If you’ve been following along on this wonderful journey through Las Vegas, thank you so much. And you’ll be disappointed to read this chapter is coming to a close (maybe?)! After four full posts reviewing various Las Vegas decorations and décor, I’ll be moving on to another city! But if you’ve missed the first several posts, you can read about Fun Things To Do in Downtown Las Vegas (Part 1 of the series, but the things aren’t all free), Free Things To Do on the Las Vegas Strip (Hotel Décor Reviews) Part 2, and Free Things To Do on the Las Vegas Strip (Hotel Décor Reviews) Part 3. For the most comprehensive back story and entertainment, I highly recommend you start at part 1! Without further ado, I present to you a review of the free activities on the southern Las Vegas Strip (in geographic order from the North!) and reviews to see if they are worth visiting!
Keep in mind, all opinions are completely my own, based on my experiences and preferences. Everyone is different and unique – and that’s ok! I also stuck to free things in hotels, so it’s solely based on décor, store wandering, and free shows not any of the attractions they host.
Also, please note several of these images were taken with an old iPhone so they may not be as good as my others!
Vegas Hotel Reviews: ARIA
The ARIA opened in 2009 as another luxury resort. It’s another hotel with no theme, but it’s also just that – a hotel. It wasn’t on my must-stop list, but because we were near it, we stopped here too. We walked in and pretty much walked right back out! It truly was just a hotel lobby. A nice lobby, yes, but not one worth visiting.
ARIA review/score: 0.5/5
Why: I can’t give it a 0 because it was a very nice hotel lobby. There were lovely red butterflies in a little waiting area… but that’s not worth making the detour.
Vegas Hotel Reviews: Polo Towers Hotel
Polo Towers opened in 1992, and the only reason it’s even on this list is because it’s where we stayed when we moved from El Cortez! It was a lovely hotel to stay at and I wanted to share how cool it was. We choose to stay here because we got a large suite for the same price it would’ve been to get a small room at the more popular/famous hotels – and yes, I mean a kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom separated! I also got access to a wonderful gym, rooftop pool and hot tub, and overlook of Vegas. So, while this isn’t a stop I’d suggest for sightseeing, it was a nice experience.
Polo Towers review/score: 4.8/5 for the hotel experience, but probably a 0/5 for the purposes of this list!
Why: There’s really nothing for you to sightsee here!
Vegas Hotel Reviews: MGM Grand
The area the MGM Grand sits on was originally other motels and hotels dating back to the 1960s. In 1993, it became the new MGM Grand (relocated from its previous spot where Bally’s is) with a Wizard of Oz theme (can we say HECK YES!? Then get super disappointed when you learn it’s gone?). The Emerald City attraction was massive based on descriptions I’ve read. At the front, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion were prominent. There was an elaborate yellow brick road with the cornfield, apple orchard, and haunted forest, as well as audio-animatronic figures of all the characters at the front, plus the Wicked Witch of the West. One entrance also consisted of a huge lion’s head, and guests walked through its mouth. After one year, it was removed due to poor performance. In 1996 the yellow brick road attraction was removed, and 4 years later all traces of Oz in the décor were removed.
The MGM tried another attraction with a live lion exhibit in 1999, but that was also closed and renovated in 2012.
All that to say, it’s another resort and casino that doesn’t have much of a draw to it anymore in terms of wandering. Sure, there’s plenty of attractions that make it interesting, but none of them are cool to just look at and experience for free as with some other hotels. Even the shops attached (you should expect by now that nearly all these hotels have shops!) aren’t unique or of note.
MGM Grand review/score: 0.5/5
Why: The lion statue is cool. But I wouldn’t go back or make a special trip to this generic casino, shopping area, or hotel.
Free Things in Vegas Reviews: The Park
The Park is The Strip’s first park! It’s located next to New York New York and Park MGM. It’s an entertainment district designed after the surrounding desert area, and it has an urban sustainability that’s impressive. In addition to the intentional design, the art is a treat to see. My two favorite things were the giant desert flowers and color changing water cascades.
The Park review/score: 4/5
Why: It’s small, cute, one of the better outdoor areas on the Strip, and easy to get to. No fun or unique shops, though.
Vegas Hotel Reviews: New York New York
New York New York opened in 1997 with the intent to evoke 1940s New York City architecture and attractions. With skyscrapers, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty, it’s easy to see! Within the casino, you get the New York feel, so it lives up to its expectations for the most part. However, there isn’t much to see inside. To get the true New York experience in Vegas, the outside area is where you should visit. The shops aren’t all that original, but the area décor is absolutely more unique in comparison to many other shopping areas. Plus, it has the Big Apple coaster.
