounge (Edgewater)
- Nightly entertainment: Complimentary entertainment
Laughlin Event Center:
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- Kane Brown (Mar 4)
- Old Dominion (Apr 9)
- Sammy Hagar & The Circle with REO Speedwagon (May 7)
- PitBull (May 28)
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- E-Center:
- Marie Osmond (Feb 19)
- The Marshall Tucker Band (Jun 4)
- Clint Black (Jul 9)
- Restaurants:
- Edgewater:
- Denny’s replaced Coco’s at the Edgewater.
- Wild Style Burgers & Pizza has been rebranded to PT’s Express as of Spring 2021
- Hickory Pit Steakhouse was also rebranded and is now Stockman Steakhouse.
- The Edgewater’s Buffet is also closed permanently.
- Aquarius:
- River Rock Pizza & Pasta replaced the Vineyard and provides classic pasta dishes, pizza and sandwiches all made fresh in-house and paired with spectacular river views.
- The Windows on the River Buffet has permanently closed.
- The Aquarius Café was relocated to the former location of Windows on the River.
- Total room renovation including updated décor and amenities i.e. all rooms now feature basic Wi-Fi, refrigerator, coffee maker, and in-room local and 800 calls.
- Upgraded tiered seating in Don’s Celebrity Theater.
- Movie theater upgrades including recliner-style seating, state of the art THX, Dolby, DTS surround sound updates.
- The Watchman closed its Riverside Resort location and is now operating out of the Laughlin Outlet Center.
- The main floor gift shop got a total makeover and expanded from its original location to the former Watchman site.
- They have two fast food courts: One is located near the front desk and the other in the non-smoking casino section.
- New vendors featured in their food courts include Red Mango Yogurt Café, Pizza Kitchen Café, and Buffalo’s Express along with old favorites Cinnabon and FatBurger.
- The Riverside Buffet has re-opened. One of only two buffets found in Laughlin. *The Pioneer also offers a buffet. For details on their operations please check out their websites.
- Kid Kastle is still closed; however, their six-plex theater, 34-lane bowling alley, Laser Tag and virtual golf experiences are all open. The kids arcade is also open and home to two new virtual reality interactive games: Atom and VR360.
- The Dance Club, formerly known as Lightening Lounge is open from 5 p.m. on each Friday and Saturday.
- The Loser’s Lounges remains one of Laughlin’s hottest night clubs with two levels each featuring a bar and live entertainment ranging from bands to DJ. Open evenings Thursday through Sunday until dawn!
- Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort’s 740 space RV Park is open and fully operational. Featuring 30-50 amp hook ups and lots of access to many of Riverside’s privileged hotel guest amenities!
- Tapestry: The Carole King Songbook (Tribute)
- Crystal Gayle
- The Drifters Revue (Tribute)
- Oak Ridge Boys
- Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience (Tribute)
- Man in Black (Tribute)
- The Fitzgeralds Irish Celebration
- Ty Herndon
- Darryl Worley
- Shine On (Tribute)
- Mickey Gilley & Johnny Lee
- Martin and Lewis Tribute (Tribute)
- Private Eyes: Hall & Oates Premiere Tribute (Tribute)
- Rocket Man (Tribute)
- Harrah’s and Tropicana Laughlin – Now merged into the Caesar Entertainment stable of resorts.
- Entertainment: Don Laughlin’s Celebrity Theater continues to play host to talented performers and tributes acts. Upcoming shows include:
- February
- March
- April
- Laughlin River Lodge:
- Golden Nugget Laughlin
- The New Pioneer
- Golden Entertainment
- Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort did a large renovation during the pandemic changes included:
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Tropicana Laughlin
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- The Tropicana has updated their Passaggio restaurant to a more casual dine-in or grab and go Italian entrée format.
- Brew Brothers’ specializing in 16 bar taps and a casual dining menu with unique favorites such as their burnt bites opened shortly before the pandemic and became an area favorite in record time.
- The Poolside Café also remains open serving freshly baked goods, smoothies, specialty coffee, sandwiches and more!
- Carnegies Café is also open and offering American favorites daily. Full remodel — no more train theme.
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Harrah’s Laughlin
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- South Tower room renovations were done just as the pandemic became prevalent.
- They have replaced all carpeting in their casino areas, expanded their Race & Sports book and are completing updates to landscape areas.
- Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho – is closed Tuesday/Wednesday opens on all other days at 4 p.m.
- Harrah’s International Buffet has permanently closed.
- Restaurants in their food court includes: Pin-Up Pizza, Smashburger, Red Mango, and Cinnabon
- Harrah’s Beach Café (open 7 days a week — closes 10 p.m. week days/Midnight weekends) and The Range Steakhouse (closed Mon/Tues – opens 5 p.m. all other days).
- Remodel was completed to their gift shop during pandemic.
- Beach access is only available to their guests at this time.
- Entertainment:
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- Carlos Mencia (Comedian)
- Rob Schneider (Comedian)
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- Tropicana Laughlin – Pavilion
- Harrah’s Laughlin Rio Vista Outdoor Amphitheater
- March
- Paula Anka – March 11
- Aaron Lewis – March 26
- September
- Alabama: 50th Anniversary Tour – Sept 10
- Tropicana Laughlin – Tango’s Lounge
- Weekend entertainment – DJ’s and bands
Photo by Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA–found on Wikimedia Commons
