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The Las Vegas Strip is the most famous stretch of road in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For this post, I’ll start at the south end of the Strip and work my way north to Sands Avenue, covering most of the major resorts. I still have to explore north of that point and will update this post when I have a chance to do that.
Introduction to the Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip runs for 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers) down Las Vegas Boulevard, from the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign and north to Sahara Avenue. It features some of the largest and most recognizable resorts in the world. It’s technically in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester but is commonly referred to as Las Vegas.
The Strip was en empty stretch of desert along Las Vegas Boulevard, then Highway 91, when the Pair O’ Dice Club was built in 1931. It was followed by El Rancho Vegas, the first full service casino-resort, which opened on April 3, 1941. Its success encouraged the Hotel Last Frontier, which incorporated the Pair O’ Dice Club, in 1942.
Organized crime realized the potential of gambling in Las Vegas, and mob money financed the construction of the Flamingo, the city’s first luxury resort. The casino opened on December 26, 1946, and the hotel opened on March 1, 1947. For several years after, the mob played a key role in Las Vegas.
From then on, hotels on the Strip continued to grow in size and opulence, with mega-resorts popping up in the late 1960s. Entertainment has evolved to attract visitors of all ages and interests. Since the beginning of the 21st century, resorts have trended to high-end luxury rather than specific themes, and many older resorts have expanded and renovated.
The Las Vegas Strip will continue to reinvent itself and change with entertainment and gaming trends, and will always be an exciting destination for all.
“Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” Sign
The iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, located in the median at 5100 S. Las Vegas Blvd., is the perfect place to start exploring the strip. The sign was built in 1959 at the behest of Ted Rogich (1923-2008), the owner of sign company Western Neon, who commissioned Betty Willis (1923-2015) to design it. Rogich then sold it to Clark County.
The sign is 25 feet (7.6 meters) high and mounted on 2 poles. On the back is “Drive carefully, come back soon”. The sign was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 1, 2009. I went at night and was able to see it all lit up. An Elvis impersonator was also there serenading a couple.
Mandalay Bay
Mandalay Bay is massive luxury resort complex with an elegant South Pacific theme. It opened on March 2, 1999, on the former site of the Hacienda and was developed by Circus Circus Enterprises (later Mandalay Resort Group). It has been owned by VICI Properties since 2022 and is operated by MGM Resorts International.
Mandalay Bay has 3,209 guest rooms in the 43-story main tower, not including the 424 rooms operated by the Four Seasons on the 35th through 39th floors. The other 43-story tower hosts the W Las Vegas, which has 1,117 suites. It opened in December 2003 as THEhotel at Mandalay Bay and functioned as the Delano from 2014 to 2024.
The property covers 120 acres and includes a 147,992 square foot (13,748.9 square meter) casino; several restaurants; the Shoppes at Mandalay Place; an 11-acre pool known as Mandalay Bay Beach, complete with 2,700 tons of sand imported from California, a lazy river, and a concert stage; Moorea Beach Club, a topless sunbathing and upscale pool area; a spa and salon; Shark Reef Aquarium; the 12,000-seat Michelob Ultra Arena, a sports and entertainment venue; the 1,800-seat Michael Jackson: One Theatre; and a House of Blues.
Mandalay Bay holds a tragic place in history. On October 1, 2017, terrorist Stephen Paddock (1953-2017) opened fire from his room on the 32nd floor, targeting music festival attendees across the street, killing 60 and wounded at least 867. It became the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman in American history.
Shark Reef Aquarium
The Shark Reef Aquarium, which features one of the largest tanks in North America, is one of the prime attractions at Mandalay Bay. It opened on June 20, 2000. The main tank is 1,300,000 US gallons (4,900,000 liters) and over 2,000 animals are on display. Timed entry pricing is US$29 for adults, US$27 for seniors over 65, US$24 for kids age 5-12 (as of November 2024). Anytime pricing is US$36 for adults, US$34 for seniors over 65, US$31 for kids age 5-12 (as of November 2024). Kids under 5 are admitted free of charge.
The first section 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.
Stingrays, lionfish, jellyfish, and other exotic species are featured in the next section. There’s a stingray and horseshoe crab touch tank as well.
At the end of the aquarium is a large tank with 10 different species of sharks and larger fish. In addition to the species on display, there’s a 36-seat virtual reality theatre showing aquatic short films. It opened in 2020.
Luxor Las Vegas
The next resort is Luxor Las Vegas, which is named for the Egyptian city and has an ancient Egyptian theme. It was developed by Circus Circus Enterprises (later Mandalay Resort Group). It has been owned by VICI Properties since 2022 and is operated by MGM Resorts International. The resort, which opened on October 15, 1993, is built into a 30-story pyramid designed by architect Veldon Simpson. The top of the pyramid contains a light beam that shines into the sky every night sky. It’s the most powerful man-made light in the world, collecting light from 39 xenon lamps, 7,000 watts each.
