The Strip, Las Vegas

4 more images

Part two of my strip tips of the various views around the strip from the ground and the air and from the tower and hotels.

The Strip runs from the Stratosphere at the northern end to Mandalay Bay on the southern end. Of the 4 miles, nearly 3.5 miles of it is located in the township of Paradise, Clark County. Depending on the definition, very little to none of it is within the Las Vegas city limits. McCarran Airport (LAS) is located at the southern end of The Strip, along with the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, which also appears in the median of Las Vegas Boulevard at the north end near the intersection of E. St. Louis and S. Main Street. The "South Strip" is used to describe the section of Las Vegas Boulevard between Sunset Road or Blue Diamond Road and St. Rose Parkway.

The Strip is a world of its own. Where else can you go to visit Egypt, New York, the Tropics, King and Queens, Rome/Greece, Hollywood, and much more all on one street? This is the street of lights, excitement, and dreams. Some dreams come true becoming great successes and others sadly die. The Strip is competitive and one only has to look down the street at night to see this. Each property has to not only keep up with the others, but to also attract and keep their visitors. All of this takes nerve, imagination, and creativity. Just take a good look at any of these structures. There is creativity all around them. The dreams of owners, architects, designers, interior decorators, and employees are all wrapped up into these architectural wonders and off course to induce people to go to their hotels and casino's not only to gamble but to SPEND MONEY!

4 more images

This will be a two part tip of the various views around the strip from the ground and the air and from the tower and hotels.

The Strip runs from the Stratosphere at the northern end to Mandalay Bay on the southern end. Of the 4 miles, nearly 3.5 miles of it is located in the township of Paradise, Clark County. Depending on the definition, very little to none of it is within the Las Vegas city limits. McCarran Airport (LAS) is located at the southern end of The Strip, along with the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, which also appears in the median of Las Vegas Boulevard at the north end near the intersection of E. St. Louis and S. Main Street. The "South Strip" is used to describe the section of Las Vegas Boulevard between Sunset Road or Blue Diamond Road and St. Rose Parkway.

The Strip is a world of its own. Where else can you go to visit Egypt, New York, the Tropics, King and Queens, Rome/Greece, Hollywood, and much more all on one street? This is the street of lights, excitement, and dreams. Some dreams come true becoming great successes and others sadly die. The Strip is competitive and one only has to look down the street at night to see this. Each property has to not only keep up with the others, but to also attract and keep their visitors. All of this takes nerve, imagination, and creativity. Just take a good look at any of these structures. There is creativity all around them. The dreams of owners, architects, designers, interior decorators, and employees are all wrapped up into these architectural wonders and off course to induce people to go to their hotels and casino's not only to gamble but to SPEND MONEY!

2 more images

Nice and warm, cold beer in your hand, people of all kinds walking around enjoying themselves.

Why not put on a comfy pair of shows, grab a drink and people watch on the strip. Take your partner and set up a spot by the Bellagio Fountains. Watch the people going by, listen to the music, watch the fountains.

Very relaxing.

4 more images

I am surprised that there are more and more live statues/performers at the Strip. I think it's really great, however, I am not sure if these are being regulated by the government of Las Vegas. Some are in huge costumes where children go embrace them and to take pictures with them. Also, these guys have tantrums if you take pictures with them without paying a buck first.

This is a way of living and in some ways, they should have responsibilities to the tourists and to the people who are there...(Just an opinion)

I actually like the Michael Jackson impersonator. However, this guy have an attitude. At one time, I saw him getting mad at one of the tourists who took a picture of him. He liked tourists to pay first to take a picture of him...

