Las Vegas Strip#History

{{Short description|Stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard with many resorts, shows, and casinos}}

{{Redirect2|Vegas Strip|The Strip|other uses|The Strip (disambiguation)}}

{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2015}}

{{Infobox street

|name = Las Vegas Strip

|alternate_name = The Strip
Las Vegas Boulevard South

|image = {{Photomontage

| photo1a = Las Vegas Strip 09 2017 4897.jpg{{!}}Las Vegas Boulevard

| photo2a = Bellagio Las Vegas Nacht.JPG{{!}}Bellagio

| photo2b = MGM - South West - 2008-10-03.jpg{{!}}MGM Grand

| photo3a = Paris Eiffel Tower (8226787281).jpg{{!}}Paris Las Vegas

| photo3b = New York New York @ Night (1149483371).jpg{{!}}New York-New York Hotel and Casino

| photo4a = Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas - panoramio.jpg{{!}}Caesars Palace

| photo4b = Venetian Las Vegas, NV.jpg{{!}}The Venetian Las Vegas

| spacing = 2

| color_border = white

| color = white

| size = 276

| foot_montage = Clockwise from top: Las Vegas Boulevard, MGM Grand Las Vegas, New York-New York, The Venetian Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, Horseshoe Las Vegas & Paris Las Vegas, Bellagio

}}

|length_mi = 4.2

|length_ref =

|direction_a = South

|terminus_a = Russell Road

|direction_b = North

|terminus_b = Sahara Avenue

|coordinates={{coord|36.119684|-115.172599|display=inline}}

}}

The Las Vegas Strip is a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada, that is known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos. The Strip, as it is known, is about {{cvt|4.2|mi|km}} long,{{Google maps|title=Overview of the Las Vegas Strip|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/W+Sahara+Ave+%26+Las+Vegas+Blvd+S,+Las+Vegas,+Clark,+Nevada+89109/Russell+Road+%26+Las+Vegas+Blvd,+Las+Vegas,+NV/@36.1138792,-115.2047291,13z/data=!4m24!4m23!1m15!1m1!1s0x80c8c476ed1f15b9:0xf72f2a349a04ff81!2m2!1d-115.1575198!2d36.1435915!3m4!1m2!1d-115.1662893!2d36.1301937!3s0x80c8c41345a3b1cb:0x350d927b69db1566!3m4!1m2!1d-115.173167!2d36.1060062!3s0x80c8c433ba34ad47:0x93076b6bb758ca61!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c8c5c39642684f:0x18d2194f18b2bf63!2m2!1d-115.1730225!2d36.0861089!3e0?hl=en|access-date=October 17, 2020}} and is immediately south of the Las Vegas city limits in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester, but is often referred to simply as "Las Vegas".

Many of the largest hotel casino and resort properties in the world are on the Strip. Its hotels, casinos, restaurants, residential high-rises, entertainment offerings, and skyline have established the Strip as one of the most popular and iconic tourist destinations in the world and is one of the driving forces for Las Vegas's economy.{{cite book|title=The Themed Space: Locating Culture, Nation, and Self|chapter=Theming as a Sensory Phenomenon: Discovering the Senses on the Las Vegas Strip|last= Lukas|first=Scott A.|publisher=Lexington Books|year=2007|isbn= 978-0-7391-2142-9|pages=75–95|editor=Scott A. Lukas}} Most of the Strip has been designated as an All-American Road,{{cite press release |title=U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Downey Announces New All-American Roads, National Scenic Byways in 20 States |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |date=June 15, 2000 |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa0042.cfm |access-date=June 22, 2008 |archive-date=May 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522211134/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa0042.cfm |url-status=live }}; {{cite press release |title=Las Vegas Strip Named All-American Road |url=http://travelnevada.com/press_detail.asp?PressID=24 |access-date=June 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060612004631/http://travelnevada.com/press_detail.asp?PressID=24 |archive-date=June 12, 2006 }} and the North and South Las Vegas Strip routes are classified as Nevada Scenic Byways and National Scenic Byways.{{Cite web|title=Scenic Byways {{!}} Nevada Department of Transportation|url=https://www.nevadadot.com/travel-info/travel-nevada/scenic-byways|access-date=2020-10-17|website=www.nevadadot.com|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017225826/https://www.nevadadot.com/travel-info/travel-nevada/scenic-byways|url-status=live}}

Boundaries

{{multiple image

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| image1 = Las Vegas Strip Aerial September 2013.jpg

| image2 = Night aerial view, Las Vegas, Nevada, 04649u.jpg

| footer = Looking north and south, 2013

}}

Historically, casinos that were not in Downtown Las Vegas along Fremont Street sat outside the city limits on Las Vegas Boulevard.{{Cite web|date=2015-08-03|title=Knowing Vegas: Why isn't the Strip in Las Vegas?|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/knowing-vegas-why-isnt-the-strip-in-las-vegas/|access-date=2020-10-17|website=Las Vegas Review-Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104142950/https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/knowing-vegas-why-isnt-the-strip-in-las-vegas/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2011-05-17|title=The Shocking Truth About the Las Vegas Strip|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/27757/shocking-truth-about-las-vegas-strip|access-date=2020-10-17|website=www.mentalfloss.com|language=en|archive-date=November 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112162854/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/27757/shocking-truth-about-las-vegas-strip|url-status=dead}} In 1959, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was built{{Cite web|last=Finnegan, Amanda |date=2009-05-21|title='Fabulous' sign garners historic designation – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/21/fabulous-las-vegas-sign-garners-historic-designati/|access-date=2020-10-17|website=lasvegassun.com|language=en}} exactly {{convert|4.5|mi|km}} outside the city limits. The sign is currently located in the median just south of Russell Road which is {{convert|4.2|mi|km}} from The Sahara,{{cite news |title=Vegas not alone in wanting in on .vegas |author=Schoenmann, Joe |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 3, 2010 |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/03/vegas-not-alone-wanting-vegas/ |author-link=Joe Schoenmann |archive-date=August 29, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829055814/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/03/vegas-not-alone-wanting-vegas/ |url-status=live }}{{cite press release |title=County Turns 100 July 1, Dubbed 'Centennial Day' |url=http://www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/public_communications/news_releases/pages/countyturns100july1.aspx |publisher=Clark County, Nevada |date=June 23, 2009 |access-date=February 5, 2010 |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407132136/https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Pages/default.aspx |url-status=live }} about {{convert|0.4|mi|km}} south of the southernmost entrance to Mandalay Bay, which is the Strip's southernmost casino.

In the strictest sense, the Strip refers only to the stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard that is roughly between Sahara Avenue and the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.{{Cite web|date=2018-12-14|title=Even in a city built on illusion, the Stratosphere is having a tough time proving it's on the Vegas Strip|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-vegas-strip-boundary-20181214-story.html|access-date=2020-10-17|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|archive-date=December 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202225956/https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-vegas-strip-boundary-20181214-story.html|url-status=live}} Clark County uses the phrase Resort Corridor to describe the area including Las Vegas Boulevard between 215 Beltway and Sahara Avenue and surrounding areas.{{Cite web|title=Clark County Resort Corridor Projects|url=https://resortcorridor.com/home-2/|access-date=March 27, 2021|website=Clark County Resort Corridor Projects|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420143011/https://resortcorridor.com/home-2/|url-status=live}}