Although the Egyptian theme has been scaled back to a degree over the years, there are Egyptian statues in front of the entrance as well as a replica of the Great Sphinx standing opposite an obelisk. The sphinx is 106 feet (32 meters) high, 80 feet (24 meters) wide, and 262 feet (80 meters) long.
The Luxor features a 65,214-square-foot (6,058.6 square meter) casino and 4,407 hotel rooms. It originally opened with 2,526 rooms, all inside the pyramid, but 2 additional 22-story ziggurat-shaped hotel towers were added in 1996. The entrance to the gaming area is built to resemble a temple. Upstairs is one of the world’s largest atriums, where you’ll find another obelisk and replica Egyptian village. There are also several restaurants, pools, a spa, and a theatre.
Past attractions include a 15-minute Nile River ride as well as a 300,000 gallon (1,100 cubic meter) Karnak Lake with a light and water show, both removed in 1996. King Tut’s Tomb and Museum opened in December 1993, consisting of four rooms featuring replicas of ancient items, including a replica of King Tutankhamen‘s tomb. It closed in 2006.
Bodies and Titanic Exhibitions
Luxor is home to Bodies… The Exhibition and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Bodies displays real 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$34 for adults, US$32 for seniors over 65, US$26 for kids age 4-12, and free for kids under 4 (as of November 2024). Combo tickets for both exhibitions is US$44 for adults and US$38 for kids (as of November 2024). Audio guides are available in several languages for US$5. Photography is forbidden in both exhibitions.
PLAY
PLAY is a 14,000-square-foot (1,300 square meter) indoor playground for guests age 16+ that opened in 2024. An all-day pass is US$37 Monday through Thursday and US$47 Friday through Sunday (as of February 2025). Only guests age 21+ can enter after 6pm.
Excalibur Hotel and Casino
Further north, at the corner of the Las Vegas Strip and Tropicana Avenue, is Excalibur. This resort has a medieval castle theme and is popular with families. It was developed by Circus Circus Enterprises (later Mandalay Resort Group). It has been owned by VICI Properties since 2022 and is operated by MGM Resorts International. At the time it opened on June 19, 1990, it was the largest hotel in the world.
Excalibur occupies 50 acres and the theme was conceived by Circus Circus founder William Bennett (1924-2002). He visited castles in England and Germany with architect Veldon Simpson for inspiration, eventually incorporating turrets and a moat and drawbridge into the design. There are 3,981 rooms spread among 4 towers, each 28 stories high. The casino is 92,389 square feet (8,583.2 square meters), and there are several restaurants and shows. The most famous show is the Tournament of Kings, a live action dinner experience adapted from the tale of King Arthur. In addition, there’s a pool area with cabanas and shopping.
Tropicana Las Vegas (Permanently Closed)
The Tropicana was a South Beach-themed resort at the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. It was conceived by Ben Jaffe and opened on April 4, 1957, as the most expensive resort ever developed in Vegas.
John Kell Houssels Sr. (1895-1979), bought out Jaffe in 1959, but the Jaffe family retained ownership of the land. That same year on December 24, Les Folies Bergère, a topless revue, debuted. It ran until March 28, 2009, and was the longest running show in Las Vegas history. The resort prospered during the 1960s. The Tropicana Country Club, complete with a golf course, opened across the street in September 1961. Magicians Siegfried and Roy debuted their act there in 1967, and it was featured in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds are Forever.
Decline and Closure
Unfortunately, by the 1970s, the Tropicana couldn’t compete with newer resorts like Caesars Palace. This ushered a long slow decline due to its long links with organized crime as well as several ownership changes. Deil Gustafson (1931-1999) purchased the resort in 1972 followed by Mitzi Stauffer Briggs (1929-2013) in 1975. The property was sold to Ramada in 1979 and transferred to its spin-off company, Aztar Corporation, 10 years later. The Tropicana Country Club was purchased by MGM Grand Inc. in 1989 and closed a year later to be replaced by the MGM Grand.
Columbia Sussex bought the Tropicana in 2007 but lost it to bankruptcy 2 years later, with Onex Corporation becoming the new owner. Onex renovated the property in 2011, converting it to a middle-class resort, then sold it to Penn National Gaming (now Penn Entertainment) in 2015. Penn in turn sold it to its spin-off company, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., in 2020.
Bally’s Corporation purchased the Tropicana in 2022, and a year later reached a redevelopment agreement with the Oakland Athletics to construct a baseball stadium and a new Bally’s Las Vegas resort. It closed for good on April 2, 2024, and the last remaining structures were demolished on October 9, 2024. Completion of the new resort is expected by January 2028 (as of February 2025).
