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Las Vegas Strip
USINFO | 2013-08-05 18:27
Transportation
While not on the Strip itself, the Las Vegas Monorail runs on the east side of the Strip from Tropicana Avenue to Sahara Road.
RTC Transit (formerly CAT or Citizens Area Transit 1992–2008) provides service on the Strip with double decker buses known as The Deuce. The Deuce runs between Mandalay Bay at the southern end of the Strip to the Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) in Downtown Las Vegas, with stops near every casino. RTC also operates an express bus called the Strip and Downtown Express (SDX). This route connects the Strip to the Las Vegas Convention Center and Downtown Las Vegas to the north, with stops at selected hotels and shopping attractions.
Several free trams operate on the west side of the Strip:
Mandalay Bay Tram connecting the Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur
CityCenter Tram connecting the Monte Carlo, Crystals, and Bellagio
Between Treasure Island and The Mirage
Taxis can only stop at hotel entrances or designated spots, so when planning to get somewhere, passengers inquire as to which hotel or taxi stand is closest to the intended destination.
Before CAT Bus came on in 1992, mass transit on the Strip was provided by a private transit company, Las Vegas Transit. The Strip route was their only profitable route and supported the whole bus system.
Free shuttles
The Strip traffic during the day, looking north from the MGM Grand
Some of the shuttles have a policy requiring a room key from an affiliated casino. Enforcement of these policies may vary.
Between Harrah's and the Rio. Approximately every 30 minutes.
Between Sam's Town and Bill's Gamblin' Hall, Harrah's, Riviera, and Tropicana. Approximately every hour and a half.
Between Paris/Bally's and the Rio. Approximately every 30 minutes.
Between Hard Rock and the Fashion Show Mall. Leaves the Hard Rock every 60 minutes on the hour.
Between Trump International Hotel and the The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Leaves the Trump Las Vegas every 15 minutes.
Between Trump International Hotel and the Wynn. Leaves the Trump Las Vegas every 15 minutes.
Walking around
Several Strip hotels have undertaken efforts to make the street more pedestrian-friendly. New casinos design their façades to attract walk-up customers, and many of these entrances have become attractions themselves—the Fountains at Bellagio, the volcano at The Mirage, and the Sirens of TI show at Treasure Island. Spectators gather on the sidewalks in front of the casinos to watch these shows.
To alleviate traffic issues at popular intersections, several footbridges have been installed to help pedestrians safely traverse the roads. The Tropicana – Las Vegas Boulevard footbridges were the first to be installed, and based on the success of this project additional footbridges have been built on Las Vegas Boulevard at the Flamingo Road intersection; between The Mirage/Treasure Island and The Venetian, and at the Las Vegas Boulevard-Spring Mountain and Sands Avenue intersection connecting the Wynn with the Fashion Show Mall and The Palazzo. A new footbridge has recently been completed and connects Planet Hollywood with CityCenter and The Cosmopolitan at the Harmon Avenue intersection.
Golf courses
In recent years, all but one of the on-Strip golf courses (the Desert Inn Golf Course) have fallen prey to the mega-resorts' need for land and have closed. Developer Steve Wynn, founder of previously owned Mirage Resorts, purchased the Desert Inn and golf course for his new company Wynn Resorts. In 2005, he opened Wynn Las Vegas, complete with remodeled golf course providing tee times to hotel guests only.
In 2000, Bali Hai Golf Club opened just south of Mandalay Bay and the Strip.
Shopping attractions
Bonanza Gift Shop is billed as the "World's Largest Gift Shop", with over 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) of shopping space.
The Shoppes at The Palazzo feature luxury stores including the only Barneys New York department store in Las Vegas.
Fashion Show Mall is adjacent to Treasure Island and opposite Wynn Las Vegas.
Grand Canal Shoppes is a luxury mall connected to The Venetian with canals, gondolas and singing gondoliers.
Miracle Mile is part of the Planet Hollywood hotel.
The Forum Shops at Caesars is a luxury mall connected to Caesars Palace, with more than 160 shops and 11 restaurants.
Crystals at CityCenter is a luxury high-fashion mall at CityCenter.
Harmon Corner is a three story retail center located next to Planet Hollywood with shops, restaurants and a Eli Roth's Goretorium attraction.
The LINQ is an open-air retail, dining and entertainment district located between The Quad and Flamingo resorts opening in late 2013.
Entertainment
Most of the attractions and shows on the Strip are located on the hotel casino properties. Some of the more popular free attractions visible from the Strip include the water fountains at Bellagio, the Sirens of TI show at Treasure Island, the volcano at The Mirage, and the Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain at Caesars Palace. There are several Cirque du Soleil shows, such as Kà at the MGM Grand, O at Bellagio, Mystère at Treasure Island, Zumanity (for ages 18 and older) at New York-New York, and Criss Angel Believe at the Luxor.
The only movie theatre directly on the Strip is the 10-screen Regal Showcase Theatre in the Showcase Mall next to the MGM Grand (opened in 1997 and operated by Regal Entertainment Group).