The Sahara is considered the Strip's northern terminus by Clark County,{{cite news |title=How did the Las Vegas Strip get its iconic name? |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/how-did-the-las-vegas-strip-get-its-iconic-name-2979248/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204013112/https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/how-did-the-las-vegas-strip-get-its-iconic-name-2979248/ |url-status=live }} though travel guides typically extend it to the Strat {{convert|0.4|mi|km}} to the north.{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Cody|date=2019-07-03|title=Newly rebranded Strip resort's slogan sparks Las Vegas debate|url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/newly-rebranded-strip-resorts-slogan-sparks-las-vegas-debate|access-date=2020-10-17|website=KSNV|archive-date=March 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324003140/https://news3lv.com/news/local/newly-rebranded-strip-resorts-slogan-sparks-las-vegas-debate|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Debating the Stratosphere's Strip-ness is like trying to define Las Vegas – Las Vegas Weekly|url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/column/incidental-tourist/2018/jan/11/debating-the-stratospheres-strip-ness/|access-date=2020-10-17|website=lasvegasweekly.com|date=January 11, 2018|archive-date=November 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129012705/https://lasvegasweekly.com/column/incidental-tourist/2018/jan/11/debating-the-stratospheres-strip-ness/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Is the Stratosphere on the Las Vegas Strip? Owner, County Disagree|date=December 18, 2017|url=https://www.casino.org/news/stratosphere-las-vegas-strip-owner-county-disagree/}} Mandalay Bay, just north of Russell Road is the southernmost resort considered to be on the Strip. According to Clark County, the southern end of the Strip is the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign; the county acknowledges that some argue for Russell Road at the southernmost terminus.{{Cite web|title=Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas Sign {{!}} Las Vegas, NV 89104|url=https://www.visitlasvegas.com/listing/welcome-to-fabulous-las-vegas-sign/35219/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=www.visitlasvegas.com|language=en}}

{{Gallery

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History

= Early years (1930s–1990s) =

The first casino to be built on Highway 91 was the Pair-o-Dice Club in 1931, but the first full service casino-resort on what is currently called the Strip was the El Rancho Vegas, which opened with 63 bungalow hotel rooms on April 3, 1941. Its success spawned a second nearby hotel, the Hotel Last Frontier in 1942.{{Cite web|title=Last Frontier Hotel {{!}} ONE|url=https://www.onlinenevada.org/articles/last-frontier-hotel|access-date=2021-04-03|website=www.onlinenevada.org|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917104303/https://www.onlinenevada.org/articles/last-frontier-hotel|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Sun|date=1955-04-04|title=Colorful hotel history – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1955/apr/04/colorful-hotel-history/|access-date=2021-04-03|website=lasvegassun.com|language=en|archive-date=March 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322235523/https://lasvegassun.com/news/1955/apr/04/colorful-hotel-history/|url-status=live}} Organized crime figures such as Bugsy Siegel took an intense interest in the growing Las Vegas gaming center and funded another resort; financing the completion of the Flamingo construction with mob money. The Flamingo casino opened in December 1946, and the hotel opened in March 1947. Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn resort opened in 1950.{{Cite web |title=History in Las Vegas {{!}} Frommer's |url=https://www.frommers.com/destinations/las-vegas/in-depth/history |access-date=2021-04-02 |website=www.frommers.com |archive-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127233710/https://www.frommers.com/destinations/las-vegas/in-depth/history |url-status=live }} The funding for many Las Vegas projects was provided through the American National Insurance Company, which was based in the then-notorious gambling empire of Galveston, Texas.{{cite book | title=Mr. Mob: The Life and Crimes of Moe Dalitz | author=Newton, Michael | pages=40–41 | publisher=McFarland | year=2009 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KZCUIxhP7ikC| isbn=978-0786453627 }}{{cite book | title=Neon metropolis: how Las Vegas started the twenty-first century | author=Rothman, Hal | publisher=Routledge | year=2003 | page=16 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K4940Wy0DikC| isbn=978-0415926133 }}

File:Gas station Last Frontier hotel.jpg, the second hotel on the Strip.]]

Las Vegas Boulevard South was previously called Hwy 91, or the Arrowhead Highway,{{cite web |title=Arrowhead Trail |url=https://historiclasvegasproject.com/Arrowhead-Trail.html |website=The Historic Las Vegas Project |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127022108/https://historiclasvegasproject.com/Arrowhead-Trail.html |url-status=live }} or Los Angeles Highway.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} The Strip was named by Los Angeles police officer and businessman Guy McAfee, after his hometown's Sunset Strip in Hollywood.{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/lasvegas/peopleevents/p_mcafee.html |title=Las Vegas: An Unconventional History |work=American Experience |publisher=PBS |access-date=June 7, 2007 |archive-date=May 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070521220122/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/lasvegas/peopleevents/p_mcafee.html |url-status=live }}

==Unincorporated town==

In 1950, Mayor Ernie Cragin of the City of Las Vegas sought to annex the Las Vegas Strip, which ran through unincorporated Clark County territory, in order to expand the city's tax base to fund his ambitious building agenda and pay down the city's rising debt.{{cite book|last=Moehring|first=Eugene P.|title=Resort City in the Sunbelt: Las Vegas, 1930–2000|year=2000|publisher=University of Nevada Press|isbn=0874173566|pages=87|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jojgQ2zz50EC&pg=PA87}} Instead, Gus Greenbaum of the Flamingo led a group of casino executives to lobby the Clark County commissioners for town status. Two unincorporated towns were eventually created, Paradise and Winchester.{{cite news|title=New town 'richest' in state|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=August 21, 1951|page=1}}{{cite news|title=Rich new Nevada town of Winchester founded|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|date=October 8, 1953|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14740652/rich_new_nevada_town_of_winchester/|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=June 28, 2018|access-date=December 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628182636/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14740652/rich_new_nevada_town_of_winchester/|url-status=live}} More than two decades later, the Supreme Court of Nevada struck down a 1975 Nevada state law that would have folded the Strip and the rest of the urban areas of Clark County into the City of Las Vegas.{{cite news|title=Why consolidating city and county governments isn't a silver bullet for waste|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Michael Mishak|date=May 24, 2009|url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/24/why-consolidating-city-and-county-governments-isnt/|access-date=2015-07-12|archive-date=July 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721122304/http://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/24/why-consolidating-city-and-county-governments-isnt/|url-status=live}}

Caesars Palace was established in 1966. Opening in 1969, the International Hotel, with 1,512 rooms, began the era of mega-resorts. The International is known as Westgate Las Vegas today.

The first MGM Grand Hotel and Casino opened in 1973 with 2,084 rooms. On November 21, 1980, MGM Grand suffered the worst resort fire in the history of Las Vegas as a result of electrical problems, killing 87 people. It reopened eight months later. In 1986, Kerkorian sold the MGM Grand to Bally Manufacturing, and it was renamed Bally's.

==Mega-resorts==

The opening of The Mirage in 1989 set a new level to the Las Vegas experience, as smaller hotels and casinos made way for the larger mega-resorts.{{Cite web|title=Major Renovation Slated for Mirage|url=https://www.casinocitytimes.com/jennifer-robison/article/major-renovation-slated-for-mirage-54755|access-date=2021-03-28|website=www.casinocitytimes.com|archive-date=November 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113111050/https://www.casinocitytimes.com/jennifer-robison/article/major-renovation-slated-for-mirage-54755|url-status=live}} In the 1990s, more than 12 new hotels opened, including themed hotels like the Luxor, Excalibur, and Mandalay Bay.{{Cite web|date=2019-11-22|title=Celebrating the Decades: New hotels transform the Strip in the Nineties|url=https://www.8newsnow.com/community/vegas-nye/celebrating-the-decades-new-hotels-transform-the-strip-in-the-nineties/|access-date=2021-04-02|website=KLAS|language=en-US|archive-date=March 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307033519/https://www.8newsnow.com/community/vegas-nye/celebrating-the-decades-new-hotels-transform-the-strip-in-the-nineties/|url-status=live}} At $1.7B, the most expensive hotel in the world at the time, The Bellagio, was built in the 1990s. In 1993, the launch of the Mystère show at the new Treasure Island hotel by Cirque du Soleil marked a key point in transforming Las Vegas Strip entertainment.

