Downtown isn't what it used to be....even in the last year or so, it continues to deteriorate.
When staying downtown, most experienced people ask for a room away from Fremont Street Experience. That is just one of those things you learn after your first time. lol.
For blackjack I have 3 properties that are still in my rotation. Unfortunately 2 are at extreme ends of Fremont experience and one in the middle, so there is some walking involved each time I hit downtown. I also have a 4th very marginal game in that middle area. The kind of game I wouldn't normally play (not in my rotation) but if I am walking by it, and can play heads up, I might sit down for a session.
Anyway, I used to have two more games. Games that look good on paper (simulations) by rules and conditions, but I just don't seem to win at those two locations. They are owned by the same owner. I constantly get high counts but never win. It almost seems like some high value cards might be missing. THAT would result in many high counts, but no high cards coming out. lol I am not ready to publicly declare they are cheating, but I wont play them anymore.
And one of those two properties has gone bonkers with their free play as well. I still get weekly free play, even though I haven't given significant machine play in 6 months. Problem is they have removed almost all video poker machines and the few they have remaining don't accept free play. between the blackjack and no VP, It is like they really have tightened up all around and don't want anything but drunk tourists.
AS for the "experience" itself...I don't know, maybe I am getting older, but once you have seen Fremont Street, that is enough.
Lots of homeless downright begging or hawking trinkets, like things they have made out of Palm leaves. Costumed "artists" wanting tourists to take a picture for cash. To the really bizarre, which I won't even get into. There are a couple decent street artist acts. A guy that looks and sings like Sammy Davis Jr comes to mind. There also used to be a decent Michael Jackson, but for the most part...garbage.