Doing the Las Vegas Strip

Great as the time share is, you don’t want to spend the whole week in your room. You need to do The Strip.

Some of the places on The Strip are legends. Some are new, and their history is yet to be made. Some have passed from history with progress and changing times. It’s about three miles from the north end of The Strip to Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the south end. A stroll the length of The Strip takes it all in and also makes for a good work out.

Any visitor will need to stop by the Riviera and reflect on the legion of personalities who graced this landmark for fifty years. Stop by the lobby and follow the gallery of entertainment giants pictured on the wall. Times have since moved on, and many of these names are no more. Follow The Strip further south where development continues and newcomers are making their own names.

Demolition and reconstruction are taking place to the north, where the Las Vegas Strip made its history. Further south the street enters the twenty-first century with technology of the new millennium and a higher level of glitz. Stories-tall video displays advertise merchandise and entertainment. Erotica is a constant appeal, and the electronic billboards push the constraints of social acceptability.

It’s not to say The Strip is not family friendly. Take the kiddos to see the Treasure Island show. Getting a view there requires staking out a spot on the sidewalk in advance. The water shows in front of the Bellagio are a delight for the entire family. There is a new show every fifteen minutes during the evenings, with a seemingly endless variation of themes.

Maybe you don’t want to take the young ones to M&M’s World. As the name suggests, it’s 28,000 square feet of the good stuff stacked four stories high. Besides the sweets, there’s an encyclopedia of M&M merchandise, including cups, stuffed toys, clothing, and even a race car. One room has a wall lined with hoppers to dispense 28 colors of M&Ms. Bring a suitcase and load up.

During the day, when the lights on the strip have dimmed, wander over to the Sahara and check out the roller coaster that shoots out of the building and takes some spectacular loops before retracing its path. Lay off the M&Ms before you climb aboard.

A confession. I am retiring and getting out of time share ownership. Working on a temporary assignment in Los Angeles and having a week to burn off, I figured it was time to see what all the clamber was about. It was worth the drive.
If you want to spend a week on the fabulous Las Vegas strip, this is the place. Ouch, is this comfortable. And there’s swank to spare. Where to start.
With the drive up. Unload your car in front of the glass lobby doors and amble up to the marble reception counter. The experience recalls Eddy Murphy in "Beverly Hills Cop."
Check out the rooms. Very nice. Kitchen with appliances better than I have back home in North Dallas. Large comfortable bed room and a decidedly upscale bath. The combined living and dining area is spacious and well appointed. Too bad we didn’t come to spend all our time in the hotel.
What can you say. It’s Hilton all the way. The photos tell the story better.
The location is ideal, as well. The Hilton is at the north end of The Strip, not actually in the city of Las Vegas. All the attractions are just a stroll away. The Riviera and Circus Circus are nearby. Everything else is involves leg work (three miles each way) or a tram ride. Get your work out and return to the comfort of the Hilton.