In an effort to attract families, resorts offered more attractions geared toward youth, but had limited success.{{Cite web|title=Sin returns to Las Vegas with a vengeance - May. 28, 2004|url=https://money.cnn.com/2004/05/28/news/midcaps/las_vegas/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=money.cnn.com|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518155644/https://money.cnn.com/2004/05/28/news/midcaps/las_vegas/|url-status=live}} The current MGM Grand opened in 1993.{{Cite web |last=Clifford-Cruz |first=Rebecca |date=2012-02-23 |title=Sun's list of shuttered family-friendly Vegas attractions - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2012/feb/23/shuttered-child-friendly-atractionsmultiplier/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=lasvegassun.com |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913005717/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2012/feb/23/shuttered-child-friendly-atractionsmultiplier/ |url-status=live }}

In addition to the large hotels, casinos and resorts, the Strip is home to many attractions, such as M&M's World, Adventuredome and the Fashion Show Mall.

File:Nevada National Guard patrols Las Vegas Strip on New Years (2017).jpg assist with New Year's Eve security.]]

=2000–present=

File:Bellagio_Las_Vegas_December_2013_panorama.jpg

With the opening of Bellagio, Venetian, Palazzo, Wynn and Encore resorts, the Strip trended towards the luxurious high-end segment through most of the 2000s, while some older resorts added major expansions and renovations, including some de-theming of the earlier themed hotels.{{Cite web|date=2009-09-30|title=What happened to the theme in Vegas' theme resorts? – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/sep/30/what-happened-theme-vegas-theme-resorts/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=lasvegassun.com|language=en|archive-date=March 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315134137/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/sep/30/what-happened-theme-vegas-theme-resorts/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2008-09-29|title=Curtains Drop on Themed Hotel-Casinos|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/life/curtains-drop-on-themed-hotel-casinos/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=Las Vegas Review-Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=December 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203193516/https://www.reviewjournal.com/life/curtains-drop-on-themed-hotel-casinos/|url-status=live}}

Announced in 2004 and built between 2006 and CityCenter, a {{convert|66|acre|adj=on}}, $ 8.5 billion (in 2009 USD; equivalent to $16.1 billion in March 2025) multi-use project on the former site of the Boardwalk hotel and adjoining land. Most elements of the project opened in late 2009.{{Cite news |last=Segall |first=Eli |date=July 6, 2021 |title=MGM cashing in on CityCenter complex again |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/mgm-cashing-in-on-citycenter-complex-again-2394122/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420010401/https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/mgm-cashing-in-on-citycenter-complex-again-2394122/ |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal}}

In 2012, the High Roller Ferris wheel and a retail district called The Linq Promenade broke ground in an attempt to diversify attractions beyond that of casino resorts. Renovations and rebrandings such as The Cromwell Las Vegas and the SLS Las Vegas continued to transform the Strip in 2014. The Las Vegas Festival Grounds opened in 2015. In 2016, T-Mobile Arena,{{Cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |date=April 6, 2016 |title=Traffic Run Smoothly for Opening of T-Mobile Arena |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/traffic/traffic-runs-smoothly-for-opening-of-t-mobile-arena/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250509041318/https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/traffic/traffic-runs-smoothly-for-opening-of-t-mobile-arena/ |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal}} The Park, and the Park Theater (now known as Dolby Live) opened.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} On October 1, 2017, a gunman inside the Mandalay Bay hotel opened fire upon a nearby concert, killing 60 and himself. The incident remains the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

In 2021, the Pinball Hall of Fame moved near the "Fabulous Las Vegas" sign at the south end of the Strip.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-23|title=Pinball Hall of Fame opens in deluxe new digs|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/arts-culture/pinball-hall-of-fame-opens-in-deluxe-new-digs-2336852/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Las Vegas Review-Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=August 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802224347/https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/arts-culture/pinball-hall-of-fame-opens-in-deluxe-new-digs-2336852/|url-status=live}} Later that year, Resorts World Las Vegas, opened on the site of the former Stardust Resort and Casino.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-26 |title=Resorts World is last new hotel to open in Las Vegas, for now |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/business-columns/real-estate-insider/resorts-world-is-last-new-hotel-to-open-in-las-vegas-for-now-2387882/ |access-date=2021-06-27 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal}}

The Sphere opened in 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.fox5ny.com/news/james-dolan-talks-about-reshaping-las-vegas-with-the-sphere | title=James Dolan reshapes Las Vegas with opening of the Sphere | date=September 29, 2023 | access-date=December 17, 2024 | archive-date=November 25, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125002336/https://www.fox5ny.com/news/james-dolan-talks-about-reshaping-las-vegas-with-the-sphere | url-status=live }} Also, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened on the site of the former El Rancho Hotel and Casino and Algiers Hotel.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=Stars, Party Precede Fontainebleau's Long Awaited Opening |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/stars-party-precede-fontainbleaus-long-awaited-opening-2964909/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}}

=Future developments=

The Tropicana was demolished in October 2024. It will be replaced with a new Bally's Las Vegas resort{{Cite web |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/preliminary-plans-revealed-for-ballys-hotel-and-casino-near-athletics-stadium-3191147/ |title=A's Las Vegas ballpark may be flanked by Bally's towers |date=October 17, 2024 |access-date=December 17, 2024 |archive-date=November 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125105656/https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/preliminary-plans-revealed-for-ballys-hotel-and-casino-near-athletics-stadium-3191147/ |url-status=live }} and New Las Vegas Stadium which will become the home of the Athletics after they relocate to Las Vegas from their temporary home in Sacramento.{{cite web | url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/welcoming-guests-67-years-tropicana-041420373.html | title=The Tropicana Las Vegas, a mob-era casino and Sin City landmark, closes after 67 years | date=April 2, 2024 }}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-03 |title=Time to say goodbye to Tropicana Las Vegas, set for implosion this week - Las Vegas Weekly |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2024/oct/03/time-to-say-goodbye-to-tropicana-las-vegas/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=lasvegasweekly.com |archive-date=October 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004013450/https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2024/oct/03/time-to-say-goodbye-to-tropicana-las-vegas/ |url-status=live }} The Mirage also closed in July 2024, but will reopen as the Hard Rock Las Vegas.{{cite news |title=Famed Mirage in Vegas, in last day, slated to rise again in 2027 as Hard Rock Las Vegas |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mirage-vegas-last-day-rise-again-2027-hard-rock-hotel-casino/ |access-date=July 19, 2024 |work=CBS News |date=July 17, 2024 |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718022601/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mirage-vegas-last-day-rise-again-2027-hard-rock-hotel-casino/ |url-status=live }}

BLVD is opening in early 2025.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-15 |title=First tenants announced for new Strip retail, entertainment center |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/first-tenants-announced-for-new-strip-retail-entertainment-center-2965903/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}}

Transportation

= Buses =

RTC Transit (previously Citizens Area Transit, or CAT) provides bus service on the Strip with double decker buses known as The Deuce.{{Cite web|title=Buses in Las Vegas|url=https://www.vegas.com/transportation/las-vegas-buses/|access-date=2020-10-18|website=www.vegas.com|archive-date=September 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915064022/https://www.vegas.com/transportation/las-vegas-buses/|url-status=live}} The Deuce runs between the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign and South Strip Transfer Terminal to the Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) and the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas, with stops near every casino.