Features of the Tropicana
By the time it closed, the Tropicana occupied 35 acres and included 44,570 square feet (4,141 square meters) of casino space and 1,467 guest rooms. A stained-glass ceiling measuring 4,250 square feet (395 square meters) covered a portion of the casino floor. There were several restaurants, a series of museums over the years, a tropical plaza, the 1,100-seat Tropicana Theater, and comedy clubs.
MGM Grand Las Vegas
The MGM Grand is across the street north of where the Tropicana used to stand. It was developed by Kirk Kerkorian (1917-2015) on the former site of the Tropicana Country Club and was the largest hotel in the world when it opened on December 18, 1993. The resort has been owned by VICI Properties since 2022 and is operated by MGM Resorts International.
The MGM Grand was designed by architect Veldon Simpson. It contains 5,044 rooms in its 30-story hotel towers as well as what was once the world’s largest casino, measuring 171,500 square feet (15,930 square meters). It originally had a The Wizard of Oz theme, but it was removed during a renovation beginning in 1996. There are several restaurants, a conference center, a comedy club, a swimming pool complex, entertainment venues including the 17,000-seat MGM Grand Garden Arena, and a shopping area. There was also a theme park, MGM Grand Adventures, that closed on September 4, 2000.
The original entrance to the MGM Grand was underneath a giant fiberglass lion head measuring 88 feet high. It was removed in 1997 and replaced with a 50-ton bronze lion designed by Snellen Johnson (1938-2001). It’s 45 feet (14 meters) tall and sits on a 25-foot pedestal. The massive resort also had a 5,000-square-foot (460-square-meter) indoor lion habitat that opened as a free attraction on July 1, 1999. It consisted of more than 40 lions rotated out on a daily basis. It closed on January 31, 2012.
Showcase Mall
Right along the Las Vegas Strip north of the MGM Grand is Showcase Mall. It’s famous for its signature 100-foot (30 meter) Coca-Cola bottle. It opened on December 15, 1996. Major tenants include the Coca-Cola Store, M&M’s World, and the Hard Rock Cafe.
New York-New York Hotel and Casino
Back on the west side of the Las Vegas Strip is New York-New York. It brings the Big Apple to life in the desert, complete with some of the iconic buildings from the New York skyline. It was built by MGM and Primadonna Resorts and opened on January 3, 1997. The resort has been owned by VICI Properties since 2022 and is operated by MGM Resorts International.
The casino at New York-New York is 51,765 square feet (4,809.1 square meters). It’s designed to represent different areas of the city, including Broadway, Central Park, Greenwich Village, Times Square, and Wall Street. The food court resembles Little Italy. The hotel contains 2,024 rooms. There are numerous restaurants, a pool and cabanas, and shops. Signs around the property are modeled after those of the New York subway. Inside, it’s worth popping into Hershey’s Chocolate World to see the Statue of Liberty made out of solid chocolate.
Design of New York-New York
New York-New York occupies 18 acres. The theme, which is meant to represent 1940s New York, was conceived by Sig Rogich and Mark Advent. The exterior was designed by Neal Gaskin and Ilia Bezansky, featuring replica skyscrapers that are roughly ⅓ of their actual size. They include representations of the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Manhattan Municipal Building, the New Yorker Hotel, The Century, the Lever House, the Seagram Building, the CBS Building, 55 Water Street, and 550 Madison Avenue. The replica Empire State Building is 47 stories and 529 feet (161 meters) high. It was the tallest building in Nevada until the completion of the Wynn Las Vegas in 2005.
The replica Statue of Liberty is 150 feet (46 meters) high. There’s also a 300-foot (91 meter) Brooklyn Bridge along Las Vegas Boulevard as well as a replica of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the Main Immigration Building on Ellis Island, and Grand Central Terminal.
Big Apple Coaster
Thrill seekers will enjoy the Big Apple Coaster, which winds through the exterior and interior of the property along a 4,777 foot (1,456 meter) track. It’s 203 feet (62 meters) high with a maximum drop of 144 feet (44 meters), and reaches speeds up to 67 miles per hour (108 kilometers per hour). It costs US$25 to ride and US$10 for re-rides (as of November 2024). Riders must be at least 54 inches tall.
Park MGM
To the north is the Park MGM. It opened as the Monte Carlo on June 21, 1996. The property was developed by Mirage Resorts and Circus Circus Enterprises (later Mandalay Resort Group) with a design based on the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco. MGM Grand, Inc. acquired Mirage’s 50% share in 2000, and the other 50% in 2005 after purchasing Mandalay Resort Group. It has been owned by VICI Properties since 2022 and is operated by MGM Resorts International.
Two-year renovations began in June 2016 while the property remained open. On May 9, 2019, the Monte Carlo was officially renamed the Park MGM. It features a 76,982 square foot (7,151.9 square meter) casino, several restaurants, pools and cabanas, and live entertainment. The original hotel opened with 3,014 rooms, but it’s down to 2,700 as the Park MGM.
