Guide to Las Vegas Strip: What to See and Where to Go

What is the Las Vegas Strip?

The Las Vegas Strip is a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard where most of the city's famous hotels, casinos, and attractions are located. This is the straightforward answer to why the Strip is so renowned. Essentially, it's the strip of boulevard running from Mandalay Bay on the south end to the Stratosphere Tower on the north end.

This area includes all the iconic hotels and casinos you always hear about, except for those located in downtown Las Vegas and on Fremont Street. Here, you can find the Eiffel Tower and Venetian-style gondolas, as well as a large erupting volcano replica. You will see a giant pyramid, the Stratosphere Tower, and a lake with dancing fountains.

If you get into a taxi and ask to be taken to the Las Vegas Strip, the driver will likely ask you to be more specific, as this landmark spans about eight miles from north to south.

History of the Las Vegas Strip

The history of Las Vegas began in the mid-19th century, with the city being officially founded in 1905 when the Pacific Railroad started passing through the desert oasis. "Las Vegas" translates from Spanish as "The Meadows," named for the area's spring-fed water sources. Thousands of workers flocked to the area during the Great Depression of the 1930s when the Hoover Dam was constructed on the Colorado River.

Interesting Fact: One of the earliest resorts on the Las Vegas Strip was the Flamingo Hotel, built by gangsters Benjamin Siegel and Meyer Lansky with mafia money.

Major Attractions

The best way to explore the Las Vegas Strip is to start from the southern end and make your way north. Here are some of our favorite attractions on one of the most famous streets in the world:

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign

Located in the median at the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, this sign is always accessible and free to visit. The front reads "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada," and the back says, "Drive Carefully" and "Come Back Soon." Erected in 1959, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

Bellagio Fountains

One of the most iconic attractions on the Strip. The fountains, which dance like ballerinas and shoot water hundreds of feet into the air, have become a Vegas hallmark. The show opened in 1998 and now features over 1,000 fountains, some reaching over 450 feet high.

Fremont Street Experience

Before the modern resorts, Fremont Street was the main street of Las Vegas. Today, it's a pedestrian zone with dazzling light shows and numerous attractions where you can play blackjack, enjoy street performers, and experience a constant party atmosphere.

What to see and where to go

• High Roller Observation Wheel
  Located at the LINQ Promenade, it is the world's tallest observation wheel, lifting visitors 550 feet for breathtaking city views and great photo opportunities.
• Gondola Rides at The Venetian
  The Venetian offers a unique experience with gondola rides through canals that recreate the atmosphere of Venice. It's a perfect spot for a romantic outing and to immerse yourself in the Italian ambiance.
• Luxor Hotel and Casino
  Built in the 1990s, this pyramid is not one of the seven wonders of the world but stands out as an eye-catching structure among the replicas of New York, Paris, Venice, and other iconic places. Inside, guests travel in inclined elevators to their rooms, creating a unique experience.
• Neon Museum
  If neon could talk, it would surely delight every visitor with colorful tales of 1960s Las Vegas. Over 200 neon signs housed in this unique museum in downtown tell the story of Las Vegas. Visitors can explore this collection during a one-hour guided tour.