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.

80 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 — The illuminated marquee at Circus Circus Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip at night. The sign features the property's iconic clown mascot above advertisements for the Adventuredome indoor theme park and the Midway arcade.

Circus Circus Hotel Illuminated Entrance, Las Vegas — The thousands of lights at the entrance to Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. The lights have existed since 1968. Circus Circus opened in 1968, making it one of the oldest casino resorts still operating on the Strip. It was the developed by Jay Sarno, the same developer behind Caesars Palace, and was originally conceived as a casino-only property with no hotel rooms, just a giant circus-themed gambling floor under a big top. It was one of the first casinos to actively court families rather than just gamblers, a strategy that was popular around with Las Vegas development in the 1980s and 90s. The property features a permanent indoor circus with free acts running continuously above the casino floor — a feature that's been there since the beginning. The pink-and-white striped big top structure at the front is the original 1968 building. The tower itself is the later hotel addition. The curved copper/bronze structure in the foreground is the Adventuredome, an indoor theme park that opened in 1993. Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was shot at Circus Circus.

Splash Zone Water Park at Circus Circus, Las Vegas — The Splash Zone Water Park at Circus Circus in Las Vegas opened in 2017. Circus Circus opened in 1968, making it one of the oldest casino resorts still operating on the Strip. It was the developed by Jay Sarno, the same developer behind Caesars Palace, and was originally conceived as a casino-only property with no hotel rooms, just a giant circus-themed gambling floor under a big top. It was one of the first casinos to actively court families rather than just gamblers, a strategy that was popular around with Las Vegas development in the 1980s and 90s. The property features a permanent indoor circus with free acts running continuously above the casino floor — a feature that's been there since the beginning. The pink-and-white striped big top structure at the front is the original 1968 building. The tower itself is the later hotel addition. The curved copper/bronze structure in the foreground is the Adventuredome, an indoor theme park that opened in 1993. Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was shot at Circus Circus.

Circus Circus Manor Exterior Photo, Las Vegas — The exterior of the Circus Circus Manor motel across from Circus Circus. Circus Circus opened in 1968, making it one of the oldest casino resorts still operating on the Strip. It was the developed by Jay Sarno, the same developer behind Caesars Palace, and was originally conceived as a casino-only property with no hotel rooms, just a giant circus-themed gambling floor under a big top. It was one of the first casinos to actively court families rather than just gamblers, a strategy that was popular around with Las Vegas development in the 1980s and 90s. The property features a permanent indoor circus with free acts running continuously above the casino floor — a feature that's been there since the beginning. The pink-and-white striped big top structure at the front is the original 1968 building. The tower itself is the later hotel addition. The curved copper/bronze structure in the foreground is the Adventuredome, an indoor theme park that opened in 1993. Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was shot at Circus Circus.

Clown signage on the outside of the Circus Circus manor motels — Clown signage outsdie Circus Circus Manor. Circus Circus opened in 1968, making it one of the oldest casino resorts still operating on the Strip. It was the developed by Jay Sarno, the same developer behind Caesars Palace, and was originally conceived as a casino-only property with no hotel rooms, just a giant circus-themed gambling floor under a big top. It was one of the first casinos to actively court families rather than just gamblers, a strategy that was popular around with Las Vegas development in the 1980s and 90s. The property features a permanent indoor circus with free acts running continuously above the casino floor — a feature that's been there since the beginning. The pink-and-white striped big top structure at the front is the original 1968 building. The tower itself is the later hotel addition. The curved copper/bronze structure in the foreground is the Adventuredome, an indoor theme park that opened in 1993. Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was shot at Circus Circus.

Circus Circus Hotel Registration sign as seen near the Circus Circus Manor. Circus Circus opened in 1968, making it one of the oldest casino resorts still operating on the Strip. It was the developed by Jay Sarno, the same developer behind Caesars Palace, and was originally conceived as a casino-only property with no hotel rooms, just a giant circus-themed gambling floor under a big top. It was one of the first casinos to actively court families rather than just gamblers, a strategy that was popular around with Las Vegas development in the 1980s and 90s. The property features a permanent indoor circus with free acts running continuously above the casino floor — a feature that's been there since the beginning. The pink-and-white striped big top structure at the front is the original 1968 building. The tower itself is the later hotel addition. The curved copper/bronze structure in the foreground is the Adventuredome, an indoor theme park that opened in 1993. Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was shot at Circus Circus.

Circus Circus Hotel Exterior, Las Vegas — Circus Circus opened in 1968, making it one of the oldest casino resorts still operating on the Strip. It was the developed by Jay Sarno, the same developer behind Caesars Palace, and was originally conceived as a casino-only property with no hotel rooms, just a giant circus-themed gambling floor under a big top. It was one of the first casinos to actively court families rather than just gamblers, a strategy that was popular around with Las Vegas development in the 1980s and 90s. The property features a permanent indoor circus with free acts running continuously above the casino floor — a feature that's been there since the beginning. The pink-and-white striped big top structure at the front is the original 1968 building. The tower itself is the later hotel addition. The curved copper/bronze structure in the foreground is the Adventuredome, an indoor theme park that opened in 1993. Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was shot at Circus Circus.

Circus Circus Manor Hallway, Las Vegas — The hallway inside the Circus Circus Manor. The 3 story buildings are located across the street from the main Circus Circus casino and hotel.

Circus Circus hotel toiletries on a bathroom counter in Las Vegas. The set includes conditioning shampoo, lotion, and a wrapped bar of soap branded for the hotel.

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.

Sign regarding ransomware attack in las vegas — Slot machines at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas with error messages on September 15th, 2023 following a ransomware attack that became public days prior.

Host Disable Validation Buffer Full — Slot machines at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas with error messages on September 15th, 2023 following a ransomware attack that became public days prior.

Las Vegas slot machines with blue screen — Slot machines at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas with error messages on September 15th, 2023 following a ransomware attack that became public days prior.

Las Vegas Photo Map

Photographs showcasing change over time