4 more images

The Strip of Las Vegas is probably the largest main drag of any town ever. What is happening is a bizarre twist of the customs a small provincial town where anybody goes out especially in the afternoon to see and be seen. The Vegas version is prompted by the attractions lined up and down the strip and not the fashion/gossip inclined pedestrians. Despite the enormous size of the city, Vegas is essentially one-street town - concept of development where one street dominates the rest of the city or is complemented by the rest of the city or is juxtaposed to the rest of the city - or as you wish. The fact is that all the action that Las Vegas is famous for is happening on this one and only street. This must be the legacy of older days when there was nothing much in Vegas and all the casinos when they eventually popped up were meant to be close like an industry cluster. Other cities have the shoe stores area; the clothing store area etc. just as Vegas has the casinos area. That said the casinos are no less than monstrous structures of thousand plus rooms each so reaching one or the other on foot is rather difficult despite the deceptive proximity set in place by the main boulevard. Walking the strip is indispensible tool in understanding what is going on, what the general outfitting of the venues is and where one might want to spend more time and where less. Bellagio could be considered unofficial center of the strip but I am sure there many different opinions on that matter. What makes it more of gravitational point is not just its central location but the free displays of musical fountains which go off at every half an hour with different choreography accompanied by different music. It is quite impressive and some other cities around the world have tried to emulate it with various degree of success (Yerevan is an obvious example). The competition in the case of Mirage’s “volcano” is rather weak and the Treasure islands’ answer is prone to failure due to “high winds”. Bellagio is one of the more stylish venues with superb flower garden in a courtyard and for those with gourmet inclinations it offers arguably one of the best buffets in town.
The Venetian is another point where one might linger longer due to its fabulous attempt of recreating Venice in the desert. Once your mind is set to think within this paradoxical frame it can be very intriguing. The main square of Venice has been staged with some alterations of course but the general impression is of a job well-done. The feel of this decor reaches surrealistic notes when the gondolas ply the "lagoon's" waters and budding opera singers entertain their captive audience on board. The Winn casino is the second child of the author of the Bellagio complex. It has the same subtle sophistication as its predecessor but the common areas are on a smaller scale. Its twin structure called Encore is sort of closing the main area of the strip but there is more to explore beyond all the way to the Tower.
The opposite end of the Strip is closest to the airport starting with the funny rendition of Egypt with its Luxor casino despite the fact that there are no pyramids in Luxor - they are all located around Cairo. This is either a huge misunderstanding due to illiteracy or just a plain distortion of reality for the purpose of making this mesh-mash of a place more mysterious. More along the same lines is the New-York-New York Casino facing some Disneyland-based fairy land. The interiors of these places do not warrant extended stays - they are rather unimaginative and worn out. Midway between those and Bellagio there is a pair of leaning "skyscrapers" with the amplified sensation of ultra modernity via elevated monorail in their base.

If you're in Vegas you gotta get a 3/4 pound $1.50 mega dog from the Westward Ho Casino and Motel (next to Circus Circus). Don't let the cheesy, semi-rundown casino exterior fool you, the mega dog is one of the best kept secrets in Vegas. They used to be only 99cents, but they're still a great bargain. Rich or poor, gourmet or not, they're all in line 24 hours a day for these huge hot dogs. I'm a full grown man and I usually only eat one. But you'll still see little ol' ladies carrying two and wolfing em' down like snacks. The casino also has other cheapie eats like 5 cent cups of coffee so check it out.

Check out the link below for a review of the casino.

Hotel site: www.westwardho.com/

4 more images

Although we had both been to Las Vegas before, both Mickey and I were impressed by all the upgrades and additions to the Las Vegas Strip this visit.

Photo#1 shows a view of one portion of Las Vegas Blvd. that includes Harrahs, Denny's, and Casino Royal. Vegas has often been called "Neon City", and after a few hours here, one certainly knows why.

Photo #2 By the way, Casino Royal was the first casino we entered because we were told by our shuttle driver from the airport, that we could receive $50.00 for joining the club. We had lots of fun here, and our money lasted for a long time.

Photo#3 is of the Rio Hotel/Casino which we took a free shuttle to reach. Again, we tried the casino here because they,too, gave away money for slots if you joined their club.

Photo#4 represents the famed Harrahs with a giant casino and a huge player's role on the strip.

Photo #5 is of four Player's cards that we used while in Vegas. They represent Casino Royale, 4 Queens Hotel/Casino,Harrah's-Caesars-Flamingo-Paris-Planet Hollywood-Rio, and Tropicano Hotel/Casino. In our opinions, CASINO ROYAL AND 4 QUEENS HAD THE "DEALS".
We also felt that TROPICANA CASINO HAD THE MOST DIFFICULT AND QUESTIONABLE DEALS.

4 more images

One thought the Wynn enterprise could not outdo itself, but Encore killed that notion. Encore is the grand sister to The Wynn hotel, equally or perhaps even more impressive. The two share fabulous amenities, including the grand golf course, Encore Theater, nightclubs, high-end spas and more. Encore edges out the Wynn with slightly larger suites and has the gorgeous butterfly motif, as seen on the carpeted floor (pictured). Encore, with tall and sleek design, stands out when zoning on the Strip from above. After touring Encore, my cousin swore that she would thrown a wedding reception and honeymoon here in the near future. Perhaps it's crazy but I got absolutely giddy just from "touring" the opulent, spacious bathrooms alone. Just install a shower, and I could live here.

Must sees within:

Glorious, rich red and purple decor in lobby and main floor area
Revolving walls at Switch restaurant