Sitting at the very heart of Las Vegas is the Strip – a six-kilometre stretch of road that is bursting with vibrant colour, over-the-top entertainment and larger-than-life characters. The Flamingo was one of the first casinos to open up in the Strip in the mid-1940s, and was named after the owner Bugsy Siegel’s leggy girlfriend. The Flamingo was followed by (and continues to be followed by) countless other luxury casinos and hotels, and the Strip is now home to many of the top resorts and nightspots in Las Vegas.
Take a photo of the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada” sign, which was constructed in 1959 and even features on the United States National Register of Historical Places. Head to the opulent Bellagio to catch one of its nightly fountain shows, or stop by Caesar’s Palace for some shopping, ancient-Rome style. The pyramid-shaped Luxor dominates the skyline, and the old-world MGM is reminiscent of times gone by.
The Strip is open day and night, and it is when the sun goes down that you can see Las Vegas at its neon-lit best. Take a gondola ride along the Venice-inspired canals at the Venetian, climb the Eiffel Tower at the Paris hotel or wander through the streets of mini-Manhattan in the New York New York casino. There’s even an erupting volcano at the Mirage! Try your luck at one of the thousands of slot machines in the casino foyers and watch top players win (and lose) huge sums of money at the professional card tables.
During daylight hours, the Strip is a little more family-friendly, with great shopping and dining options available. Stop by the shopping centre in Caesar’s Palace or grab a bite to eat at one of the many different cafes, restaurants, eateries and snack bars.
Make sure you’re well rested for when the sun starts to set and press the repeat button – the Las Vegas Strip comes alive every night of the year!
The Strip is situated just outside the city limits, just a ten minute drive from downtown. There is a lot of traffic and the parking is expensive, so it’s advisable to come by taxi, monorail or minibus.
