Despite its global reputation for casinos, clubs, and luxurious hotels along the Strip, there exists a free and accessible attraction in Las Vegas that draws millions of visitors each year. This renowned attraction is none other than the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign.

Standing at a height of 25 feet, the sign was designed in 1959 by Betty Willis, an employee of Western Neon. Inspired by her father's deep involvement in the city, Willis aimed to create a symbol that captured the optimism and awe associated with Las Vegas.

With a modest price tag of $4000, the sign boasts a simple yet captivating design. Its border is adorned with flashing yellow lights, while silver dollar symbols featuring the word "Welcome" in red grace its interior. On the front, the sign proudly displays the inscription "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada," while the back extends a warm invitation with the words "Drive carefully" and "Come back soon." This invitation is heeded by countless gamblers and tourists each year.

Originally positioned in the median center of the Strip, the sign posed a risk to eager visitors who would risk life, limb, and hefty jaywalking fines to capture a photo alongside it. However, this issue has since been resolved, and a small parking area has been designated near the sign.

For over 50 years, the sign has illuminated the cityscape, except a brief period in 1999 when an oversight led to an unpaid electricity bill. After diligently replacing all the bulbs and thoroughly inspecting the wiring, the responsible party realized the mistake. The outstanding bill, amounting to approximately $60, was promptly settled, restoring the sign's radiant glow.

The New York-New York Hotel and Casino celebrates the spirit of New York City through distinctive architecture and themed attractions. Owned by Vici Properties and operated by MGM Resorts International, the resort pays homage to the New York City with a series of replicas and design elements.

Guests are welcomed by scaled-down landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, while the hotel tower itself forms a stylized skyline of New York skyscrapers. The most prominent feature is a 47-story imitation of the Empire State Building, which rises to 529 feet. Remarkably, it held the distinction of being Nevada’s tallest building until the debut of Wynn Las Vegas in 2005. Among the resort’s attractions is the Big Apple Coaster, a thrilling ride that loops around the hotel tower. Inside, the 51,765-square-foot casino provides ample room for gaming, and the hotel offers 2,024 guest rooms.

Construction began in March 1995, and the resort officially opened on January 3, 1997, as a joint venture between MGM and Primadonna Resorts. MGM later purchased Primadonna’s share in 1999, becoming the sole owner. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, visitors created a spontaneous memorial near the Statue of Liberty replica. In 2003, an official memorial was installed, though it was removed a decade later during a renovation of the facade. That same redevelopment phase brought a new feature: Hershey’s Chocolate World, which opened in 2014 and added a playful touch to the resort’s lineup.

Throughout its history, New York-New York has hosted a variety of entertainers and resident shows. Comedian Rita Rudner performed there from 2001 to 2006, and the acclaimed Cirque du Soleil production Zumanity ran from 2003 to 2020, leaving a lasting impression on audiences.

The Bellagio Hotel boasts an exquisite Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, offering a delightful experience to its visitors. Throughout the year, the Conservatory showcases five captivating seasonal themes: Chinese New Year, spring, summer, fall, and winter.

To commence the year, from January to mid-March, the Conservatory celebrates the vibrant Chinese New Year. Its splendid display features a profusion of bromeliads, orchids, and the iconic animal associated with the Chinese zodiac of that year. As spring blossoms, the theme transitions to a captivating showcase lasting until May. This enchanting display includes a butterfly house, alongside a diverse array of tropical flowers.

As Memorial Day weekend arrives, the Bellagio transforms into an all-American haven with its summer display. Embracing a patriotic spirit, the Conservatory becomes adorned in vibrant red, white, and blue hues, dominated by the captivating beauty of hydrangeas. Notably, a magnificent recreation of the Liberty Bell and numerous American flags can be found throughout this summertime spectacle.

Once late September arrives, the Conservatory warmly welcomes the autumn season with a mesmerizing display. Showcasing an array of chrysanthemum varieties and majestic, oversized pumpkins, this autumnal exhibit captivates visitors until Thanksgiving weekend. Following this, the Conservatory magically transitions into a winter wonderland for the holiday season. At its heart stands a grand centerpiece Christmas tree, surrounded by a dazzling array of poinsettias.

All year round, the Conservatory enchants visitors with its vibrant displays, adorned with fragrant flowers and accompanied by graceful fountains. Conveniently situated next to the hotel's lobby, this magnificent attraction is open to the public, inviting everyone to immerse themselves in its breathtaking beauty.

