THE STRIP in LAS VEGAS, So much to see, here's how !!
Written: Sep 04 '03 (Updated May 31 '06)
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Pros: So much to see even on the streets of the Strip
Cons: Walks can get crowded and the sun can be HOT!
The Bottom Line: There is magic in the air on the strip and hopefully money in your pockets. The Las Vegas Strip is an exciting place. See as much as you can, FREE
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| popsrocks's Full Review: The Strip |
The area, basically between Mandalay Bay and going north up to the Stratosphere on Las Vegas Boulevard, is known as THE STRIP.
Along this stretch of highway are most of the major hotels of Las Vegas. Each one is trying to bring in the business of the millions of people who come to Las Vegas to spend billions of dollars! It is through creativity and service that they vie for these high dollar stakes.
In doing this the owners and operators of these casinos have made a land of make believe that can take us back in time or into the future. Places that have just been in our fantasies are now a reality to see and explore and we can also visit cities and countries from all around this world. This can all be experienced along a few miles of Las Vegas Boulevard, The Strip.
I have been to Vegas a couple of times. Honestly, it's not for gambling. There is much to see in town and outside town that was and is of interest to me and my family.
The last time, when we went to Las Vegas as a family, we stayed in town at the MirageHotel a few days and then, in a rented car, we traveled to three national parks. We went to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, and also visited Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. Afterward we returned and stayed a few more days at the Flamingo Hotel at dirt a cheap price.
HOW TO GET AROUND
Being a group of seven we had to get around efficiently and I thought a car rental would be the best way for us. I think it did work out for us but let me tell you some of the options. You can walk, taking advantage of some moving walks and safer street overpasses. There are a couple of trams and monorails that have limited service between some hotels. Public buses run up and down the strip and there is a "trolley" bus system that runs most of the day too. Taxis are available everywhere and Limos are the way to go in style. And then you can do as we did, rent a car.
WALKING THE STRIP
This is sometimes the best way to get to that casino next door or just across the street. We stayed at the Mirage and had an erupting volcano right in front of our doors. This is a free attraction that people come to see from many other hotels and you may just want to see it too.
From the Mirage we walked the very crowded streets to the Treasure Island next door to see the outdoor Pirate Show. These are extremely crowded areas, hold onto any young kids. You can see the show from inside the Treasure Island too. I wrote about that in another review.
Just across the street is the Venetian Hotel. We did walk, it is probably the quickest way but the sun can be brutal. We loved walking in the Venetian complex. Having been to Venice I have to give this place many accolades on its reproductions of Venetian plazas and canals.
When we walked to Caesar's Palace which is on the south side of the Mirage we found an underground walkway that has great shopping and interesting things to see. This is the cooler way of also getting to the next door Bellagio which in turn is just south of Caesar's.
A free show you must see is the fountains on the lake in front of the Bellagio The dancing waters are set to music and this multimillion dollar project to build is fascinating. Across the street from the Belagio is the Alladin and Paris. Both of these are relatively new additions to the strip. It is amazing having the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe standing high above you.
One day we drove our car to the MGM, did a nearby family entertainment place, and then walked around a bit.
In this area is a system of overpasses and moving walkways that keep you from having to cross the very, very, busy and possibly dangerous Las Vegas Boulevard. The moving walks and overpasses link the Excalibur, New York, New York, and the MGM. These can be very crowded too.
Being from New York we had to visit that casino. It is amazing seeing a replica of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty outside the front of the place. My kids did the roller coaster that you can see inside or outside NY, NY.
If you wanted to walk south between the Excaliber, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay you have a good amount of ground to cover. There is some alternate transportation there that I will mention in a bit.
From the Mirage and Treasure Island it is a long walk to other casinos like Circus Circus, the Hilton and convention center and finally the Stratosphere on the north end of the strip.
TRAMS and MONORAILS
Even though we stayed at the Mirage I had no idea that there was a tram system that connected to Treasure Island. I found out about it while checking source for this review. It actually seems to connect the backs of both hotels meaning it probably wouldn't help as far as trying to get a good view of the Pirate show on the street.
