Walking the Las Vegas Strip: A Self-Guided Tour from Mandalay Bay to the Strat

The Las Vegas Strip is 7 km of resort-casino complexes along Las Vegas Boulevard South, from Mandalay Bay at the south end to the Stratosphere (Strat) at the north. Walking the full length in one go is a full day, takes 2–3 hours of actual walking time, and is best done at night when the scale and the light make the most sense. This is a structured guide to what's worth stopping for.

South Strip: Mandalay Bay to Planet Hollywood

Mandalay Bay and Delano: the gold glass facade at the southernmost end. The Shark Reef aquarium inside ($25) is one of the better attractions on the Strip if you have children or time.

Luxor: the black glass pyramid with a beam of light from its apex (the strongest beam of light on earth, visible from space on a clear night). Walk through the interior to see the scale of the pyramid's interior — the largest atrium in the world.

Excalibur: the medieval castle aesthetic. The most dated property on the Strip and one of the cheapest to stay at. The Tournament of Kings dinner show inside is worth mentioning if you're travelling with children.

New York-New York: a scale model of the Manhattan skyline as a hotel facade, including a replica Brooklyn Bridge. The roller coaster runs along the exterior. The interior has good bar options.

MGM Grand: one of the largest hotels in the world (over 6,000 rooms). The casino floor is one of the most impressive in terms of scale. Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen is here.

Park MGM / Aria / Vdara: the City Center complex — the most architecturally contemporary section of the Strip. The Aria is the largest building in Nevada.

Mid-Strip: The Core

Bellagio: the fountains (see them), the conservatory (walk through), Dale Chihuly's glass ceiling sculpture in the lobby. The most consistently well-designed of the major resorts.

The Cosmopolitan: the mid-Strip hotel with the best interior design. The Chandelier Bar — a bar built inside a three-storey chandelier — is a specific and excellent idea.

Caesars Palace: the Forum Shops and the replica Roman street. Enormous, theatrical, self-assured.

The Venetian and Palazzo: the indoor canals, the Grand Canal Shoppes, the ceiling paintings. The most ambitious architectural reproduction on the Strip.

The Mirage: the volcano out front erupts nightly. The Beatle's LOVE Cirque show is here.

Treasure Island: the least remarkable major property but conveniently positioned between the Mirage and the Wynn.

Wynn and Encore: the most tasteful properties on the Strip — the design is restrained by Las Vegas standards and the execution is flawless.

North Strip: The Linq to the Strat

The Linq Promenade and High Roller: the outdoor promenade with bars and restaurants; the High Roller observation wheel above.

Harrah's, Bally's, Paris: the Eiffel Tower replica at Paris is the most photographed item on the Strip after the Bellagio Fountains. The observation deck is open for views.

The Strat (Stratosphere): at the north end, the tallest free-standing structure west of the Mississippi. Observation deck, thrill rides on the roof, lower prices than the mid-Strip. The view of the Strip from the top is the best aerial perspective available without a helicopter.

Our Take

Start at Mandalay Bay at 8 PM. Walk north. Stop for the Bellagio Fountains (9 PM show), walk through the Venetian, see the Mirage Volcano, end at the Wynn. That is the essential Strip walk and takes about three hours with stops. Everything north of the Wynn is optional unless the Strat is specifically on your list.