The Las Vegas Strip

The Strip is a 4.2-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South running from Mandalay Bay at the south end to the Stratosphere at the north. Everything of consequence in tourist Las Vegas sits on or within a short walk of this corridor. The casinos are the architecture; most of the major ones are large enough to require 15-20 minutes to cross on foot from one end to another.

The most significant addition to the Las Vegas skyline in recent years sits just east of the Strip: the Sphere, a 366-foot spherical structure near the Venetian with an exterior LED display covering 580,000 square feet. In 2026 the lineup includes residencies from Eagles, Phish, No Doubt, and others, as well as the immersive Wizard of Oz Experience. The venue represents a genuinely new category of entertainment that didn’t exist before 2023.

Where to Stay

Bellagio remains the benchmark for mid-Strip luxury. The fountain show runs every 30 minutes in the afternoon and every 15 minutes in the evenings – free to watch from the sidewalk. The Conservatory inside changes seasonally.

The Cosmopolitan attracts a younger crowd with one of the better pools on the Strip. Caesars Palace (opened 1966) is sprawling and historic in Strip terms.

Fontainebleau, newly open at 67 stories on the north Strip, has brought new life to that end of the corridor with restaurants, shopping, and casino space. Vanderpump Hotel opens in spring 2026 at the former Cromwell Hotel.

Budget visitors: the further north on the Strip or the further off it you go, the cheaper rooms become. Circus Circus and hotels just east off the Strip offer functional rooms at a fraction of mid-Strip prices. The convention calendar drives prices significantly; a random Tuesday room that costs $80 can cost $400 when a major convention is in town.

Where to Eat

Bouchon at The Venetian (Thomas Keller’s French bistro) is reliable, expensive, and worth the brunch service. Jaleo at The Cosmopolitan (José Andrés’ Spanish tapas) is the best food choice in the mid-Strip range.

In-N-Out Burger has a Strip location south of the MGM Grand. The line is manageable and the price is a useful corrective after one too many resort-hotel meals. The buffets that made Las Vegas famous have largely disappeared or declined; Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan is the main exception that still performs well.

Things to Do

Bellagio Fountains: Visible from the sidewalk for free. Evening shows with larger jets and more dramatic lighting are the better option.

High Roller Observation Wheel at 167 metres (opened 2014): A full revolution takes about 30 minutes. Happy hour cars with an open bar are available – the better option for anyone who finds the wheel itself slow.

Fremont Street Experience: Downtown, about 4 miles north of the main Strip. The old-Vegas casinos (Golden Nugget, Binion’s) line a pedestrianised section covered by an LED canopy with free light shows after dark every hour. Cheaper drinks, lower minimum bets.

Red Rock Canyon: 17 miles west via the 215 Beltway. A national conservation area with sandstone escarpments and hiking trails. Half-day trip from the Strip.

Practical Notes

Walking the Strip looks shorter on a map than it is in reality. The blocks are long and the casinos are set back from the road. Allow twice the time you expect to get anywhere on foot. The Las Vegas Monorail runs along the east side and is useful for longer mid-Strip trips, though it doesn’t reach either end. Drink service is free at casino tables and slot machines; tip the server.