Anthony Curtis’ nationally synidicated weekly column.
Oct. 11, 2011
Downtown Las Vegas’ Fitzgeralds hotel-casino appears to be next in the ongoing trend to expand, renovate, and upgrade downtown casinos. Pending the approval of new owners, the 640-room resort will undergo a remodel that will bring a “vintage Vegas” theme to its expansive second floor. The new owner is the same group that holds large stakes in the Golden Gate and the Riviera, both of which are also undergoing substantial improvement projects. The Fitzgeralds purchase is expected to be finalized before the end of the year, though no timetables for the remodel have been announced.
Topped Dog: How many toppings can you put on a hot dog? More than 30 if you’re at Benny’s Bullpen at Binion’s. A giant condiment bar includes cheese, pickles, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and just about anything else you might ever consider putting on a dog. The bar is open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. A hot dog is $3.95, or $4.95 with chips and a draft beer.
Bunny Blackjack: The Palms has unveiled the “Playboy Party Pit” on the main casino floor, featuring six blackjack tables with Playboy bunny dealers. The pit is open all night Thursday through Sunday. Meanwhile, the casino in the Playboy Club atop the Palms has been downsized.
Ski Season: The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort opened last week, making it the first ski area in the U.S. to open for the 2011 season. The resort is in the process of a major expansioni, which will increase the number of trails and lifts over the next decade.
Question: What’s the name of the place on the Strip with the big Halloween attraction?
Answer: Every year at this time, the Circus Circus Adventuredome becomes “Fright Dome”—a haunted-house-themed amusement park that’s always ranked among the scariest in the nation in comparisons of Halloween attractions. Tickets start at $36. Fright Dome is deemed “not suitable for those under 12.”
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