While not on the Strip itself, the Las Vegas Monorail runs on the east side of the Strip from Tropicana Avenue to Sahara Road.
RTC Transit (formerly CAT or Citizens Area Transit 1992–2008) provides service on the Strip with double decker buses known as The Deuce. The Deuce runs between Mandalay Bay at the southern end of the Strip to the Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) in Downtown Las Vegas, with stops near every casino. RTC also operates an express bus called the Strip and Downtown Express (SDX). This route connects the Strip to the Las Vegas Convention Center and Downtown Las Vegas to the north, with stops at selected hotels and shopping attractions.
Several free trams operate on the west side of the Strip:
Mandalay Bay Tram connecting the Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur
CityCenter Tram connecting the Monte Carlo, Crystals, and Bellagio
Between Treasure Island and The Mirage
Taxis can only stop at hotel entrances or designated spots, so when planning to get somewhere, passengers inquire as to which hotel or taxi stand is closest to the intended destination.
Before CAT Bus came on in 1992, mass transit on the Strip was provided by a private transit company, Las Vegas Transit. The Strip route was their only profitable route and supported the whole bus system.
Free shuttles
The Strip traffic during the day, looking north from the MGM Grand
Some of the shuttles have a policy requiring a room key from an affiliated casino. Enforcement of these policies may vary.
Between Harrah's and the Rio. Approximately every 30 minutes.
Between Sam's Town and Bill's Gamblin' Hall, Harrah's, Riviera, and Tropicana. Approximately every hour and a half.
Between Paris/Bally's and the Rio. Approximately every 30 minutes.
Between Hard Rock and the Fashion Show Mall. Leaves the Hard Rock every 60 minutes on the hour.
Between Trump International Hotel and the The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Leaves the Trump Las Vegas every 15 minutes.
Between Trump International Hotel and the Wynn. Leaves the Trump Las Vegas every 15 minutes.
Walking around
Several Strip hotels have undertaken efforts to make the street more pedestrian-friendly. New casinos design their façades to attract walk-up customers, and many of these entrances have become attractions themselves—the Fountains at Bellagio, the volcano at The Mirage, and the Sirens of TI show at Treasure Island. Spectators gather on the sidewalks in front of the casinos to watch these shows.
To alleviate traffic issues at popular intersections, several footbridges have been installed to help pedestrians safely traverse the roads. The Tropicana – Las Vegas Boulevard footbridges were the first to be installed, and based on the success of this project additional footbridges have been built on Las Vegas Boulevard at the Flamingo Road intersection; between The Mirage/Treasure Island and The Venetian, and at the Las Vegas Boulevard-Spring Mountain and Sands Avenue intersection connecting the Wynn with the Fashion Show Mall and The Palazzo. A new footbridge has recently been completed and connects Planet Hollywood with CityCenter and The Cosmopolitan at the Harmon Avenue intersection.
Golf courses
In recent years, all but one of the on-Strip golf courses (the Desert Inn Golf Course) have fallen prey to the mega-resorts' need for land and have closed. Developer Steve Wynn, founder of previously owned Mirage Resorts, purchased the Desert Inn and golf course for his new company Wynn Resorts. In 2005, he opened Wynn Las Vegas, complete with remodeled golf course providing tee times to hotel guests only.
In 2000, Bali Hai Golf Club opened just south of Mandalay Bay and the Strip.
Shopping attractions
Bonanza Gift Shop is billed as the "World's Largest Gift Shop", with over 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) of shopping space.
The Shoppes at The Palazzo feature luxury stores including the only Barneys New York department store in Las Vegas.
Fashion Show Mall is adjacent to Treasure Island and opposite Wynn Las Vegas.
Grand Canal Shoppes is a luxury mall connected to The Venetian with canals, gondolas and singing gondoliers.
Miracle Mile is part of the Planet Hollywood hotel.
The Forum Shops at Caesars is a luxury mall connected to Caesars Palace, with more than 160 shops and 11 restaurants.
Crystals at CityCenter is a luxury high-fashion mall at CityCenter.
Harmon Corner is a three story retail center located next to Planet Hollywood with shops, restaurants and a Eli Roth's Goretorium attraction.
The LINQ is an open-air retail, dining and entertainment district located between The Quad and Flamingo resorts opening in late 2013.
Entertainment
Most of the attractions and shows on the Strip are located on the hotel casino properties. Some of the more popular free attractions visible from the Strip include the water fountains at Bellagio, the Sirens of TI show at Treasure Island, the volcano at The Mirage, and the Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain at Caesars Palace. There are several Cirque du Soleil shows, such as Kà at the MGM Grand, O at Bellagio, Mystère at Treasure Island, Zumanity (for ages 18 and older) at New York-New York, and Criss Angel Believe at the Luxor.
The only movie theatre directly on the Strip is the 10-screen Regal Showcase Theatre in the Showcase Mall next to the MGM Grand (opened in 1997 and operated by Regal Entertainment Group).