= Trams =

Several free trams operate between properties on the west side of the Strip:{{cite web|url=https://www.vegas.com/transportation/las-vegas-monorails/ |title=Las Vegas Monorails |work=VEGAS.com |access-date=August 21, 2019}}

{{div col|colwidth=18cm|content=

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| File:MandalayBay.jpg|Mandalay Bay Tram

| File:CAT Enviro500 103.jpg|The Deuce bus

| File:CityCenter Tram - 2010-03-06.jpg| Aria Express

| File:Las Vegas Monorail-04.JPG|The Las Vegas Monorail

}}

= Monorail =

While not on the Strip itself, the Las Vegas Monorail runs a 3.9-mile route on the east side of the Strip corridor from Tropicana Avenue to Sahara Avenue, with stops every 4 to 8 minutes at several on-Strip properties including the MGM Grand and the Sahara at each end of the route.{{cite news|last=Garcia|first=Oskar|title=Frugal travel: Vegas offers fun at low stakes|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/travel-headlines/ci_14657569|newspaper=San Jose Mercury News|access-date=August 12, 2011|agency=Associated Press|date=March 11, 2011|archive-date=January 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114182749/http://www.mercurynews.com/travel-headlines/ci_14657569|url-status=live}} The stations include:{{Cite web|title=Las Vegas Monorail Map // See the Official Monorail Route Map|url=https://www.lvmonorail.com/route-map/|access-date=2020-10-18|website=Las Vegas Monorail|date=January 29, 2016 |language=en-US|archive-date=September 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901175444/https://www.lvmonorail.com/route-map/|url-status=live}}

Image:LVStriptraffic.JPGThe monorail began operating in 1995 with two trains from Walt Disney World.{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Sun|date=2021-05-11|title=Las Vegas Monorail resuming operations this month - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/may/11/las-vegas-monorail-resuming-operations-this-month/|access-date=2021-10-03|website=lasvegassun.com|language=en|archive-date=March 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323054004/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/may/11/las-vegas-monorail-resuming-operations-this-month/|url-status=live}} In 2020, the monorail was acquired by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).{{Cite web |last=Las Vegas Sun Staff |date=2021-05-11 |title=Las Vegas Monorail resuming operations this month - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/may/11/las-vegas-monorail-resuming-operations-this-month/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=lasvegassun.com |language=en |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323054004/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/may/11/las-vegas-monorail-resuming-operations-this-month/ |url-status=live }}

=Pedestrian traffic=

File:Pedestrian Bridge in Vegas.jpg

Tens of thousands of pedestrians are walking along the Strip at any given time.{{Cite web|title=Pedestrian Movement in the Resort Corridor|url=http://sntic.org/meeting/04/staff/SNTIC%20Issue%20Brief%20Pedestrian%20Movement%20FINAL.pdf|access-date=December 17, 2024|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005023514/http://sntic.org/meeting/04/staff/SNTIC%20Issue%20Brief%20Pedestrian%20Movement%20FINAL.pdf|url-status=live}} As of 2019, about 50,000 pedestrians walked the Strip on an average day.{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Cody|date=2019-12-21|title=Latest pedestrian bridge over the Strip to open before Christmas|url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/latest-pedestrian-bridge-over-the-strip-to-open-before-christmas|access-date=2020-10-17|website=KSNV}}

In the 1990s, several pedestrian footbridges were erected over Las Vegas Boulevard to increase pedestrian safety and alleviate traffic congestion at popular intersections. The first was the Tropicana – Las Vegas Boulevard footbridge.{{Cite web|title=Las Vegas Pedestrian Bridges – 1996 Awards – Excellence in Highway Design – Geometric Design – Design – Federal Highway Administration|url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/eihd/vegas.cfm|access-date=2020-10-17|website=Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)|archive-date=December 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213072627/https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/eihd/vegas.cfm|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Santos|first=Renee|date=2019-08-20|title=County adding 17th pedestrian bridge on the strip, soon another near Bellagio|url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/county-adding-17th-pedestrian-bridge-on-the-strip-soon-another-near-bellagio|access-date=2020-10-17|website=KSNV}} Some mimic the theme of nearby resorts.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}.{{cite book|last=Nordahl|first=Darrin|title=The Architecture of Mobility: Enhancing the Urban Experience Along the Las Vegas Strip|publisher=University of California, Berkeley|year=2002}}{{Cite web|last=HowTo|first=Las Vegas|title=Walking on the Las Vegas Strip|url=https://www.lasvegashowto.com/walking-the-strip|access-date=2020-10-17|website=lasvegashowto.com|language=en|archive-date=August 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802212252/https://www.lasvegashowto.com/walking-the-strip|url-status=live}} The footbridges include:{{Cite web|title=Walking on the Las Vegas Strip|url=https://www.lasvegashowto.com/walking-the-strip|access-date=2020-10-23|website=lasvegashowto.com|language=en|archive-date=August 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802212252/https://www.lasvegashowto.com/walking-the-strip|url-status=live}}

  1. Veer Towers: Connects Veer Towers, Waldorf Astoria, and Crystals Shopping Center
  2. Park MGM and T-Mobile Arena Park: Connects MGM and Showcase Mall
  3. Planet Hollywood: Connects Planet Hollywood, CityCenter, Crystals Shopping Center, and The Cosmopolitan.
  4. Spring Mountain Road and Las Vegas Blvd. Corner: Connects Treasure Island, the Wynn, Fashion Show Mall, and The Venetian
  5. Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Blvd. Corner: Connects Bally's, Flamingo, Bellagio, and Caesars Palace
  6. Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana Ave Corner. Connects the MGM Grand, New York-New York, Excalibur, and Tropicana

= Taxis =

File:Las Vegas taxi.jpg

Taxis are available at resorts, shopping centers, attractions, and for scheduled pickups.{{Cite web|title=Taxis in Las Vegas|url=https://www.vegas.com/transportation/las-vegas-taxis/|access-date=2020-10-18|website=www.vegas.com|archive-date=February 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214010946/https://www.vegas.com/transportation/las-vegas-taxis/|url-status=live}} The Nevada Taxicab Authority provides information about taxi fares and fare zones.{{Cite web|title=Taxicab Authority|url=http://taxi.nv.gov/|access-date=2020-10-19|website=taxi.nv.gov|archive-date=November 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124071644/https://taxi.nv.gov/|url-status=live}} In 2021, there was an increase in taxi passengers due to declines in rideshare drivers and rideshare surge pricing.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-25|title=Lack of ride share drivers leads to taxi services making comeback in Las Vegas|url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/lack-of-ride-share-drivers-leads-to-taxi-services-making-comeback-in-las-vegas/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=KLAS|language=en-US|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005023516/https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/lack-of-ride-share-drivers-leads-to-taxi-services-making-comeback-in-las-vegas/|url-status=live}}

Attractions on the Strip

= Gambling =

File:Wynn Casino Las Vegas Gambling Resort.jpg

File:Hakkasan Night Club, Las Vegas.jpg

In 2019, about eight in ten (81%) visitors said they gambled while in Las Vegas, the highest proportion in the past five years.{{Cite web|last=Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority|title=2019 Las Vegas Visitor Profile Study|url=https://assets.simpleviewcms.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/lasvegas/2019_LasVegas_Visitor_Profile_Study_0a67974b-1e4e-404d-9a8b-ca76ff8f14de.pdf|access-date=18 October 2020|website=Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005023516/https://assets.simpleviewcms.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/lasvegas/2019_LasVegas_Visitor_Profile_Study_0a67974b-1e4e-404d-9a8b-ca76ff8f14de.pdf|url-status=live}} The average time spent gambling, 2.7 hours, represents an increase over the past three years. Also, the average trip gambling budget, $591.06, was increased from 2018. About nine in ten (89%) visitors who gambled did so on the Strip Corridor. UNLV reported that in 2019, Big Las Vegas Strip Casinos (defined as Strip casinos with more than $72M in annual gaming revenues) had more than $6B in annual gaming revenues, corresponding to about 26% of total annual revenues.{{Cite web|last=UNLV Center for Gaming Research|title=Trends for Big Las Vegas Strip Casinos, 2012–2019|url=https://gaming.unlv.edu/reports/bigstripcasinotrends.pdf|access-date=December 17, 2024|archive-date=July 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706080429/https://gaming.unlv.edu/reports/bigstripcasinotrends.pdf|url-status=dead}}

