My guide to Casinos on the STRIP and other Las Vegas, NV Things to Do Tips

"The Strip" is Las Vegas Boulevard. There are Twenty Eight casinos ON this boulevard -- and I have been in narly ALL of those ( I have not ben in the Stratosphere) plus more.

NORTH STRIP:

Circus - Circus. I do not like this casino. It is noisy. It was designed many years ago as a place for families. In the buffet I felt like I was in a giant food fight. But if you want to see a free circus this is your place.

Riviera -- this is the FIRST casino I ever visited. It is still very "old-style." You can get a feel for the way Vegas was formerly just gambling and shows. The buffet was good a few years ago, the rooms usually are a bargain, and some of the shows are really good. This is NO LONGER a good location along the Strip.

Westward Ho -- I just HAD to stop here. They have some very good prices and it is worth visiting once. Old time western theme.

Stardust -- another throw-back to old LV. You will almost always find cheap rooms here. If you don't mind walking to the center of the Strip you might like this.

Frontier -- another older casino. Clearly western themed. Again, you might find really cheap rooms.

CENTER STRIP:

Treasure Island - this one will be renovated and the pirate show has changed. This was a more modern destination for families and I like the buffet. With the monorail to the Mirage this was always a good location.

Venetian - this is a MUST VISIT. Even if you've been to Venice it is still nice. There is a lot to see and the ceiling art work is a marvel. DO visit the shops!

Mirage -- the second casino where I ever stayed and the reason I fell in love with Las Vegas. Beautiful lobby - a true paradice. This is a classy place.

Harrah's -- From the people who bring you many riverboats this is a nice place. Catch the good free entertainment in a lounge.

Casino Royale -- more like a fast-food restaurant this place is tucked away as one of the many small casinos in Vegas. I would skip it unless you want to say you have been in them all.

more coming...

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SEE CASINOS ON THE STRIP EARLIER, TOO

CENTER STRIP:

Flamingo -- one of my favorites and the first lodging that ever existed. This was founded by Seagel when LV really started and it is a great property. I love the pool and the food! This is the heart of the action in Vegas.

Caesars -- Old World Charm. This place seems very classy and yet it is a bit "old style." This is another "MUST VISIT." Get to the Forum shops -- watch the show of the moving statues and see the sky turn from night to day.

Barbary Coast -- my favorite gambling and midnight breakfast spot. The type of small casino where gamblers like to play!

Bally's -- the former MGM Grand. Really not much to see but somehow I always end up here. Likely the location brings me back in. http://www.parkplace.com/ballys/lasvegas/

Bellagio -- where I will stay if I hit the lotto. This is where I go for a relaxing lounge. The Fontana Bar has a great view, great drinks, and superb entertainment. You won't want to miss the art or the garden.

Paris -- another "don't miss" attraction. Even if you've been to France and Paris it is still worth seeing.

Aladdin/new Hard Rock -- go now and see it before it changes. It really was a nice casino with nice shops. Soon Hard Rock will be "on the Strip."

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Boardwalk Casino -- now closed, was a Holiday Inn I stayed here a few times. The rooms were fine and cheap. But the casino was a yawn.

Monte Carlo -- a fine place with the best value of a show in Vegas: Lance Burton. Go for the show, stay to visit the brewery! Oh, and the buffet is very nice, too.

New York, New York -- if you are visiting theme casinos you'll want to see this one. It is very different and you do not get the feeling that you are in one big room as with many casinos. The Sports Book is particularly appealing here.

MGM Grand -- the "big tuna" of casino hotels. I love the buffet and the atmosphere is very good. Yet it is a monster of a place. Good restaurants, nice shows -- the central lounge often has great entertainment.

Tropicana -- don't ask me why I like this casino. I guess it reminds me of "old Las Vegas." You'll see older balding guys and the casino is actually small. Yet the tropical theme always draws me in. Sometimes the steel drum band or another lounge act is really fun.

Excaliber -- to ME, kids and gambling don't really fit. So I tend not to spend much time here. It is loud and full of kids. But if you like Midieval Times you'll like this.

Luxor -- DO NOT MISS THIS property! Home of the fabulous King Tut museum, the Blue Man Group show, and - hey - it is a pyramid!

Mandaly Bay - home to the best pool in Vegas, the Shark Reef, and more. While I find the casino (one big room feeling) a bit boring there is too much you want to see here to pass it up.