New York New York review/score: For what it is trying to be and its attempts at uniqueness, I give it a 3.5. For my personal tastes, it’s a 1/5.
Why: Like I said, it’s not bad, and I love how it’s trying to be unique from other hotels in the area. For that I almost want to give it a 4! But it’s not truly that unique when you look at attractions and installations in other hotels and casinos.
Vegas Hotel Reviews: Excalibur
Excalibur opened in 1990 as a “theme resort” similar to Circus Circus or Treasure island. Similar to both, it has since undergone various changes. The outside gets high marks. It really does look like a pretty cool cartoon castle! But that’s where the décor pretty much ends. It used to have a dragon and Merlin. It used to have statues and medieval décor. It used to be unique, at least from everything I’ve read. Unfortunately, owners are attempting to modernize the hotel and casino, and I think it’s at the expense of everything that made it unique. I traveled all the way down the Strip to see this hotel (with others, which I’ll describe later) and don’t think I could’ve been more disappointed. There were some knight statues above a doorway… There was a knight statue in the gambling area. And that was essentially it. From what I read, there used to be statues and décor everywhere, but not anymore. Make way for modern.
Excalibur review/score: 0.5/5
Why: There is nothing there to draw visitors to see it. Period. There’s nothing unique or exciting, and it’s just a disappointment. If it was closer to everything else, maybe it could get a 1 or 1.5, but with as far away as it is? Pointless.
Vegas Hotel Reviews: Luxor
The Luxor opened in 1993 with a focus on family-oriented fun. That’s about it. It’s been going through renovations and changes since, even now. They’ve replaced 80% of their original décor and design for a more contemporary feel.
I didn’t think I could be more disappointed after seeing Excalibur. But the Luxor managed it. The outside was so promising with the Sphinx and pyramid. You even get to walk under the Sphinx if you take the tram that connects Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, and Luxor (okay, I liked the tram. The tram gets points). But once you walk in, all you see is a few Anubis dogs. In the olden days (yes. I’m using that term because that’s what it feels like), the Luxor had a Nile River tour that took guests around the pyramid (via an actual river!) to see ancient artwork. They also featured a replica of King Tut’s tomb and museum. But those things don’t exist anymore.
Again, owners have been trying to renovate the property to make it more modern and adult. I’m sorry but what’s the point?!?! Eventually with all this modernization, all these hotels will be the same! Nothing will make them unique except for their exterior, and what’s going to make people choose the Luxor (an MGM property) over one of the Caesar-owned, other-owned, or Wynn-owned properties? I know, people get free things, comped rooms, and more so maybe I’m expecting too much. But thank you for listening to my little rant.
Luxor review/score: 1/5
Why: It’s just so thoroughly disappointing it’s sad. It gets a little bit better score than its counterpart Excalibur because of the Sphinx.
Vegas Hotel Reviews: Mandalay Bay
Mandalay Bay opened in 1999 as a luxury resort and casino. It’s best known for its beach pool and shark reef, although it does have shops attached. As far as I can tell, there is no theme, which I wasn’t sure of to begin with. As for the Shoppes, there weren’t any particularly unique stores so I can’t recommend heading there just for shopping. There was some nice décor outside the House of Blues, though.
Mandalay Bay review/score: 1/5
Why: It wasn’t bad per se. But there really isn’t anything to see or do, especially when you consider how far away it is from the more impressive hotels.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
The iconic Las Vegas sign was built in 1959 and marks (for most) the “official southern end of the Strip.” The sign has since been places on both the State and National Register of Historic Places. There used to be a huge risk in stopping to get a picture with the sign, but several improvements have been made in terms of parking and traffic flow, so it’s as safe as it can be. I suppose it’s a good combination of old and modern Vegas with that in mind!
When we first drove down the Strip, we of course passed the sign. And hoo-weee, the line was long! I decided I didn’t want to wait that long for a silly picture, so we drove past it the next night and I got some (awful) photos. While it’s “just a sign,” I understand the appeal. It’s like the Eiffel Tower or Leaning Tower of Piza. Both are just buildings… yet they attract millions of people. So, while I decided it wasn’t for me, I don’t want to ward you away from it. I think it’s actually something most people should do while in Vegas… because why not?
Fabulous Las Vegas Sign review/score: 2/5
Why: It’s average. But that’s just my opinion! I get the appeal, and sometimes I wish I had stopped. But most of the time I’m “meh,” so don’t take this review too seriously.
Have you done anything of these things in Las Vegas? What did you think? Let me know in the comments, and come back for more discussion for things to do for free on the Strip!
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Thanks for the info! I was considering planning a trip to Vegas!
No problem!