CityCenter
CityCenter is a complex that contains the Aria Resort & Casino, the Vdara Hotel & Spa, the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, the Veer Towers condominiums, and The Shops at Crystals. It sits on 67 acres and contains 18 million square feet (1,700,000 square meters) of floor space. The property was conceived by Jim Murren and developed by MGM Mirage and Dubai World. It was designed by Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects. The Vdara was the first to open on December 2, 2009, followed by Crystals the next day and the Mandarin Oriental (now the Waldorf Astoria) a day later.
Aria Resort & Casino
The Aria Resort & Casino opened on December 16, 2009. It’s owned by Blackstone Inc. and operated by MGM Resorts International, and was designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners. The resort is known for its environmentally friendly design, specifically for the reduction of energy consumption, and was the largest hotel in the world to receive LEED Gold certification. When it opened, it was described by Popular Mechanics as possibly “the most technologically advanced hotel ever built”.
The hotel consists of 2 towers, one at 50 stories and the other at 40 stories. There are a total of 4,004 rooms, including 568 suites. The casino is 150,000 square feet (14,000 square meters), and you’ll find several restaurants, nightclubs, a fine art collection, and a 215,000 square foot (20,000 square meter) pool deck.
The Shops at Crystals
The Shops at Crystals is a 500,000-square-foot (46,000 square meter) mall consisting of several luxury shops, gourmet restaurants, and art galleries. It opened as Crystals on December 3, 2009, and was renamed as The Shops at Crystals in 2013. The mall was sold to Invesco and Simon Property Group in 2016.
The mall, which has space for 57 tenants, is one of the most attractive buildings on the Las Vegas Strip. Architect Daniel Libeskind designed the exterior, using sharp angles and glass, and topping the building with 19 separate roofs. David Rockwell worked on the interior, which features hanging gardens and a 70-foot wooden treehouse structure. There are also water and ice attractions.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Continuing north is the Cosmopolitan, also known as the Cosmo. It was developed by 3700 Associates with a groundbreaking held on October 25, 2005. The project was taken over by Deutsche Bank in September 2008 after the developers fell into foreclosure. The property finally opened on December 15, 2010, and it was sold to Blackstone Inc. on December 19, 2014. On May 17, 2022, Stonepeak, the Cherng Family Trust, and Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust purchased the real estate and MGM Resorts International purchased the resort operations.
The Cosmopolitan was designed by Friedmutter Group and covers only 8.5 acres. The property includes a 100,000-square-foot (9,300 square meter) casino and 3,033 guest rooms situated in two towers. The Boulevard Tower is right on Las Vegas Boulevard and has 52 stories, while the Chelsea Tower has 50 stories and stands to the west.
In addition, there’s a 3,200-seat theatre; 243,000 square feet (22,600 square meters) of meeting space; a 43,000-square-foot (4,000 square meter) spa and fitness center; several restaurants; and a 36,000-square-foot (3,300 square meter) shopping area with luxury retailers. Another highlight is the 3-story chandelier. It’s made with 21 miles of crystal bead swags utilizing 2 million crystals.
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Across the Las Vegas Strip from the Cosmopolitan is the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, which has a complicated history. It originally opened with an English Tudor-style theme under Edwin Lowe (1910-1986) as the Tallyho Hotel in 1962, which was purchased by Kings Crown Inns of America in 1963 and reopened as the King’s Crown Tallyho on November 5 of that year. Milton Prell (1905-1974) purchased the failing property on January 1, 1966, added an Arabian Nights theme, and reopened it as the Aladdin a few months later on April 1. It hosted the wedding of Elvis Presley (1935-1977) and Priscilla Beaulieu in 1967.
The Aladdin went through several ownership changes, financial difficulties, and bankruptcies over the years until 1994, when it was purchased by Jack Sommer, who laid out plans to replace it with a newer larger resort. He closed the original property on November 25, 1997, and demolished it on April 27, 1998. The new Aladdin opened on August 18, 2000, and immediately faced financial challenges.
On September 1, 2004, Planet Hollywood International, Starwood Hotels, and Bay Harbour Management purchased the Aladdin with the intent of renovating and rebranding the property as Planet Hollywood. The resort stayed open during renovations, and the name change went into effect on April 17, 2007. It has been owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment since 2010.
Planet Hollywood features a 64,470 square foot (5,989 square meter) casino and a 39-story hotel tower with 2,494 rooms. There’s also a shopping mall with 475,000 square feet (44,100 square meters) and space for 170 tenants. You’ll also find several restaurants, two rooftop pools with cabanas, and live entertainment.
Paris Las Vegas
Paris Las Vegas immediately transports you to the City of Light. The project was announced on May 17, 1995, by Bally Entertainment, which was bought out by Hilton the following year. The resort opened on September 1, 1999. Hilton transferred ownership to a spin-off, Park Place Entertainment, which would later become Caesars Entertainment, in 2003. Caesars continues to run the property today.
