[Merrily Gather]

Originally Posted by Tornado Baby

I know I have said this several times on this forum but have seen no indication that anyone has bothered. For downtown, go into Main Street and instead of going into the self park, go to the right and park under the bridge. Be careful as some of the spaces are for disabled drivers. There is usually a spot and it is free and no validation. It is worth checking out before dealing with the validation crap.....and if it is full, just go to the valet and tip a buck. Been doing that for 20 years now. When I worked downtown, it was very handy!

Just to be clear is this the area under the bridge near Main Street Station Casino, Brewery, Hotel that you're referencing? If so I'm going to try it.

[Merrily Gather]

I went to go find a parking spot under the bridge there but it wasn't my lucky day today. The place was packed and there were three other cars circling like vultures also looking for a spot. Their garage didn't seem completely full but I didn't want to mess with valet or validation. I logged this as a scouting trip and headed back home. I'll try again during the weekday since it seems too busy on the weekends.

[Raiderman]

Out of curiosity, what is the aversion some locals have to using valet? Is it the lack of $2-$5 to tip? It sounds like many will complain about parking and paying for parking, yet won't take advantage of the free parking available in 99% of the casinos in Las Vegas, ESPECIALLY downtown, when there is never a line at valet. I understand at some of the places who have poorly run valets (Orleans and SouthPoint come to mind, as I've waited over 10 mins at each for my car).

Just a curiosity question why someone would want to park under a bridge in a bad neighborhood, unsecured, when a fully staffed and monitored lot is FREE right next to it.

[Merrily Gather]

For me it's being new to town and not knowing how it all works. I'm not used to valet and I'm confused by the self parking being free but you have to get validated and how to go about that Downtown. From what I read here it's a hassle. I don't gamble and have zero interest in gambling so I couldn't be validated that way, and I don't want to buy some overpriced tourist food or drink item to get validated so I can park for free. Gas money plus valet tip adds up when I want to go down there daily, so I'd rather find the free parking and go see the sites and maybe spend my money if I find something worth value down there to me. The security guard at the garage was also watching the lot under the bridge from what I could tell.

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by Merry Lee Gather

For me it's being new to town and not knowing how it all works. I'm not used to valet and I'm confused by the self parking being free but you have to get validated and how to go about that Downtown. From what I read here it's a hassle. I don't gamble and have zero interest in gambling so I couldn't be validated that way, and I don't want to buy some overpriced tourist food or drink item to get validated so I can park for free. Gas money plus valet tip adds up when I want to go down there daily, so I'd rather find the free parking and go see the sites and maybe spend my money if I find something worth value down there to me. The security guard at the garage was also watching the lot under the bridge from what I could tell.

I agree validation would be a hassle, and not available if you're not gambling. But if $2 is a make or break for your budget, then I understand needing to find a lot or sidestreet somewhere. Just be aware that parking on the street Downtown carries along with it a risk that you may find outweighs a couple bucks.

[Merrily Gather]

Originally Posted by Raiderman

I agree validation would be a hassle, and not available if you're not gambling. But if $2 is a make or break for your budget, then I understand needing to find a lot or sidestreet somewhere. Just be aware that parking on the street Downtown carries along with it a risk that you may find outweighs a couple bucks.

Be it an underpass, sidewalk or parking garage it's all equally scary to me. I don't feel anymore secure in one area downtown than the other. Entering the parking garage they all have signs up saying "Make sure your cars are locked" and that they're not responsible for lost or stolen property.

When you add up $2 a day for a month it's $60, which is half a months grocery budget eating at home. Then you have the cost of gas getting there and back which is around $80 a month on a little car. So you're spending $140 just to visit downtown on a daily basis for a month. Could do a bus pass for less but why waste the time?

Even if you drove it five days a week that's going to be $40 - $50 you could save by not using the valet and instead spend that money downtown on the cheap meal deals they have there like the $4 steak so you can keep going from morning until night if you want to without having to lose your parking space.

I know it may sound cheap but some of us live on a smaller budget and are looking for entertainment even if it's parking for free, people watching, sightseeing, going to container park or taking advantage of the free day at the Mob Museum. Lots of fun, creative, wacky people down there and all kinds of international tourists to take pictures for if they're not using selfie sticks. I still have so much to see that I'd rather make my money stretch and every penny count.

[demoknite]

Originally Posted by Raiderman

Out of curiosity, what is the aversion some locals have to using valet? Is it the lack of $2-$5 to tip? It sounds like many will complain about parking and paying for parking, yet won't take advantage of the free parking available in 99% of the casinos in Las Vegas, ESPECIALLY downtown, when there is never a line at valet. I understand at some of the places who have poorly run valets (Orleans and SouthPoint come to mind, as I've waited over 10 mins at each for my car).

Just a curiosity question why someone would want to park under a bridge in a bad neighborhood, unsecured, when a fully staffed and monitored lot is FREE right next to it.

I drive a manual transmission and dont know if the attendant is going to have me replacing a clutch in the 5 minutes that he/she parks it. Also, it seems that I can navigate the elevators and parking garages waaaay faster than I would by handing my ticket to the agent and having the car come back around. Seems like a 10-15 minute wait even on a weekday. Weekends dont even think about it. Then of course the obligation to tip at the "free" valet.

[Buzz123]

Mary Lee, when you do use valet parking, take your house keys with you. You never know if someone would make a copy; don't forget they have your address in your glove compartment.

That said, I've never had a problem with legitimate valets at any casino in 50 years.

[Tornado Baby]

Merry Lee, sorry it did not work this time for you. It usually works, maybe mid week is better. If all else fails, valet for a $1 tip. The reason I don't like to valet is the waiting around for my car while the valets have their coffee breaks or making one wait for the sport if it. Just try under the bridge first. When you get lucky , it is nice!

[Tornado Baby]

Or park on the street on Main North of the freeway. But then it gets a little dodgy. Better to faker for a $1.