Las Vegas – a guide to casino hopping the Strip

A trip to Las Vegas is all about exploring the various casinos that line both sides of the infamous South Las Vegas Boulevard. While countless visitors come to Vegas exclusively to gamble, there’s a lot to see and do when exploring the Strip, and you should make some time to explore all the massive casinos have on offer.

During my trip to Las Vegas I made it a point to venture into a number of the casinos along the Strip and check out some of the attractions away from the gambling tables. While I didn’t make it to all of the casinos (its a long distance to cover!), I made it to quite a few over the couple of days I spent while staying at the New York, New York. There’s a lot going on to say the least!

Mandalay Bay

Located right at the southern end of the Strip, Mandalay Bay opened on March 2, 1999. It consists of a massive resort complex built around an eleven acre man made beach (complete with six foot waves). While you’ll need to be a resort guest if you want to relax in the wave pool or lounge about in a raft in the slow moving river, there’s plenty of other stuff to see here.

If you’re into marine life, be sure to stop by the Shark Reef Aquarium. The centrepiece of the aquarium is an impressive walk through water tank housing countless species of sharks, rays and fish. If you’re feeling brave (and suitably qualified) you can even take a dive with the sharks. The aquarium also houses a swamp area where you can see species such as pythons, piranhas and Komodo Dragons. The exhibits look clean and the species cared for, which is always important to me when visiting animal attractions, so I’d definitely recommend this – especially as a chance to get into the air conditioning on a hot day. You’ll learn plenty about the over 2,000 species of marine life on display, even if it is a relatively small aquarium. You’ll probably be in and out within half an hour.

Mandalay Bay is also home to Cirque de Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE show, filled with acrobatics, dance moves and special effects. Its a must if you’re a fan of the King of Pop.

Luxor

The Luxor is one of the most visually distinct casinos on the Strip (and that says a lot!). Themed as a 30 floor Egyptian Pyramid, you can’t miss it as you’re looking out at the Las Vegas skyline (some even say its huge strobe lights are visual from space, but I’m not sure about that claim). While the theming is notably less impressive once inside, you’ll still want to spend a bit of time admiring the exterior architecture, including the replica Sphinx out front.

The Luxor contains two mini-museum attractions inside the casino. The first of these is Bodies: The Exhibition. This ticketed exhibit provides an in-depth insight into human anatomy and physiology (taking me back to some of my days studying science in the university labs). It does this by showcasing dissected and preserved human bodies and taking guests on a journey to learn about each of the bodies systems. It also has interesting displays that highlight the impact of disease on human organs. Its a rather interesting way to spend an hour or so that you wouldn’t expect to find here, and its all very tastefully presented.

Along with Bodies, you’ll also find Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor. As the name suggests, this exhibition explores the design, journey and sinking of the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic vessel. It does this by displaying over 250 recovered items from the Titanic wreck, ranging from pieces of the ship and passenger belongings, to a re-creation of the famous Grand Staircase of the Titanic.

The Luxor also houses numerous shows at night, ranging from Cirque du Soleil’s Criss Angel, Carrot Top and the Blue Man Group.

Excalibur

The Excalibur is the definition of a Strip Casino that’s exterior far outshines the inside. From outside, you won’t miss this one as its a massively colourful medieval style castle, complete with suits of armour at the entrances. Inside its basically just another casino though. With that said, there’s still a few things to do here, the main highlight being the Fun Dungeon Arcade. Extremely popular with children, this arcade features 4-D rides from numerous franchises along with your usual midway games.

If you’re into the medieval theming, you might want to stop by the Tournament of Kings jousting dinner show. Other popular shows here include the Australian Bee Gees Show and Hans Klock’s Magic Show.

New York, New York

Contrasting with Excalibur across the road, the allure of New York, New York is all in both its exterior and interior theming. The actual hotel is designed in a way to match the Manhattan skyline, with the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings making an appearance. There’s also a replica of the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge that will give you plenty of photo opportunities as you stroll by this impressive resort.

Winding its way through the skyline facade is the Big Apple Rollercoaster. Popular as the only rollercoaster on the Strip visible from street level, any thrill seekers travelling to Vegas will want to catch a ride on board. Near the entrance to the rollercoaster, you’ll find the Big Apple Arcade filled with your standard video game fare. Meanwhile if you explore the lower level of the casino you’ll find yourself in a marketplace filled with food stops made out to look just like a New York street. Its well worth a stroll through this casino to take in the impressive street facades.

New York, New York also houses Hershey’s Chocolate World for those with a sweet tooth. Don’t miss the giant Statues of Liberty made out of candy on display in the store. If you’re looking for a more adult experience, stop by at night for Zumanity by Cirque du Soleil.

MGM Grand

The MGM Grand is the largest hotel and casino in all of Las Vegas. While the trademark Lion Exhibit can no longer be found here, the MGM remains a Vegas institution. With that said, the attractions here are constantly evolving. Check out CSI: The Experience where you’ll stand in the shoes of a crime scene investigator, performing tasks carried out by forensic experts to solve cases in this interactive experience. Its both a fun and educational experience, and if you’re really keen you can have a go at trying to solve three different crime scenes.