The resort was designed by architect Joel Bergman (1936-2016). The façade comes complete with replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Paris Opera House, and the Musée d’Orsay. A hot air balloon serves as the official sign, representing the world’s first hot air balloon flight over Paris in 1783. It’s 75 feet (23 meters) in diameter and 150 feet (46 meters) high.
The interior is designed to feel like an evening on the streets of 1920s Paris. The shopping area is inspired by the Rue de la Paix shopping district, while the lobby makes you feel like you’re in a palace. The casino is 95,263 square feet (8,850.2 square meters) and the original 34-story hotel tower contains 2,916 rooms. The 26-story Jubilee Tower from the adjacent Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly Bally’s), completed in 1981, was incorporated into the resort in 2024 as the Versailles Tower, adding 756 rooms. Other features include several restaurants, a 1,400-seat performance theatre, a pool area, a spa, and nightlife.
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a half-scale replica of the original in Paris, standing 540 feet (160 meters) high. The legs measure 27 square feet (2.5 square meters) at their base, and 3 of them rest on the casino floor. Visitors can take a ride up a glass elevator to an observation deck on the 46th floor, at 460 feet (140 meters), with a capacity of 96 people. Admission starts at US$25 for adults and US$19 for kids (as of November 2024), and tickets can be purchased online. There’s also a restaurant on the 11th floor.
Bellagio
Back across to the west side of the Las Vegas Strip is Bellagio. This luxury resort, built by Mirage Resorts on the site of the Dunes, was originally conceived by Steve Wynn as the Beau Rivage, a French-themed resort. Architect Jon Jerde (1940-2015), who had been vacationing on Lake Como in Italy, convinced Wynn to visit the lake. Wynn was so impressed by the town of Bellagio, he scrapped 10 months of work on the Beau Rivage and completely changed the theme.
Bellagio opened on October 15, 1998, and was the world’s most expensive resort to that point. It immediately changed the thinking in Las Vegas by inspiring other resorts to become more upscale. MGM Grand Inc. (now MGM Resorts International) took over in May 2000 and owned the property until they sold it to Blackstone in 2019. MGM continues to operate it under a lease agreement. Bellagio was featured in the 2001 film Ocean’s Eleven.
Bellagio features a casino measuring 156,000 square feet (14,500 square meters). The hotel has a total of 3,933 rooms in 2 towers. The original tower is 36 stories high while the Spa Tower, completed in 2003, has 33 stories. Bellagio contains numerous restaurants; Via Bellagio, a high-end retail area; an 1,800 seat theatre; a spa and salon; meeting and event space; and a pool area inspired by Palladian villas.
Fountains of Bellagio
Bellagio features a spectacle unlike any other. The Fountains of Bellagio present a water show that sprays water up to 460 feet into the air, beautifully choreographed to music. It’s a must-see when visiting Vegas. Every show is different, so when you’re walking past and a crowd is gathering, find a good spot and enjoy!
The show takes place at the 8.5-acre man-made lake in front of the resort. It uses 1,214 water nozzles and 4,792 lights. It’s one of the most photographed places in the United States and was the largest fountain show in the world until 2009. From Monday through Friday, shows take place every half hour from 3pm to 7:30pm and every 15 minutes from 8pm to midnight. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, they run every half hour from noon to 7:30pm and every 15 minutes from 8pm to midnight.
Fiori di Como
As soon as you walk into the lobby, you’re greeted by Fiori di Como, a work of art on the ceiling. It’s comprised of 2,000 glass flowers hand-blown by Dale Chihuly and measures roughly 2,000 square feet (190 square meters). It weighs more than 40,000 pounds and is the world’s largest glass sculpture.
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Beyond the lobby is the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This 13,500-square-foot (1,250 square meter) was originally planned as an outdoor garden. There are five themes throughout the year: Chinese New Year, spring, summer, autumn, and winter. It’s open free to the public and receives an average of 20,000 visitors a day.
The incredible displays use thousands of plants and flowers and takes over 100 workers to build. I’ve only been there to see the autumn display. On my first visit in 2015, there were mostly woodland creatures on display.
On my second visit in 2017, there was a tribute to Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) and the focal point was two peacocks. The woodland creatures were still there.
The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art opened with the resort and initially exhibited pieces from the personal collection of Steve Wynn and others owned by Mirage Resorts. Since MGM took over, it has hosted rotating exhibits displaying art from major museums. General admission is US$18 (as of September 2024) and it’s open daily from 10am to 6pm.
Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace is one of the most famous resorts to ever grace the Las Vegas Strip. It brings the glory of ancient Rome to the Nevada desert. Located on the northwest corner of Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard, this massive complex is easily noticeable by the huge Roman towers and the 15-foot statue of Roman Emperor Augustus at the entrance.
