Las Vegas/The Strip

The Las Vegas Strip is the main street of Las Vegas, offering boundless entertainment opportunities through gambling, restaurants, shows and more. Visitors with money to spend and the energy for nightlife will get the most out of The Strip, although there are attractions around for families and travelers on a budget as well.

Understand
While growth was seen in the Strip by the 1940s, the earliest developments were by the early 30s. Later, organized crime was commonplace in the Strip, which then stopped by the 1970s and 80s. Because of that, corporations began taking up the spotlight, with many modern resorts being built by them.

Get in
Harry Reid Airport is just southeast of the Strip, though the terminal is at the other side of the runway. While it seems like it may be walkable when exiting the airport, a ride (by cab, rideshare, or public transit) will be necessary.

If you opt for the bus, the CX (Centennial Express) service takes you from the airport to the intersection of Flamingo and the Strip. If you need to go north or south from there, take the Deuce service. These two are also your options if you're coming in from Downtown Las Vegas. See the RTC website for exact routes and schedules.

It's not as much of an issue in the age of rideshare apps, but if a taxi driver asks "do you want to take the tunnel?" the answer is "No, use Tropicana Avenue". Using the tunnel can double your short cab ride to The Strip.

On foot
Be advised that walking much farther than the adjacent resort can quickly become quite a hike, even if your destination appears to be close by. The resorts are very large and tall, creating the illusion that they are just a short distance away. Walking along The Strip in daytime summer heat can quickly become quite exhausting.

By rideshare
Note that rideshare vehicles often have a different pickup zone than cabs, at some resorts it is not at or near the front of the facility. Use the map in your app of choice, and signage in the resort to find your way to the pickup area. Rideshares are not allowed to pick up or drop off passengers on Las Vegas Blvd.

By bus
The Deuce is a double decker bus that travels between The Strip and Downtown along Las Vegas Blvd. While this seems like a convenient and affordable alternative to taxis and car rentals at just $8 for a 24 hour pass, service frequency is just 15-20 minutes. Lack of dedicated infrastructure, and slow boarding times mean that a car ride of just 15 minutes to get to Downtown can become a 40-50 minute slog in peak weekend traffic.

By tram
There are two tram options on The Strip, although they are not connected: The Aria Express connects three properties on the West side of The Strip, while the Las Vegas Monorail connects 7 stops totalling 10 destinations on the East side of The Strip.

Las Vegas Monorail
The Las Vegas Monorail starts at the Sahara at the northern end of the strip, and travels 3.9 miles south to the MGM Grand. The journey along the entire line takes 13 minutes, and the stops are listed below:


 * Sahara
 * Westgate
 * Convention Center
 * Harrah's & The Linq
 * Flamingo & Caesars Palace
 * Horseshoe & Paris
 * MGM Grand

Single ride fare is $5 and multi-day passes are available for $9-13 per day.

Aria Express
The Aria Express runs just 620m from the back of the Bellagio in the north, to the back of the Park MGM in the south. There is one intermediate stop at the Aria Resort/The Shops at Crystals. No fare is required.

By car
Expect traffic jams on the Strip, especially on weekends. If you're driving to a casino hotel at the Strip, take the I-15 or one of the north-south parallel streets to get as close to your destination as possible. The parking lots of casino hotels are usually accessible from the side streets, so you won't need to spend time sitting on the Strip at all.

Elsewhere on the Strip



 * In addition to the above, there are various characters you are likely to see while you visit the Strip, including Elvis impersonators.
 * In addition to the above, there are various characters you are likely to see while you visit the Strip, including Elvis impersonators.
 * In addition to the above, there are various characters you are likely to see while you visit the Strip, including Elvis impersonators.
 * In addition to the above, there are various characters you are likely to see while you visit the Strip, including Elvis impersonators.

Rides




Shows
There are places on the Strip where you can buy half-price show tickets, but generally not for the really popular shows on the same day of the performance. Cash or credit card accepted.



Cirque du Soleil
Las Vegas hosts 6 popular Cirque du Soleil shows, including the following. To secure the best seats, reservations well in advance is recommended.



Production shows
Reserve your tickets well in advance for the best available seating. The most popular shows are sold out on the weekends. Make sure to always book your seats directly from the official hotel website.



Comedy shows
There are always different comedians coming to Las Vegas. Always a great way to get a laugh and end the night.



Spectator sports

 * The Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball will move to Las Vegas after the 2024 season. Their long-term nome will be a new ballpark on the site of the Tropicana resort (see "Sleep: Mid-range") that's set to open in 2028. The team will play at a minor-league ballpark in West Sacramento, California from 2025–2027.
 * Las Vegas is also a major regional center for college basketball tournaments every March. As of the upcoming 2024–25 season, four NCAA Division I conferences hold their annual men's and women's tournaments in the area; each of these tournaments sees the winner receive automatic entry to the NCAA tournament. However, none of these hold their tournaments on the Strip; the Pac-12 Conference, which did use venues on the Strip, collapsed after the 2023–24 season when almost all of its members left for other leagues.
 * The Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball will move to Las Vegas after the 2024 season. Their long-term nome will be a new ballpark on the site of the Tropicana resort (see "Sleep: Mid-range") that's set to open in 2028. The team will play at a minor-league ballpark in West Sacramento, California from 2025–2027.
 * Las Vegas is also a major regional center for college basketball tournaments every March. As of the upcoming 2024–25 season, four NCAA Division I conferences hold their annual men's and women's tournaments in the area; each of these tournaments sees the winner receive automatic entry to the NCAA tournament. However, none of these hold their tournaments on the Strip; the Pac-12 Conference, which did use venues on the Strip, collapsed after the 2023–24 season when almost all of its members left for other leagues.
 * The Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball will move to Las Vegas after the 2024 season. Their long-term nome will be a new ballpark on the site of the Tropicana resort (see "Sleep: Mid-range") that's set to open in 2028. The team will play at a minor-league ballpark in West Sacramento, California from 2025–2027.
 * Las Vegas is also a major regional center for college basketball tournaments every March. As of the upcoming 2024–25 season, four NCAA Division I conferences hold their annual men's and women's tournaments in the area; each of these tournaments sees the winner receive automatic entry to the NCAA tournament. However, none of these hold their tournaments on the Strip; the Pac-12 Conference, which did use venues on the Strip, collapsed after the 2023–24 season when almost all of its members left for other leagues.

Finally, Las Vegas is one of the world's main centers for combat sports. For decades, many of the biggest championship events in boxing have been held at venues on or near the Strip. The Strip has also become an epicenter for mixed martial arts; the world's biggest promoter of MMA events, UFC, is based in Las Vegas.

Shopping malls
There are a handful of shopping malls that are not affiliated with casinos:



Buffets
Buffet restaurants can be found in pretty much every casino hotel; some of them are listed below.