Bellagio, located in Paradise, Nevada, is a lavish resort, hotel, and casino situated on the famous Las Vegas Strip. The visionary behind Bellagio was Steve Wynn, a prominent casino owner, who chose the former site of the Dunes hotel-casino for its construction. The renowned architect Jon Jerde was responsible for designing the resort, and construction began on November 1, 1995, with Marnell Corrao Associates serving as the general contractor. Bellagio officially opened its doors on October 15, 1998, unveiling a 36-story tower housing 3,005 rooms. In 2004, a 33-story hotel tower comprising 928 rooms was added to the property.

Spanning across 77 acres (31 hectares), Bellagio boasts a 156,000 square feet (14,500 square meters) casino and offers 3,933 rooms for guests. The iconic Fountains of Bellagio, a mesmerizing water fountain performance synchronized to music, serves as the resort's signature attraction. This captivating spectacle takes place in an 8.5-acre man-made lake located in front of the property. Visitors can also enjoy the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art and explore the meticulously maintained conservatory and botanical gardens. Notably, the hotel lobby showcases Fiori di Como, the world's largest glass sculpture, created by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.

Dining options at Bellagio are plentiful and include esteemed restaurants like Le Cirque and Picasso, the latter helmed by chef Julian Serrano. Throughout its history, the resort has hosted renowned chefs such as Todd English, Michael Mina, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Wolfgang Puck. Additionally, Bellagio houses an impressive 1,800-seat theater that presents a mesmerizing water-themed show by Cirque du Soleil. The property also features a high-end retail area that introduced luxury brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Prada to the Las Vegas scene.

The Fountains of Bellagio are an expansive water feature known for their precisely synchronized performances combining water, light, and music. These displays take place in front of the Bellagio Hotel and can be viewed from numerous vantage points along the Las Vegas Strip. Shows typically run every 30 minutes during the afternoon and early evening, increasing to every 15 minutes from 8:00 pm until midnight. Just before each performance begins, the fountain nozzles rise above the water’s surface, and the lights illuminating the hotel tower usually shift to purple, or occasionally to red, white, and blue for selected musical themes.

The fountains operate within an eight-acre man-made lake. Contrary to popular belief, the lake is not filled with treated graywater from the hotel. Instead, it is supplied by a freshwater well drilled decades ago to irrigate a former golf course that once occupied the site. Notably, the fountains use less water than was required to maintain the golf course. A complex underground system of pipes and machinery supports more than 1,200 water nozzles and over 4,500 lights, allowing for the precise coordination of each performance.

At times, performances may be adjusted or temporarily canceled due to strong winds. Special fountain shows can be arranged for significant occasions, including weddings. Each display is carefully choreographed to a wide range of music. Often featured is the Whitney Houston’s “The Star-Spangled Banner", followed by selections such as "Time to Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli, "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood, "Your Song" by Elton John, etc.

The LINQ Promenade is a lively open-air entertainment and dining district designed as a pedestrian-friendly alternative to the Strip’s large casino interiors. It offers a relaxed space to walk, dine, and explore under open skies, right in the center of Las Vegas.

Since opening on March 31, 2014, the Promenade has developed into a 300,000-square-foot complex featuring around 40 retail, dining, and entertainment venues. Well-known names such as In-N-Out Burger, Yard House, Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, and Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop anchor its culinary lineup, alongside bars, casual eateries, and specialty shops.

Walk east into the open-air promenade. Almost immediately, your attention is drawn upward to the High Roller, the district’s most recognizable landmark. Rising 550 feet above the Strip, it stands slightly to the south as you walk in. Follow the promenade toward the base of the wheel to reach the boarding area, where enclosed cabins lift riders roughly 55 stories high for sweeping, 360-degree views of Las Vegas and the surrounding valley.

From the High Roller plaza, continue east along the promenade. A short walk brings you to Brooklyn Bowl, located on then north side of the walkway. Its entrance is marked by bold signage and an energetic crowd. Inside, the venue combines a concert hall, restaurant, and 32 bowling lanes, and it regularly hosts live music and late-night events, making it one of the promenade’s main nightlife anchors.

For something more adrenaline-driven, FLY LINQ Zipline starts right at the west end of the promenade near the Strip entrance. Riders launch from a 12-story tower and fly eastward down the length of the promenade for about 1,121 feet, finishing at a landing point near the base of the High Roller. The ride is offered in both a seated style and a “superhero” style, so you can choose how intense you want it to feel.

