The Fremont Street Experience

Recently I had the opportunity to visit the "Fremont Street Experience" in Downtown Las Vegas. Home to the "mall" with an LCD screen paneled dome. Sounds cool right? Wrong. I thought it would be interesting to see another part of my town, but I was sorely mistaken.

To those who may not be familiar with Las Vegas, Downtown is the arm-pit of the central business district. The Strip where the Bellagio, Wynn and Ceasars make their home is several miles south of downtown and is the stuff you see on TV and movies all the time. However, when you see a shot of some seedy place on CSI, its probably downtown.

Prior to my pilgrimage to Fremont Street, I often heard it called a mall. To me that usually means shopping. Exchanging money for goods and services. Unfortunately, no real "goods" are available on Fremont Street and if I purchased services down there, I'd be headed for divorce court. The street has been cleared off for pedestrian only use and it is lined with old Casinos and cheesey souvenir shops. Elvis would feel deep shame for having his mug all over this place. If you are brave, I suppose the $6.99 prime rib dinner could entice you to the "mall", but I'd pass.

Essesntially, I would say this is Satan's ultimate mall. Its sells nothing of remote value, the food will kill you, it has several strip clubs with huge LCD screens outside filled with naked women, you go there with false hopes to loose your money, you have nothing but shame and heartburn to show for your time and effort and even the sky is obstructed by televisions to dull your senses and cut you off from the presence of God. I just shoved the red pill down your throat.

Needless to say, I won't be returning anytime soon.