Walking through the main street of Las Vegas, The Strip, feels like a miniature journey around the world. Lining the street are casinos, each built around a specific theme inspired by famous landmarks like Egypt, New York, or Paris, just to name a few.
These casinos are not merely gaming halls; they offer a plethora of activities including shops, restaurants, theaters, and are themselves attractions with intricate themes. Stepping into them feels like entering another world.
The casinos are open 24/7 and are freely accessible, so feel free to step inside and marvel at the sights. The casinos are designed without any natural light, a deliberate choice to maximize gaming profits by disrupting people’s sense of time. Players are also served complimentary drinks as long as they are actively playing.
We didn’t have enough time to visit all the casinos, but here’s a list of the ones we visited and can recommend:
New York-New York Hotel & Casino
The theme of New York-New York casino is unmistakable. The exterior mimics the Manhattan skyline with landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and even Central Park along the casino’s edge. Inside, you can stroll through replicas of famous New York streets and find a great selection of bars and pubs. Here you’ll also find The Big Apple roller coaster, as mentioned in another post, which speeds around the casino at up to 100 km/h.
Paris Las Vegas
Not to be missed along The Strip is the Paris Las Vegas casino, featuring iconic symbols like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. In the evening, the Eiffel Tower is beautifully illuminated, creating a striking sight. The tower also has an observation deck accessible to visitors, with a fee for non-guests but included in the hotel’s accommodation price.
The LinQ
The LINQ casino stands out from others as its main attractions are mostly outdoors. Here you’ll find the High Roller Ferris wheel mentioned in an earlier post, the largest in the US at 168 meters tall. The views from here, especially in the evening when the city lights are at their best, are spectacular. Another exciting activity is the zipline that crosses the promenade. The promenade itself offers plenty of entertainment with numerous bars and restaurants, making it a cozy place to spend the evening.
Planet Hollywood
One of the highlights of Planet Hollywood is its extensive shopping street. It’s more like a shopping center than a casino, with 150 shops and a wide range of restaurants. You can satisfy your shopping cravings here. The casino also features a theater where you can catch shows like the Criss Angel Mindfreak. Additionally, there’s a pool area with a surfing simulator.
Bellagio
One of the most luxurious casinos in Las Vegas is undoubtedly the Bellagio hotel & casino. Influenced by the village of Bellagio on Lake Como, Italy, the casino’s front is almost guaranteed to have luxury cars like Rolls Royce, Ferrari, or Bentley. Inside, the casino is incredibly detailed, exuding luxury with its various artworks and a beautiful indoor garden. The most famous attraction at Bellagio is its fountain show, which is a must-see at least once during your visit to Vegas. The show runs every half hour during the day and every 15 minutes in the evening and is completely free.
Caesars Palace
You can experience a trip to Rome in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace, where you can see and experience Rome’s most famous landmarks. The Colosseum Theater serves as the event center, surrounded by marble columns, statues, fountains, and structures including Michelangelo’s David statue. There’s also a wide range of luxury shops, with the shopping street meticulously themed. Caesars Palace also hosts Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen.
The Venetian & Palazzo
The Italian theme is popular in Las Vegas, and besides Bellagio and Caesars Palace, there’s also Venice! The Venetian and The Palazzo hotel resorts form a massive complex with plenty to explore. Here, you can experience everything you would in Venice itself: gondola rides, Piazza San Marco, Ponte Rialto, Grand Canal, and stunning Venetian buildings and endless details. Many spots look exactly like you’re standing in Venice. You could easily spend several days here admiring the paintings and immersing yourself in the Venetian atmosphere.
One could easily spend at least a week in Las Vegas. There’s no shortage of things to do and experience. We were in Las Vegas for four days before continuing our road trip towards California.
