The Fremont Street Experience

 Day two in Vegas started a little too early for me. I woke up at 3:45am, 5:45am central time, which is exactly when our cats would be standing on me and staring at me to get out of bed and feed them. I managed to fall back asleep, but woke up a few times before giving in around 7:30-8am. I wrote yesterday’s blog this morning while Ross ran down to Starbucks to grab us drinks and a small breakfast. 

We were in no rush, but eventually headed out the door about 10:30. In anticipation of our Grand Canyon hike in a few days we wanted to pick up a hat/sunglasses as recommended by our guide. Ross’ sunglasses never left West Allis and I didn’t even think about bringing a hat or visor for the hike. There is a mall just down the block from our hotel and popped in there to see what we could find. The shops didn’t open up until 11am, so we had about 15-20 minute to kill. While we waited we booked an escape room for tomorrow night - a Saw (the movie) themed escape room! Ross loves haunted houses and scary movies, this is a good combination! I’m not sure how I feel yet, but what the heck. Most people make it out alive, right? Finally, Dick’s Sporting Goods opened their doors and I found a hat and Ross picked up a pair of sunglasses. We’re hoping they make it through the entire trip. 

Once our shopping was complete we hailed an Uber to take us to the Mob Museum. It came recommended by my parents. We added on the forensic lab experience to our tickets. We spent about 2 1/2 hours exploring all things Mob and Las Vegas. Our Lab Experience was like a mini course on fingerprints, autopsies, bullet striations, and all that crime lab stuff. Fun to interact with! 

After the Mob Museum, we wandered over to Fremont street which was one block over. If you’ve been you know what it’s all about. If you’ve never been, it’s quite the snapshot of humanity. We walked up and down the Fremont Street Experience at least A half dozen times just seeing what there was to see. By 3 we decided to grab a bite to eat at the Irish bar/restaurant Hennessey’s. It was two for one burger day, so that sounded like a winner. After we ate, we strolled up and down the street one more time before getting our tickets for SLOTZILLA, the zipline experience that flies you all the way down Freemont street. We had 15 minutes before our 5pm showtime, so back up and down the street we went. Finally it was time! We marched up a few flights of stairs, got some of those cheesy photos taken that are always waiting for you at the end of your ride, then waited in line to get a giant harness wrapped around us. Once we were all suited up, the ushered about 8 of us into a big elevator and up about 10 stories. When it was our turn, we had to lay down on cushioned platforms that went up and down so we could get strapped into the zipline. That was probably the scariest part, dangling from a wire waiting for the barrier in front of you to drop so they could fling you down a 5 block long wire. The ride itself was really smooth, except for the very end where you have to stop. It was neat to zing down Freemont street above everyone while the big digital board was doing its thing above. I’d recommend it!

This is the Heart Attack Grill. Yes, the sign says Over 350lbs eats free. Ross is standing on the scale to weigh yourself. You have to wear a hospital gown to eat there and they beat your ass with a paddle if you don’t finish your food. I have no words.

Ross wanted to see one of the 6 minute long Freemont Street Experience shows on the big digital board, but they didn’t start until 6. We had about 40 minutes, so we wandered over to Evel Pie, an Evel Kenevil themed bar. If we hadn’t have eaten a little earlier, we would have taken advantage of some of their vegan pizza options, but we were stuffed. We each had a drink and enjoyed the scenery. The place reminded us of an Ian’s pizza. Just before 6pm, we walked back over to the big display to watch the show. It was three Killer’s songs and pretty cool. Once that was over, we walked back to the Mob Museum to hail another Uber back to the hotel. 

I couldn’t help but think of all the Shevil derby team members while sitting here!

We hadn’t gambled yet, so we figured now is as good as any. We each took $5 and put it in a penny slot. Ross lost all but $0.44 and I won $15, so we were $5 ahead! I cashed the $15 And change out and we decided to try an electronic roulette table. Somehow I managed to bet all $15 just on red. You can guess what happened...Black. But wait! I had $3 more dollars in my purse! We tried one more time on some slots and promptly lost all but some change. We took our ticket over to one of the machines that dispenses cash and change. I think we had $0.40 to get back. The machine only spit out $0.25. Great, now we’re losing money to a coin machine. It gave us a ticket to take to the cashier for the remaining $0.15. Ross proudly sauntered over and requested three nickels, which he got! It was quite funny and I enjoyed the entire moment. 

Even though it’s a little early, we’re pretty much done for the day. We have a short hike planned for tomorrow morning at the Valley of Fire and an escape room for the evening. Another day in the books! Until tomorrow!

Steps: 13,990

Gambling Losses: About $13