 The Strip
The Strip, also called the Las Vegas Boulevard, is considered the
number one attraction in Las Vegas which one should not miss when
visiting this glamour city. Situated in the heart of the city, the
Strip has undergone an almost constant metamorphosis since its
beginning, always getting larger and more extravagant. Many of
great mega hotel casinos have ever caught world's sight, having
unique theme and style of its own. As well as garish casinos, show
rooms, lavish restaurants and expensive pool complexes, many
resorts now have theme parks including attractions like roller
coasters and pirate ships.
The Strip is famous for its wonderful lights that flood the sky
with a glow that can be seen from many miles outside the city,
walking or driving along the street filled with collections of
flashing signs and colorful neon lights is a memorable experience.
Another simple but interesting activity is watching people
gambling. Come to the Strip and wander the casinos, observing
people at play, is phenomenally entertaining otherwise try a bit
of your luck in one of numerous games here.
Extravagant Casinos on the Strip
Aladdin
The new version of Aladdin is the newest addition to the Strip
(the original was imploded a few years ago) with its main
attraction of the Desert Passage Shopping Mall, a Vegas
re-creation of a Middle Eastern bazaar. A large replica of a North
African trading ship is berthed in the mall's harbor and the
stores and pubic areas wrap around a faux mountain 85ft/26m high.
There are 100+ stores and the usual assortment of upscale
restaurants. For entertainment, the original Theatre for the
Performing Arts building remains from the old Aladdin, and Ibiza
U.S.A. offers live music.
Bellagio
This casino hotel was inspired by the northern Italian resort area
surrounding Lake Como, so it goes for European-style elegance.
There is a gigantic man-made lake with an elaborate dancing-waters
show right along the Strip. The choreographed display of
fountains, lights and rousing music takes place every half hour in
the afternoon and early evening, every 15 minutes at night (after
dark). The lavish conservatory is worth a look too. When it first
opened, the Bellagio was noted for its exceptional permanent
collection of fine art, but that turned out to be less than
permanent. The casino's gallery now presents large-scale temporary
exhibits.
Caesars Palace
Reminiscent of Caesar's Roman Empire 2000 years ago, the Caesars
Palace opened in 1966, but renovations, including a big one in the
late 1990s, have kept it more current with the changing Vegas
trends. Shoppers can browse through its upscale Forum Shops, which
are found along a Roman streetscape. The Forum area also has a
laser-light show and statures of Roman gods that move and talk:
Both can be seen each hour at the Festival Fountain. The Race for
Atlantis thrill ride is an IMAX simulator where you are one of the
participants trying to win Atlantis back from evil demigods.
Circus Circus Hotel and Casino
The free attraction is the daily circus show. Trapeze artists,
tightrope walkers and jugglers from around the world perform every
30-45 minutes on the Midway Stage 11am-10:30pm. Another attraction
is the Adventuredome Theme Park, which has a variety of thrill
rides, IMAX movies, laser tag and more.
Excalibur Hotel Casino
The medieval theme is clearly shown from the exterior including
the castle with a moat and fire breathing dragons. Inside, there
are strolling Renaissance entertainers and a stairway descending
to the Fantasy Faire Midway, which includes carnival games and a
Magic Motion Film Ride. The Tournament of Kings dinner show has
pretend jousting.
Luxor Hotel and Casino
The black glass pyramid is the most striking of the big
casino/hotels from the outside. Inside, the Egyptian theme is
carried throughout. The replica of King Tut's Tomb is interesting
and a more thorough re-creation than most theme attractions in Las
Vegas. Pharaoh's Pavilion has IMAX theaters showing a variety of
features, some are in 3D.
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
MGM Grand is an entertainment Mecca featuring celebrity
entertainment, comedy, sports and special events all under one
roof, it is truly the City of Entertainment that is considered one
of the world's largest. The best of it is the Lion Habitat, opened
in 1999, was constructed as a showcase for public education and
appreciation of this majesty creature of nature. Other hotel's
attractions are mainly of nightlife: the Hollywood Theater, a
650-seat contemporary theater featuring performances by countless
superstars; the Grand Garden Arena, a 17,157-seat special events
center, home of mega concerts, championship boxing and premier
sporting and special events; Studio 54, the hottest dance club of
the '70s, remade for the 21st Century. The hotel also provides you
a shopping experience; you can browse through the luxurious shops
along Studio Walk or visit Star Lane Shops on the lower level of
the main lobby or explore the shopping outlets located throughout
MGM Grand. It really offers an array of shopping choices for the
entire family.
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Among the more recent resorts to be built, Mandalay Bay shoots for
an understated South Seas/Far East feels. The main floor of the
casino is one of the most comfortable in town, with lots of wide
walkways that reduce the claustrophobic feeling many gaming room
have. Lots of tropical greenery is both inside and out. Behind the
hotel, there is a lagoon, an enormous sandy beach, a man-made
river and a water complex that includes a wave pool. The main
sightseeing activity is the Shark Reef aquarium, which puts the
emphasis on dangerous creatures such as sharks, moray eels, stone
fish, crocodiles, pythons and piranhas.
New York New York Hotel and Casino
The façade is stunning - the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn
Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and the Chrysler Building, all
standing right alongside the Strip. The New York theme is
reflected in both exterior and interior, with art-deco styling and
some stimulated settings such as Times Square and Central Park.
The Manhattan Express Roller Coaster, with its inverted roll, is
the main non-gambling activity.
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