1. Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
As the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign approaches its 65th anniversary, the lights are still on, and it’s never been more celebrated. It has become the quintessential symbol of Las Vegas and a staple of American culture. Built by Western Neon and designed by Betty Willis in 1959, the Welcome sign was placed by Ted Rogich at McCarran Airport to entice drivers to enjoy the sights and sounds of Sin City. Throughout the years, the Welcome sign has been featured in countless photos, movies, TV shows, music videos, and video games. Revitalized by John Woodrum in the 1970s, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign serves as the iconically swanky entrance to Sin City. Public access to the sign was made possible in 2008 with the construction of parking spaces and a walkway. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, the Welcome sign is the last piece of 1950s Las Vegas left standing for residents and visitors to enjoy.
2. New York New York Hotel
Opened in 1997, The New York New York Hotel and Casino brings a streamlined version of Manhattan to the desert. Although the recreation is limited in scope and scale, the attempt is impressive: dozens of landmarks are reproduced, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Grant’s Tomb, the United Nations Building Assembly Hall, Grand Central Station, and the Whitney Museum. The casino’s Statue of Liberty is built at one-half scale, standing 150 feet tall; its Empire State Building stands 47 stories tall. Winding through the faux cityscape is a Coney Island-style roller coaster called the Manhattan Express. Las Vegas’s New York combines the best of the Big Apple’s landmarks, neighborhoods, nightlife, food, and shopping with the best gaming and gambling Sin City can offer. New York-New York creates the silhouette that is most confusing from afar, making Las Vegas the first city to contain sections of another city’s skyline.
3. Luxor
In the thick of the Vegas Strip stands a giant black pyramid. At night, a beam of light shoots skyward from the pyramid’s north point, visible for miles beyond in any direction. In front, a sphinx reclines. At the property’s entrance, an obelisk inscribed “LUXOR” reveals the property's name. Taken in all at once, the area is an uncanny reimagining of Ancient Egypt. Opened in 1993, the Luxor is one of Las Vegas’s most recognizable sights. Built by Circus Circus Enterprises and designed by Veldon Simpson, the Luxor was initially a resort for families seeking themepark experiences. However, the Luxor is arguably the Strip’s most cursed building, possibly due to its inattention to Egyptian belief, the pyramid’s dark mystical properties, it being modeled after a tomb, and that it sits on a site of a popular burial ground for mobsters’ victims. Despite its misfortunes, the Luxor is still open, operational, and successful. From the Sky Beam to its haunted halls, massive atrium, and unique elevators, the Luxor offers visitors kitsch and glam that combines five-star dining, a casino, and a swimming pool with an environment that feels ancient and significant.
4. Bellagio
Conceptualized by Steve Wynn and designed by Atlandia Design, Jon Jerde, and Roger Thomas, The Bellagio on the Strip has a timeless, restrained charm despite having nearly 4,000 rooms and suites. Completed in 1998 for nearly $1.6 billion, its most famous feature is the 1,200 water fountains that erupt from its version of Lake Cuomo out front. The Bellagio both transformed Las Vegas into an opulent travel destination and made gambling upscale entertainment. Inspired by Bellagio, Italy, the hotel, resort, and casino triumph over the strip and entice its visitors to come inside and shop through its fountain shows. In addition, it hosts several Michelin Star restaurants, a botanical garden, conservatory, poker room, and fine art gallery. But despite all its various features, the only way to appreciate the Bellagio’s grandeur is to go and visit the hotel yourself.
5. Paris Las Vegas
Experience everything you love about Paris, right in the heart of the Strip. At Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, you are transported to the City of Lights with the same passion, excitement, and ambiance of Europe's most quixotic city. Designed by Joel Bergman to resemble the Hôtel de Ville and completed in 1999, the property features nearly 3,000 guestrooms, a casino, and replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and the Paris Opera House. Centrally located on the Las Vegas Strip, Paris Las Vegas offers elevated experiences for its guests, including a wide variety of eateries and stores, the Eiffel Tower light show, and the Voie Spa & Salon. Say yes to Paris and book your stay today.
6. The Venetian
The Venetian Resort brings the soul, romance, and grandeur of Venice to Las Vegas. No other hotel can deliver the same exciting and rewarding experiences as The Venetian Resort –the premier destination for those who love to live richly. Designed by Sheldon Adelson and completed in 1999, the Venetian Resort serves as a beautiful tribute to the gorgeous city of Venice, Italy. Featuring such iconic landmarks as the Campanile Tower, St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge, and the Doge’s Palace, in addition to its own augmentations with the Acqua di Cristallo and Armillary Sphere, the Resort’s amazing attention to detail has made this tourist destination a wonderful work of art.
9. The Sphere
If you drive down the Las Vegas Strip, you’ll notice the Sphere. Designed by Populous and ICRAVE and opened in 2023, this groundbreaking structure boasts 16k resolution LED panels that wrap around its exoskeleton, flashing all kinds of unique visuals. The technology, design, and screens inside the Sphere transform the live-music experience into an immersive trip. The performance area is alight with a screen that regales showgoers in its seats with illusions, and every aspect of the venue is designed with performance and future experiences in mind. Once fans enter the venue’s Atrium, they’re surrounded by curved bridges and uninterrupted archways. Many of the space’s aspects feature programmable lighting design that transforms the space for different events. The venue launched with U2 kicking off their U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere residency in addition to playing Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth. In short, the venue is destined to make a permanent impact on the entertainment landscape.
