Las Vegas 2017

Las Vegas...the City of Neon Lights! On my final leg of a road trip to Los Angeles, I had to stop in Las Vegas for my first trip ever. The weather this day was burning hot!!! But I only had a few hours to spend in "Sin City" before making it to Los Angeles, so I had to make the best of it. I found a parking garage across from the Las Vegas Premium Outlets on Grand Central Parkway. The mall featured stores such as Marc Jacobs, Neiman Marcus, Tory Burch and others. From the level I parked on, I was able to get a nice distant photo of the casinos on the Vegas Strip. But this was also my ideal spot to photograph three important buildings in that area. Once I walked past the outdoor mall and a cool row of palm trees and parked bikes, I found myself in front of the massive World Market Center designed by architect John Jerde. Across the street from there was the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, designed by one of my top 3 architects Frank Gehry. And if you follow architecture, you know Mr. Gehry's signature is that shiny, twisted metal. Across from there is Fentress Bradburn's Clark County Government Center. When I saw the pyramid building to my right, I could have sworn this was a casino or something let alone a government building. But it was an awesome structure to look at AND photograph.

Next stop...the Las Vegas Strip! Driving up Las Vegas Boulevard, I found the perfect parking spot by the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel and Tower where I could park, walk up one side of the strip and down the other side and end up back at my parking spot. From the Stratosphere, I walked past the W Las Vegas, Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, The Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and Casino and Casino Royale Hotel and Casino. I paused at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, because I kind of marveled at the pool in front. But most of the top hotels and casinos have pools, but this one caught my eye for some reason. The pool at The Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino was striking because they actually had people in canoes paddling along the way. They also have a pretty cool fountain at the driveway entrance. A nice flowing waterfall at The Wynn caught my eye as well because of the unique sculpturing. The Encore at Wynn Las Vegas was right next door. I forgot to mention I photographed the Siegfried and Roy sculptures and "Magicians of the Century" star right outside Treasure Island. Other casinos and sites I photographed were Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino, The LINQ Hotel and Casino, Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino and Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. I stopped at the Bellagio Las Vegas Resort and Casino in hopes that I would see the dancing water fountain. But once I got there, I had just missed it. And since my time was limited, I wasn't sure how long I could wait for it again. So I just walked a bit more up the Strip where I spot a Denny's, White Castle, Neiman Marcus, Gilley’s Saloon at Treasure Island and Senor Frogs Las Vegas Bar and Restaurant also at at Treasure Island. I end my time in Las Vegas making my way back to the Stratosphere while snapping more photos of the goings on on the Las Vegas Strip.