What Is The Las Vegas Strip? Vegas Right Now!

This post may contain affiliate partner links. View our privacy statement HERE.

“Las Vegas is my country, and The Strip is my hometown!” – Shaunda Necole

Despite all the excitement around Las Vegas and the city’s unprecedented number of casinos, neon signs, and extraordinary world-famous reputation, family, friends, and first-time visitors to Sin City still ask me…

“What is the Las Vegas Strip?”

In short, The Strip is THE place to be.

Picture a dazzling desert night illuminated by a kaleidoscope of neon lights, where the line between reality and fantasy blurs into a realm of boundless possibilities. A place where dreams are woven into the fabric of a city that never sleeps. A place where every corner reveals an exciting adventure, and the air crackles with electrifying energy.

This, my friends, is the legendary Las Vegas Strip.

So, buckle up because the Las Vegas Strip is more than just a destination. It’s a whirlwind of emotions, a fusion of cultures, and a symphony of lights that will ignite your imagination. If you plan a trip to this iconic destination, here’s what to know about things to do on the Las Vegas Strip…

What part of The Strip is best in Las Vegas?

🎧 Listen to the podcast episode: What Is The Las Vegas Strip?

What is The Strip in Las Vegas?

The Las Vegas Strip is a well-known street called Las Vegas Boulevard that spans 4.2 miles, starting at The Strat Hotel near Sahara Avenue (on the North end) and ending at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign just past the Mandalay Bay Hotel (on the South end). Established with its first resort, El Rancho Vegas, in 1941, this iconic stretch of road has since evolved into a world-renowned entertainment hub, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Las Vegas Strip map

Despite its relatively short distance, it’s a popular tourist destination with approximately 43 million visitors annually (and counting)! With towering resorts, sprawling casinos, and endless entertainment options, it’s no wonder why this bustling boulevard is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting.

Top facts and stats about the Las Vegas Strip

Length – The Las Vegas Strip is approximately 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers) long.
Location – Most of the Las Vegas Strip is located within Paradise (an unincorporated township and census-designated town) and not within Las Vegas city limits.
Number of hotel rooms – The Strip boasts over 150,000 hotel rooms, making it one of the largest hotel concentrations in the world.
High Roller – The High Roller Observation Wheel at LINQ Promenade on The Strip is the world’s tallest observation wheel at 550 feet high (167 meters).
Sphere Las Vegas – This entertainment venue holds the distinction of being the largest spherical structure in the entire world!
Average visitors – Las Vegas attracts over 40 million visitors annually.
Iconic landmarks – The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign, inaugurated in 1959, is one of the most iconic and photographed Strip landmarks. It’s located on the South end of The Strip, just past the Mandalay Bay Resort.
Fountains of Bellagio – Bellagio’s fountain show, which features dancing water choreographed to music and lights, uses over 1,200 individual jets.

Las Vegas Strip location

The area where the most iconic hotels and tourist attractions are located is Las Vegas Boulevard, yet surprisingly, the Las Vegas Strip is not actually in Las Vegas. An interesting fact that few people know is that a significant portion of The Strip falls within the boundaries of Paradise, an unincorporated town in Clark County, Nevada, and not within Las Vegas city limits.

Like so many things in Las Vegas, the creation of Paradise is linked to gambling. The town of Paradise was created so that the casinos there could avoid paying taxes to the city of Las Vegas!

While a small part of Las Vegas extends into Las Vegas Boulevard at the northern end of The Strip, Las Vegas Boulevard South is widely regarded as the official Las Vegas Strip. The famous hotels and casinos on South Las Vegas Boulevard have made the area internationally renowned. A few of these iconic hotels within Paradise include The Venetian, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, MGM Grand Hotel, The Cosmopolitan, Planet Hollywood, and the Luxor Hotel (the icon Egyptian Pyramid hotel).

Located at the southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard, the world-famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign is considered the southernmost point on the Las Vegas Strip. Interestingly, like The Strip, the sign is not officially located within Las Vegas city limits.

What are some highlights of the Las Vegas Strip?

