Dennis Begin
The Las Vegas Strip looking north
Words by Dennis Begin
In Las Vegas, Nevada, known as The Entertainment Capital of the World, ‘The Strip' is famous for its lavish hotels, opulent casinos, colourful neon lights and world-class entertainment. What most visitors do not realize is that The Strip, or Las Vegas Boulevard, is not located in Las Vegas, but in the unincorporated villages of Paradise and Winchester. The Strip extends approximately from Circus Circus in the north to Mandalay Bay in the south, a distance of 5.8 km (3.6 mi). My objective was to hike The Strip, a round trip of 11.6 km (7.2 mi), bypassing the major shows such as Celine Dion at Caesar's Palace. My first step was to pick up a free copy of Vegas 2G0, which includes a map, attractions, nightlife, and gaming information. Kilometre zero started at Mandalay Bay.
Sharks in the Desert!
The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay has 2,000 tropical fish of 100 different species, along with 15 species of sharks. Tanks containing over a million gallons of water display not only sharks, but Golden Crocodiles and Green Sea Turtles. You can experience sea life from a scuba diver's perspective by walking through the ‘Diver's Tunnel'.
Big Apple Roller Coaster
The next three hotels/casinos, the Luxor, Excalibur and the New York-New York, host numerous shows from magic acts to concerts. An unexpected attraction is the Big Apple Roller Coaster, built around the perimeter of New York-New York. The ride begins with a 56 m (180 ft) climb and then drops, reaching 108 km/h (67 mph). Just hang on for this adrenaline rush and a different view of the Statue of Liberty.
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Dennis Begin
The Excalibur Hotel/Casino.
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New York New York Hotel/Casino with the Statute of Liberty. Note the hockey jersey of the Golden Knights
T-Mobile and Golden Knights
Across from the Park MGM is the T-Mobile Arena. T-Mobile is a multi-purpose venue that opened in April 2016 and is used to host concerts, trade shows, and multi-sports events. Nicknamed ‘The Fortress', T-Mobile is also home to the Vegas Golden Knights, a team in the National Hockey League (NHL). In their first season, the Knights reached the Stanley Cup Finals, before losing to the Washington Capitals. This was a stunning achievement for a first-year expansion team.
Patricia Begin
T-Mobile Arena.
Dancing Waters
Water fountains are a common decorative ornament found in a myriad of parks, shopping malls, and hotels. The Bellagio Hotel is no exception with 1,000 fountains that dance to music and lights. Water soars upwards to 140 m (460 ft) with music from operas, classical and Broadway musicals. Some of the featured artists include Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and the Beatles. The best time to view the attraction is at night.
Mirage Volcanoes
Just past Caesar's Palace is another impressive attraction - the volcanoes in front of the Mirage Hotel. Two separate volcano systems shoot fireballs 3.6 m (12 ft) high into the night sky. The volcanos are choreographed to music, chants, drums and even a soundtrack of real erupting volcanoes. The lagoon, waterfalls, lights, smoke, and heat make the eruptions feel realistic.
Following the Mirage comes Treasure Island, The Wynn and finally Circus Circus. Many of the performers in these hotels have appeared on ‘America's Got Talent.' To the north is Fremont Street, the original Las Vegas.
Patricia Begin
The Mirage Hotel
Halfway
Having reached halfway, it was time to turn around. Hiking the Strip is not as easy as you think. Crossing every side street requires an elevator or escalator and a skywalk. Walking through the major hotels becomes an endurance test, such as the long hallways at the Bellagio. The next obvious attraction, which provides a little rest, is The Linq and the High Roller.
Dennis Begin
The Strip.
High Roller Observation Pod
From a distance, the High Roller reminds me of a modern Ferris wheel. From 168 m (550 ft) in the air, there is a 360-degree panorama view of Vegas. It is advertised as the ‘tallest observation wheel in the world.' There are 28 different glass pods [cabins], each capable of carrying up to 40 people. It takes 30 minutes to make one revolution, just long enough for a drink and photos of the city.
Flamingo Hotel
My next stop was the historic Flamingo Hotel. Organized crime and ‘The Mob' arrived in Las Vegas in 1945 when Bugsy Siegel bought his first hotel on Fremont Street. The city of Las Vegas opposed the crime that followed Bugsy and his Chicago friends. The solution was to build a new hotel on the Los Angeles Highway, now known as The Strip, which is 11 km (7 mi) from Las Vegas. Bugsy named the hotel after his girlfriend, Virginia ‘Flamingo' Hill and billed the Flamingo as the ‘world's most luxurious hotel.' When Bugsy could not turn a big enough profit he was assassinated by The Mob on June 20, 1947. There is a plaque in the hotel gardens where the killing took place.
Dennis Begin
Bugsey's Memorial in Flamingo Hotel Gardens.
Monorail and Trams
After visiting the Flamingo, riding the monorail back to Mandalay Bay or taking RTC Public Transit is a good idea. The monorail on the east side of The Strip runs from the SLS Hotel to the MGM Grand, but is well back of The Strip and services the Convention Centre. On the west side, the easiest way to travel between hotels are the three hotel trams. For example, one tram travels from the Park MGM Hotel to the Bellagio Hotel…… a free ride.
Shopping
For those who like shopping, there are eleven malls for ‘Strip Shopping.' The major hotels have gift shops and high-end women's boutiques. For example, the Venetian has the Grand Canal Shoppes, while Caesars has the Forum Shops. The largest malls include the Fashion Show Mall, the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, the Grand Bazaar Shoppes, and the Shops at Crystals.
Finally returning to Mandalay Bay, it really took me three days of exploring. There is plenty to see, with some of my favorites including:
- Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts, Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- Mirage Aquarium at Front Desk
- Palazzo Waterfall Atrium
- Venetian Gondola ride along the Grand Canal
- Fall of Atlantis Animatronic Show at Caesars Palace
- Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck
- Marvel's Avengers Station at Treasure Island
Some of these attractions are even free.
Welcome to ‘Fabulous Las Vegas'.
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Dennis Begin
The Caesars Palace Hotel/Casino.
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Dennis Begin
Paris Las Vegas sign at night.
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Dennis Begin
The Eiffel Tower and the Paris Las Vegas.