Las Vegas – Joe Alexander

Road from Las Vegas to Zion National Park

As you get close to Zion National Park, the landscape gives you an idea of what lies ahead. This is in southern Utah not far from the park. - photo by Joe Alexander, all rights reserved — As you get close to Zion National Park, the landscape gives you an idea of what lies ahead. This is in southern Utah not far from the park.
– photo by Joe Alexander, all rights reserved

It takes a little more than two hours to drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park.

Most of that drive takes you northeast up Interstate 15 through eastern Nevada, a sliver of northwestern Arizona and finally into the southwestern corner of Utah.

You never know what weather you’ll get when you book your vacation a few weeks out but I was fortunate to make the drive on a clear and sunny November day.

There were no traffic issues until I tried to park at the Zion National Park visitor’s center. I guess you need to get there early but I rolled in after 1 p.m. and the parking lot was completely full.

Along the drive from Las Vegas in Nevada to northwestern Arizona to Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. – photo by Joe Alexander, all rights reserved — Las Vegas to southwestern Utah

Flamingo Las Vegas on The Strip

It wouldn’t be a stay at the Flamingo Las Vegas without checking out the real flamingos in the Wildlife Habitat. - photo by Joe Alexander — It wouldn’t be a stay at the Flamingo Las Vegas without checking out the real flamingos in the Wildlife Habitat. – photo by Joe Alexander

The Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino on the Strip was my home base in the days leading up to the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas.

Amidst the crowds and hubbub of the international gathering of sports fans and gamblers, the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo offered a place to find a little peace and quiet.

The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas on the Strip. – photo by Joe Alexander — Flamingo Las Vegas

View from one of the upper floors at the Flamingo Las Vegas on the Strip. – photo by Joe Alexander — Flamingo Las Vegas

My last look at the Mirage Las Vegas

View of the Mirage Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip as seen from my room at the Flamingo. - photo by Joe Alexander — View of the Mirage Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip as seen from my room at the Flamingo. – photo by Joe Alexander

The Mirage Hotel and Casino will reportedly begin its conversion into a Hard Rock beginning in 2024. That had me thinking this might be my last chance to visit the Mirage in its current form.

I remember back when you could walk into the south entrance to the Mirage from the Strip and see tigers walking around in glassed-in area right next to the hallway. That is the same spot where Diablo’s Cantina is now.

The Mirage Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. – photo by Joe Alexander — Mirage Las Vegas

Forum Shops in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace

Fountain of the Gods at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. - photo b y Joe Alexander — Fountain of the Gods at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. – photo by Joe Alexander

The Forum Shops can come across as gaudy on first glance.

But the shopping center connected to Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas strip combines lots of high end shops with some fun architecture and entertaining fountains.

At the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. - photo by Joe Alexander — Forum Shops at Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace in Las Vegas during Formula 1 race week

Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. - photo by Joe Alexander — Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. – photo by Joe Alexander

I didn’t stay at Caesars Palace during this trip to Las Vegas, but my room across the street at the Flamingo gave me a great view and a chance to photograph Caesars at different times of day.

The Strip looked a lot different this time around due to all the fencing and seating areas set up for last weekend’s Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Landing in Las Vegas

View of the Las Vegas Strip while landing. The tower at the Stratosphere is at the right. - photo by Joe Alexander — View of the Las Vegas Strip while landing. The tower at the Stratosphere is at the right. – photo by Joe Alexander

When you fly into Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, usually you come in from the north. If you happen to have a window seat on the right side of the plane, that gives you a great view of the Las Vegas Strip.

Look for the tower at the Stratosphere, which is at the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard, and you’ll see all the big casinos right after that. If this is your first trip to Las Vegas be forewarned – the casinos look smaller and a lot closer together from the air than they do when you’re walking.

View of the Las Vegas Strip while landing. The Sphere is the round red and yellow object in the middle. - photo by Joe Alexander — View of the Las Vegas Strip while landing. The Sphere is the round red and yellow object in the middle.

View of the Las Vegas Strip moments before the wheels touch down. - photo by Joe Alexander — View of the Las Vegas Strip moments before the wheels touch down.