Las Vegas Strip

State: Nevada. Type: entertainment/resort corridor, about 4.2 miles (6.8 km) long. Located in Clark County in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester, just south of the City of Las Vegas proper. First full-service casino-resort on the corridor opened in 1941; name attributed to LA police officer/businessman Guy McAfee, after Hollywood's Sunset Strip. Roughly 50,000 pedestrians walked the Strip on an average day as of 2019.

The Las Vegas Strip is the roughly 4.2-mile stretch of South Las Vegas Boulevard that holds most of the city's largest resort-casinos, from Bellagio and Caesars Palace to the MGM Grand, The Venetian and Mandalay Bay. Despite the name, the corridor technically lies outside Las Vegas city limits, in the unincorporated Clark County areas of Paradise and Winchester. Its casino-resort identity dates to 1941, when the first full-service resort opened here, and the strip grew through subsequent decades into the dense line of megaresorts, themed hotels and entertainment complexes recognized worldwide today. Beyond gambling, the Strip functions as a walkable outdoor stage for architecture and spectacle: replica landmarks, elaborate fountains, neon and video signage, and free street-level shows draw visitors who never set foot in a casino. A free tram system links some properties, the Las Vegas Monorail runs along the east side, and The Deuce double-decker bus serves the full corridor, making it possible to see much of the Strip without a car. It remains one of the most visited tourist corridors in the world and Nevada's signature destination.

The Strip runs along South Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada, roughly between Sahara Avenue to the north and the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign to the south. It sits within the unincorporated communities of Paradise and Winchester rather than inside the Las Vegas city limits, though it is universally associated with the Las Vegas name.

Las Vegas has a hot desert climate: summers (June-September) are extremely hot, with daytime highs regularly exceeding 100°F, while winters are mild with cool nights. Rainfall is minimal year-round, so weather rarely disrupts a visit, but summer heat is intense enough to affect outdoor walking between properties.

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for walking the Strip outdoors, avoiding both summer's extreme heat and winter's cooler nights. Evenings are popular year-round since the neon and fountain displays are a nighttime highlight regardless of season.

The modern Strip's history began in 1941 with the opening of the area's first full-service casino-resort, and it grew rapidly through the postwar decades as mob-financed and later corporate-owned resorts built increasingly large and themed properties along South Las Vegas Boulevard. Guy McAfee, a former Los Angeles police officer turned casino businessman, is credited with naming the stretch "the Strip" after Sunset Strip in his native Los Angeles. Over subsequent decades, the corridor evolved from freestanding motor-hotels into a dense line of megaresorts (Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, and later Bellagio, The Venetian, Wynn and others), even as the Strip technically remains outside Las Vegas's official city boundaries.

Walking the Strip itself is the core activity: watching the Bellagio fountains, the Fremont-style neon and video displays, and free attractions outside various resorts. Visitors also go inside resorts for their casinos, shows, shopping malls and themed architecture (a scaled Eiffel Tower, canal and gondolas at The Venetian, an Egyptian pyramid, and more). The Deuce bus and Las Vegas Monorail make it easy to hop between distant sections of the corridor rather than walking the full length.

Landmark resorts along the corridor include Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The Venetian, MGM Grand, Wynn/Encore, and Mandalay Bay, each offering distinct architecture, shopping and entertainment. The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign anchors the south end as a popular photo stop.

Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran) sits just southeast of the Strip and is the primary gateway, with taxis, rideshare and resort shuttles available for the short trip to most Strip properties. Within the corridor, the Las Vegas Monorail (east side stations), the Deuce double-decker bus, and free inter-property trams provide alternatives to walking or driving.

The Strip itself, its casinos, sidewalks and outdoor sign areas, is accessible 24 hours a day; individual resort attractions, shows and shops keep their own posted hours, which vary widely by property and should be checked directly.

There is no admission fee to walk the Strip or view its casinos, exteriors, and many free outdoor attractions. Specific shows, attractions, and casino floors inside individual resorts set their own separate ticket prices.

A single evening allows time to see a highlights stretch of the Strip on foot, but most visitors budget several days to explore multiple resorts, shows, and dining given the corridor's length and density of attractions.

The Strip itself is lined with large resort-hotels of every price tier, from budget-oriented properties to luxury towers, making on-Strip lodging the most common choice for visitors who want walkable access to casinos and shows. Nearby Paradise Road and areas just off the Strip offer additional hotel options at typically lower rates for those willing to commute a short distance.

Dining on the Strip ranges from resort food courts and buffets to celebrity-chef fine dining rooms inside the major casino-resorts. Many visitors eat inside whichever resort they are visiting given the density of options within each property, though the corridor also has standalone restaurants and quick-service options along the sidewalk level.

Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street) is a few miles north and offers an older, neon-heavy casino district as a contrast to the Strip's megaresorts. Harry Reid International Airport sits just to the southeast.

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the nearest airport, a short taxi or rideshare ride from most Strip resorts. Within the corridor, the Las Vegas Monorail and The Deuce bus provide transit along the length of the Strip.

As a dense pedestrian corridor, watch for traffic at Strip crossings and use marked pedestrian bridges/overpasses at major intersections. Keep an eye on belongings in crowded casino floors and sidewalks, and note that alcohol is served openly along the Strip, so use standard caution at night. For any emergency, dial 911.

Comfortable walking shoes are essential given the Strip's length; sunscreen, a hat and water are important during daytime heat, especially in summer. A portable phone charger is useful for a long day of photos and navigation between resorts.

Because the Strip is long, plan an itinerary by section rather than trying to walk its full length in one outing, and use the monorail or Deuce bus to cover distance quickly. Evening visits let you see the fountains, signage and lighting at their best. Book show and restaurant reservations in advance for popular resorts, since walk-in availability can be limited on weekends.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For general Las Vegas visitor questions, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority can be reached toll-free at 877-847-4858.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority - https://www.visitlasvegas.com

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.