Place Archive

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is one of my favorite places. The themed resorts, the neon lights, and the constant churn of entertainment. While I’ve only been there a handful of times, I’ve spent a substantial amount of those trips photographing the Strip. First in 2008 when the Strip was seemingly riding its pre-recession peak, and again in 2023 which happened to be when the MGM ransomware attack took out half the casino floors and the Sphere had just opened. These photos cover the Strip, the casinos, the hotels, and the street scenes in between.

79 photos

Circus Circus Hotel and Casino 1 set 9 photos

The MSG Sphere entertainment venue in Las Vegas, Nevada, displays a smiley face on its exterior LED screen at night. — The MSG Sphere, a 366-foot-tall spherical entertainment venue in Las Vegas, Nevada, is pictured shortly after its opening in September 2023. The structure is notable for its massive exterior LED screen, which can display dynamic visuals. This image shows the Sphere illuminated with a smiley face, demonstrating its capacity for large-scale digital art and advertising. The venue is designed to host concerts, sporting events, and other immersive entertainment experiences.

The Flamingo Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip is illuminated at night, featuring neon signage and a tropical theme. — The Flamingo Hotel and Casino, a historic resort on the Las Vegas Strip, is illuminated at night. Opened in 1946 by mobster Bugsy Siegel, it was one of the first luxury hotels and casinos in the area, setting a precedent for the development of Las Vegas as a major entertainment destination. The hotel's distinctive neon signage and tropical theme have made it a recognizable landmark. It continues to operate as a hotel and casino, hosting various entertainment acts and offering gambling and dining services.

The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas is illuminated in the colors of the Mexican flag for Mexican Independence Day. — The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas is illuminated in the colors of the Mexican flag to commemorate Mexican Independence Day on September 16th. This annual celebration honors the country's fight for independence from Spain, which began with the "Grito de Dolores" in 1810. The hotel, a prominent fixture on the Las Vegas Strip, often displays themed lighting for significant cultural events and holidays. Its architecture is inspired by Venice, Italy, reflecting a common theme of international replication found in Las Vegas resorts.

The MSG Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, displays a vibrant digital exterior in September 2023. This venue, clad in LED panels, is designed for concerts and immersive entertainment. — The exterior of the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, is illuminated with a vibrant, striped digital display in September 2023. This innovative venue, which opened in late 2023, is designed to host concerts, sporting events, and immersive entertainment experiences. Its unique spherical architecture is clad in over a million LED panels, making it the largest LED screen in the world. The Sphere represents a significant investment in Las Vegas's entertainment infrastructure, aiming to attract global audiences with its cutting-edge technology and capacity for large-scale visual presentations.

Circus Circus Lit Up Marquee, Las Vegas Hotel and Casino — Circus Circus Hotel and Casino opened on the Las Vegas Strip in 1968, built around a circus theme with a big-top-shaped casino and free trapeze and acrobatic acts performed above the gaming floor. The clown mascot atop the marquee has long served as the property's calling card, pointing passersby toward its attached attractions. The Adventuredome, a five-acre indoor theme park under a pink glass dome, opened in 1993 and includes a double-loop roller coaster called the Canyon Blaster. The Midway, referenced on the sign, is the property's carnival-style arcade offering games and prizes on the second floor of the casino.

Circus Circus Hotel Illuminated Entrance, Las Vegas — Circus Circus opened on the Las Vegas Strip in 1968, developed by Jay Sarno, who also built Caesars Palace. Sarno originally conceived the property as a casino without hotel rooms, centered on a circus-themed gambling floor under a big top. It became one of the first Strip resorts to market itself to families rather than gamblers alone, a shift that shaped Las Vegas development through the 1980s and '90s. The property still runs a permanent indoor circus with free acts performing above the casino floor, a feature dating to its opening year. Circus Circus also appears as a setting in Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."

Splash Zone Water Park at Circus Circus, Las Vegas — The Splash Zone water park sits on the grounds of Circus Circus, the casino resort that opened on the Strip in 1968. Developer Jay Sarno built Circus Circus as a casino-only property with no hotel rooms, centered on a big top gambling floor; he later developed Caesars Palace using similar showmanship. The resort was among the first on the Strip to market itself to families rather than gamblers alone, a strategy that shaped Las Vegas development through the 1980s and '90s. Circus Circus still runs free circus acts above its casino floor, a feature dating back to its opening year. The Stratosphere Tower, visible beyond the water slides, rises 1,149 feet and includes an observation deck near its top.

