History of Las Vegas Strip in Timeline
The Las Vegas Strip is a 4.2-mile section of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada, famous for its high concentration of resort hotels and casinos. Located south of Las Vegas city limits in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester, it's commonly called "Las Vegas." The Strip is a major tourist destination, offering a wide array of entertainment options, including gambling, shows, fine dining, and luxury accommodations.
1931: Pair-o-Dice Club opens
In 1931, the Pair-o-Dice Club became the first casino built on Highway 91, which would later become part of the Las Vegas Strip.
April 3, 1941: El Rancho Vegas opens
On April 3, 1941, the El Rancho Vegas opened with 63 bungalow hotel rooms, becoming the first full-service casino-resort on what is now called the Strip.
December 1946: Flamingo casino opens
In December 1946, the Flamingo casino opened, financed with mob money, marking a significant moment in the growth of Las Vegas gaming.
March 1947: Flamingo hotel opens
In March 1947, the Flamingo hotel opened, completing the resort that had its casino open since December 1946.
1950: Las Vegas annexation attempt and creation of Paradise and Winchester
In 1950, Mayor Ernie Cragin attempted to annex the Las Vegas Strip to expand the city's tax base. Instead, casino executives lobbied for town status, leading to the creation of Paradise and Winchester.
1959: Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign built
In 1959, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was built exactly 4.5 miles (7.2 km) outside the city limits on Las Vegas Boulevard.
1966: Caesars Palace established
In 1966, Caesars Palace was established, contributing to the growing fame of the Las Vegas Strip.
November 21, 1980: MGM Grand fire
On November 21, 1980, the MGM Grand suffered the worst resort fire in Las Vegas history due to electrical problems, resulting in 87 fatalities.
1985: Changes in table games mix
From 1985 to 2019, changes occurred in the types of table games available in casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
1986: Kerkorian sells MGM Grand to Bally Manufacturing
In 1986, Kerkorian sold the MGM Grand to Bally Manufacturing, and the hotel was renamed Bally's.
1989: The Mirage opens
In 1989, the opening of The Mirage set a new standard for the Las Vegas experience, leading to the development of larger mega-resorts.
1990: Tropicana Country Club closes
In 1990, the Tropicana Country Club closed due to increasing land values on the Las Vegas Strip.
1993: Current MGM Grand opens
In 1993, the current MGM Grand opened as part of an effort to attract families to the Las Vegas Strip, though with limited success.
1993: Cirque du Soleil's Mystère show launches
In 1993, the launch of the Mystère show by Cirque du Soleil at the Treasure Island hotel transformed Las Vegas Strip entertainment.
1995: Monorail begins operating
In 1995, the monorail began operating with two trains from Walt Disney World, providing a new transportation option on the Strip.
2004: CityCenter announced
In 2004, the CityCenter project was announced, a $8.5 billion multi-use development on the site of the former Boardwalk hotel.
2006: CityCenter construction begins
In 2006, construction began on CityCenter, a large-scale multi-use project on the former site of the Boardwalk hotel.
2009: Most elements of CityCenter opened
In late 2009, most elements of the CityCenter project opened, marking a significant addition to the Las Vegas Strip.
2012: High Roller Ferris wheel and The Linq Promenade broke ground
In 2012, the High Roller Ferris wheel and The Linq Promenade broke ground in an effort to diversify attractions beyond casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.
2014: MGM initiated solar power
In 2014, MGM initiated solar power with a solar array on top of the Mandalay Bay, marking a step towards renewable energy on the Las Vegas Strip.
2014: Renovations and rebrandings transform the Strip
In 2014, renovations and rebrandings such as The Cromwell Las Vegas and the SLS Las Vegas continued to transform the Las Vegas Strip.
2015: Show attendance higher than in 2019
In 2015, show attendance on the Las Vegas Strip was higher than it was in 2019, with only 51% of visitors attending shows in 2019.
2015: Las Vegas Festival Grounds opened
In 2015, the Las Vegas Festival Grounds opened, adding another venue for events and attractions on the Strip.
2016: T-Mobile Arena, The Park, and the Park Theater opened
In 2016, T-Mobile Arena, The Park, and the Park Theater (now known as Dolby Live) opened, enhancing the entertainment options on the Las Vegas Strip.
2016: TopGolf opened near the Strip
In 2016, a TopGolf facility opened near the Las Vegas Strip, providing a new entertainment option.
2016: Solar array expanded
In 2016, the solar array at the Mandalay Bay was expanded, capable of powering 25% of the Mandalay Bay campus.
October 1, 2017: Mandalay Bay shooting
On October 1, 2017, a mass shooting occurred at a concert near the Mandalay Bay hotel, resulting in 60 fatalities, including the gunman. It remains the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
2017: Show attendance higher than in 2019
In 2017, show attendance on the Las Vegas Strip was higher than it was in 2019, with only 51% of visitors attending shows in 2019.
2017: Wynn Golf Club closed
In 2017, the Wynn Golf Club initially closed, but the development plan was cancelled, and it was renovated and re-opened in late 2019.
2018: Show attendance higher than in 2019
In 2018, show attendance on the Las Vegas Strip was higher than it was in 2019, with only 51% of visitors attending shows in 2019.
2018: Increased gambling budget
In 2019, the average gambling budget of $591.06 increased from 2018.
2019: Pedestrian traffic on the Strip
As of 2019, about 50,000 pedestrians walked the Las Vegas Strip on an average day, showing its continued popularity.
2019: Show attendance statistics
During 2019, 51% of visitors on the Las Vegas Strip attended shows. More visitors went to Broadway/production shows, while fewer saw lounge acts, comedy shows, or celebrity DJs.
2019: Changes in table games mix
From 1985 to 2019, changes occurred in the types of table games available in casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
2019: Gambling Statistics
In 2019, 81% of Las Vegas visitors gambled, spending an average of 2.7 hours with a budget of $591.06. 89% of those gambled on the Strip Corridor, with large casinos reporting over $6 billion in annual gaming revenue.
2019: Wynn Golf Club re-opened
In late 2019, the Wynn Golf Club re-opened after renovations, following a cancelled development plan.
2020: LVCVA acquires monorail
In 2020, the monorail was acquired by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).
2021: Increase in taxi passengers
In 2021, there was an increase in taxi passengers due to declines in rideshare drivers and rideshare surge pricing.
2023: Las Vegas Grand Prix part of Formula One World Championship
The Las Vegas Grand Prix became part of the Formula One World Championship in 2023, hosted on the Las Vegas Strip.
July 2024: The Mirage closed
In July 2024, The Mirage closed and will reopen as the Hard Rock Las Vegas.
October 2024: Tropicana demolished
In October 2024, the Tropicana was demolished to make way for a new Bally's Las Vegas resort and New Las Vegas Stadium.
March 2025: CityCenter cost in 2025
As of March 2025, CityCenter cost the equivalent of $16.1 billion.
2028: New Las Vegas Stadium to house the Athletics
In 2028, the New Las Vegas Stadium will become the home of the Oakland Athletics after they relocate to the Las Vegas Valley, with the stadium located on the Las Vegas Strip.
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