Buffalo Bill’s Closed Casino Tour
Las Vegas is still working on its very slow recovery, but with visitors down 70% in June and down 61% in July there is still a long way to go. We did see tons of crowds and some true craziness over Labor Day weekend, but predictions are that the next couple of months will remain slow.
While this has a big effect on the Vegas Strip casinos, it really hurts the second tier markets. Primm, Nevada sits on I-15 about 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip and is home to three big casinos, a theme park, two “monorails”, a movie theater, a 6,500 seat arena and one of the deadest (and prettiest) malls I have seen in awhile.
As of now two of the casinos (Primm Valley and Whiskey Pete’s) and the dead mall are open and I’ll have a tour of those coming very soon. Unfortunately perhaps the most iconic of the Primm, Nevada landmarks remains closed though. Buffalo Bill’s houses over 1,200 rooms, a theme park and so much more and it is closed indefinitely.
I recently headed out to Primm and was able to do a full walk around of the Buffalo Bill’s property. During this tour I’ll go over some of the history of the now shuttered hotel, casino and theme park plus we’ll discover relics of the past like the 20+ year abandoned train tracks and so much more!
Buffalo Bill’s Closed Casino Tour – Bottom Line
While I do believe Buffalo Bill’s will reopen, it may be some time before it comes back. Even when open the rides have been very limited (the coaster reopened briefly last Summer after being closed a long time), so the future of Desperado, the log flume and the other rides is a mystery.
What are your favorite memories of Buffalo Bill’s and Primm? Let’s discuss it!
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Just stopped in Primm. Bonnie & Clyde expo moved to Primm hotel across from whiskey Pete’s after being MIA for several months 🙁 RIP buffalo bills, all bedding was in trash bins outside (mountains of bedding) I hope it can rebuild.
I rode the Rollercoaster 25 years ago with my husband and Father in law. While we screamed the whole time, my father in law had his hands up in the air expressionless. (He used to test Rollercoasters at Knotts). We recently stopped so our kids could ride the coaster we have talked about in memory of my Father in Law who has since passed. Sadly it was closed. Hoping the next time we come around will give them the opportunity to experience this awesome ride and pay tribute to their grandfather.
Lopez, many memories of this hotel we loved playing keno by the McDonald’s staying up late listening to the DJ, riding the roller coaster on the weekend, even though the casino was dated we always loved staying their,
I love the Desperado coaster (oldie but a goodie!!) and the Star Of The Desert Arena. I have been to some good concerts there, including Lee Ann Womack a few years ago. The hotel rooms were generally cheaper than in Vegas and the swimming pool is very nice. I sure hope it reopens soon!!
Me and my wife loved the place. We loved the whole theme and the keno machines I wish it would come back that was our favorite! We used to like the Primadonna but when Buffalo Bills opened we were hooked.It’s a shame to see it like that I’d love to see it reopen
So many, many wonderful memories of A LOT of concerts and Off Road races held there. I know that many found it outdated but I always found the staff attentive. My wife and I became freinds with a few of the cocktail waitresses who were always ready to serve you the drinks! I personally loved the atmosphere. I remember a few many years ago when NV residents could ride the flume and roller coaster unlimited.
Hope it comes back to its old glory.
My Husband and I used to love Buffalo Bills when we lived i n Laughlin. Since covid everything is closing on the casino market. What a shame.
My husband
My husband and I loved to go there all the time. I use to be in the slot machine contest one time it was on valentines day we were married the less time so the people at the table let me take the flowers of the table..
I liked the slot machines he liked the keno and roulette table.
I will miss the hotel I had good memories there we got married there
Buffalo Bill’s used to be my favorite of the 3 stateline casinos until about 4 years ago. I went into the room and it was dirty, called housekeeping, they never came and had to ask for another room in another wing. It was only slightly better. If I wasn’t there for the concert I would have left immediately. I passed through there again in 2019 and the casino floor was sad looking and the employees were sad also. Not very good customer service (couldn’t find a waitress and when the drink came, it wasn’t good). I have fond past memories so if they bring it back they might want to email past guests for input in how to improve it.
I know it needed help and was in decline but I still have fond memories of stopping there with friends on my way into Vegas to ride the rides and gamble a little. Loved the log ride where you got to shoot the targets while you rode the ride. Now that I have kids I wanted to take them there for a night but may never get the chance. Makes me sad. Thanks for the video tour.
As a kid This place use to be where my family would meet for me to start my summer vacations. We would start the summer off with a one day pass for me while parents gambled and after spending summer in San Diego ID get a one day pass before heading to Utah. There was a point where the walkway to the arcade there was a really good Mexican restaurant and across from there was a magic shop with all sorts of cool tricks to buy and on a good day a magician showing them. then walking through the casino knowing if the coaster was running just by looking up through the ceiling . hope ut comes back so I can take my family some day.
Enjoyed your comment I to have many wonderful memories thanks for sharing
Remember being a kid going on that roller coaster a few times and the log ride. Sad!
IAM GOING TO MISS THE FOREIGNER CONCERTS AT THE STAR OF THE DESERT ARENA. GREAT CONCERTS
I have always had a good experience at Buffalo Bills. The western atmosphere. The rooms looking rustic until they remodeled them. Black Jacks tables at reasonable bet. The old time slot machines. Always stayed here on Sunday nights after leaving Vegas. On way home to So Cal.
You did not have to work on Mondays?
I am driving past it now on the way to Vegas. I didn’t know it closed. Over the years it surely has declined. Dirty and smoke filled. My kids favorite memory is the smell of the musty water from the log ride, the game room, and cashing in their tickets at the gift store. My good are seeing REO Speedwagon, playing in a slot tournament, going outside and having missed a huge storm and the parking lots flooded, and nice rooms at one time. The bad are being given a room where the beds weren’t made, and a room that I found a pill on the bathroom floor when I had infants. Hope it comes back to the good it once was.
Hi I just watched your tour of buffalo bills I’ve never been there looks pretty cool I’m a Las Vegas resident hopefully things will get better soon
The problem is property is owned by infinity Gaming which also owns Whiskey Pete’s, Primm Casino and Silver Sevens Casino just off the Strip..The Customer service and overall treatment of the regulars or locals is horrible..I am A GM Player card holder and have never been so disrepected by a casino especially at Silver Sevens..I will never set foot in any affinity gaming casino again.
Infinity or Affinity ?
Is the Primm golf course still operating?
Its been many years since I was there however I have many good memories at all three places.
Many super bowls and birthdays
We always stay at primm valley, i really enjoy the music and concert at buffalo bills and keno machine hope it open soon .
I say good riddance to Buffalo Bill’s and after making mistake of staying in their hotel one night in 2019 my only thought was this joint should have been shuttered years ago. The room was filthy, outdated beyond imagination (only tv in room was old crappy hand crank dial television w rabbit ears). Bathtub was something out of sci fi flick, and I wouldn’t bathe an enemy in that dump let alone myself.
Loved the tour! Memories…