Laughlin

Outside of Vegas: Laughlin Day Tour


Blonde4ever detours from Las Vegas with a day trip to Laughlin

I decided to do something on my recent trip to Vegas that I have wanted to do for a long time; a day trip to Laughlin. Laughlin is the third most popular casino destination in the state after Vegas and Reno, and I was eager to check it out. I went with Grayline’s Laughlin Gambling Tour. I got mine as a MyVegas reward, so it was free except for a $5 fuel charge, but even if you had to pay it is an economical $25. I was told to wait for the tour bus on a street corner near my hotel. The bus appeared promptly at 8:30 and proceeded to drive to several other locations gathering customers along the way. When the bus was full, we returned to the Grayline depot where we had to disembark and go through a check in process and then board a different bus. Initially, I was happy when the clerk handed me a map during my check in. I thought “Goodie! A map of Laughlin!” but no, it was a map of Vegas. Why hand me a map of Vegas when I am on my way to Laughlin? The couple in front of me had the same idea. “Look, this must be Laughlin; there is the Golden Nugget!” I corrected them. “Sorry, that is a map of downtown Vegas. There is a Golden Nugget there too. ” We piled on the bus, and the driver notified us that we would pass by the Vegas sign and stop for five minutes and then continue on our way. On the drive to Laughlin, they played an old Jim Carey movie. It helped to pass the time, but I was hoping for an informative video about Laughlin. Of course, I had done some research online about the hotels and sights in Laughlin before taking this tour, but I would have enjoyed learning more. I think the marketing people are really dropping the ball in this area.

It took exactly the length of the movie to get from Vegas to Laughlin, so approximately 90 minutes. The landscape we were passing was the usual; sand and small scrubby trees. But, as we grew closer to our destination the scenery improved. Apparently, Laughlin is sandwiched between two mountain ranges; the Black Mountains on one side and the Newberry Mountains on the other. The city itself sits on the Colorado River. My main purpose in taking this trip was to go for a boat ride on the river that includes a 90-minute narration telling you the history of Laughlin and the river itself. The bus let us off at the Golden Nugget at 12:30 pm with strict instructions to be back at 5:45 pm. We were handed a small book of coupons for $5 off any Golden Nugget dining outlet, a match play coupon and a discount on a keno ticket. Most of the bus passengers proceeded to line up at the Player’s Club to get new player’s club cards, but I didn’t care about that. I made my way to the front desk instead, hoping that they would have maps or tourist information. The ladies at the desk weren’t very helpful, but I did locate a tourist magazine of sorts, but I didn’t really have time to study it. I had heard that there was a walkway that followed the river; aptly named Riverwalk, so I set out in search of that. Surely if I walked along the river long enough I would come to the boat tours?

The Riverwalk was lovely, so I snapped lots of pictures.

I was surprised that it was not one long continuous walkway. At one point I came to a driveway and ended up in a parking lot. At another point, I had to switch to a lower level to carry on. I walked past a few properties and realized that my stomach was rumbling, and I should probably have some lunch somewhere. I loved the look of the Colorado Belle. It is a fake riverboat, but it looks like the real thing. The interior is gorgeous with lots of ornate chandeliers. I stood in line for about 45 minutes to get a chicken salad. Things seem to move slowly in Laughlin. When I was finished eating, I continued down the Riverwalk. Now and then I would stop and ask the locals about the boat tour I was looking for. I was told that the tour was in front of a casino named Aquarius. I trudged past many properties until I finally reached the Aquarius and saw the sign for the Celebration River Cruise. I bought my very reasonable ten dollar ticket for the next time slot and then went into the Aquarius to cool off and get a drink.

When it was time for the cruise, I went out and watched the crowd that was disembarking from the Celebration boat. I have some walking issues, and I noticed that this company was not very “disabled friendly.” Their elevator was out of order, and there were a lot of stairs. I watched several people struggle to climb those stairs. They really need to address this issue, especially since Laughlin seems to cater to seniors. I made my way carefully down the stairs and out to the boat. I went up to the top level to get the best view. They serve light meals and drinks on the boat. I ordered an alcoholic concoction called Sandy’s Sherbet. It was delicious; seven dollars well spent.

I have been on similar boat tours before, but what I really liked about this one was that the narration tape was crystal clear and loud enough. There is nothing worse than not being able to hear the tape. It was a gorgeous day for floating down the Colorado River. Many jet skis were roaring by which upset the tranquil atmosphere, but it seems that water sports are very popular here. I took many pictures during the 90-minute ride and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I also learned something I never knew before. As we floated by the Pioneer Casino with Vegas Vic out front, the narration tape told us that this was the original Vegas Vic that used to be on Fremont Street. Apparently when the canopy was put up ole Vic was too large, so they transferred him to Laughlin and made a smaller replica for Fremont Street. UPDATE: I called them on it, see this article here.

