20 Las Vegas Landmarks

Las Vegas, or Sin City as it’s often called, is a city of extremes. From beginnings in the early 20th century to mega-casinos and resorts lining the famous Las Vegas Strip, the growth has been rapid. Other entertainment capitals have emerged as competitors in recent years, yet Las Vegas continues to dazzle visitors with its neon lights and ever-changing skyline. Las Vegas is the gambling capital and the wedding capital of the USA but if you’re not keen on hitting the roulette tables, there’s plenty to see in this buzzy city. It’s the brightest city on earth when observed from space and the only one where you can see the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, and Venice’s canals all in one day. Ready to go? Tick these Las Vegas landmarks off your to-see list.

Las Vegas Landmarks

20 Incredible Landmarks In Las Vegas

1- ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ Sign

Designed by artist Betty Willis, the ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign has been greeting drivers entering the city since it was built in 1959.

Facing north on the famous Las Vegas Boulevard, this neon sign reigns supreme in a city filled with dazzling signs and has been featured in photographs and films worldwide.

The whopping 25 foot (7.6 m) tall sign is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places and is very easy to reach thanks to the recent construction of a 40-car parking lot next to the sign itself.

The ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign is one of the most memorable landmarks of Las Vegas and is free to enjoy.

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas is at 5200 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Recommended tours:

• Las Vegas Hot Air Balloon Ride
• Big Bus Las Vegas Open Top Night Tour
• Las Vegas Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

2- Stratosphere Tower

Rising over 1000 ft (305 m) above the ritzy casinos and hotels below, Las Vegas’ Stratosphere Tower dominates the city’s skyline and is visible from virtually anywhere in Las Vegas.

Opened on 30 April 1996, the tower houses a hotel, a casino, a world-class restaurant and three heart-pounding thrill rides that’ll give you an adrenaline rush from a dizzying 860 ft (262 m) up in the air.

The tallest building in the state, Stratosphere Tower, is a Las Vegas landmark that treats you to vistas stretching as far as the eye can see from any of the tower’s two observation platforms.

The best time to explore the Stratosphere Tower is at dusk when the city’s neon-lit skyscrapers and casinos spring to life just as the sun sets over the Las Vegas skyline.

Stratosphere Tower is at 2000 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89104.

3- Neon Museum

Las Vegas Boulevard’s Neon Museum is the final resting place for many old signs, which once featured prominently on some of Las Vegas’ most-iconic casinos and hotels.

Located within the lobby of the former La Concha Motel, the Neon Museum was converted into an impressive visitor’s centre in 1996.

The 2.25-acre (0.9 ha) lot has both indoor and outdoor exhibitions.

Touring the Neon Museum takes visitors on a journey through the history of Las Vegas from the 1930s to the present day, showcasing the boom and bust of many once-popular Las Vegas casinos.

Join a guided tour of the facility, where you will see the signs of the defunct Stardust and Moulin Rouge casinos and over 200 other signs throughout the museum complex.

Neon Museum is at 770 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89101.

4- Paris Las Vegas Hotel

A famous landmark to grace the Vegas Strip is the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, with its half-scale replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.

Constructed in 1999, Paris Las Vegas brings the best of Paris to downtown Sin City and has attracted more than 10 million visitors.

Its most recognisable feature is the 165m (541 ft) tall Eiffel Tower replica, complete with an observation deck and a restaurant offering 360-degree views of the entire Strip and the Bellagio’s dancing fountains.

The hotel’s Eiffel Tower replica is open from 9.30 am to 12.30 am daily, weather permitting, and is one of Las Vegas’ many quintessential landmarks every visitor should experience at least once.

Paris Las Vegas Hotel is at 3655 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.

5- Fremont Street

The pedestrian-only Fremont Street is in the heart of old downtown Las Vegas and is one of the most famous landmarks not on the Last Vegas Strip.

Lit up in vibrant colours and eye-catching neon signs, Fremont Street comes to life at night when street performers and outdoor entertainers dazzle onlookers strolling the streets.

Spread out over an area that covers five city blocks, the Fremont Street Experience is a highlight not to be missed.

Fremont Street is at Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101.

Also read:

6- Hoover Dam

While not in Las Vegas itself, the Hoover Dam is a short 45-minute drive from downtown Las Vegas and straddles the Nevada-Arizona border.

Once the world’s largest dam, the Hoover Dam played a key role in the creation and subsequent boom of Las Vegas and provides nearly 90% of the city’s freshwater.

Measuring over 200 m (656 ft) in height, the Hoover Dam and its reservoir, Lake Mead, is the perfect escape for Vegas city slickers looking to cool off on hot summer days.

There are tours available throughout the year detailing the history of the Hoover Dam and the tremendous impact it had on the entire southwestern United States.

