This is the video that of the Las Vegas Strip flooding on our recent trip. The massive storms that were expected never materialized on this trip until this moment. We left Crystals/Aria and it started to rain. We went into the Cosmo for a very quick drink and came out to what you see in the video.
This is taken from the walkway into the Bellagio from The Strip on the Cosmo side of the property. The walkway into the Bellagio was also flooded and the crews were pushing the water away as we took this video.
Many people have asked if this caused the temperature to drop or if the rain caused humidity. The temperature did not noticeably drop, nothing more than your normal rainstorm. The rain did however cause a rise in humidity which is something you just don’t get in Las Vegas.
There is still plenty of free parking in Vegas. Not all are convenient or located right on the Las Vegas Strip but it’s easy to get to the The Strip from practically anywhere in Vegas. Besides outright free parking some resorts or casinos offer free parking for being members of their players club. This usually entails hitting their second tier which really doesn’t take much to achieve. We will discuss the free parking locations in Vegas and then talk about how you can achieve free parking through players rewards.
Free Parking in Vegas
The Strip
Wynn Las Vegas and Encore
Treasure Island Hotel & Casino
Venetian/Palazzo Hotel & Casino
Tropicana Hotel & Casino – may charge for parking when there are events at T-Mobile.
The Shops at Crystals – valet parking during business hours and no overnight parking allowed.
Fashion Show Mall – only during business hours and no overnight parking allowed.
Northern Strip
The Strat Hotel & Casino
Sahara Las Vegas
Circus Circus
Resorts World
Off Strip
Oyo Hotel & Casino
Free Parking at MGM Resorts and Casinos
There are two ways to achieve free parking at MGM Resorts and Casinos in Las Vegas. Both ways involve reaching Pearl Status with their players club program. Pearl is the second tier of the MGM Rewards Program. Pearl is relatively easy to acquire through either spending or gambling and once achieved is good the year it was achieved and the following year. Pearl Status can also be achieved by getting the MGM Rewards Mastercard. The MGM Rewards Mastercard is a “no fee” credit card which automatically gives you Pearl Status.
Free Parking at Caesars Resorts and Casinos
Much like MGM, free parking at Caesars Resorts entails reaching status in their players club program. Free parking is available to those that reach Platinum Status. Platinum Status can be achieved through either gambling or spending or by getting the Caesars Rewards Visa card. The Caesars Rewards Visa card is also a no fee credit card.
Parking for Locals
Sadly free parking for Nevada Residents on The Strip is a thing of the past. At time of writing this Caesars Resorts (excluding Planet Hollywood) offers 3 hours free parking for locals but this seems to be a promotion that isn’t always active.
Fremont Street and Downtown
If you are staying or visiting Fremont Street you may be able to get free parking in a couple of ways. Many casinos downtown offer free parking for guests. Others will also waive parking fees by getting your slip validated for eating or gambling at their premises. This may not apply when there are events on. It’s best to contact the hotel you are staying at or visiting for more information.
Las Vegas is ever changing. We try to keep our lists updated as best as possible. Please see our other Las Vegas Guides to help you make your next trip a great one.
Enjoy this collection of vintage Vegas photos. It doesn’t take long for Las Vegas to change. The Las Vegas strip is always changing with new bars, restaurants and resort casinos. Thankfully we can look back at old school Las Vegas through nostalgic vintage photos.
This weeks Las Vegas Photo of the Week features a Las Vegas Strip icon. The Eiffel Tower at The Paris. We took this photo on a nice sunny morning on our trip this past December. The Eiffel Tower at The Paris in Las Vegas is only one half the size of the real tower in Pars. We have been up to the observation deck a number of times. It’s a great way to get a view of The Strip and more importantly The Bellagio Fountains. Look for a Groupon or Travel Zoo deal for tower admission.
If you want to see more photos and get more information please see our Eiffel Tower Experience Las Vegas post. We review our experience in visiting the observation deck as well as provide some great information and tips about visiting The Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas.
You are headed to Las Vegas and you are looking for that perfect place with a great view to enjoy a drink. This review of the best bars in Vegas with a view should help you. There is nothing like having a cocktail and getting looking over the Las Vegas Strip. Surprisingly there aren’t as many places to get a good strip view as you would think. For a town with as many sights and lights as Las Vegas you would think you would have dozens of options but that’s not the case. Still there are some real solid options to get a drink and enjoy the Vegas skyline. We were going to set a price range for each place but just count on expensive. A view isn’t cheap in Vegas, or is anything else.
Updated 2018/09/03 – The Mandarin Oriental has been purchased by The Waldorf Astoria.