Laughlin
A genuine piece of Las vegas History in Laughlin

The tour ended at 4 pm, and I was too tired to limp all the way back to the Golden Nugget. The boat captain suggested I just stand on the dock and wait for a water taxi. I tried that for a few minutes, but when none appeared, I got worried, so I set out to try and find a cab. I wandered around for awhile, getting somewhat panicky. I couldn’t even locate Aquarius’s front desk, never mind a cab stand. It seems that Laughlin is not crawling with cabs the way Vegas is. A lovely couple who had been on the boat with me overheard me complaining about not being able to find a cab and why it was important that I find my way back to the Nugget before the tour bus left without me. They graciously offered to give me a lift since they were heading that way themselves. Many thanks to the nice couple in the Sentra who rescued me. Thanks to them I got back to the Nugget in time to have a refreshing drink and a few minutes of play.
Around 6 pm we got back on the bus to return to Vegas. The sun was setting over the mountains, so the ride back was picturesque. As luck would have it, I was the first person dropped off at my hotel! Yay!

I would definitely visit Laughlin again, but what I would really enjoy is to stay for a few days and have a closer look around. According to Grayline, they don’t allow you to take a day trip there on one day and return on another. Although a lady I had been chatting with on the bus on the way there thought I was missing on the way home and went to ask the driver about me and was told that I had decided to stay. Not sure what that was about. I suppose if you “accidentally” missed your bus home, that you could possibly find another way back to Vegas on your own. I will think about that some more for next time.

[Photos: Blonde4ever]

30 thoughts on “Outside of Vegas: Laughlin Day Tour

  1. Blond4ever, My company can get you to Laughlin and back without having to do a day trip. I am from that area, well technically Lake Havasu, but we transport from laughlin to Las Vegas and back everyday. Great article.

  2. I enjoyed your report! I can’t believe they haven’t fixed the stairs/indirect walking routes issue yet. We last visited in the 90s (with no mobility issues) and still thought it was ridiculous and too challenging to take on that many stairs and difficult paths in the blistering summer heat.

    1. Ah ha…so it is not just me! I thought I must be doing something wrong or something. Why am I in this parking lot?? lol
      They should really improve that Riverwalk. Thanks for your comments. It lets me know I am not crazy.

  3. Great read!…..used to hit Laughlin all the time back in the 1990s (drive up from Phoenix)…..it was so much fun to hang there for the weekends and ride the water taxis–plus the walk from one property to another was easy–like a mini Vegas Strip with a river alongside…..

  4. Great read and pictures. We plan to make a quick stop on our way to Oatman..We rent a car and will take our time going. We have been many times in the past, so this will be a little side trip from our 14 days in Vegas.

    1. Oatman is a neat place! Bring a couple bags of carrots for the burros. They will be expecting them. Great side trip!

      1. Don’t forget your donkey bag for poop..LOL..Seriously the burros are cute. I spent 15 minutes for one to move out of my way because I kept petting it… and eat at the Oatman Hotel..Plenty of money on the wall to take with you to Vegas if you can get away with it..ROTFLOL

  5. Thank you for the review! My folks are diamond Total Rewards members and they get free trips from Texas to Laughlin several times a year. The plan is for me to take my Dad’s spot for a girls trip really soon. Also something to note for those not in driving distance from Laughlin. There is an airport but all flights have to be booked through the casinos. My Mom says the airline is usually Sun Country and nice. They start gambling even before the plane takes off with a seat number raffle. She has won a couple of times. It’s great way to start the trip!

  6. Great photos. I’m heading out there for five days in December. No resort fees. Good live poker. And all you wrote about.

  7. Glad you had a nice (but too short imo) time in Laughlin. We were just there 2 weeks ago, stayed 2 nights there at the Pioneer. We had one of the rooms fronting River Walk and it was great! We go there quite often and just love it. Hopefully, you will make it back for an overnighter soon.

      1. Say Mary R, did Pioneer television still have a rolling screen aberration? I loved staying there, but that destroyed the value of Turner Classic Movies?

  8. Your report was very interesting, and Laughlin sounds like a nice place to visit. Thanks so much for taking the time to post all of your reports. For anyone who used to frequent casinos but is physically unable to do so now, it’s a pleasant pleasure.

  9. Bonde4ever…. do not walk the riverwalk at night. Ferrel cats come out for food and Raccoons too.
    Its a horrible site! as I know you love animals!

  10. your article is incorrect about the pioneer sign in laughlin being vegas vic, Vegas vic has been in the same spot since the 1951. The sign in laughlin was built and owned by the same people and is a twin built in 1981.

    1. Thanks for that info! This is the information that is being given out on the Celebration boat tour. I was surprised when I heard it!
      Several historical sites says this is not true. I need to write a letter to the Celebration company.

  11. We bought the same thing from MyVegas for our trip to Vegas next week. Did you do the tier match and upgrade promo at the Golden Nugget? The Laughlin location is the only one that does this!

    TIER UPGRADE BONUS! AS EASY AS 1-2-3!
    1. BRING IN A COMPETITOR’S TIERED CARD
    2. WE WILL INSTANTLY MATCH YOUR TIER LEVEL
    3. PLUS, RECEIVE A ONE TIER UPGRADE BONUS

      1. I did…intentionally. The majority of my day in Laughlin was spent getting to the Celebration boat, riding on the boat, and getting back from the boat to the Golden Nugget. I was only at the GN for about an hour and I played two twenties through nickel VP. Not really much point to standing in line for a player’s card. Now if I go again and I am there to play I will certainly get one!

  12. We always rent a car for our Vegas trips and make a day trip of driving to Laughlin via Hoover Dam and returning through Searchlight. It never gets old! Love your TR.

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