Jay Sarno (1922-1984) and Stanley Mallin (1923-2021) opened Caesars Palace on August 5, 1966, to give guests a sense of life during the Roman Empire. They wanted everyone to “feel like a Caesar“. The original hotel was designed by architect Melvin Grossman (1914–2003). It was immensely popular from the start and is still one of the iconic luxury resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.
Harrah’s Entertainment acquired Caesars Palace in June 2005, and Harrah’s changed its name to Caesars Entertainment in 2010 “to capitalize on the prestige of the Caesars brand”. The resort has been owned by VICI Properties since October 2017 and is operated by Caesars Entertainment.
Features of Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace occupies 34 acres. It features 3,960 guest rooms and suites situated in 6 towers; several restaurants; a 124,181-square-foot (11,536.8 square meter) casino; over 300,000 square feet (28,000 square meters) of convention and meeting space; a shopping mall; a spa; a pool area; entertainment venues; and much more.
The decor can seem a bit gaudy but it definitely has character. Walking throughout the property, you’ll see Roman statues, fountains, and lavish chandeliers. A bar shaped as Cleopatra’s barge was a popular feature from August 1970 until it was removed in November 2023.
If you ask, the pool attendant might give you a few minutes to walk around the Garden of the Gods pool oasis, which is both cheesy and spectacular at the same time.
The Forum Shops
The Forum Shops is 675,000 square feet (62,700 square meters) of high-end stores that opened in 1992. The mall revolutionized Las Vegas as a destination for shoppers. It’s located on the north side of the complex and has roughly 160 tenants, including restaurants.
The entrance from the Las Vegas Strip opens to an imposing atrium with towering statues, columns, fountains, and spiral escalators. It was added to the complex in 2004.
Once you enter the heart of the Forum Shops, however, you get a different feeling, as if you were enjoying a summer day in ancient Rome. The painted sky changes from day to night as you walk through the mall.
At the very end is the Fall of Atlantis, a fountain complete with a 50,000 gallon aquarium. The Atlantis Show is a fiery spectacle that plays every hour on the hour. It incorporates fire and water as well as 9 feet (2.7 meter) animated figures to tell the story of Atlantis.
Entertainment
Caesars Palace has been a major entertainment venue since the beginning, hosting some of the biggest names in music as well as sporting events such as boxing and professional wrestling. The property has also featured in several films and television shows.
The main theatre is The Colosseum, which seats 4,296 people and has a 22,450-square-foot (2,086 square meter) stage. Headliners who have graced the stage include Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Celine Dion, Ike & Tina Turner, Shania Twain, Bette Midler, Cher, Elton John, Liberace, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Julio Iglesias, Ann-Margret, Tony Bennett, Harry Belafonte, Judy Garland, Gloria Estefan, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Sting, and Adele.
Flamingo Las Vegas
Across the street from Caesars Palace is the Flamingo, which is the most historic resort on the Las Vegas Strip. Although nothing is left of the original property, it’s the oldest resort still operating today. It has a Miami theme.
The Flamingo was conceived by Billy Wilkerson (1890-1962), the founder of The Hollywood Reporter, who purchased the land in 1945. Not having the funds to finance the project on his own, he partnered with mobsters Bugsy Siegel (1906-1947), Moe Sedway (1894-1952), and Gus Greenbaum (1893-1958). Much to Wilkerson’s dismay, Siegel took over the project and, thanks to his mismanagement, the cost skyrocketed from US$1 million to US$6 million.
Siegel opened the Flamingo’s casino on December 26, 1946, and the hotel followed on March 1, 1947. It was the third resort on the Strip and the first luxury resort. After Siegel was murdered on June 20, 1947, Sedway, Greenbaum, and fellow mobster David Berman (1903-1957) took over.
A group including Morris Lansburgh and Daniel Lifter purchased the Flamingo in 1960. Kirk Kerkorian (1917-2015) took over in 1967. Hilton took out a 44% stake in 1970 and eventually bought out the remaining shares in 1972. They added high-rise building between 1978 and 1995, with all features of the original property eventually demolished by 1991.
In 1998, Hilton’s gambling properties were spun off as Park Place Entertainment (later Caesars Entertainment, Inc.). Harrah’s Entertainment acquired the property along with Caesars Entertainment, Inc., and eventually changed its name to Caesars Entertainment Corporation in 2010. The resort has featured in several movies and television shows over the years.
Features of the Flamingo
The Flamingo occupies 19 acres. The casino is 72,299 square feet (6,716.8 square meters). The hotel, which opened with just 105 rooms, now has 3,460. Live entertainment venues include the 780-seat Flamingo Showroom and the 230-seat Bugsy’s Cabaret. There’s also a large pool area, a spa, and numerous restaurants as well as shopping at the Flamingo Promenade. The 4-acre Flamingo Wildlife Habitat features Chilean flamingos, exotic birds, and fish, and is open daily free of charge.