Best Bars in Vegas with a View
Many people ask what is the best time to witness the Vegas skyline and that really is a matter of preference. During the day you really get an idea on how massive the buildings and attractions are. It’s something that at night is almost hidden or obscured by the lights. At night obviously the lights are an amazing sight to see and a must do when in Vegas. A third great time is at sundown itself. There is something really special about watching the strip lights come on as the sun dips behind the horizon. We will show you a few photos of each prospective.
Skyfall Lounge at The Delano
The Skyfall Lounge sits atop of the 64th floor at The Delano at the south end of the Vegas strip. The lounge gives you an amazing 180 degree of Vegas from the south. The video above is not ours but it gives you a great shot of the view.
Location: 3940 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89119
The Foundation Room sits on the 63rd Floor of Mandalay Bay at the south end of the strip. Not exactly a club or a bar it’s described as more of a high end lounge. The photo above is a typical view that you will expect to see from the balcony view. Your view is looking down towards MGM and up the strip towards the bend at The Paris. There is a cover charge which you reportedly do not have to pay if you dine there.
Location: 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Hours: Daily 5 pm – Close
Dress: Smart Casual which means no shorts, sandals, hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, sports apparel, tank tops, sneakers and athletic shoes.
Cover: $30, Reported free access if you dine at the restaurant.
The Mandarin Bar has been renamed to The SkyBar as the property has been purchased by The Waldorf Astoria. The SkyBar is located on the 23rd floor of the The Waldorf Astoria hotel which sits just in front of the Aria Hotel and Casino. While it may not sit as high as the two bars to the south the view is stunning. The glass to ceiling walls give an impressive view. There is also a tea room located next door if you are looking for a different experience with a view. Not our video we found this gem on YouTube.
Location: 3752 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89158
Hours: Sun – Thurs (4:00 – 1:00 am), Friday – Sat (4:00 – 2:00 am)
Dress: Casual but not set. People report that you don’t want to be undressed as in flip flops and a tank top.
Does a 360 degree view from the 107th floor of the Stratosphere have you interested? You won’t catch another view of Vegas like this. The Strat is located fairly north of the strip and not a good idea to walk to at night. It’s a short Uber or Lyft. Admission is free and it’s highly recommended to visit at happy hour and see the sun set over Vegas.
Location: 2000 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104
The VooDoo Lounge is located off the strip at The Rio Hotel and Casino. The photo above is from our 2015 trip. We did VooDoo Zipline package from Groupon and had free entry to the bar. You get a great view of the strip from the rear.
Location: 3700 W. Flamingo Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89103
High Roller is a 550-foot tall Ferris wheel located at the back of the LINQ Promenade. We are including it because you can do the Happy Half Hour all you can drink package or from views buy a drink in the bar and take it with you. It takes a half an hour to rotate and you get a 360 degree view of Vegas from the west side of the strip. We have done the ride during the day, dusk and night. We enjoyed them all.
Location: 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Hours:
Daytime Pass – 11:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Anytime / Night Pass – until 2:00 a.m.
Dress: None
Cover: See website as there are different packages for day/night and drinking package. See Groupon or Travel Zoo for deals.
These are probably your best go to lounges, clubs and attractions for getting a great view of Las Vegas while enjoying a cocktail. There are many other places along the strip where you can get a lower view. Check out places such as The Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris and The Giada at The Cromwell and the Beer Park. Please let us know if we should add any more places.
The Volcano at The Mirage is one of the most popular free attractions located on the Vegas Strip. The current schedule of The Volcano at The Mirage can be found here as well a photos, videos and fun facts. The volcano opened in 1989 and has undergone a number of changes since then. Most notably a 25 million renovation in 1989. The Mirage Volcano was designed by WET who also designed the Bellagio Fountains.
The Volcano at The Mirage Schedule
The schedule of The Mirage Volcano has changed effective April, 2018. It no longer goes off at 10:00 pm on weekends. The following schedule has been taken from The Mirage website. It should also be noted that the show may be cancelled due to high winds and times are approximate.
The current schedule is as follows: Daily 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM
Best Places to View the Volcano at The Mirage
The Volcano is one of the more busy attractions on the strip. Since the number of times the volcano erupts has been scaled back the crowds can be quite busy. There are a number of different places to view the Volcano show at The Mirage.
If you have a Strip View room on the 14th floor or higher at The Mirage. We recently had a 24th floor with a perfect view of the Volcano but there is something about the experience up close that is much better.
The Sidewalk right on the Strip itself. This is the busiest spot and you can expect large crowds.
A hidden gem is right across from The Valet at the front doors of The Mirage. There seems to be more and more people picking up on this place so it too may be busier than expected. From the photo below you can see how close to the Volcano you can can get from Valet Parking area.
The view of the Mirage Volcano from the Valet Parking at the Mirage.