15. Graceland Wedding Chapel
Graceland Wedding Chapel was originally built by Ollie McKee in 1927 as a family home on South 5th Street. In 1939, Ollie transformed his house into a wedding venue, making it one of the first chapels to open in Las Vegas. In 1967, Elvis Presley toured the chapel, forever changing the chapel’s destiny. After Elvis died in 1977, the chapel introduced the first-ever Elvis-themed wedding ceremonies. In 1989, Jon Bon Jovi married Dorothea Hurley at Graceland Wedding Chapel. In 2020, Graceland Wedding Chapel introduced the world’s first Elvis-themed virtual vow renewal. Today, Graceland Wedding Chapel has conducted over 300,000 ceremonies and remains the most iconic wedding chapel on the Vegas Strip. Over 80 years and thousands of ceremonies later, they have had many icons marry, renew vows, or visit the chapel including Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Ray Cyrus, Rob Zombie, Meat Loaf, Johnny Depp, Jay Leno, Salma Hayek, Def Leppard, The Beastie Boys, KISS, and Elvis Presley. Today, Graceland Wedding Chapel remains the most iconic wedding chapel in Las Vegas and continues to be recognized as the originator of the first Elvis-themed wedding ceremony.
16. Caesars Palace
Jay Sarno changed Las Vegas forever in 1966 when he opened its first themed resort: Caesars Palace. Borrowing elements from the Roman Empire, Sarno followed the principle that no amount of excess was enough. Initially launched with roughly 700 rooms among 14 stories, today Caesars Palace spans 85 acres in the heart of the Strip, with six hotel towers, nearly 4,000 rooms, and a shopping mall. Over its rich history, entertainment and excitement have always been at the heart of Caesars Palace. It’s played host to musical acts like Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Celine Dion, and Elton John. It’s been featured in movies like The Hangover, Rain Man, Iron Man, Dream Girls, and The Big Short. And when it comes to feats of skill and strength, Caesars Palace has hosted some of America’s most spectacular athletes like Evel Knievel and Muhammad Ail. Now owned by Caesars Entertainment Corp., Sarno's grand vision still reigns supreme. Nearly sixty years on, the party continues unabashed and unabated.
18. MGM Grand Garden
Here’s something you probably would not have noticed about the MGM Grand Garden as one of the world’s most iconic boxing venues: There are only 10 seats in the middle section rows, with the ones on the aisles lining up with the ring posts. Making its earth-shattering debut in 1994 when Julio Cesar Chavez defeated Frankie Randall in the 11th round, the Grand Garden immediately replaced Caesars Palace as the grand mecca for boxing. Over the next 30 years, MGM would host some of boxing’s most iconic fights: Foreman vs. Moorer, Holyfield vs. Tyson II, De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao, Mayweather vs. Alvarez, and Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. While the fight game has lost some luster in the years since the Grand Garden opened, the arena still packs a punch to this very day.
21. Fremont Street
Las Vegas is famous for its vibrant neon lights, bustling casinos, luxury resorts, and the promise of endless entertainment. But before the iconic Strip, there was Fremont Street – the birthplace of Las Vegas. Established in 1905, Fremont Street was originally a place for travelers to relax and unwind. As the city grew, so did Fremont Street, evolving with the times as more casinos and attractions filled the area in response to the city's booming population and tourism.
Today, Fremont Street is home to the Fremont Street Experience – a unique blend of vintage Vegas charm and modern-day attractions. This dynamic space features the legendary Vegas Vic, the world’s largest LED canopy screen with the Viva Vision, and the thrilling SlotZilla zipline, which takes off from the world’s largest slot machine. If you're looking for free concerts, dazzling light shows, affordable dining, and classic Vegas hospitality, Fremont Street is the place to be. With so much to explore, it's easy to see why visitors keep coming back for more unforgettable experiences in downtown Vegas.
23. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
Opened in 2000, Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is one of the world’s most prestigious animal facilities. This underwater oasis features over 2,000 animals in its 14 exhibits. The Aquarium’s main attraction is the Dive with Sharks Program, where divers are placed faceto-face with apex predators. However, the Aquarium’s best-kept secret is its most famous resident, the Green Sea Turtle Ocean Diver (OD). Named after the boat that rescued him in 2008, OD has lived harmoniously with two other green sea turtles at the Shipwreck Exhibit Neptune’s Fury for over a decade. These sea creatures and so much more invite you to explore and be amazed with this perfect aquatic wonderland.
24. Excalibur Hotel and Casino
Designed by Veldon Simpson and completed in 1990 as the world’s largest hotel, the Excalibur Hotel and Casino was one of the first “theme” casinos on the Vegas Strip and ushered in a new era of extravagantly designed buildings for Las Vegas. Seemingly overnight, massive casinos and hotels sprung up along Las Vegas Boulevard, drawing visitors’ attention and increasing the pressure for existing businesses to stand out. With nearly 4,000 rooms, this eccentrically vibrant Camelot glistens like a jewel under the hot Nevada sun.