The Linq
A few steps from the Flamingo is The Linq. It opened on October 30, 1959, as the Flamingo Capri, a motel owned by George Goldberg and Bill Capri. Ralph Engelstad (1930-2002) purchased the motel in 1971 and added a casino the following year. After a major expansion project, the name changed to the Imperial Palace on November 1, 1979. It was the first Asian-themed resort on the Las Vegas strip. Engelstad expanded the property again between August 1987 and July 1989.
Harrah’s Entertainment (now Caesars Entertainment Corporation) purchased the Imperial Palace in December 2005. They removed the Asian theme and changed the name to The Quad on December 21, 2012. Another name change took place on October 30, 2014, when it became The Linq. Its primary target is millennials.
The hotel at the Linq features 2,250 guest rooms, and there’s a 33,890-square-foot (3,148 square meter) casino. The Linq Promenade is a 1,200-foot path that opened on December 27, 2013. It’s lined with shops, restaurants, and nightlife establishments. The promenade also contains the High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel at 550 feet, which opened in 2014. In addition, there are several restaurants, a party pool open to guests 21+, a spa and fitness center, and live entertainment.
Harrah’s
Continuing north is Harrah’s, which occupies the former site of the Tumbleweed Motel, which opened in 1946, and the Pyramid Motel, built in 1952. It opened as the Holiday Inn Center Strip on February 1, 1972, with the Holiday Casino following on July 2, 1973. It had a riverboat façade and theme. In 1990, the façade was expanded as a 450-foot-long Mississippi-style riverboat, featuring an 80-foot paddlewheel and two 85-foot-tall smokestacks.
The property was rebranded as Harrah’s in April 1992 and expanded between 1996 and 1997. The riverboat theme was replaced with a Mardi Gras theme. Parent company Harrah’s Entertainment became Caesars Entertainment Corporation in 2010. They sold the property to VICI Properties in December 2017 but continue to manage operations. It’s billed as a low-cost alternative to the larger luxury resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.
The casino at Harrah’s is 90,637 square feet (8,420.5 square meters). There are 2,542 guest rooms spread over 3 towers. You’ll also find live entertainment, several restaurants, shopping, a pool area, and a spa and fitness center.
Casino Royale
Next is Casino Royale, a small casino catering to low rollers. The hotel portion of the property opened in the spring of 1964 as the Caravan Motor Hotel. The Nob Hill Casino opened nearby in July 1978 and operated until November 26, 1990. Tom Elardi purchased both the hotel and casino and reopened them as Casino Royale on January 1, 1992. He also renovated the property from 1993 to 1995 and added a Victorian-style façade.
Casino Royale is still privately owned by the Elardi family today. It features 19,000 square feet (1,800 square meters) of casino space, 152 guest rooms operated by Best Western Plus, and a handful of chain and fast-food restaurants.
The Mirage (Converting to the Hard Rock)
Back across on the west side of the Las Vegas Strip was the Mirage. This Polynesian-themed resort was developed by Steve Wynn and opened n November 22, 1989. It occupied 65 acres and the former site of the Red Rooster, a nightclub that opened in 1930 and became the first business on the Strip to receive a gaming license. The Castaways hotel-casino was also on the site until Wynn purchased it and closed it on July 20, 1987.
The Mirage quickly became a popular venue for boxing matches and live entertainment. Siegfried and Roy began performing there on February 1, 1990, and the resort added a statue of them on the grounds in 1993. Their show continued until Roy was attacked by a tiger during a performance on October 3, 2003.
The Mirage was purchased by MGM Grand Inc. (now MGM Resorts International) in 2000. They renovated the hotel in 2002 and other areas from 2005 to 2006 and again in 2008. VICI Properties acquired the property in 2022 while MGM continued operations.
Hard Rock purchased operations on December 19, 2022, and the Mirage closed for good closed on July 17, 2024. It’s currently being converted to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and is expected to open by May 2027 (as of February 2025).
Features of the Mirage
The property featured a volcano that erupted nightly, using whitewater covered in red to simulate lava. There were 10 acres of exterior gardens with over 1,000 palm trees, 40,000 shrubs, and waterfalls. A dolphin habitat opened on October 19, 1990. Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden, which opened on November 13, 1996, was an outdoor attraction with white tigers and other animals that performed in their show. The dolphins were eventually incorporated into the Secret Garden, which closed in September 2022.
The atrium was full of a combination of fake and live palm trees, orchids, and exotic plants to make visitors feel like they were in a South Pacific rain forest. A huge 20,000-gallon aquarium behind reception was another feature to look out for. The casino measured 90,548 square feet (8,412.2 square meters) and there were 3,049 guest rooms as well as several restaurants.