Other attractions at the MGM Grand include The Hunger Games: The Exhibition which contains countless movie costumes and set replicas, as well as interactive games based around the Hunger Games films. There’s also the Virtual Reality experience where you can team up with friends (or randoms) to take on zombies and other mysterious threats to humanity.

As you can tell, there’s lots of fun to be had at the MGM Grand. Of course, there’s another Cirque du Soleil show to take in as well. ‘KA’ is nothing short of an epic adventure, as the journey of two twins is explored through the art of acrobatic performance.

The Bellagio

The Bellagio is one of the most visited spots along the Strip by tourists and for good reason. This absolutely beautiful complex has a distinct Italian themed exterior, and the outer facade’s frontal pool is modelled after Lake Como in Lombardy. The man made version of this lake contains numerous water fountains that set off a choreographed show to the tunes of musical pieces. The fountain show takes place every half hour throughout the afternoon, and by nightfall (from 8pm) you can catch the show every 15 minutes. While the fountains draw large crowds, there’s plenty of room along the sidewalk that lines the massive casino to get a good view. Make sure you see the fountain show at least once while you’re in Las Vegas.

Inside the main entrance to the Bellagio, you’ll find another way to pass your time without spending a cent (yes, I said that about something in Las Vegas!). Just off the hotel’s lobby, you can walk right into the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Sheltered under a glass ceiling, the indoor gardens contain over 10,000 kinds of flowers in seasonal displays maintained by a massive horticultural staff. Its a place you can relax and take in the natural beauty and colours. When I visited, topiaries of numerous bird species were present among the vibrant hues of the flowers and trees. Nothing short of beautiful – you can definitely tell that they put a lot of work and pride into the displays here.

If you’re up for more artistry, check out the Bellagio’s Gallery of Fine Art. I haven’t been inside here, but from what I can tell the gallery hosts rotations of travelling exhibits of various forms of art and sculpture. The art doesn’t stop there though – its all over the Bellagio. In fact, if you look up in the hotel’s main lobby you’ll see a stunning Fiori di Como ceiling comprised of glass blown flowers.

There’s also another entry in the Vegas theatrical scene here. Cirque du Soleil’s popular ‘O’ spectacle plays at the Bellagio and is renowned for its mix of acrobatics and synchronised swimming on a water stage.

Paris Las Vegas

The Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower within a couple of blocks of one another? Only in Las Vegas. You can’t miss Paris, as the large facades of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are clearly visible from the street. Inside the casino, the Parisian theming continues as you can make your way through a long street of shops underneath a painted sky. Its an immersive stroll that showcases just how impressive the theming in Las Vegas can be.

The highlight of a trip to Paris Las Vegas however is the Eiffel Tower Experience itself. Just like in the real Paris, you’re able to climb to an observation deck up on the Eiffel Tower replica (even if it is about half the size of the real version). You’ll have to get in line if you don’t have a ticket though, as queues build quite rapidly throughout the day. The viewing area only has a capacity of 100 people at a time so be prepared for a LONG wait. If you’re wanting to get up there, I’d definitely recommend booking online in advance so that you’ll be able to choose a time that suits you. If you do get up the Eiffel Tower, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the Strip, and if you time it right, a phenomenal spot to watch the Bellagio Fountain Show from.

Paris Las Vegas is all about the stunning architecture and Parisian charm. Its a sight that’s beautiful both at day and night and is definitely worth checking out on your way up the Strip.

Caesars Palace

From Paris to Rome, the theming continues as you make your way back across the Strip to another of the more famous casinos in Las Vegas, the incomparable Caesars Palace, dating all the way back to 1966. Admittedly, the casino doesn’t feature much in the way of tourist attractions, but you haven’t been to Vegas if you haven’t walked through the The Forum Shops for an incredibly themed district of high end stores along cobblestoned ‘streets’ of pedestrian traffic. There’s also a beautiful replica of the Colosseum visible as you walk past Caesars from outside. Caesars Palace is another stop along the Strip that is all the architectural design.

The attention to detail through the complex, both inside and outside is astounding here. The hotel corridors are riddled with life sized statues that are instantly recognisable from another time, with replicas of masterful sculptures such as Michelangelo’s David on display. The Roman theming is taken to another level at the Qua Baths & Spa where you can book in for some total relaxation.

As with all the casinos along the Strip, Caesars Palace also has you covered in terms of theatre shows. Countless icons of the musical and pop culture world perform at Caesars, while ABSINTHE and Wayne Newton: Up Close and Personal hold down the fort on a regular basis.

The Flamingo

The Flamingo is one of the oldest casinos along the Strip although its seen numerous theming renovations since it first opened back in 1946. While guests of this resort will be able to enjoy the waterslide by the pool area, the main thing to see here otherwise is the Wildlife Habitat. Free to enter and covering 15 acres of rainforest themed gardens on the site, this tranquil spot contains various exotic bird species including parrots, ducks, swans, pelicans and of course, flamingos. While the flock of Chilean Flamingos are the stars of the habitat, if you time your visit for around 2pm, you’ll also be able to watch the daily pelican feeding.