7- Venetian Hotel

The iconic Venetian Hotel and Casino has been an iconic landmark on the Las Vegas Strip since it first opened in 1999.

Replicating the famous canals of Venice, the Venetian delights guests with Venetian gondolas and a gorgeous Venetian-Gothic inspired arcade filled with top-tier shopping and dining options

The Venetian’s gondolas are a great way to traverse the massive complex, picking up guests outside and whisking them into its arcade.

The gondoliers make it a magical experience and a landmark in Las Vegas you won’t forget.

Venetian Hotel is at 3355 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109.

8- Bellagio Resort

When you picture the Las Vegas Strip and its ritzy casinos, the Bellagio Resort and its world-famous dancing fountains are certainly an image that’ll come to mind.

It’s one of the best free attractions in Las Vegas, and the nightly rhythmic fountain shows are nothing short of spectacular.

Venture beyond the fountain and past the hotel’s lobby to marvel at the ever-changing displays and exhibitions in the showroom, ranging from botanical collections to art installations.

Bellagio is also home to some of Las Vegas’s finest dining options, with numerous world-class restaurants throughout the facility.

It’s a truly iconic Las Vegas landmark that needs to be seen to believe.

Bellagio Resort is at 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.

9- High Roller Ferris Wheel

The High Roller Ferris Wheel is one of the largest observation wheels in the world, measuring an incredible 550 ft (168 m) in height.

Situated at the end of Linq Lane promenade, the High Roller Ferris Wheel takes about 30 minutes to complete a full loop, allowing plenty of time to catch unbeatable views from high above downtown Las Vegas.

Open until midnight, the Ferris wheel becomes extremely popular after sunset when the shimmering lights are an impressive sight.

It’s a relaxing way of enjoying the skyline and surrounding desert landscape, even during the scorching summer temperatures, as the cabins are climate controlled.

The High Roller Ferris Wheel is at 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.

10- New York-New York Hotel

While the Paris Las Vegas Hotel recreates iconic Parisian landmarks, New York-New York Hotel seeks to recreate that Manhattan skyline right in Las Vegas.

Across the street from MGM Grand, New York-New York Hotel is right in the centre of the action on the Las Vegas Strip, making it easy to reach and hard to miss.

The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge are the main replica landmarks that can be seen at New York-New York, including a rollercoaster named the Big Apple Coaster, which loops around the hotel.

Visually stunning and a great place for a fun day out, the New York-New York Hotel is a fantastic landmark in Las Vegas to explore, even if the buildings are not the same size as the originals.

New York-New York Hotel is at 3790 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.

For more amazing European Landmarks, read:

11- Caesar’s Palace

The ever-evolving Caesar’s Palace Resort and Casino is one of the most famous casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and has been attracting crowds since 1966.

Caesar’s Palace regularly hosts live performances and boxing matches, attracting some of the biggest stars in the world.

Elton John and Celine Dion are just some of the names who have held regular live concerts in the past in Caesar’s Palace’s Colosseum, a massive concert hall capable of seating 4,100 people.

Caesar’s Palace is not just an entertainment hub but also has numerous top-rated restaurants and shopping arcades.

Caesar’s Palace is at 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.

12- Madame Tussauds

Although there are many Madame Tussaud’s museums around the world, each museum’s displays are unique, making it possible to visit every single Madame Tussauds without seeing anything twice.

With various lifelike wax figures of A-list celebrities, royals and politicians on display, the Las Vegas version pays homage to the city’s vibrant entertainment history, displaying wax figures of famous entertainers who made their mark here.

Some of the celebrities on display in Madame Tussaud’s Las Vegas include Bradley Cooper, Elvis Presley, Sofia Vergara, Miley Cyrus and Beyoncé.

Snap a photo with your favourite star. Madame Tussaud’s wax museum in Las Vegas is next to the Venetian.

Madame Tussauds is at 3377 S Las Vegas Blvd Ste. 2001, Las Vegas, NV 89109. Book the Las Vegas Super Saver: Madame Tussauds with Gondola Boat Ride and Optional Meal for a good deal.

13- The Mob Museum

The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement (better known as ‘The Mob Museum’), tells the true tale of the history of organised crime in America through various engaging displays and short video clips.

Housed in a 1933 Neoclassical Building, which served as the US Post Office and Courthouse during the Kefauver Committee hearings, the Mob Museum is the first of its kind in Nevada.

The museum covers a broad spectrum of topics ranging from fashion and culture inspired by organised crime to exhibits retelling the tales of infamous villains and events connected to organised crime in the US.

It’s a memorable experience for anyone curious to learn more about the Mob and a Las Vegas landmark that’s certainly worth visiting.

The Mob Museum is at 300 Stewart Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101.

14- Luxor Hotel

The jet-black pyramid of the Luxor Hotel has ruled over the Strip’s southwestern tip since it was opened in 1993.