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Top Ten POOLS in Vegas (source: The Travel Channel television)

10. Palms resort and casino
9. Luxor casino
8. Venetian casino
7. Bellagio casino
6. MGM Grand casino
5. Flamingo Las Vegas <-- my favorite!
4. Caesars resort and casino
3. Mirage casino (it is very cool)
2. Hard Rock casino (known for those 21 to 30 as the party spot)

#1. Mandalay Bay casino --1700 tons of California sand, 62 acres of pools and gardens, 4 pools (1 for VIPS only), includes a 1/4 mile oval "river at the speed of .25 miles per hour and 2 waterfalls, Wave Pool , and 1,000 lounge chairs!

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Directions: all except the Hard Rock are on "the Strip"

SHOPPING IN LAS VEGAS IS LIKE NO WHERE ELSE! it is reported that 50,000 people shop in just the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace each day!
the ceiling of the Forum Shops looks like sky and actually fades from night to day EACH HOUR

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Directions: CAESAR'S FORUM SHOPS: Directory of Shops

A/X Armani
Abercrombie & Fitch
Alfred Dunhill

Allstate Ticketing & Tours
Animal Crackers <
Ann Taylor
Antiquities
Avventura
Amen War
Other Contact: attached to Caesar's Palace Casi

Tropicana Casino & Resort -- an oldy but goodie
Has a feel of Old Las Vegas yet still in the Heart of the Action. Older folks tend to stay here but drinks are a bit cheaper, the casino is nice, and the pool is worth seeing. TIP: Get a Margarita or other 'Boat Drink' - they're good here!!

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Directions: The Tropicana Resort and Casino
is located at 3801 Las Vegas Blvd. So.
...on 'The Four Corners',
the busiest intersection in the world! Las Vegas Blvd. ('the Strip') and Tropicana Blvd

Old Las Vegas continually renewed. I always try to visit the Golden Nugget. Older players but what an ELEGANT place!!

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Address: DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS
Other Contact:

November: 4-7

THE FOUNTAINS OF BELLAGIO - my wife's favorite site - especially when viewed from the Fontana Bar INSIDE the Bellagio
The fountains span more than 1,000 feet and soar up to 240 feet in the air. The shows are choreographed to music ranging from Luciano Pavarotti to Frank Sinatra.

Where: Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Hours: Performances every half-hour 3-8 p.m. Mon-Fri and noon-8 p.m. Sat-Sun. After 8 p.m., performances are every 15 minutes until midnight.

HERE is the first half of the music list :Show # 1 Title: One, Singular Sensation. Artist: Original Broadway Cast. Composer: Marvin Hamlisch. Work: A Chorus Line, Broadway Musical. Year: 1975. Length 4:43

Show # 3 Title: Hoe-Down. Artist: London Symphony Orchestra. Composer: Aaron Copland. Work: Rodeo. Year: 1988. Length 3:30

Show # 4 Title: Simple Gifts. Artist: London Symphony Orchestra. Composer: Aaron Copland. Work: Appalachian Spring. Year: 1988. Length 3:12

Show # 5 Title: Singin' in the Rain. Artist: Gene Kelly. Composer: Alex North. Work: Singin' in the Rain, Movie Musical. Year: 1952. Length 3:32

Show # 7 Title: Rondine al Nido. Artist: Luciano Pavarotti. Composer: Vicenzo deCrescenzo. Work: La Rondine, Opera. Year: 1990. Length 3:23

Show # 8 Title: Luck Be A Lady. Artist: Frank Sinatra. Composer: Frank Losser. Work: Guys & Dolls, Broadway Musical. Year: 1955. Length 5:14

Show # 11 Title: Winter Games. Artist: David Foster. Composer: David Foster. Work: Composed for Winter Olympics. Year: 1987. Length 3:00

Show # 12 Title: Hey, Big Spender. Artist: Gwen Verdon & Original Broadway Cast. Composer: Cy Coleman. Work: Sweet Charity, Broadway Musical. Year: 1966. Length 3:35

Show # 22 Title: Con Te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye). Artist: Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman. Composer: F.Sartori, L.Quarantotto. Work: Pop Song. Year: 1996. Length 4:04

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Address: 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Directions: Center Strip

I go downtown for one reason. The Golden Nugget is a class casino. I love thier sports book and the atmosphere. It is now popular with folks 50+ since it is not the hustle and bustle of the Strip. Yet I cannot quite talk myself into ONLY staying here and not seeing the Strip. This is the ONE 'must see' casino downtown.

Binion's Horseshoe-- you go to this casino because you've heard about it. This is THE Poker casino in Vegas.

Fitzgeralds -- home of some good free shows! This casino is nice so while downtown stop in!

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