You can look at the area north of Desert Inn Road one of two ways: It's either dying or in the process of being rejuvenated. At the top of the northern end is the Stratosphere, with its hair-raising rides, made even scarier by the bolts flying off. There are some older casinos like the Riviera and the Sahara, which have gone through some major renovations. Circus Circus is near Desert Inn Road and on the doorstep of the more fancy, up-to-date hotels on the south side.
The real heart and soul of the Vegas Strip starts on the south side of Desert Inn Road. Looking southbound is a dizzying display of lights and entertainment. Steve Wynn and Donald Trump built their hotels in this spot. Treasure Island, with its pirates show, The Mirage, with its tigers, and Caesars Palace, with its indoor shopping, are crowd pleasers on the west side of Las Vegas Boulevard. The Bellagio, with its fountains, the Monte Carlo, with its sophisticated decor, and New York, New York finish off the area near Tropicana Avenue. The eastern side features less-outwardly showy hotels like Bally's, The Venetian, The Palazzo, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood and the Imperial Palace. Holding down the southeastern corner is the mighty MGM Grand, with its incredible lazy river pool.
From Desert Inn Road until you reach the end of the Strip at the Silverton, there's literally not an inch of space that isn't taken up by a hotel. On the south side of Tropicana Avenue, things are pretty much the same as they were in the middle of the Strip, lots of nice hotels and casinos. The Tropicana and the Excalibur are a little more beat up than some, but they still offer loads of fun and entertainment. You also have the Luxor and Mandalay Bay, with its world-class aquarium. The Strip tapers off once you pass the South Point Hotel and the Silverton.