The Strip is home to some of the world’s most famous resort hotel casinos, including Bellagio, The Venetian, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Wynn Las Vegas, and many more. Even secret hotels are nestled inside the famous hotels. And clandestine speakeasy bars and restaurants are tucked away and hidden right in plain sight!

Each hotel offers unique style, attractions, entertainment, and gaming options to embody what’s known as the Las Vegas experience (Not to be confused with The Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas).

Things to do on the Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas Strip hotels and entertainment – Enjoy a bird’s eye view and a closer look at Las Vegas’ best places from the top of an Eiffel Tower replica at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, or wander into miniature Manhattan at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino. Add a touch of Italian flair to your Las Vegas Strip tour with the gondola rides at The Venetian along its canals, or immerse yourself in an underwater adventure by visiting the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. The Bellagio Fountain show attracts crowds of tourists all throughout the day. And let’s not forget the most impressive of all – live entertainment. The biggest names in musicians, magicians, and comedians in concerts, exclusive residencies, and world-class only-in-Vegas shows!

Fine dining on The Strip – Besides entertainment and luxury, the Las Vegas Strip is famous for its diverse and exciting dining options. Vegas has some of the best restaurants in the world! You’ll find an impressive selection of award-winning celebrity chef restaurants and gourmet buffets that cater to every palate. With a wide range of international cuisine, it’s a haven for food lovers seeking the ultimate dining experience.

Las Vegas Strip shopping – Unlike any other city, many of the large hotels on the Vegas Strip are inclusive of their very own shopping malls! High-end shopping malls like The Forum Shops inside Caesars Palace and The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian offer luxury retail experiences with many boutiques and stores. The Fashion Show Mall mixes moderately priced, well-known retailers with high-end department stores. The Shops at Crystals offers a unique shopping experience with exclusive luxury stores and brands like Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Hermès, and Gucci. With many more malls and big brand stores like Target, Marshalls, Ross, or Burlington, this 4.2-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard is a dream destination for shopping enthusiasts!

Casinos on The Strip – And, of course, The Strip is home to Las Vegas’ world-famous casinos – the major draw to Las Vegas! You can try your luck at various games, from slot machines to poker. Table games like blackjack and roulette. Even sports betting, high-limit games, and more!

And yes, when you’re gambling, you get free drinks! (Don’t forget to tip the cocktail waitresses and waiters generously.)

Pro tip: Adults 21 and over can walk along The Strip with open containers of alcohol and drink. However, glass containers and aluminum cans are not allowed.

What You Can Not Miss On The Las Vegas Strip

Where to stay in Las Vegas on The Strip

What part of The Strip is best in Las Vegas?

The Strip splits into North and South sections around the central midpoint, dividing the properties after and preceding Caesars Palace.

However, in my local opinion, and as your defacto expert here…

I say the North Strip is the best Strip! Because of the most iconic hotels positioned there:

North Strip Las Vegas hotels

However, I must admit that The Tour Guy online makes an excellent argument that South Strip is the best Strip because…

“Ostentatious is the name of the game in Vegas. The more flashy, gaudy, or luxurious, the better. The south end of the Strip has tons of hotel options, including some of the most iconic hotels in Vegas: New York–New York, Paris, the Bellagio, MGM, Aria, Cosmo, and much more.”

But the best answer is based on real estate’s one main rule: Location, location, location!

So, as a licensed Nevada real estate agent, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you that the best part of The Las Vegas Strip is Central Strip – the heart of the Vegas Strip!

Central Strip is full of non-stop Vegas action! It’s also within walking distance of most of The Strip’s famous highlights, like the Bellagio Fountain, City Center, and the Volcano at The Mirage. Central Strip also has the most classic landmark hotels.

Las Vegas Central Strip hotels

Where To Stay In Vegas? Las Vegas Hotel Recommendations

Is it better to stay on the Las Vegas Strip or off?

Staying on the Las Vegas Strip, in most cases, costs more. But it’s more suited and fitting if you’re visiting for the first time and want an easy, convenient, stress-free experience. You also won’t need a car to get around.

What is The Las Vegas Strip? FAQs

What was the first hotel built on the Las Vegas Strip?

