A lot of things changed when WSOP left the Rio.
Our food options increased ten-fold, the space got bigger, and you have a wider range of hotel options within walking distance of the summer series.
But we did lose the parking lot. It was a big, beautiful ocean of concrete with enough space for everyone's car and no cover charge. The Paris parking garage leaves a lot to be desired and they charge for the privilege of using it.
Realistically, the rest of the change is marginal. You can still stay just about anywhere in the Las Vegas Valley and make your way to the WSOP without too much trouble because you can cover a lot of ground here compared to other metro areas. And there are a lot of ways to get to the WSOP, perhaps even more than you think. Ubers and rentals are obviously on the menu, but we have a bus system, too, and even a Monorail. You can even walk from further than you may realize.
Let's break it all down.
How do you get to the WSOP?
Take the bus
Yes, you can ride those buses on The Strip that cut you off. For just $4 you can hop on The Deuce, which will take you north or south to all points on the The Strip and Downtown with stops in immediate proximity of Horseshoe Las Vegas. It runs 24/7.
You can also come from the east or west via bus, opening up a lot of housing situations along Flamingo Rd. Look for Route 202, which services Flamingo Rd., or a bus on just about any of the major Las Vegas Blvd. cross streets.
Pro tip: Download the rideRTC app for real-time bus tracking because they tend to bunch up and arrive at unpredictable times.
Use the Monorail
Some might call the Las Vegas Monorail a 'boondoggle' that serves no real purpose after a failure to plan routes to the airport. And those people might be right in a lot of situations, but not at the WSOP. Horseshoe Las Vegas has a Monorail stop just beyond the downstairs food court, allowing you a quick and inexpensive trip to or from the summer series.
Take a right at the Food Hall in the basement of Horseshoe to find your way to the Monorail. The Monorail can take you south to MGM Grand or north to Sahara, with stops at Flamingo, Harrah's, Westgate, and the Convention Center. The ease of transport also opens up housing options like MGM Signature, which offers a more apartment-like experience just one stop away.
Be aware that the Monorail doesn't run all night. You have until 2am on weekdays and 3am on weekends. It costs $6 for one trip or $15 for a one-day pass. Get the whole week for $62. Nevada residents ride for $1.
Pro tip: Hook up with the underground Vegas Loop at the Westgate or the Convention Center to expand your fake public transportation network to Wynn, Resorts World, and Fontainebleau.
These giant columns actually support a Monorail system. The Heel-Toe Express
It's hot in the summer time, but you can still walk around a lot if you are bold. A 30-minute trip over the bridge will get you to and from places like Palms, Rio, and Gold Coast, which may be a shot of nostalgia for old WSOPheads.
Yes, it's hot, but the walk isn't unreasonable and it can be done with proper sunscreen and hydration. It can also be downright pleasant on a Las Vegas summer evening, though you will need the usual level of situational awareness that one should have in Sin City.
I do the bridge walk all the time. Don't be afraid of it. It will have you in great shape by the end of the summer. Bring deodorant and extra shirts, please.
Stay at Rio and walk for old time's sake. Drive a car
So you don't want to take the bus, the Monorail, or walk, and you've rented a car. Or you drove in. Good for you. Things will be easier but now you have to park.
Everyone jets to the parking garage, but many ignore the giant parking lot behind Horseshoe. Primarily used by employees, the backlot is huge and you will get in and out of it with ease.
With a car you can really expand your housing situation, as well, so don't be afraid to look everywhere. Driving throughout the valley can be easier than you think, with our traffic problems generally focused on Las Vegas Blvd. Don't be afraid to look at places like Lake Las Vegas, where you can live in relative tranquility with a 30-minute drive to the WSOP (mostly highway.)
Pro tip: If you're coming from 215, cut through the airport. It will spit you out near UNLV and you can turn left on Harmon for a straight shot into the WSOP.
No matter how you choose to get to the WSOP, bring some patience and stay hydrated. It's a long summer and the desert heat is real. You need to drink water.