While you’re here, stop by Margaritaville Las Vegas for a refreshing break from the hot Vegas sun. If you’re looking to catch the X Burlesque show, the Flamingo is also the place to be in the evening.

The LINQ Hotel & Casino

I have to admit that I didn’t spend much time in the LINQ when I visited Las Vegas. There actually seems to be a decent amount to see and do here though. While the long running Auto Collection at the LINQ has now closed, there’s plenty of thrills to be had in its place on the Fly LINQ zipline and the VR Adventure attraction.

That said, I think the main reason to stop by this hotel is still the High Roller, the tallest observation wheel in the world. This 550 foot tall ferris wheel provides breathtaking views of the Strip from an incredible vantage point. I’d highly recommend booking your tickets online so that you can enjoy the 30 minute experience without a significant wait. Don’t worry about motion sickness – the wheel moves so slowly that you won’t notice that you’re moving.

The Mirage

The Mirage is another resort worth visiting along the strip owing to its Polynesian theming. You enter the hotel through a beautiful rainforest atrium, and there’s a massive aquarium tank behind the reception desk that contains over 1,000 species of tropical fish of incredible colours. While its worth a visit for the entrance alone, there’s much more to see at the Mirage. Outside you’ll find a volcano in the large lake out front of the resort. Stop by at night time on the hour from 8pm to witness it erupt massive fireballs into the air to an exclusive soundtrack. Its yet another street side spectacle that you should plan to see at least once while you’re in Vegas.

Animal enthusiasts will also want to take some time to visit Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden while visiting the Mirage property. Its a mini-zoo that requires a ticket for admission. It also contains a dolphin habitat that recently added a newborn baby to its ranks, with guests being able to watch the dolphins dive around both from above and below the water.

The Secret Garden is itself is home to a variety of big cats such as lions, tigers and leopards. When I stopped by they were mostly laying around in the desert heat, so you might want to time your visit for earlier in the morning or late afternoon if you’re hoping for more activity. The Secret Garden is generally open from 10.00am until 6.00pm – 7.00pm depending on the day of your visit.

While we’re on the topic of the Mirage, I’d highly recommend checking out the Cirque du Soleil show Love, which showcases the always incredible acrobatic performances of the franchise to some of the Beatles greatest hits.

The Venetian

The Venetian is another architectural masterpiece of a casino, much in the line of Caesar’s Palace. The theming here is probably my favourite in all of the Strip. Obviously its inspired by the floating city of Venice. The resort area contains a series of canals that you can take a gondola ride along, just like in the real Venice. There’s no better way to experience the replicas of landmarks such as the Rialto Bridge and Campanile Bell Tower. If you’re not going to take a ride, at least venture along the Grand Canal Shoppes and enjoy in the scenery. Its incredible. You’ll also find characters dressed in costumes from the 16th century roaming about, performing opera and mime among other acts.

The Venetian is also home to the very first Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in the United States. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have a lot of fun checking this out. I make it a bit of a tradition to visit Madame Tussauds when I find one in a city that I’m in, and this is no exception. Take some photos with the incredibly realistic wax figures of celebrities and other public figures – both those with ties to Las Vegas and others just from general pop culture.

The Vegas version of Madame Tussauds also contains a Marvel 4-D Experience, a Virtual Reality Experience, and a bar inspired by the characters of The Hangover.

Further North…

I only had a few days in Las Vegas and didn’t make it much further up the Strip than the Venetian during my stay. There’s plenty more fun to be had beyond here though. If you’re going to venture further north, you should check out the following destinations:

• Circus, Circus: here you’ll find the indoor amusement park called the Adventuredome. Inside a reflective dome, this mini theme park is themed around a Western canyon and contains thrilling rides such as the Canyon Blaster corkscrew coaster, the El Loco wild mouse, Inverter pirate ship and the Sling Shot tower. You can either pay for each ride you go on, or purchase a day pass giving you unlimited rides.
• Stratosphere: standing over 1,100 feet in the air, the Stratosphere Tower offers sweeping views of the Strip and the surrounding Las Vegas area. Its also where you’ll find Vegas’ most extreme thrills, as right at the top you’ll be able to board four insane rides that will get the adrenaline pumping. In Insanity you’ll be swung off the edge of the tower on a giant arm and spun around above the city below. The Big Shot is an insane vertical launch to the highest point in the Vegas skyline followed by a wild free fall. X-Scream dangles you over the tower’s edge while SkyJump is an actual zip line from the top of the tower to the floor below (without a parachute).

There’s so much to do and see along the Strip in Las Vegas. I haven’t even mentioned the countless restaurants. Or the varied entertainers and characters along the sidewalk that you can tip for a memorable photo. And thats not even thinking about all the fun away from the Strip! Las Vegas is a city thats unlike any I’ve been to. There’s always something happening underneath the shining neon lights. Viva Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is unlike any other city in the whole of the United States of America. What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but in this case, we’ll widen that to the comment section below. Let me know all about things you like to see and do when you’re in Las Vegas.