Exploring Las Vegas: A View Of The Strip II

Best Las Vegas Hotels

The First Casino resort to open on Las Vegas' Strip in 1941 was the El Rancho Vegas Hotel-Casino, which was located on the northern section of the Strip, on the corner of Sahara Avenue. A building boom followed in the 1950s, resulting in a swathe of resorts. The Sands, Desert Inn, Sahara, and Stardust hotels began the process that has transformed the Strip into a high-rise adult theme park. Many of these north Strip resorts remain, but they are now unrecognizable from their earlier incarnations - thanks to million-dollar rebuilding programs.

Best Las Vegas Hotels

Today, resorts such as the Venetian and the Mirage have established the Strip's reputation for upscale quality and almost nothing remains of the spit-and sawdust atmosphere the city once had.

Best Las Vegas Hotels

• Las Vegas Neon

Best Las Vegas Hotels

The twinkling, flashing neon sign remains the dominant icon of Las Vegas, even though several of the new themed mega resorts here have opted for a more understated look. Neon is a gas discovered by British chemist Sir William Ramsey in 1898. But it was a French inventor, Georges Claude, who, in 1910, discovered that an electric current passed through a glass tube of neon emitted a powerful, himmering light. In the 1940s and 50s the craft of neon sign-making was elevated to the status of an art form in Las Vegas.

• TI

The pirate-themed world of Treasure Island lures passersby to the spectacular Sirens of TI show, held each evening on the hotel's Strip-side lagoon.

• The Mirage is both stylish and tacky - its beautiful, Strip-facing gardens feature an "erupting" volcano.

• The Fashion Show Mall is currently the largest shopping destination in Vegas, than 200 stores, an entertainment complex, and a food court serving both fast and fresh foods.

• Guardian Angel Cathedral

Located on Desert Inn Road, this chapel has elegant marble floors and imposing buttress support columns.

• Venetian

One of the world's most luxurious hotels, this has mock canals flowing through its shopping area.

• Stratosphere Tower

An observation deck at the top of this 1,149-ft (350-m) tower offers fine views of the city and the ring of mountains that rise from the desert.

• Circus Circus

Lucky the clown beckons visitors to this resort, which offers circus acts and traditional carnival game on the mezzanine floor above the casino.

• Sahara

This Moroccan-themed hotel opened in 1952 and is one of the city's oldest hotels. It features two of the most popular attractions on the Strip - the fast-paced Cyber Speedway and the thrilling roller coaster ride, Speed.

Exploring Las Vegas: A View Of The Strip II

Best Las Vegas Hotels