Local Strolls: 10K steps on the Vegas strip

16.04.2024 - 22:11 / lonelyplanet.com

Delve into Local Strolls, a series where writers reveal their favorite walks in their hometowns. Each route offers a snapshot of urban life, guiding you to lesser-known attractions and cherished local spots. Here, Jesse Scott outlines the best route for exploring Las Vegas's iconic Strip on foot.

While there is so much more to appreciate about Las Vegas beyond its glitzy, mega-casino lined Strip, let’s be real here: the Strip is Las Vegas’ main attraction and is a total must for newbies and veterans alike. It is constantly evolving – be it imploding classic casinos to build a major league baseball stadium (RIP, the Tropicana in 2024 to make way for the Athletics’ pending baseball stadium) or new restaurants/shops celebrating grand openings in the quietest nooks of resorts.

Often jammed with traffic and construction 24/7, you certainly don’t want to drive it... unless you’re passing through town for a strictly scenic drive or want to crawl 5mph to your dinner reservation. The Strip was made for strolling and there is an extensive roadside network of super-wide sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian bridges and outdoor escalators for doing just that.

The beauty of a Strip stroll is you can stop for a reprieve at any moment, coming in the form of hitting a blackjack table right inside the Flamingo’s Strip-side entrance or snagging a yard-long frozen cocktail at one of several Fat Tuesdays (and taking it with you – it’s legal). As for what to bring with you, Las Vegas is smack-dab in the middle of a desert. Don’t make the common mistake of having dehydration sneak up on you or sunburn – bring water and sunscreen if you’re walking during the day.

We've narrowed down the thousands upon thousands of dining, drinking, entertainment and logistical routes to choose from along the Strip to bring you the best itinerary for your Vegas stroll.

The core of the Strip runs from the golden-windowed Mandalay Bay on the southern end, north to Sydney Tower-resemblant the STRAT – it’s approximately 4.3 miles one way. Things do get a bit more spread out north of the Wynn. So, if you’re looking to shave off some stroll mileage, it’s 2.9 miles one way – or about an hour – without any stops from Mandalay Bay to the Wynn. Start your trip north by visiting Mandalay's Shark Reef Aquarium, which has more than 2000 critters to gawk at within its clear glass tunnel confines.

The walk: From Mandalay Bay, there is an indoor path connecting the resort with the neighboring pyramid-themed Luxor and medieval castle-esque Excalibur. Once you’ve reached Excalibur, cross a pedestrian bridge over Tropicana Ave and you’ve arrived at New York-New York.

This is Vegas, so why not get an in-ride roller coaster view of what’s ahead? The Big Apple Coaster