Last updated on December 18, 2023.

The section of the Las Vegas Strip south of Tropicana Avenue features some of the most recognizable resorts in the city.

 

Tropicana

The Tropicana is a South Beach themed resort at the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. It opened in 1957 and was last renovated in 2011.

Tropicana in Las Vegas, Nevada
Tropicana
Lobby at the Tropicana in Las Vegas, Nevada
Lobby

 

Excalibur

Across the Las Vegas Strip from the Tropicana is Excalibur. This resort has a medieval them and is popular with families.

Excalibur in Las Vegas, Nevada
Excalibur
Excalibur in Las Vegas, Nevada
Excalibur

 

Luxor

South of there is Luxor, named after the Egyptian city and with an ancient Egyptian theme. The resort is built into a pyramid and has a sphinx and obelisk outside. There are Egyptian statues in front of the entrance.

Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada
Luxor
Sphinx at Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada
Sphinx
Obelisk at Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada
Obelisk
Entrance at Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada
Entrance

Next to the lobby, the entrance to the gaming area looks like a temple. Upstairs you’ll find another obelisk and replica Egyptian village.

Lobby at Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada
Lobby
Entrance to the casino at Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada
Entrance to the casino
Village at Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada
Village

Luxor is home to Bodies… The Exhibition and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Bodies displays actual human bodies and organs and gives visitors a better understanding of the wonders of the human body and how it works. Titanic has actual artifacts recovered from the 1912 disaster, including a large piece of its hull. Each costs US$32 and a combo ticket for both exhibitions is US$42 (as of November 2023).

Bodies at Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada
Bodies
Titanic at Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada
Titanic

 

Mandalay Bay

Mandalay Bay sits south of Luxor. This massive complex has an elegant tropical South Pacific theme.

Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Mandalay Bay
Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Mandalay Bay
Fountain at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Fountain

The lobby and hallways are impressive, as is the Mandalay Beach pool area.

Lobby at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Lobby
Lobby at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Lobby
Front desk at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Front desk
Mandalay Beach at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Mandalay Beach

Mandalay Bay also houses the Shark Reef Aquarium, which contains the third largest tank in North America. Adult admission on a timed entry is US$29 while anytime pricing is US$36 (as of November 2023).

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Shark Reef Aquarium

The first part of the Shark Reef Aquarium displays reptiles such as crocodiles and a Komodo dragon along with fish from the Amazon basin. You then pass through an aquarium tunnel to the next section.

Crocodile at Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Crocodile
Komodo dragon at Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Komodo dragon
Piranhas at Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Piranhas
Tunnel at Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Tunnel

Stingrays, lionfish, jellyfish, and other exotic species are featured in the next section. There’s a stingray and horseshoe crab petting tank as well.

Lionfish at Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Lionfish
Jellyfish at Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Jellyfish
Petting tank at Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Petting tank

At the end of the aquarium is a large tank with a few different species of sharks and larger fish.

Shark tank at Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Shark tank
Shark

 

Welcome Sign

The iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is not too far south of Mandalay Bay. It was built in 1959 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. I went at night and was able to see it all lit up. An Elvis impersonator was also there serenading a couple.

Welcome sign in Las Vegas, Nevada
Welcome sign

 

Tram

Note: Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay are all connected by a free tram.

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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