The Fremont Street Experience unfolds along the westernmost five blocks of Fremont Street, forming a pedestrian corridor that traces the city’s earliest commercial and gaming history beneath a vast light canopy. This stretch, long known as “Glitter Gulch,” is where many of Las Vegas’ first milestones took place and where visitors can still walk past their original locations within a compact area.

At the western end of the Fremont Street Experience, near the intersection with Main Street, stands the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino. Opened in 1906 as the Hotel Nevada, it was the city’s first hotel. Facing Fremont Street, the Golden Gate sits directly to your right if you are standing on Fremont and looking east, marking the traditional gateway into Glitter Gulch.

From here, walk east along Fremont Street for about 200 feet. On the north side of the street, to your left, once stood the Northern Club, located at 15 East Fremont Street. Although the Northern Club is no longer there, this site is historically important as the place where Nevada’s first gaming license was issued, formalizing casino gambling in the state. Continuing east for another approximately 820 feet, you reach the area near Las Vegas Boulevard, where the Fremont Hotel stays. Completed in 1956, it is Las Vegas’ first high-rise hotel. Its location lies to your left, just before Fremont Street crosses Las Vegas Boulevard.

As you proceed east, you move fully beneath the Fremont Street Experience’s defining feature: the barrel-vault canopy. Rising 90 feet overhead and extending approximately 1,375 feet from Main Street to Fourth Street, the canopy covers the central portion of the pedestrian mall. Before each Viva Vision light-and-sound show, surrounding building facades dim briefly, focusing attention upward as the canopy comes alive with synchronized visuals and music.

Continue walking east under the canopy toward Fourth Street, and you will see the SlotZilla Zip Line launch tower ahead. Located near the intersection of Fremont Street and Fourth Street, the slot-machine-shaped tower rises above the pedestrian mall. From here, riders launch either in a seated position or in a horizontal “Superman” style, flying westward above Fremont Street, directly beneath the canopy, with a full aerial view of the entertainment district below.

The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino is a lavish destination combining luxury accommodations with a large-scale casino. The resort occupies the former site of the Sands Hotel and stands as one of the most expansive hospitality complexes in the world. The property also includes a 120,000-square-foot casino.

One of The Venetian’s most distinctive features is its elaborate recreation of the canals of Venice. These waterways, complete with gondolas and bridges, create an immersive Italian atmosphere and have become one of the resort’s defining visual elements. The architectural theme draws directly from Venice, Italy, with detailed replicas of major landmarks including the Doge’s Palace, Saint Mark’s Square, Saint Mark’s Piazzetta, the Lion of Venice Column, the Column of Saint Theodore, Saint Mark’s Bell Tower, and the Rialto Bridge.

The Venetian officially opened in 1999, in a ceremonial celebration featuring white doves, trumpets, and singing gondoliers. Chairman and owner Sheldon G. Adelson was joined by actress Sophia Loren, who helped dedicate the first motorized gondola. Built at a cost of approximately $1.5 billion, the resort was among the most expensive and ambitious hotel projects of its era.

Expansion continued with the opening of the Venezia Tower on June 27, 2003. Designed by architectural firm KlingStubbins, the tower reaches a height of 475 feet. It adds 1,013 rooms to the resort and stands above the parking structure, seamlessly extending The Venetian’s grand scale and architectural presence.

Inspired by its Parisian counterpart, the Eiffel Tower replica, one of the city’s most romantic landmarks, is a defining feature of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel, which embraces the visual and cultural themes of the French capital.

One of the tower’s main attractions is its observation deck, set at approximately 460 feet above the ground, offering expansive panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding valley. The property is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment. Early plans called for a full-scale replica of the original Eiffel Tower, but its proximity to Harry Reid International Airport required a reduction in height. As a result, the structure was built to a still-impressive height of 540 feet, ensuring it would not interfere with air traffic.

Paris Las Vegas officially opened on September 1, 1999, marked by a fireworks display launched from the tower itself. A distinctive architectural feature of the complex is the way the tower’s rear supports descend through the ceiling and into the casino floor below. This interior space is decorated with French-style wrought-iron streetlamps, while the ceiling is painted to resemble an open sky, enhancing the illusion of an outdoor Parisian setting.

Inside the tower is the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, known for its fine dining and elevated views, as well as the Eiffel Tower Experience, which serves as one of the resort’s signature attractions. Since its debut, the tower has appeared in numerous films and television productions, including 10.5: Apocalypse, Resident Evil: Extinction, Godzilla, and the post-credits scene of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

Tip:
Some areas feature transparent floor sections and it may be challenging for those with a fear of heights.