The Venetian Las Vegas
The Venetian is one of the most popular resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. It was developed by businessman Sheldon Adelson (1933-2021) on the former site of the Sands Hotel and Casino, a Vegas icon that operated from 1952 to 1996. The resort was designed by Stubbins Associates and Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. It’s modeled after the city of Venice, and it officially opened on May 4, 1999. In February 2022, VICI Properties purchased the land and Apollo Global Management acquired the operations.
The Venetian includes a 120,000 square foot (11,000 square meter) casino and a total of 4,049 guest rooms. There are 3,036 suites in the original 35-story tower along with 1,013 rooms in the 12-story Venezia Tower that opened in June 2003. You’ll also find several restaurants; 500,000 square feet (46,000 square meters) of meeting space; shopping at the Grand Canal Shoppes; live entertainment including shows at the 18,600-seat Sphere; pools with cabanas; a spa and fitness center; and several restaurants and bars.
Design of the Venetian
The Venetian pays incredible attention to detail emulating 15th and 16th century Venice. The façade along the Las Vegas Strip replicates the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge, a 315-foot-high St. Mark’s Campanile, and even the Column of San Marco (the Lion of Venice). A replica of the Grand Canal passes through both the exterior and interior.
The interior pays homage to Venetian style and luxury, mimicking the opulence of Venice. In the lobby you’ll find a recreation of The Armillary Sphere by sculptor Toland Grinnell. The Grand Colonnade contains 21 faux Renaissance-era paintings that were framed and attached to the ceiling.
Grand Canal Shoppes
A popular feature of the Venetian is the Grand Canal Shoppes. Under a ceiling painted to replicate soft blue skies, you’ll walk along the mock Grand Canal past high-end stores and restaurants. The plaza is a recreation of St. Mark’s Square, complete with a Torre dell’Orologio.
Gondola Rides
If you really want to get into the spirit, you can even take a ride on a gondola, on an indoor or outdoor route. They run daily and cost US$39 per person while a private gondola costs a total of US$156 (as of February 2025). Outdoor gondolas run seasonally and weather-permitting. Twice a day, at 9:45am and 4:20pm, the gondoliers on the indoor canal sing in unison.
minus5º Ice Experience
The minus5º Ice Experience is a winter wonderland made of over 90 tons of ice. There are interactive ice sculptures, a LED light show, a warming lounge, food and drinks, and more. Pricing starts at US$24 for adults and US$13 for kids age 7-12 (as of February 2025). It includes gloves and the use of a parka. The minimum age to enter is 7.
The Palazzo
The Palazzo is the Venetian’s sister hotel and is connected via the Grand Canal Shoppes. It opened on December 30, 2007, and has a modern Italian theme. Since February 2022, it has been owned by VICI Properties and operated by Apollo Global Management along with the Venetian.
The Palazzo is a high-end luxury resort that occupies 14 acres with 7,500,000 square feet (700,000 square meters) of floor space. It was designed by HKS, Inc., and in 2008 became the largest LEED-certified building in the world. The casino is 105,000 square feet (9,800 square meters), and the hotel has 3,066 suites in its 50-story tower. In addition, there are several restaurants and clubs, live entertainment in the 1,800-seat theatre, a pool deck, and more.
In the lobby, you’ll find Acqua di Cristallo, a water sculpture by Samuel G. Bocchicchio. It consists of the figures of three translucent women carved out of solid acrylic polymer. The sculpture is designed to represent the struggles of women and uses water to cast light around the room.
The Waterfall Atrium features seasonal themed decorations celebrating Chinese New Year, the 4th of July, autumn, and Christmas. I’ve only seen the autumn exhibit, with falling leaves suspended from the ceiling. You’ll also find the LOVE art installation in the atrium.
Treasure Island Hotel and Casino
Opposite the Palazzo is Treasure Island. This pirate-themed resort was developed by Steve Wynn and designed by Joel Bergman (1936-2016) and Jon Jerde (1940-2015). It opened on October 26, 1993, and targeted families.
MGM Grand Inc. (now MGM Resorts International) purchased Treasure Island in 2000. In April 2003, they scaled back the pirate theme to attract more adults and began marketing using the abbreviation TI. The resort struggled financially and was sold to businessman Phil Ruffin on March 20, 2009. Ruffin then made changes to target middle-class visitors.
Treasure Island has 47,927 square feet (4,452.6 square meters) of casino space and 2,885 guest rooms in a 36-story tower. There are also live shows, several restaurants, a spa and salon, and a pool area with cabanas. Fashion Show Las Vegas, a large shopping mall, is north of the property.
The resort was built with a 65-foot-deep lagoon and two pirate ships in front. It once featured the free Battle of Buccaneer Bay pirate show for passing spectators. The show lasted 15 minutes and was performed several times a day with 22 actors. The final performance was held on July 6, 2003, and was replaced by the new Sirens of TI pirate show in October of that year. It ran until October 21, 2013.
