Golden Nugget Casino

If you're looking to escape the often overwhelming Strip, travel writers agree that the Golden Nugget is one of the nicest places to gamble in Downtown Las Vegas. Granted that it's nothing like the massive facilities -- like the Bellagio or the MGM Grand -- that pepper the Strip, the Golden Nugget features a newly renovated gaming space with budget-friendly tables (some of them with minimums as low as $5). Other amenities here include top-notch spa facilities, an arcade, shops, fine dining and a massive pool that features private cabanas, a three-story water slide and even a shark tank. For more information, check out the Golden Nugget's website.