Things to do / Travel Guide
With dozens of uniquely-themed mega resorts lining the Strip, the variety and styles of architecture found in Las Vegas is nothing short of mind-blowing. And, proving that size matters, the 10 largest hotels in the world are all consolidated within the four-mile stretch of the Strip.
The Stratosphere Hotel features the tallest structure in the western United States. On top of the structure there's a rollercoaster, while the structure's inner core houses a space launch simulation ride.
Another property of interest is New York, New York, which boasts a scale recreation of many of the famous structures found in New York City, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and others. The property is encircled by the roller coaster tracks of the “Manhattan Express,” which also snakes in and out of the casino area as gamblers play.
The Luxor Hotel is yet another extravagant building, shaped like a giant pyramid. The glass structure is the world's fourth-largest man-made pyramid, behind the legendary ones in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. Due to the structure's unique shape, “inclinators” (rather than elevators) lift the hotel's guests up to their rooms at an acute angle. At night, a striking beam of light, equivalent to the power of over 40 million candles, thrusts skyward and is visible to high-flying planes, and even the astronauts in the International Space Station.
Another gem of design is the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. The structure is a faithful, condensed recreation of the sights and sounds of Paris, France, replete with the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Moulin Rouge, and, of course, a ½-scale Eiffel Tower.
The MGM Grand, with 5,000 rooms, is the world's largest hotel. Even the complex's parking garage is massive, with room for 12,000 cars. With its signature green mirrored glass façade and the giant MGM lion at its entrance, it's truly a sight to behold.
The Bellagio Hotel certainly made its best efforts to be “king of the hill.” With its neo-classical Tuscan style and magnificent dancing water fountain show (the jets spew water over 10 stories high), passersby and guests alike are often seen there standing openmouthed in wonder. Nothing can quite compare to listening to Frank Sinatra sing “Fly Me to the Moon” while watching giant streams of water rise gracefully skyward in rhythm and sequence to the music.
The Venetian Hotel and Resort enthralls visitors with its brilliant white façade and tasteful gold trim. Winding its way through the structure is a recreation of the famous canals of Venice, complete with gondola boats and singing gondoliers. The labyrinth of canals transports gondola passengers through world-renown shops, restaurants, and even the hotel's casino. Unique to the Venetian is the masterful ceiling, done in Renaissance-style art frescoes. While the ceiling will have you craning your neck, the exquisite artwork is worth the effort.
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