From the time period spanning 1985 to 2019, there have been some changes in the mix of table games in casinos on the Strip:{{Cite web|title=Las Vegas Strip Table Mix, The Evolution of Casino Games, 1985–2019|url=https://gaming.unlv.edu/reports/strip_game_mix.pdf|access-date=December 17, 2024|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122114832/https://gaming.unlv.edu/reports/strip_game_mix.pdf|url-status=dead}}

  • Blackjack: The number of tables decreased from 77% in 1985 to 50% in 2019. Revenue decreased from 50% in 1985 to 11% in 2019.
  • Craps: Revenue decreased from 28% in 1985 to 11% in 2019.
  • Roulette: Both the number of tables and revenue increased by 50%.
  • Baccarat: About 2% of tables and 13% revenue in 1985 to 13% of tables and 37% of revenue in 2019.
  • Additional games: Games such as pai gow poker, three-card poker, and mini-baccarat have increased in popularity, number of tables, and revenue.

Casino operators have been expanding sports betting facilities and products, as well as renovating and upgrading equipment and facilities.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-22|title=Circa upping the ante for sportsbooks|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/circa-upping-the-ante-for-sportsbooks-2158057/|access-date=2020-10-23|website=Las Vegas Review-Journal|language=en-US}} Although sports betting has a relatively low margin, the high-end sportsbooks can generate significant amounts of revenue in other areas, such as food and drink. As a result, sportsbooks have been expanding and upgrading food and drink offerings.{{Cite web|last=Stapleton|first=Susan|date=2020-09-02|title=Treasure Island Is Off to the Races With Its New Sportsbook Debuting on the Strip|url=https://vegas.eater.com/2020/9/2/21418488/golden-circle-sportsbook-bar-opens-treasure-island|access-date=2020-10-24|website=Eater Vegas|language=en|archive-date=February 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226115845/https://vegas.eater.com/2020/9/2/21418488/golden-circle-sportsbook-bar-opens-treasure-island|url-status=live}} High-end sportsbooks include features such as single-seat stadium-style seating, large high-definition screens, a dedicated broadcast booth, and the ability to watch up to 15 sporting events at once.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-24|title=ESPN To Air Sports Betting Content From New Las Vegas Studio At LINQ Hotel In Las Vegas|url=https://sportshandle.com/espn-linq-sports-betting-vegas/|access-date=2020-10-24|website=SportsHandle|language=en-US|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005025018/https://sportshandle.com/espn-linq-sports-betting-vegas/|url-status=live}} The sports network ESPN is broadcasting sports betting shows from a dedicated studio at The Linq. Some sportsbooks are now offering self-service betting kiosks.{{Cite web|last=Murphy|first=Chris|date=2020-10-23|title=Caesars to reopen The Cromwell and debut William Hill sportsbook|url=https://sbcamericas.com/2020/10/23/caesars-to-reopen-the-cromwell-and-debut-william-hill-sportsbook/|access-date=2020-10-24|website=SBC Americas|language=en-US|archive-date=June 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623233547/https://sbcamericas.com/2020/10/23/caesars-to-reopen-the-cromwell-and-debut-william-hill-sportsbook/|url-status=live}}

=Entertainment=

The Las Vegas Strip is known for its lounges, showrooms, theaters and nightclubs,{{cite web|title=Las Vegas Nightclubs|url=http://las-vegas-nightclubs.com/|access-date=May 22, 2016|publisher=Las Vegas Nightclubs|language=en-US|archive-date=May 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511233627/http://las-vegas-nightclubs.com/|url-status=live}} most on the hotel casino properties. Some of the more popular free attractions visible from the Strip include the water fountains at Bellagio, the volcano at The Mirage (now shuttered with the closing of The Mirage), and the Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain at Caesars Palace. There are several Cirque du Soleil shows, such as at the MGM Grand, O at Bellagio, Mystère at Treasure Island, and Michael Jackson: One at Mandalay Bay.{{cite news|last=Glusac|first=Elaine|date=September 14, 2007|title=The Unlikely All-Ages Appeal of Las Vegas|newspaper=The New York Times|url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/09/14/travel/escapes/14kids.html|access-date=January 19, 2015|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061531/http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/09/14/travel/escapes/14kids.html|url-status=live}}

Many notable artists have performed in Las Vegas, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Wayne Newton, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Louis Prima, Rod Stewart and Liberace,{{cite news|date=December 13, 2012|title=The 25 Greatest Headliners in Las Vegas History|work=Las Vegas Weekly|url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2012/dec/13/25-greatest-headliners-las-vegas-history/|access-date=May 15, 2020|archive-date=January 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130011815/https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2012/dec/13/25-greatest-headliners-las-vegas-history/|url-status=live}} and in more recent years Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Barry Manilow, Cher, Elton John, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Donny and Marie Osmond, Garth Brooks, Jennifer Lopez, Reba McEntire, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Kylie Minogue, Shania Twain, Criss Angel, Olivia Newton-John, Queen + Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Gwen Stefani have had residencies in the various resorts on the Strip. During 2019, 51% of visitors attended shows, which was down from 2015, 2017, and 2018.{{Cite web|title=2019 Las Vegas Visitor Profile Study|url=https://assets.simpleviewcms.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/lasvegas/2019_LasVegas_Visitor_Profile_Study_0a67974b-1e4e-404d-9a8b-ca76ff8f14de.pdf|access-date=18 October 2020|website=Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005023516/https://assets.simpleviewcms.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/lasvegas/2019_LasVegas_Visitor_Profile_Study_0a67974b-1e4e-404d-9a8b-ca76ff8f14de.pdf|url-status=live}} Among visitors who saw shows, relatively more went to Broadway/production shows than in past years, while relatively fewer saw lounge acts, comedy shows, or celebrity DJs.

File:T Mobile Arena The Strip Las Vegas (29798246202).jpg

File:Allegiant Stadium (cropped).jpg

= Venues =

Numerous entertainment venues populate the Strip. Most of the resorts have a showroom, nightclub and/or live music venue on the property and a few have large multipurpose arenas. Major venues include:

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

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= Restaurants and dining =

{{main|Restaurants in the Las Vegas Valley#Las Vegas Strip}}

The Strip is populated with many restaurants and fine dining establishments, many of which are inside the casinos and resorts. In recent years, many celebrity chefs have opened restaurants along the Strip, including Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina, Gordon Ramsay,{{cite web | url=https://vegasfoodandfun.com/gordon-ramsay-restaurants-las-vegas/ | title=The 6 Gordon Ramsay Restaurants Las Vegas in 2023 | date=December 3, 2022 | access-date=December 17, 2024 | archive-date=October 5, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005142301/https://vegasfoodandfun.com/gordon-ramsay-restaurants-las-vegas/ | url-status=live }} Guy Savoy,{{cite web | url=https://www.cntraveler.com/restaurants/las-vegas/restaurant-guy-savoy | title=Restaurant Guy Savoy — Restaurant Review }} and Joël Robuchon.{{cite web | url=https://www.forbestravelguide.com/restaurants/las-vegas-nevada/joel-robuchon | title=Joël Robuchon - Las Vegas Restaurants - Las Vegas, United States }}