Random Facts About The Mirage Volcano
The show last about four and a half minutes.
The music is by Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, and Zakir Hussain created specifically for the eruption.
The Mirage fills the air with a Pina Colada scent to mask the smell of natural gas from the explosions.
There are 120 fire shooters which are capable of sending fire 60 feet into the air.
An incredible photo of a night view of the Las Vegas strip. According to NASA Las Vegas is the brightest city when viewed from space. There is an estimated 9,900,000 light tubes in Vegas. Sources state there is nearly 15.000 miles of neon lights in Vegas. It costs nearly $127 million a year to illuminate the strip.
The amazing part about flying into Las Vegas at night is witnessing the lights. You go from total darkness to the amazing display of bright lights that you see in the photo above. Not only is it bright, it is much bigger than what most people believe. When you think about Las Vegas you think about The Strip and Fremont St. You can see from the photo that Vegas is quite large with many neighborhoods and houses. The population in 2016 as estimated at 632,912.
If you have never been to Las Vegas and have a vacation coming up you may be overwhelmed with all of the activities and attractions the city offers. We have read through dozens of fun and free things to do in Las Vegas lists but many of them are misleading in recommending things to do that are not on the main “Las Vegas strip”. This list is fun and free things to do on the Las Vegas strip. We will tackle Downtown and Fremont St later on. When we get things together we plan on adding a google map for the listings.
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign has been standing since 1959 and is a great tourist stop for photos. The sign is completely free to visit and take photos of. The photo above is from our 2014 trip and you can see Mandalay Bay in the background. This is the far south end of the Las Vegas Strip.
Location: 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Hours: Always open.
Getting there: It is about as far south as it gets for visiting the Las Vegas Strip. It is not close to the middle of the strip and takes some travelling to get there. You can either take the Bus and get dropped off close to the sign or you can make your to Mandalay Bay and then walk which will take you about 10 minutes. The walk is considered safe as you actually walk past a police station but using common sense we would not be walking there at night.
Tips: When we visited there was a person there offering to take your photo for a tip. They are not affiliated with the sign or the City of Las Vegas. They are just trying to make a buck. We did tip $5 to get a photo of my wife and I and the girl did take a good photo but don’t fee inclined to pay for a photo.
The Park
The Park is the name for the area between NYNY and The Monte Carlo and in front of the T Mobile Center. It is host to a few restaurants, art structures and a wall waterfall. There is lots of shade making it a nice place to visit, relax and take in the atmosphere.
Location: 3782 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109
Hours: Daily
Getting there: Located between NYNY and The Monte Carlo.
Tips: We have been there a number of times. When there is an event on like Vegas Knights hockey game the place is rocking and a lot of fun. We also stopped in when LVU was playing Duke and had a fantastic time. But we also ventured down there at night when there was nothing on and there wasn’t too many people around. It was great for taking photos like the one above but a little too quiet for Vegas.
Hershey’s Chocolate World
Hershey’s Chocolate World is a little closer and located at the New York New York Hotel & Casino. The store is 13,000 sq ft and home to over 800 Hershey’s chocolates and candies. The Statue of Liberty pictured above is made out of 800 lbs. of HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth you will be very satisfied with a visit to this chocolate store.
Location: 3790 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at the New York New York Hotel & Casino.
Hours:
Getting there: It is very easy to get to Hershey’s Chocolate World as it located right off the sidewalk in front of New York New York.
Tips: No tips required. The store has it’s busy times but we have visited a few times and have never had any problems. If you have a tip feel free to share.
The Bellagio Fountains
The Bellagio Fountains are probably the most recognized feature of the Las Vegas Strip. The lake itself is 8 acres in size and fed by a fresh water well. The fountains can be described as a symphony of lights, music and water. It is the one thing on the Strip you are not going to miss. The photo above was taken from the top of the Eiffel Tower across the street (which is not a free attraction but worth it).
Location:3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Hours:
Saturday and Holidays
Every 30 minutes from 12:00pm to 8:00pm
Every 15 minutes from 8:00pm to 12:00am
Sudays
Every 30 minutes from 11:00am to 7:00pm
Every 15 minutes from 7:00pm to 12:00am
Monday to Friday
Every 30 minutes from 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Every 15 minutes from 8:00pm to 12:00am
Getting there: Located in front of the Bellagio Hotel and is considered mid strip so it easy to get to.
Tips: The Bellagio Fountains can be quite busy at night so you have to have some patience when trying to get a good spot. They are obviously less busy during the day. You can get a good show from the bridge/walkway which leads into the Bellagio but there is glass between you. We also like to watch them from atop the Eiffel Tower at The Paris across the road but it is not free.