Way over on the south part of town at the Mandalay, LUxor and Excalibur is a people moving system that connects all three. I didn't do this but read it is quiet, air conditioned, and moves a lot of people in a short amount of time.
There was a system like this between the Monte Carlo and the Bellagio that I read about in Las Vegas.com that is now closed for the next two years. The same is true of the monorail that serviced Bally's and the MGM.
What is happening now and is slated for a 2004 opening is the building of a monorail system that will move people from the MGM linking the Alladin, Paris, Bally's Flamingo, Harrah's, Venetian and the Hilton and Convention Center. From what I can see on a map showing this new system is that there will be five stops on it. The MGM to a stop near Harrah's, then the Flamingo, Bally's and then through to the Convention Center.
This plan for the near future should help the heavy traffic on the Boulevard.
BUSES and TROLLIES
The city has a bus system that moves along Las Vegas Boulevard. They stop near and between all the casino on the strip. There is also a trolly system that has been around for fifteen years. No, it's really one of those trolly looking buses. The good thing about these is that they drop you off closer to the casino than the public buses. They actually drop you off on Casino property. Depending on the casino, some get you real close to the doors while other stops are a short walk.
I think this is a pretty good way of getting around. They stop by every fifteen minutes or so between the hours of 9:30 AM and 1:30AM every day. They now cost $1.75. It was $1.50 when we were there. You do need exact change as the driver does not and will not make change. Dollar bills and exact change are fine.
These "trolleys" that hold about 35 people also offer handicap access. You will see these trollies running from Mandalay Bay and the Stratosphere and most of the major hotels in between.
TAXIS and LIMOS
Taxis are everywhere. They are at times the fastest way to get door to door service. Though it may not be exact but from the Vegas.com site I read that the meter starts at $2.70 and charges $1.80 per 1/9 of a mile thereafter. Once you have two to four people in the cab that helps make the fares more bearable. We used cabs a few times. We didn't always want to use the car and at night preferred door to door rather than other public means.
There are times, especially after a show lets out at a casino, where the taxi lines are very long. Do know that the cab drivers from all over town know the show schedules and though the line is long, the cabs come flying in constantly. I found the cabs clean and the cabbies friendly and knowledgeable.
Limos are good for groups up to six. They are $40.00 to $50.00 per hour. This is good for a special night out when you want to ride together. Ha, these are the times I take my car. There are many, Many limo services in town. The hotel can hook you up with a good one.
GETTING AROUND BY CAR, YOUR OWN or RENTAL
We rented a car at the airport and drove directly to our hotel via the Strip. Big mistake! The traffic here is always slow. At the same time I suppose it was the best way for the kids, who had never been to Vegas before, to see the amazing structures built to lure us in.
What I do suggest is getting a map right away and try to familiarize yourself with the back streets. It isn't all that easy because of the highway just west of the strip. If you have good navigational skills go by car. If you get lost easily stay on the strip or find alternate means.
If you happen to use taxi service on occasion watch how they get around town. That's where I learned a few shortcuts.
Self parking at most of the hotels is a good walk to the hotel itself. Many take you all through casino area too. I parked at the MGM once and it felt like I walked a couple of miles to join up with the family in front of the place.
I found that it was worth my dollars and time to use valet parking. Most were pretty quick and easy to get to and from in front of the hotel. I found at the Flamingo you had to be aggressive getting to the drop off area and having somebody take your car. A car is good with a larger group because it can be quicker getting around and the cost can be less than other means.
Well that's about it my friends. Go to Vegas have a good time.
other Vegas reviews by popsrocks
Las Vegas
Flamingo Hotel
Mirage Hotel
A Good VEGAS BOOK for before you travel or to keep with you while in Vegas
Frommer's Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Strip was listed in the book1,000 Places To See Before You Die
Nearby National Parks we did from Vegas.
Grand Canyon
Bryce Canyon
Zion National Park
Death Valley National
Other Fantastic Cities to visit!!
Key West, Florida
New Orleans
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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