= Shopping =

File:Miracle Mile Shops.jpg

File:LasVegas-CaesarsPalace-Mall.jpg]]

  • BLVD
  • Bonanza Gift Shop is billed as the "World's Largest Gift Shop", with over {{convert|40000|sqft}} of shopping space.
  • Fashion Show Mall is adjacent to Treasure Island and opposite Wynn Las Vegas.
  • Grand Canal Shoppes is a luxury mall connected to the Venetian and Palazzo resorts. It features canals, gondolas and singing gondoliers.
  • The Linq Promenade is an open-air retail, dining, and entertainment district located between The Linq and Flamingo resorts that began a soft open in January 2014. It leads from a Strip-side entrance to the High Roller.
  • Miracle Mile Shops is part of the Planet Hollywood resort.
  • The Forum Shops at Caesars is a luxury mall connected to Caesars Palace, with more than 160 shops and 11 restaurants.
  • The Shops at Crystals is a luxury high-fashion mall at CityCenter.
  • Harmon Corner is a three-story retail center located next to Planet Hollywood with shops and restaurants.
  • Showcase Mall is next to MGM Grand, and displays a 100-foot Coca-Cola bottle.{{cite news|author=Hubble Smith|date=September 30, 2011|title=Portion of Showcase mall sold for $93.5 million|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/portion-showcase-mall-sold-935-million|access-date=July 18, 2015|archive-date=July 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721194850/http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/portion-showcase-mall-sold-935-million|url-status=live}}
  • The Park, a short east–west street between the Park MGM and New York-New York resorts is a park-like boulevard lined with retail shops and restaurants, leading to T-Mobile Arena.{{cite web|date=April 18, 2013|title=New York-New York, Monte Carlo To Be Transformed Into Park-Like District|url=http://www.vegaschatter.com/story/2013/4/18/11173/7358/vegas-travel/New+York-New+York,+Monte+Carlo+To+Be+Transformed+Into+Park-Like+District|access-date=February 19, 2014|publisher=VegasChatter|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905105013/http://www.vegaschatter.com/story/2013/4/18/11173/7358/vegas-travel/New+York-New+York,+Monte+Carlo+To+Be+Transformed+Into+Park-Like+District|url-status=live}}
  • The Shoppes at Mandalay Place has shops and restaurants located on a sky bridge in between Mandalay Bay and Luxor.{{Cite web|title=The Shoppes at Mandalay Place|url=https://www.vegas.com/shopping/mandalay-place-las-vegas/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=www.vegas.com|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005023513/https://www.vegas.com/shopping/mandalay-place-las-vegas/|url-status=live}}

= Live sports =

File:Pacquiao vs. Thurman arena.jpg hosting the boxing match of Manny Pacquiao vs. Keith Thurman on July 20, 2019]]

Professional sports are found at venues on or near the Strip, including:{{Cite web|title=Sports in Las Vegas|url=https://www.vegas.com/las-vegas-events/sports-in-las-vegas/|access-date=2020-10-18|website=www.vegas.com}}

The Strip also hosts the Las Vegas Grand Prix which has been part of the Formula One World Championship since 2023.{{cite web|title=Las Vegas to host Formula 1 night race from 2023|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-las-vegas-to-host-formula-1-night-race-from-2023.69O9nKLwKraqAhR5rr8TQg.html|publisher=Formula 1|date=30 March 2022|access-date=30 March 2022|archive-date=March 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331024136/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-las-vegas-to-host-formula-1-night-race-from-2023.69O9nKLwKraqAhR5rr8TQg.html|url-status=live}} It will also house the New Las Vegas Stadium for the Oakland Athletics in 2028 when the team relocates to the Las Vegas Valley.{{cite web|title='An incredible opportunity': Lombardo signs bill for A's Vegas ballpark|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/2023-legislature/an-incredible-opportunity-lombardo-signs-bill-for-as-vegas-ballpark-2794984|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=June 16, 2023|access-date=June 18, 2023}}

=Golf=

File:Las Vegas, NV (The Wynn, golf).JPG

The Aladdin had a nine-hole golf course in the 1960s.{{Cite web|title=Las Vegas Nevada~Milton Prell's Aladdin Hotel~Golf Course & Country Club~1969 Pc|url=https://www.cardcow.com/708186/las-vegas-nevada-miltons-prells-aladdin-hotel-golf-course/|access-date=December 17, 2024|archive-date=March 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307033727/https://www.cardcow.com/708186/las-vegas-nevada-miltons-prells-aladdin-hotel-golf-course/|url-status=live}} As land values on the Strip have increased over the years, the resort-affiliated golf courses have been removed to make way for building projects.{{Cite web|date=2017-08-28|title=Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas set to close Dec. 17|url=https://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/wynn-golf-club-in-las-vegas-set-to-close-dec-17|access-date=2020-10-20|website=Golf Advisor|language=en|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112032227/https://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/wynn-golf-club-in-las-vegas-set-to-close-dec-17|url-status=live}} The Tropicana Country Club closed in 1990{{cite web|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/user/login?destination=doc/nb/news/0EAEA859D997D928%3Fp%3DAWNB|title=Log in to NewsBank|website=infoweb.newsbank.com}} and the Dunes golf course in the mid-90s. Steve Wynn, founder of previously owned Mirage Resorts, purchased the Desert Inn and golf course for his new company Wynn Resorts and redeveloped the course as the Wynn Golf Club. This course closed in 2017, but the development planned for the course was cancelled and the course was renovated and re-opened in late 2019.{{cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/nov/07/wynn-scraps-lagoon-project-will-reopen-golf-course/|title=Wynn scraps lagoon project, will reopen golf course|first=Mick|last=Akers|date=November 7, 2018|publisher=Las Vegas Sun}} In 2000, Bali Hai Golf Club opened just south of Mandalay Bay and the Strip.{{cite news|last=Moran|first=Craig|date=August 2, 2010|title=Money-losing golf club may become industrial park|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/money-losing-golf-club-may-become-industrial-park-99744004.html|access-date=August 12, 2011}} In 2016, a TopGolf opened near the Strip.{{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2014/05/20/topgolf-will-develop-multimillion-dollar-three.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2014-05-20&u=qBOx5jIO5ffFJIq1i2ZvFQ029b7b82&t=1401304446 |title=Topgolf will develop multimillion-dollar, three-level center in Overland Park |website=Bizjournals.com |access-date=2016-04-08 |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028031728/http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2014/05/20/topgolf-will-develop-multimillion-dollar-three.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2014-05-20&u=qBOx5jIO5ffFJIq1i2ZvFQ029b7b82&t=1401304446 |url-status=live }}

=Amusement parks and rides=

Adventuredome indoor amusement park at Circus Circus on the Strip is a major tourist attraction;{{Cite web|author=Matt Villano|title=15 must-see attractions on the Las Vegas Strip|url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/las-vegas-strip/index.html|access-date=2021-03-29|website=CNN|date=March 28, 2018|language=en|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005023515/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/las-vegas-strip/index.html|url-status=live}} it is enclosed in glass, with a carousel, mini-golf, two roller coasters, bowling, spinning rides, an arcade, virtual reality rides, a carnival midway, and clown shows.