The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are a real free hidden gem in Las Vegas. There are five seasonal themes that are celebrated with a floral display. The five themes are and dates are listed below. The display is 14,000 sq ft in size and is home to tens of thousands of flowers on display.
The photos above are from a December and May trip.
Location:3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Hours: Open 24 hours
Chinese New Year – January – March
Spring Celebration: March – June
Summer: June – September
Harvest: September – November
Winter: December- January
Getting there: Located just past the Main Entrance and Main Lobby.
Tips: The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens like other attractions can be very busy at peak hours and times. We have always had luck either going early in the morning or later at night. Just be aware that everyone is trying to get that perfect photo or selfie so it’s easy to get crossed up with others.
The Mirage Volcano
Another iconic attraction on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mirage Volcano will leave you feeling the heat. Literally if you are standing close enough. It is a great free show of music, lights and most importantly fire and explosions. The Mirage has scaled back the amount of times it goes off so expect some crowds but you will still be able to take it in.
There is also a large fish tank located behind the main check in so if you are exploring The Mirage make sure you have a look.
Location: 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at The Mirage Hotel & Casino.
Hours: The times were a little off on our last visit but they did go off twice a night regardless. Sunday – Thursday 8:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Friday – Saturday 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM, 10:00 PM
Getting there: It is very easy to get to The Mirage Volcano as it is located right on The Strip in front of The Mirage.
Tips: The scaled back times means bigger crowds and this is the one place where it can be frustrating to get a good spot. Here is a pro tip, you can view the Volcano from the other side of the lake which is right outside the main entrance to The Mirage and get a great view with less crowds. I would just get there early as well.
Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Forum Shops
The Fall of Atlantis is told through an animatronic show filled with special effects and of course, a dragon. It’s sure to dazzle and is for all ages. A nice free touch inside a very upscale shopping plaza. There is also a large fish tank located at the base where the show is held.
Location: 3500 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 in Caesars Palace Forum Shops
Hours: Every hour/on the hour, Sun – Thr, 11 am – 10 pm; Fri – Sat, 11 am – 11 pm
Getting there: Located inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.
Tips: Put your walking shoes on it is located at the back of the Forum Shops and if you come from the street or via the casino it is still a hike to get there.
If you are trekking the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace make sure you stop by Kalifano’s. They have unique metal sculptures like Darth Vader, Predator and Terminator. They are truly an amazing site to see.
Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
Not only will you find a flock of Chilean flamingos at The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat you will find ducks, swans and lost of koi fish. It’s a nice peaceful garden walk that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the Vegas strip. You will almost forget you are in sin city.
Location: 3555 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at The Flamingo Hotel and Casino
Hours: Daily from dawn until dusk.
Getting there: Located inside The Flamingo Hotel and Casino
Tips: Try to make it for the Pelican feeding Pelican at 8:30 AM and 2 PM every day.
The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian
If you want to experience some decadence in Las Vegas then you will want to take a tour of The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. The canal winds it way through the shoppes and with the painted ceiling you will forget that you are indoors. You can opt for a paid gondola but you can just enjoy the water and people watch.
We took this photo in December of 2017 as we made our way to visit the Rolling Stones exhibit.
Location: 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at The Venetian Hotel
Hours: Daily
Getting there: Located inside The Venetian Hotel
Tips: The Venetian is a massive property. We have been there a number of times and never seen the entire thing. Put your walking shoes on and be prepared for a hike.
Big Elvis at Harrah’s
If you are looking for a free Elvis experience in Las Vegas you do not want to miss Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee. The man is a Vegas icon who puts on one heck of a show. Not only does Big Elvis belt the tunes out he also gives you a bit of a story or history about the songs and give you great insight into the King himself.
Location: 3475 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89109 at Harrah’s Hotel and Casino
Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm
Getting there: Located at The Piano Bar inside Harrah’s. The entrance is right near Carnival Court in the open area between Harrah’s and The Linq
Tips: Get there early to get a good seat. Ideally you want the center or right side when entering the Piano Bar. Once the show starts and the seats are taken gawkers will come in the left side and stand there blocking the view for everyone until they get yelled at. You can also stand outside the bar by the entrance and watch from the outside if you don’t want to enter.
Pirates at Treasure Island
The free Pirate show at Treasure Island is long gone. The Pirate Ship is still there and worth a look. It’s too bad the show is gone but we couldn’t help stop and take some photos. Who knows if you might want to venture into Gilley’s and catch some bull riding.
Location: 3300 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino
Hours: Daily
Getting there: Located at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino.
Tips: It’s a short stop to add to your photo collection.
All of the activities and locations we have presented are located right on the The Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas Strip is amazingly large with countless activities and attractions. These are just a few of our favorite. Check back as we add more in the future and enjoy the Las Vegas Strip.