The Egyptian-themed hotel and casino stands 30 stories tall and is roughly a third of the size of the original pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

The Luxor Hotel is most famous for its intense beam of light, which shoots up high into the night sky from atop the pyramid’s pinnacle.

It’s so strong it can even be seen by pilots flying over Southern California.

The glass-covered Luxor Hotel and the giant sphinx guarding its entrance truly are Las Vegas icons.

Luxor Hotel is at 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119.

15- Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

Located near the Luxor at the southern point of the Strip, Mandalay Bay’s golden-clad façade has shimmered brightly under the Nevada sun since 1999.

Although the resort is popular, Mandalay Bay’s 1,300,000-gallon (4,921,035-litre) Shark Reef Aquarium steals the show.

Filled with a range of fish, reptiles, turtles, rays and various marine invertebrate species, including a Komodo dragon and over 100 sharks, the Shark Reef Aquarium has an incredibly extensive collection of marine life to marvel at.

The aquarium is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and works to protect and preserve endangered marine species by employing qualified wildlife biologists.

The aquarium’s Shark Tunnel is a fun way to experience this incredible array of marine species up close, giving guests unobstructed views into the tank and the marine life.

Shark Reef Aquarium is at 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89119.

16- Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area feels like an entirely different world from the Vegas Strip, despite being only a 20-minute drive west of downtown Las Vegas.

The beautiful scenery and striking rock formations of Red Rock Canyon create the ideal environment for a host of fun outdoor activities.

The area attracts over a million visitors annually, thanks to its proximity to Las Vegas, with more and more coming each year as word of the beauty of Red Rock starts to spread.

Pack all the essentials and plenty of water if you’re planning on visiting Red Rock Canyon, as the scorching Nevada sun can be deadly during the summer.

Looking to get out of Las Vegas? Check out these tours:

• Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour with Champagne Toast
• Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park Day Tour with Lunch from Las Vegas
• Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Trip with Lunch
• Small group Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend from Las Vegas

17- Excalibur Hotel

With its unique Camelot-inspired design, the 4,000-room Excalibur Hotel was the world’s largest hotel when it opened in 1990, however today it’s merely the seventh-largest hotel in Las Vegas.

A product of the popular ‘theme-resort’ trend that started in the 1990s, Excalibur’s striking colourful turrets have become a well-known sight of the Las Vegas Strip’s skyline and a popular Las Vegas landmark to visit.

Recently renovated, Excalibur offers all the top-class amenities one would expect at a premier Las Vegas resort and is well worth your time to marvel at the resort’s fairytale façade.

Excalibur Hotel is at 3850 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.

18- The Las Vegas Strip

The highlight of any trip to Sin City and the heart of all the city’s action, nightlife and famous sights, the 2.5-mile (4 km) Las Vegas Strip runs through the city’s downtown area from northeast to southeast.

The Strip is a section that features all the top casinos and resorts along its sidewalks and is the hub of most of the city’s entertainment.

An absolute must-visit during any trip to the city, strolling the Strip after sunset is a fun experience filled with neon-lit buildings, grand casinos and quirky people.

The Strip is a great place to explore many other famous Vegas landmarks, such as The Venetian, Caesar’s Palace and the Bellagio, including top dining and shopping options, making it the perfect place to plan your Las Vegas visit around.

Recommended tour: Big Bus Las Vegas Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Tour

19- Mount Charleston

Mount Charleston’s temperate climate is a welcome retreat from Nevada’s harsh desert climate and is a popular year-round destination for Las Vegas residents hoping to escape the busy cityscape.

Mount Charleston is visible from the Vegas Strip and attracts skiers and winter sports enthusiasts between November and March every year when the snow-capped peaks of Mount Charleston are perfect for skiing.

In the spring and summer, Mount Charleston’s hiking and biking trails steal the show, treating travellers to spectacular Las Vegas views and that of the Red Rock Canyon stretching as far as the eye can see.

Mount Charleston is a delight for nature lovers no matter the time of year while being a short 50-minute drive from downtown Las Vegas.

Mount Charleston is at Kyle Canyon Rd. Mt. Charleston, NV 89124.

20- Graceland Wedding Chapel

Opened in 1939, the Graceland Wedding Chapel has been a Las Vegas landmark for decades and is synonymous with the city’s unofficial nickname of the ‘Wedding Capital of the World’.

The venue of hundreds of thousands of weddings and the tiny chapel’s long list of A-list celebrity brides and grooms who have been there make it an iconic Vegas landmark to visit.

The Graceland Wedding Chapel has seen the likes of Billy Ray Cyrus and Jon Bon Jovi and members of bands such as Def Lepard, KISS, and Deep Purple.

The chapel has also been featured in films and television series, such as The Hangover, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and was the site of the first Elvis-themed wedding in 1977.

Graceland Wedding Chapel is at 619 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89101.