I stayed last trip one free night at Eastside Cannery and then six at Sam's Town. I wondered how it would be walking the Boulder highway, especially at night. So, here is what I experienced:
THE BUS.
The 202 Flamingo bus stops right across the street on Boulder from Sam's Town and in spite of the confusing notes from the November bus changes on the reduction of service in the early morning hours, the drivers assured me that this was 24 hours. So it drops very close to Sam's, although it might be necessary to go back to the intersection to cross Boulder safely.
Even better bus access is offered for the CANNERY EAST. This is at the end of the 202 route and the bus has a layover right along side the Cannery East parking lot. So it drops very close to the casino, just steps from where we would park our car. It also picks up there and there so no waiting at a lonely bus stop to ride all the way to the strip.
The bus is there, and any waiting is done on the bus.
When it heads back to the strip, it makes a large circle around Sam's Town.
I did take that bus just around a few blocks to Sam's Town and saved myself a few steps with my luggage, but it was not a really close dropoff. I probably would just walk to Sam's Town on another trip.
THE WALK FROM THE CANNERY
I walked about midnight from the Cannery to Sam's Town. One local at my poker table advised against it in early morning hours, but when I went no one was around. It was deserted. Also the same local said that one good thing is it was pretty well patrolled. My first trip I thought that crossing the street and walking on the Walmarts side is the safest idea. Along the RV park it is darker and there are bushes in front of the wall. Someone could lurk there. The West side was brighter and Walmarts had activity, including a security car blinking a caution light.
However, it was inconvenient crossing back to Sam's Town and the second night I walked the darker route just after midnight. Sprinklers were on all along that route to water the bushes, so it would not be a great spot for a few young drinking boys to hand out as they would get soaking wet.
I felt comfortable walking. I saw no one at night.
The hardest part was crossing the street to Sam's Town without walking quite a ways up to the light. I watched some folks walk directly across and they were not bothered, so I did the same thing. However, I think there is a huge fine for jay walking in Vegas, and I probably should have walked up to the light to cross. This may also mean that I should take a bus stop closer to the light if I arrived with luggage.
What I will hope to do next trip is start my stay at Cannery East and then roll luggage to Sam's Town.
THE BANK
I have been disturbed that the end of traveler's checks would mean the end of my usual system for carrying my money to Vegas.
I won't pay those fees they charge at ATMs.
Here I found a Bank of America drive-in ATM right across the street from the Cannery. Even from Sam's it was a convenient enough walk when I ran out of cash.
I'll save my traveler's checks for another trip when I am not out here.
There is supposed to be another Bank of America machine that does not charge a fee in Caesar's Palace, and I saw that the Bank of America was close to my hotel when I stayed downtown at the Four Queens.
I guess that will be my method of choice for replenishing lost funds.
I was tired this trip and did not end up leaving Sam's Town on the free shuttle to play on the strip or downtown. I'll try it next time. I can see that were I to go to the strip on the free shuttle and then come back on the RTC, I'd feel safe enough.
Downtown is more tricky. That 107 return bus in late night hours, picking up right near the Western is probably not a good idea and the safer routes, going first to the strip would be pretty long unless I played on the strip in between the bus ride. Of course, I could bus it to the BTC and grab the 107 there. That is probably what I will do.
Still, I could see that the Boulder area was very comfortable. There were little chain places to eat along Boulder and a huge Walmarts right across the street from Sam's Town that was open 24 hours a day. This trip I left from Denver with trailmix and snacks in my bag, so I did not need visit the Walmarts.
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