Circus Circus Manor Exterior Photo, Las Vegas — Circus Circus Manor is a motel property located across from Circus Circus on the Las Vegas Strip, offering budget accommodations near the larger resort. The building's long, colonnaded facade with repeating vertical piers is typical of mid-century motor lodge design built to serve car travelers along the Strip corridor. Circus Circus itself opened in 1968, developed by Jay Sarno, and was one of the first Las Vegas casinos built around a family-friendly, circus-themed concept rather than gambling alone.

Clown signage on the outside of the Circus Circus manor motels — Circus Circus opened in 1968 as one of the first Strip casinos built around a family-friendly theme, with a permanent indoor circus running free acts above the gaming floor since its debut. Developer Jay Sarno, who also built Caesars Palace, originally designed the property without hotel rooms at all — just a big top over the casino. The pink-and-white striped structure facing the Strip is that original 1968 building; the hotel towers came later. Signage pointing toward the Adventuredome directs guests to the indoor theme park that opened alongside the resort in 1993. Circus Circus also appears in Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."

Circus Circus Hotel Registration sign as seen near the Circus Circus Manor. — Circus Circus opened in 1968, making it one of the older casino resorts still operating on the Las Vegas Strip. It was developed by Jay Sarno, who also built Caesars Palace, and was originally planned as a casino without hotel rooms — just a circus-themed gambling floor beneath a big top. The resort became known for courting families rather than gamblers alone, a shift that shaped Las Vegas development through the 1980s and 1990s. It still hosts free circus acts performed above the casino floor, a feature carried over from its opening year. The Adventuredome, an indoor theme park attached to the property, opened in 1993. Hunter S. Thompson's novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was partly set at Circus Circus.

Circus Circus Hotel Exterior, Las Vegas — Circus Circus opened on the Las Vegas Strip in 1968, developed by Jay Sarno, the same builder behind Caesars Palace. Sarno originally conceived it as a casino-only property built around a circus tent, with hotel rooms added only later as the resort expanded. It was among the first Strip casinos to market directly to families rather than gamblers alone, a strategy that gained wider traction in Las Vegas through the 1980s and '90s. A free indoor circus with live acts has run continuously above the casino floor since the property's opening. The Adventuredome, the indoor theme park adjoining the hotel, opened in 1993. Circus Circus also served as a setting in Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."

Interior guest room corridor with numbered doors in the Circus Circus Manor building, Las Vegas. — The Manor building's low-rise design sits across Las Vegas Boulevard from Circus Circus's main casino tower, with rooms reached by interior corridors instead of exterior walkways. This layout was common for Strip-adjacent motel annexes built before high-rise towers became the standard lodging format on the Strip. Circus Circus opened in 1968 and has operated continuously as a casino-hotel since, now under the ownership of Phil Ruffin. The Manor rooms remain a budget-oriented option compared to the resort's newer high-rise accommodations.

Circus Circus hotel toiletries on a bathroom counter in Las Vegas — Circus Circus Las Vegas provides guests with branded travel-sized toiletries, including conditioning shampoo, lotion, and a wrapped 1-ounce bar of soap. The hotel, which opened in 1968 along the Las Vegas Strip, was among the first in the city to combine casino gaming with a circus theme, featuring a permanent big top for live acts above its casino floor. Its adjoining Circus Circus Manor and West Casino Tower buildings make it one of the largest resorts on the Strip by room count.

Granola bars and snacks are locked behind glass doors at a CVS Pharmacy on the Las Vegas Strip, a security measure against theft. — In Las Vegas, Nevada, a CVS Pharmacy displays granola bars and other snack items behind locked glass doors. This security measure is often implemented in retail environments to deter theft of high-value or frequently stolen goods. The practice reflects broader trends in retail security, particularly in tourist-heavy areas where shoplifting can be a significant concern. The variety of brands, including Kind, MadeGood, and Nature Valley, indicates the commonality of these products as convenient, portable snacks.

High-value items are secured behind glass in a CVS store on the Las Vegas Strip, September 2023, a common retail security measure in tourist areas. — Inside a CVS store located on the Las Vegas Strip in September 2023, high-value or frequently stolen items are displayed behind locked glass cabinets. This security measure is common in retail environments, particularly in high-traffic tourist areas like the Las Vegas Strip, to deter shoplifting. The practice reflects broader trends in retail security and inventory management in response to economic conditions and crime rates.

