DK Travel : Las Vegas : The Strip

Walk along the Las Vegas Strip and you’ll see that some of the best things in Las Vegas life are free – especially when it comes to sightseeing and entertainment. It costs nothing to walk through the hotel-casinos, and you can window-shop to your heart’s content in their shopping promenades. The hotel architecture makes for an attraction in its own right: where else would you find an Egyptian sphinx, a Polynesian paradise, and a medieval castle in the same block? In addition, almost every hotel-casino has some sort of free entertainment going on outside its doors.

Tower, the Venetian

More on Shows More on The Strip More information on Getting Around in Las Vegas

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A Day on the Strip

Morning

Start with breakfast in the delightful Verandah Café at Four Seasons, which is within the Mandalay Bay hotel. Be glad you’re not about to become someone else’s breakfast as you gape at the specimens in the Shark Reef. While still at the Mandalay Bay, check out the House of Blues and the collection of American folk art.

Head north up the Strip to the Lion Habitat at MGM Grand (see MGM Grand Lion Habitat) followed by a walk to the Auto Collection at the Imperial Palace (car buffs may have to be removed forcibly!).

For lunch, cross over to Harrah’s for the Fresh Market Square Buffet .

Afternoon

At the Forum Shops you are liable to shed the shoppers in your party.

Next stop is Circus Circus . It’s a hike, so you may opt for the CAT bus or monorail that stop along the Strip. After your trip there, you deserve a sugar break. Head for the Krispy Kreme doughnut shop and sink your teeth into one of their legendary doughnuts. Newly fortified, explore Circus Circus (laugh at your stomach outline in the funhouse mirrors) and then walk back down to the Mirage for the white tigers.

Cross the street to the Casino Royale, snag a window table, and watch The Mirage Volcano erupt while you dine. For a nightcap, walk down to the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, for the best view of Fountains at Bellagio .
Around the Casino Tables

The stars play at upscale casinos such as MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Caesars Palace; stargazers should aim, apparently, for 11pm to 1am on weekends.
Auto Collection at the Imperial Palace

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this collection is that all the vehicles are for sale. Elvis Presley’s 1972 Lincoln Continental and a 1965 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III that was once owned by Lucille Ball are just two of the vehicles that have passed through these doors. Look out for free tickets at tourist-information stations and in entertainment magazines.
Bally’s

Relaxed atmosphere, an olympic-size swimming pool, and large, luxurious rooms, many with good views of the Strip.
Bellagio Lobby

Settle down on a sofa to watch the gold dripping from the jet set. Soothe your envy with piano music from the caviar bar, Petrossian, and the marvelous artistry of the ceiling.
Benches at Desert Passage

Too much shopping is bad for the feet. So sit yourself down on one of those inviting benches in Desert Passage, and watch the world go by; the best ones are near Cashman Photos.
Caesars Garden of Games

In this strange juxtaposition of ancient Rome and modern Las Vegas, techno-warriors do battle amid fluted columns with sophisticated arcade games.
Caesars Palace Grounds

When Caesars Palace opened in 1966, no one had ever seen anything quite like it. The grounds, studded with Roman-style statuary, were – and still are – enchanting.
Central Park

The hotel’s public area echoes famous New York City spots; the casino currently ranks as a top spot with the younger crowd, and they dress to be seen.
Circus Circus

Over the course of almost 30 years Circus Circus has entertained hundreds of thousands of spectators with their impressive shows. Stars have included the Flying Farfans of Argentina, the miniature-bicycle rider Charles Charles of Paris, and Russian acrobat Valerie Akishin. With performances every half hour, you can pop back for different shows to catch a wide variety of acts.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes, and extra charges.
- under $50
- $50–$100
- $100–$150
- $150–$200
- over $200