By Dwight Malone
Las Vegas is one of America's most popular tourist destinations, and the Las Vegas Strip is the most popular destination within the city. With fine dining, high-end shopping, plenty of gambling and world-class entertainment, the Las Vegas Strip draws more than 35 million visitors a year from all over the world.
Geography
The Las Vegas Strip is a portion of Las Vegas Boulevard that is more than four miles long. Only a small part of the Strip is in Las Vegas proper. The rest is in unincorporated areas of nearby communities.
Hotel Rooms
The Las Vegas Strip is home to more than 15 of the world's 20 largest hotels. The dozens of hotels together house more than 65,000 hotel rooms on the Strip alone.
Architecture
The Las Vegas Strip features eclectic architecture styles and replicas of some of the world's most recognizable sights. The New York New York Hotel replicates the New York City skyline. Luxor is in the shape of a pyramid, and Excalibur is styled as a large castle.
Transportation
Tourists and residents alike can enjoy several modes of public transportation along the strip. A monorail runs near the east side of the Strip, plus tourist trolleys and double-decker buses carry passengers along the roadway, stopping at many of the major hotels and casinos. Several hotels also operate their own shuttles along the
Strip.
Other Attractions
Besides the numerous hotels, casinos and nightclubs along the Strip, tourists will find several shopping centers (many housed at Strip hotels), the world's largest gift store and several entertainment venues staging popular shows and entertainers. Street entertainers are also popular along the corridor.
About the Author:
Dwight Malone is a journalist who has worked for various Chicago-area newspapers, including the "Chicago Tribune" and "Naperville Sun." He has been a writer, editor and graphic designer since 2000. Malone studied journalism at Eastern Illinois University.
