Even if you have never been to Las Vegas, you would no doubt have heard people refer to “The Vegas Strip”. Let me explain to you what The Strip actually is.
The Strip is the new part of Las Vegas, relatively speaking, and is where the majority of the big Vegas casinos are. To be considered a Strip casino, they must have an entrance on Las Vegas Boulevard. In Las Vegas there are three groups of casinos; Strip, Off-Strip and Downtown.
The first property to open on The Strip was the Flamingo Hotel & Casino and remarkably it still operates today in the same building that was originally opened to the public back in 1946. This is a remarkable feat, as Las Vegas is well known for tearing down old casinos and replacing them with new ones.
The Strip is home to all the big names – MGM, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Wynn, Tropicana, Mandalay Bay, Bally’s and a host of others. You will find the focus of The Strip changes from time to time as old casinos are knocked down and new casinos appear in their place.
The Flamingo was the first casino to open on The Strip back in 1946
Off-Strip casinos are basically all those in Las Vegas that aren’t on The Strip or Downtown. Properties such as the Rio and Palms are considered Off-Strip casinos even though they sit right next door to Strip properties.
Downtown casinos are smaller, older casinos situated around Fremont St. This is a totally different part of Las Vegas and has a very different feel to it than the newer and larger resort style casinos. This is the “old school” Vegas and is worth a visit.
If you are going to Las Vegas you will definitely visit The Strip but make sure you try out some of the other casinos on offer, as they are all unique in their own way.
