Here’s a straight-talking guide to the Las Vegas Strip. Where it actually is, how to get around it, what it costs, and the questions people ask me most. I’ve lived in this valley since I was five, so I’ve watched the Strip reinvent itself more times than I can count. A quick heads up: Vegas changes fast, so I’ve flagged the things that shift most often (fares, what’s open) and you should always double-check those before your trip.
Where Is the Las Vegas Strip?
Here’s the thing most people don’t realize. The Strip isn’t actually in the city of Las Vegas at all. It sits just south of the city limits in the unincorporated communities of Winchester and Paradise, which means it falls under Clark County rather than the City of Las Vegas. That distinction matters more than you’d think, especially when it comes to local laws.
The Strip runs along Las Vegas Boulevard South, roughly from Sahara Avenue on the north end down to Russell Road on the south end. It’s about 4.2 miles long. The main zip code for the resort corridor is 89109.
How Long Does It Take to Walk the Strip?
The full 4.2 miles takes most people somewhere between an hour and a half and two hours of actual walking, and realistically a lot longer once you factor in stopping to look at things, crossing at the footbridges, and cutting through casinos.
Two pieces of advice from someone who lives here. Wear genuinely comfortable shoes, not cute ones. And in summer, carry water, because the desert heat is no joke and the distances between properties are longer than they look.
The Oldest Casino on the Strip
The oldest resort still standing on the Strip today is the Sahara, which opened in 1952. It’s worth clearing up a common mix-up here. The Golden Gate, El Cortez, Golden Nugget, and Binion’s are all older, but those are downtown on Fremont Street, not on the Strip. They’re two different parts of town.
The Strip has always torn down its past to build its future. The Tropicana, one of the last 1950s originals, closed in 2024 and was imploded to make room for a new Major League Baseball stadium. The Mirage, the resort that basically kicked off the modern mega-resort era in 1989, also closed in 2024 and is being rebuilt as a guitar-shaped Hard Rock hotel.
Getting Around the Strip
You’ve got several ways to move up and down the Strip, and the right one depends on how far you’re going and what side of the boulevard you’re on.
The Las Vegas Monorail
The monorail runs along the east side of the Strip with seven stations: MGM Grand, Horseshoe/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah’s/The LINQ, the Las Vegas Convention Center, Westgate, and Sahara. Trains come every few minutes and it’s genuinely the fastest way to cover a long distance, like getting from the south Strip up to the Convention Center without sitting in traffic.
A few things worth knowing. The monorail does not go to the airport, and it does not go downtown to Fremont Street. It runs behind the hotels on the east side, so if you’re staying on the west side (Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Aria) you’ll have a walk to reach a station.
On pricing, expect roughly $6 for a single ride, with cheaper fares if you buy online in advance, and multi-day unlimited passes that get better value the more you ride. Nevada residents can ride for a discounted local fare with a valid state ID. Because fares and hours change, confirm the current numbers at lvmonorail.com before you go. Kids five and under ride free.
The Free Resort Trams
Separate from the monorail, there are free tram systems connecting certain resorts on the west side. The main one links Bellagio to the Shops at Crystals, Aria, and Park MGM. There’s also a tram serving the Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay cluster on the south end. These are completely free and great for short hops between neighboring properties. Since the resort lineup keeps changing, check current routes before you count on a specific stop.
Buses, Rideshare, and Taxis
The Deuce is the double-decker bus that runs the length of the Strip and continues downtown to Fremont Street, which is the one thing the monorail can’t do. It’s cheap and it’s the easy way to connect the Strip and downtown.
Uber and Lyft both operate here and are usually cheaper and easier than a taxi. One quirk: on the Strip, rideshare pickups are often routed to designated spots, frequently in the parking garages rather than right at the front door, so follow the app’s pickup instructions. Taxis are plentiful too but generally pricier for the same trip.
Where to Park on the Strip
Las Vegas has some of the biggest parking garages in the country, but the days of parking being universally free are over. Many Strip resorts now charge for both self-parking and valet, though the rates and which properties charge keep changing. Some off-Strip and locals-oriented casinos still offer free parking. If free parking matters to you, check the specific resort’s current policy before you go, because this is one of the fastest-moving details in town.
Can You Drink on the Strip?
Yes, and this is one of the things that makes Vegas, Vegas. As long as you’re 21 or older, carrying an open container of alcohol on foot along the Strip is legal, because you’re in unincorporated Clark County rather than the stricter City of Las Vegas.
But there are real rules underneath that freedom:
No glass. Glass containers are not allowed on the Strip. Stick to plastic cups and cans, which is why you see all those souvenir plastic cups.
No drinking in vehicles. Open containers are illegal in cars, taxis, and rideshares, even as a passenger. The exception is a licensed party bus or limo, which are specifically permitted.
Not near certain buildings. Public drinking is restricted within a set distance of places like churches, hospitals, and shelters, though this rarely comes up in the heart of the resort corridor.
And the obvious one: staying on the right side of the law means not being disorderly. There’s heavy police presence and camera coverage along the boulevard, and public intoxication that turns into a nuisance can get you cited.
The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” Sign
The iconic sign is not in the middle of the action. It sits on a median on Las Vegas Boulevard South, about a mile south of Mandalay Bay, past the main cluster of resorts. Designed by Betty Willis in 1959, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. There’s a small dedicated parking lot next to it, which makes driving the easiest way to get the photo. You can walk to it from the south Strip, but it’s a longer, less scenic hike than people expect.
How Far Is Fremont Street From the Strip?
Fremont Street, home to the downtown light-canopy experience, is a separate district north of the Strip. It’s roughly a 10-to-15-minute drive up Las Vegas Boulevard or I-15, depending on traffic. It’s walkable only if you’re serious about it, several miles on foot. The easy option is the Deuce bus, an Uber, or a quick drive. Note that Fremont Street has its own rules, including a ban on both glass and cans in the pedestrian mall.
What Age Do You Need to Be to Gamble or Drink?
Both are 21 in Nevada. You’ll need a government-issued photo ID to prove your age, and that same 21 minimum applies to checking into most hotels on your own. Anyone under 21 is considered a minor for gaming purposes and can’t play the slots or table games, or linger in the gaming areas.
Is There a Curfew in Las Vegas?
Clark County has a curfew for minors. Broadly, unaccompanied kids under 18 have earlier curfew hours on weeknights and slightly later hours on weekends, holidays, and summer, and on the Strip specifically the rules for minors are stricter. If you’re traveling with teens, it’s worth checking the current county curfew rules before you go.
Planning a Trip, or a Move?
Whether you’re visiting or thinking about actually living here, the Strip is only one slice of what this valley has to offer. If Vegas has you curious about calling it home, from the high-rise condos overlooking the Strip to the master-planned communities out in Summerlin and Henderson, that’s exactly what my team does.
Call or text us at 702-604-7739 and we’ll help you figure out where you fit.
Details like fares, hours, parking fees, and which resorts are open change frequently in Las Vegas. This guide is for general information. Please verify current specifics with the venue or operator before your trip.