Don't let anyone scare you away from Freemont St, Anaconda! I go to Vegas a couple of times a year, and the highlight of my stay is the trip to Freemont St. Freemont Street is blocked off to traffic, so is essentially a pedestrian corridor, veiled in a mesh screen 'roof' that is particially see through. There is a laser light show projected onto the 'roof' every hour (or more, can't remember). There are vendor kiosks in the middle of the narrow street, and ground-level entrances to casinos right off the street. You don't have to walk a mile to get into the casinos like you do on the strip.
The lights are bright and everyone's always having fun! I don't think i'd ever stay on Freemont, except for at the Golden Nugget which has been completely renovated and has always maintained fairly high standards.
Lots of cheap roulette tables, cheap drinks at the bars, excellent drink service while gambling, and 99 cent deep-fried twinkies and shrimp cocktails. lol. There's tonnes of security on the street, so I really wouldn't worry. Of all the times I've been there I've never felt uneasy or threatened.
Freemont is kind of like 'old trashy Vegas', which I think is fun. No pretention on Freemont Street! Certainly the hotels and casinos aren't going to compare in any way to those on the strip, but it's a helluva lotta fun!!
It's also the place to buy all of your trashy souveniers (sp?). lol.
Just like any other vacation spot, stick to the 'touristy spots' and you'll be fine. The area around Freemont Street is a little sketchy, but Freemont St. is totally fine.
Have a great time out there!!