Slot machines at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas are offline due to a ransomware attack on MGM Resorts International, September 15, 2023. — Slot machines at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas display error messages on September 15th, 2023. This outage occurred following a public announcement of a ransomware attack that affected MGM Resorts International properties, including the Bellagio. The attack disrupted operations and impacted the gaming floor, highlighting the vulnerability of large-scale entertainment venues to cyber threats. The Bellagio, known for its luxury and elaborate design, is a prominent fixture on the Las Vegas Strip, and such disruptions underscore the reliance of modern casinos on digital infrastructure.

The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, is illuminated at night, showcasing its green facade and prominent signage. — The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, is illuminated at night. Opened in 1993, it was one of the largest casino resorts in the world at the time of its construction. The hotel and casino complex is a prominent feature of the Las Vegas Strip, known for its entertainment venues and gaming facilities. The building's distinctive green facade and prominent signage are visible in this nighttime view.

Evening traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the MGM Grand hotel, featuring its golden lion statue and emerald lighting. — The MGM Grand hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, opened in 1993, is a prominent resort known for its large scale and entertainment offerings. The resort features a distinctive golden lion statue at its entrance and is illuminated by emerald-green lighting. This image shows evening traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard, with palm trees and the hotel's facade visible. The MGM Grand remains a significant destination for tourism and entertainment in Las Vegas.

The Aria Resort & Casino, a modern hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, features a distinctive glass facade and sustainable design. — The Aria Resort & Casino, a 61-story hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, opened in December 2009 as part of the CityCenter development. Designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, its curved glass facade and 4,000-plus guest rooms represent a shift towards modern aesthetics and sustainability in Las Vegas architecture. The resort was among the first major Las Vegas properties to achieve LEED Gold certification, highlighting its energy efficiency and integrated technology. Aria is recognized for its contemporary design, high-end amenities, and extensive art collection, distinguishing itself from the themed resorts prevalent on the Strip.

The Hilton Grand Vacations at Resorts World Las Vegas, a glass-clad tower with a red architectural accent, is located on the Las Vegas Strip. An airplane flies past the building. — The Hilton Grand Vacations at Resorts World Las Vegas, completed in 2021, is a prominent glass-clad tower situated on the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip. Its design features a reflective blue façade accented by a distinctive red architectural element. As part of the larger Resorts World complex, the property offers timeshare accommodations and is strategically located near the Las Vegas Convention Center and the airport, catering to both leisure and business travelers. The building's elevated position provides expansive views of the surrounding area, including the Strip and nearby mountains.

Large advertisements for Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert are displayed on the exterior of Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, Nevada. — Large-scale advertisements for country music stars Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert adorn the exterior of Planet Hollywood Las Vegas. The resort, which opened in 1999, is known for its Hollywood-themed decor and its history of hosting major musical acts and residencies. These prominent displays highlight the ongoing tradition of the Las Vegas Strip to feature top-tier entertainment and celebrity endorsements as a draw for visitors.

Printed notice on a Las Vegas slot machine explaining service outages during the 2023 MGM Resorts cyberattack. — MGM Resorts International operates several Las Vegas Strip properties, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, and Aria, under one shared network of casino management systems. In September 2023, the company disclosed a cyberattack that disrupted slot machines, ATMs, hotel key cards, and reservation systems across its properties for roughly ten days. MGM later attributed the breach to the hacking group Scattered Spider and estimated the incident cost the company about $100 million. During the outage, guests were directed to casino cashiers for ticket redemptions that machines could no longer process automatically.

Aristocrat Gaming slot machine displays a validation buffer error message at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. — The Bellagio is one of ten Las Vegas properties owned by MGM Resorts International. On September 11, 2023, MGM Resorts confirmed a cybersecurity incident that forced the company to shut down portions of its computer systems, including hotel reservations, digital room keys, and slot machine networks, across its properties. The outage lasted roughly ten days and was later attributed to a ransomware group known as Scattered Spider, which used social engineering tactics to gain access to MGM's network. MGM estimated the attack cost the company about $100 million in lost revenue and remediation expenses. This Aristocrat Gaming machine displayed a "Host Disable - Validation Buffer Full" error, a symptom of the network validation system being taken offline during the outage.

Rows of Quick Hit slot machines display error screens at MGM Grand in Las Vegas during a 2023 ransomware attack. — MGM Grand's casino floor sits along the Las Vegas Strip, one of the largest gaming resorts operated by MGM Resorts International. On September 15, 2023, slot machines including Quick Hit units displayed blank or error screens after a ransomware attack disclosed days earlier disrupted computer systems across MGM properties. The outage affected slot machines, digital key cards, and payment systems at MGM-operated casinos throughout Las Vegas. MGM later confirmed the attackers accessed company data and disrupted operations for over a week before service was restored.

Minneapolis Photographer