Thomas Hull opened the first hotel and casino, El Rancho Vegas, on the Las Vegas Strip on April 3, 1941.

Which part of Nevada is the Las Vegas Strip located?

The Las Vegas Strip is in Southern Nevada, USA. Specifically, it is situated in the southernmost region of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas itself is the largest city within Clark County, and the famous Las Vegas Strip runs through the heart of the city.

What age do you need to be in Las Vegas to gamble?

In Las Vegas, the legal age to gamble is 21 years old. This age requirement applies to all forms of gambling, including casino games, slot machines, sports betting, poker rooms, and other gaming activities. A valid government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, is imperative to prove your age when entering a casino or participating in gambling activities in Las Vegas.

If you’re under 21, you cannot gamble in Vegas casinos and cannot be on the casino floor.

But believe it or not, there’s still an impressive list of things to do on the Las Vegas Strip with kids and teens!

How far is the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign from The Strip?

Situated less than a mile from the last hotel, Mandalay Bay, on the south end of The Strip. The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign is less than a 3-minute drive from Mandalay Bay.

What is the best way to see the Las Vegas Strip from above?

To get a spectacular bird’s eye view of the iconic Las Vegas Strip, you have a few options:

Paris Hotel and Casino Eiffel Tower – Buy a ticket and ride to the top of this icon of the city skyline. 46 stories up is Paris Las Vegas’ Eiffel Tower replica of the world-famous Paris, France landmark. Rise above the frenzy of The Strip for the most amazing aerial views.
High Roller observation wheel – The High Roller at The LINQ is the world’s tallest observation wheel. It offers panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip and the surrounding area. Each enclosed cabin is spacious and air-conditioned.
Stratosphere Tower – The Stratosphere Tower, located at the north end of the Strip, offers an exhilarating way to see Las Vegas from above. You can take an elevator to the tower’s Observation Deck, with 360-degree city views. There are also thrilling rides at the top for the adventurous!
Helicopter tours – Helicopter tours are a fantastic way to see the Strip from above. Several companies offer helicopter tours that take you on a scenic flight over the city, providing breathtaking views of The Strip and its iconic landmarks.
Hot air balloon rides – Hot air balloon rides are another unique way to experience Las Vegas from above. While these typically take you a bit farther from the Strip, you’ll still get stunning city views and the surrounding desert landscape.
The Cosmopolitan suite balconies & private terrace views: AKA The Cosmo, this hotel is described as “A party hotel that tries to be a luxury hotel.” That said, The Cosmo is one of the only hotels on The Strip with in-suite private balconies for epic Strip views!

How long would it take to walk the entire Las Vegas Strip?

Many visitors are interested in walking The Strip, but there’s no easy way to answer how long it takes to walk the entire thing.

The Las Vegas Strip is approximately 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers) long. The time it takes to walk this distance can vary depending on your walking pace, the stops you make along the way, any monorail trams, or weather conditions, to name a few possible variables.

I’ve walked from Treasure Island Resort (TI) to Mandalay Bay, with 3 monorail rides in between. That casual stroll without stops was about a 3-4 hour trek from the North to the South end of The Strip.

Pro tips for how to walk the Vegas Strip:

Wear comfortable shoes! – I talk more about Vegas outfits in my post HERE.
Las Vegas weather becomes extremely hot during the summer months. A mile-long walk on The Strip might be tolerable in the heat but not enjoyable for the entire length.
Bring a portable phone charger if you plan to take a lot of pics during the walk. – I talk more about what to pack for Vegas in my post HERE.
Save time and use the Las Vegas Monorail and Trams along the way!

So, if you walked continuously at a moderate pace without stopping, it might take approximately 4-5 hours to cross the entire Las Vegas Strip!

What is the street name of The Strip in Las Vegas?

The street name of the Las Vegas Strip is “Las Vegas Boulevard South.” This is the official name of the road that runs through the heart of the city and is home to many of the famous hotels, resorts, and attractions that define the fabulous Las Vegas Strip.

It’s often called “Las Vegas Boulevard.” “The Boulevard” as us locals affectionately call it for short. Or its world-renowned name, “The Strip.”