Much closer, just across Interstate 15, you can spot off-strip casinos like The Orleans, The Rio and The Palms.
Tag: Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Strip in June 2026
Amidst the familiar bright lights, 2026 is the year we see the new guitar going up on what used to be the Mirage and will soon be the new Hard Rock Casino.
Bellagio Conservatory in transition
It’s not only free, but it changes on a seasonal basis.
The changes mean there are brief periods when the exhibit is closed as they change from one season to the next.
I happened to be in the neighborhood when a new exhibit “Summer 2026: Paradise” was being put in place. That meant I couldn’t walk though the exhibit and most of what you saw while walking past were workmen and small construction vehicles.
One interesting thing I saw on the way to the tram from the Bellagio to the Park MGM was a back lot with what looked like pieces of the incoming exhibit.
Remaining 2026 exhibition dates via the Bellagio website:
– Summer: June 13, 2026 through Sept. 12, 2026
– Harvest: Sept. 19, 2026 though Nov. 7, 2026
– Holiday: Nov. 14, 2026 through Jan. 2, 2027
Las Vegas Athletics domed baseball stadium under construction
Located on the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana, the facility is just south of the MGM Grand Casino and east of the Excalibur Casino on the Strip – where the Tropicana Casino used to sit.
Aerial views of the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead on the way to Las Vegas
A trip to Las Vegas means sitting on the right side of the plane and seeing the tail end of the Grand Canyon near the end of the flight and then Lake Mead right before landing.
Along the way you can see a lot of the desert southwest.
Road from Las Vegas to Zion National Park
– photo by Joe Alexander, all rights reserved
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.
Flamingo Las Vegas on The Strip
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.
My last look at the Mirage Las Vegas
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.
Forum Shops in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace
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.
Caesars Palace in Las Vegas during Formula 1 race week
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.