The Stratosphere tower has several rides:

Other rides on the Strip include:

Sustainability

File:Las Vegas - 45121580911.jpg

Although the Strip has elaborate displays, fountains, and large buffet restaurants, many of the hotel resort properties are renowned for their sustainability efforts, including:{{Cite web|last=Miranda Willson|date=2019-04-21|title=Sustainability on the Strip: Behind the glitz and glamorous excess, properties are serious about being green – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/apr/21/sustainability-on-the-strip-behind-the-glitz-and-g/|access-date=2020-10-19|website=lasvegassun.com|language=en|archive-date=July 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709080233/http://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/apr/21/sustainability-on-the-strip-behind-the-glitz-and-g/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Energy Department Recognizes Las Vegas Sands Corporation for Energy- and Water-Efficiency Upgrades|url=https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-recognizes-las-vegas-sands-corporation-energy-and-water-efficiency|access-date=2020-10-24|website=Energy.gov|language=en|archive-date=October 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003050617/https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-recognizes-las-vegas-sands-corporation-energy-and-water-efficiency|url-status=live}}

  • Water conservation: Approaches include reclaiming water and placing it back into Lake Mead, using minimal outdoor landscaping, upgrading toilets, using low-flow showerheads, and setting goals for water conservation.
  • Recycling: In 2017, the recycling rate in Clark County was about 20%, while the recycling rate for major hotels on the Strip was about 40%.
  • Food handling: Leftover food is composted or sent to agricultural farms. Untouched, undisturbed food is donated to local food banks.
  • Energy efficiency: Hotels have updated appliances in rooms, installed LED lighting, and installed wireless lighting control systems.

Renewable energy is generated and used on the Strip. MGM initiated solar power when it built a solar array on top of the Mandalay Bay in 2014 and expanded it in 2016.{{Cite web|title=Mandalay Bay Bets on the Sun With Nation's Largest Solar Rooftop|url=https://www.solarreviews.com/news/mandalay-bay-bets-sun-largest-solar-rooftop-070816|access-date=2020-10-24|website=Solar Reviews|language=en|archive-date=October 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018211258/http://www.solarreviews.com/news/mandalay-bay-bets-sun-largest-solar-rooftop-070816|url-status=dead}} The solar array at the Mandalay Bay, a 28-acre system capable of powering 1,300 homes, is one of the largest commercial rooftop solar arrays in the United States.{{Cite news|date=2017-10-27|title=Las Vegas shines as a model for solar power|work=Christian Science Monitor|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy/2017/1027/Las-Vegas-shines-as-a-model-for-solar-power|access-date=2020-10-20|issn=0882-7729}} The solar array includes more than 26,000 solar panels capable of providing a total of 8.3 megawatts DC (6.5 megawatts AC), sufficient for powering 25% of the Mandalay Bay campus.{{Cite web|title=Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Offsets 25 Percent of Energy Demand with Rooftop Solar Panels|url=https://hospitalitytech.com/mandalay-bay-resort-casino-offsets-25-percent-energy-demand-rooftop-solar-panels|access-date=2020-10-24|website=Hospitality Technology|language=en|archive-date=August 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804073304/https://hospitalitytech.com/mandalay-bay-resort-casino-offsets-25-percent-energy-demand-rooftop-solar-panels|url-status=live}}

Energy-efficient buildings are also being implemented and the Strip has one of the highest concentrations of LEED-certified buildings in the world.{{Cite news|last=Walshe|first=Sadhbh|date=2013-04-25|title=Las Vegas: the reinvention of Sin City as a sustainable city|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/las-vegas-sin-city-sustainable|access-date=2020-10-20|issn=0261-3077}} Some examples of LEED-certified buildings are the Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace and the Linq Promenade, both of which are certified LEED Silver.

Locations of major landmarks

=Current landmarks=

{{For|a full list of hotels on the Strip|List of Las Vegas Strip hotels}}

style="margin:auto;"
colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| North towards Fremont Street

style="text-align:right;"| Strat

| style="background:silver; width:28px;" rowspan="38"|Las Vegas Boulevard

style="text-align:right;"| Aztec Inn
style="text-align:right;"| Ahern, Allure, Bonanza Gift Shop
style="background:silver;"

| style="width:200px;"| Sahara Avenue

| style="width:200px; text-align:right;"| Sahara Avenue

style="text-align:right;"| Festival Grounds

| Sahara

style="text-align:right;"| Hilton Grand Vacations

| LVXP Las Vegas {{Small|(planned)}}

style="text-align:right;"| Sky

| Fontainebleau, Turnberry Place, Westgate

style="text-align:right;"| Circus Circus
style="text-align:right;"| Slots-A-Fun

| Peppermill, Convention Center

style="text-align:right;"| Resorts World

| Guardian Angel Cathedral

style="background:silver;"Desert Inn Road

| style="text-align:right;"|Desert Inn Road

style="text-align:right;"| Trump

| Encore

style="text-align:right;"| Fashion Show Mall

| Wynn

style="background:silver;"Spring Mountain Road

| style="text-align:right;"| Sands Avenue

style="text-align:right;"| Treasure Island

| Palazzo, Venetian Expo

| Venetian, Sphere
style="text-align:right;"| Hard Rock {{small|(construction)}}

| Casino Royale

| Harrah's, Caesars Forum
style="text-align:right;"|

| Linq, High Roller

| Flamingo
style="text-align:right;"| Caesars Palace

| Cromwell, Westin

style="background:silver;"Flamingo Road

| style="text-align:right;"|Flamingo Road

style="text-align:right;"| Bellagio

| Horseshoe

| Paris
style="text-align:right;"|

| Planet Hollywood

style="text-align:right;"| Cosmopolitan

| Harmon Corner, Elara

style="background:silver;"Harmon Avenue

| style="text-align:right;"| Harmon Avenue

style="text-align:right;"|CityCenter

| BLVD, Grand Chateau, Signature, Topgolf

|

style="text-align:right;"| Park MGM

| Showcase Mall

style="text-align:right;"| T-Mobile Arena, New York-New York

| MGM Grand

style="background:silver;"Tropicana Avenue

| style="text-align:right;"| Tropicana Avenue

style="text-align:right;"| Excalibur

| Bally's & Las Vegas Stadium {{small|(planned)}}, Oyo

style="text-align:right;"| Luxor

|

|

style="text-align:right;"| W, Mandalay Bay

|Skyvue {{small|(abandoned)}}

style="background:silver; text-align:left;"| Russell Road

|Astral {{small|(planned)}}

style="text-align:right;"|

|Little Church of the West

style="text-align:right;"|

|Pinball Hall of Fame

|Dream {{small|(construction)}}
colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign

South towards Interstate 215

=Former hotel/casino locations=

style="margin:auto;"
colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| North towards Fremont Street

style="text-align:right;"| Vegas World/Million Dollar Casino

| style="background:silver; width:28px;" rowspan="34"|Las Vegas Boulevard

style="text-align:right;"| Jackpot Casino/Money Tree Casino

| Holy Cow/Foxy's Firehouse

style="background:silver;"

| style="width:200px;"| Sahara Avenue

| style="width:200px; text-align:right;"| Sahara Avenue

style="text-align:right;"|El Rancho Vegas

| Club Bingo/SLS

|Wet 'n Wild
| Thunderbird/Silverbird/El Rancho, Algiers Hotel
| Riviera
style="text-align:right;"| Westward Ho

| La Concha Motel

| Silver City/Riata
style="text-align:right;"| Stardust/Royal Nevada

|

style="background:silver;"Desert Inn Road

| style="text-align:right;"| Desert Inn Road

style="text-align:right;"| Silver Slipper/Golden Slipper

|

style="text-align:right;"| New Frontier/Last Frontier/Frontier

| Desert Inn

style="background:silver;"Spring Mountain Road

| style="text-align:right;"| Sands Avenue

| Sands
style="text-align:right;"| Mirage/Castaways

| Nob Hill Casino

| Holiday Casino, Holiday Inn
| Flamingo Capri/Imperial Palace/Quad
| O'Sheas Casino
| Barbary Coast/Bill's
style="background:silver;"Flamingo Road

