City Layout of Las Vegas
The two most identified area of Las Vegas are the Strip and Downtown. The strip is the most famous four mile road in the US. Most first time visitors will spend most of their time on the Strip getting to know the way it works. It has the most top hotels of any other road in the US.
The South strip is that portion of the Strip that has the MGM Grand, Mandelay Bay, Luxor, and Monte Carlo. Don’t overlook the New York New York with its Manhattan skyline.
The Mid strip has Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, The Mirage and Treasure Island. There is also the Venetian and the Wynn Hotel.
The North Strip has Circus Circus, the Stratosphere, and the Sahara.
The East Strip has grown up around the Convention Center and Las Vegas is a top convention center. The major hotel located here is the Las Vegas Hilton and the Hard Rock Hotel is becoming a major hotel.
Between the Strip and Downtown, there is a bunch of wedding chapels, pawnshops, and cheap motels. The area is called the Gateway District. It is making a name for itself as an artist retreat. Other signs of life are sprouting up such as coffee shops and small cafes.
Downtown is also known as Glitter Gulch. The neon lights become brighter down here because of the narrow streets. This area is a lot more casual than the Strip itself. The people are more friendly and it is not as snobby a place either. With the start of the Fremont Street Experience, the downtown area has been coming out of the ditches. Don’t overlook this area, you may be surprised at what you can find down here. It is a little distance from the strip, but it might make the difference in your trip.
Staying Downtown in Las Vegas
The Downtown area of Las Vegas is also called Glitter Gulch. Centered around Fremont Street, this was the first section to build hotels. The Fremont Street Experience has revitalized the whole area again. This experience includes a laser light show and a Neon museum which houses signs of hotels and casinos from days past.
First opening in 1946, the Golden Nugget was the first hotel designed for casino gambling. So named because of the 61 pound Hand of Faith gold nugget that is on display. They have a delicious buffet and a top rated health club for their guests.
The Four Queens which opened in 1966 was named for the owner’s four daughters. It only had 120 rooms at its opening, but it has evolved into a major downtown hotel. To get a feel of Old Las Vegas, take a trip to this historic hotel.
The Fremont Hotel opened in 1956. Wayne Newton started his singing career in the old showroom. The Fremont Street Experience can be heard up until midnight in some of the rooms.
Main Street Station is decorated in the fashion of early twentieth century San Francisco. It opened in 1966 and is a mere three minute walk from Fremont Street. Inside the lobby, you will find ornate chandeliers and tin ceilings. Outside there are stained glass windows and wrought iron railings. This hotel is definitely themed for the Old West.
The Lady Luck Hotel first opened in 1964, but under another name. Honest John’s boasted a 2,000 foot casino. Today, Lady Luck has increased that to 30,000 feet and they added a seventeen and twenty-five story tower for the hotel rooms. Most of the clientèle at this hotel is repeat business. This hotel is becoming a major player in the Downtown area.