| style="text-align:right;"|Flamingo Road

style="text-align:right;"| Dunes

| MGM Grand/Bally's

|
| Aladdin/Tallyho/King's Crown
style="text-align:right;"| Boardwalk/Mandarin Oriental
style="text-align:right;"| Monte Carlo

| style="background:silver; text-align:right;"| Harmon Avenue

|
| Marina
style="background:silver;"Tropicana Avenue

| style="text-align:right;"| Tropicana Avenue

style="text-align:right;"|

| Tropicana

style="text-align:right;"|

| Las Vegas Village

style="text-align:right;"| Hacienda

|

style="background:silver; text-align:left;"| Russell Road

| Glass Pool Inn

style="text-align:right;"|

| Klondike/Kona Kai

colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|

South towards Interstate 215

Demolished or closed Strip casinos and hotels

  • Aladdin: Opened in 1962 as the Tallyho, became the King's Crown Tallyho in 1963, the Aladdin in 1966, and was demolished in 1998. A new Aladdin resort opened on the property in 2000, and was renamed Planet Hollywood in 2007.
  • Big Red's Casino: Opened in 1981 and closed in 1982. Property developed for CBS Sports World Casino in 1997. Changed name to Sports World Casino after CBS threatened to sue.{{cite news|last=Geer|first=Carri|title=CBS Broadcasting, casino settle in trademark dispute|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LVRB&p_theme=lvrb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FD3903BE8863273&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=May 25, 1998|access-date=August 12, 2011|archive-date=May 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508234236/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LVRB&p_theme=lvrb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FD3903BE8863273&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}} Closed in 2001, now a shopping center.
  • Barbary Coast: Opened in 1978-closed in 2007, and became Bill's Gamblin' Hall until 2010. Now The Cromwell.
  • Boardwalk Hotel and Casino: Closed on January 9, 2006, demolished May 9, 2006 to make way for CityCenter.
  • Castaways: Opened in 1955 as the Sans Souci Hotel and became the Castaways in 1963 and was demolished in 1987. Now The Mirage.
  • Desert Inn: Closed on August 28, 2000, demolished in 2001–2004, now Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Las Vegas; Desert Inn golf course was retained and improved.
  • Dunes: Closed on January 26, 1993, demolished in 1993–1994, now Bellagio. The Dunes golf course is now occupied by parts of Park MGM, CityCenter, and T-Mobile Arena.
  • El Rancho (formerly Thunderbird/Silverbird): Closed in 1992 and demolished in 2000. Now the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
  • El Rancho Vegas: Burned down in 1960. The Hilton Grand Vacations Club timeshare now exists on the south edge of the site where the resort once stood; the remainder is now the Las Vegas Festival Grounds.
  • Hacienda: Closed and demolished in December 1996, now Mandalay Bay. Until 2015, a separate Hacienda operated outside Boulder City, formerly the Gold Strike Inn.
  • Holy Cow Casino and Brewery: First micro brewery in Las Vegas. Closed in 2002, now a Walgreens store.
  • Jackpot Casino: Closed in 1977, now part of Bonanza Gift Shop.
  • Klondike Hotel and Casino: Closed in 2006, demolished in 2008.
  • Little Caesars Casino: Opened in 1970 and closed in 1994. Paris Las Vegas now occupies the area.{{cite web |url=https://oldvegaschips.com/littlecaesars.htm |title=Las Vegas Little Caesar's Casino Chips including the Sports Book Chips |publisher=Oldvegaschips.com |access-date=July 21, 2016 |archive-date=March 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329151424/https://oldvegaschips.com/littlecaesars.htm |url-status=live }}
  • Money Tree Casino: Closed in 1979, now Bonanza Gift Shop.
  • Marina Hotel and Casino: Closed, adapted into MGM Grand, now the West Wing of the MGM Grand.
  • Mirage: Closed July 17, 2024, expected to reopen as a Hard Rock resort in 2027.
  • New Frontier: Closed July 16, 2007, demolished November 13, 2007.
  • Nob Hill Casino: Opened in 1979, and closed in 1990.{{cite news|title=Nob Hill Casino closes doors|url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Nob%20Hill%20Casino%20closes%20doors%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=November 27, 1990|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=July 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726152708/https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Nob%20Hill%20Casino%20closes%20doors%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6|url-status=live}} Now Casino Royale.
  • Riviera Hotel and Casino: Opened in 1955; Closed in May 2015 to make way for the Las Vegas Global Business District.
  • Royal Nevada: Opened in 1955; became part of the Stardust in 1959.
  • Sands Hotel and Casino: Closed on June 30, 1996, demolished in 1996, now The Venetian.
  • Silver City Casino: Closed in 1999, now the Silver City Plaza Shopping Center.
  • Silver Slipper Casino: Opened in 1950 and closed and demolished in 1988. It became the parking lot for the New Frontier until its closure and demolition in 2007.
  • Stardust Resort and Casino: Closed on November 1, 2006, demolished on March 13, 2007, now Resorts World.
  • Tropicana Las Vegas: Closed on April 2, 2024 and demolished by implosion on October 9, 2024. Set to be replaced by New Las Vegas Stadium, the future home of the Las Vegas Athletics{{cite news |title=Tropicana casino, relic of Las Vegas's mob era, is brought tumbling down |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/09/tropicana-implosion-las-vegas |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=9 October 2024}}
  • Vegas World: Opened in 1979, and closed in 1995. Now The Strat.
  • Westward Ho Hotel and Casino: Closed in 2005, demolished in 2006. Now a McDonald's.{{cite news |title=Same Old Story |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22same+old+story%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=LVBPL |access-date=April 5, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Business Press |date=July 11, 2011 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=April 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405165558/https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22same+old+story%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=LVBPL |url-status=live }}

Gallery

File:Welcome to Las Vegas sign.jpg|The iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign was built in 1959.

File:Las Vegas 89.jpg|The Strip in 2009

File:Las Vegas Strip south, Tropicana ave.jpg|A view of the southern end of the Strip. Looking northward from Tropicana Avenue.

File:Las Vegas from Eiffel Tower replica.jpg|View of the Strip from the Eiffel Tower of the Paris Las Vegas

File:Strip-May-21-10.JPG|Photo taken May 21, 2010, a view of the Strip from the Renaissance Hotel

File:Monte Carlo Exterior - with Las Vegas skyline.jpg|View of Monte Carlo Resort and Casino with CityCenter in the background

File:The Bellagio Fountains, Las Vegas..jpg|The Bellagio Fountains as seen from the hotel

File:The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.jpg|The Cosmopolitan

File:The High Roller - View From The Linq 2.jpg|The Las Vegas High Roller is the second tallest Ferris wheel in the world.

File:Wynn 2 (2).jpg|Wynn Las Vegas

File:Takeoff From Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.webm|Takeoff From Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • Al, Stefan. The Strip: Las Vegas and the architecture of the American dream (MIT Press, 2017).
  • Moehring, Eugene P. Reno, Las Vegas, and the Strip: A Tale of Three Cities (University of Nevada Press, 2014).
  • {{Citation

| surname=Schmid | given=H.

| title=Economy of Fascination: Dubai and Las Vegas as Themed Urban Landscapes

| publisher=E. Schweizerbart Science Publishers | place=Stuttgart; Berlin

| isbn=978-3443370145

| year=2009 | url=http://www.schweizerbart.de/publications/detail/artno/008001100

| ref= none

}}

  • Lukas, Scott A. "Theming as a sensory phenomenon: Discovering the senses on the Las Vegas strip." in The themed space: Locating culture, nation, and self (2007): 75-95.
  • Song, Yang, et al. "Investigating sense of place of the Las Vegas Strip using online reviews and machine learning approaches." Landscape and Urban Planning 205 (2021): 103956.