You’re going to Las Vegas for the casinos. Sure, there will be roller coasters, wedding chapels, rooftop swimming pools and glitzy shopping malls, but the bedrock of the Las Vegas experience is the casino. And quite frankly, not just any casino will do. While it would be impossible to name the undisputed best — Orleans, Red Rock, MGM, Treasure Island and Palms have earned our attention as five of the most exciting casinos in Las Vegas.

You can find the eternal Mardi Gras of Orleans Casino a mile from the Strip on Tropicana Avenue. If a ride sounds nice, the casino provides a free shuttle from the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road, but Orleans Hotel guests receive priority. A little walk in fresh air under the Las Vegas skyline won’t hurt anyway. Take the shuttle on your way back, provided you leave no later than 12:30am.

The Orleans Casino sets itself apart by providing notoriously good value for your money. While its 134,000-square-foot gaming floor can stand toe-to-toe with any Strip casino, it’s those all-important payout tables that make this place a destination for both tourists and tourist-wary locals alike. Add to this its 1,885 hotel rooms, 70-lane bowling alley and sports arena (home of the Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team), early emphasis on poker and you’ve got yourself a casino that is sure not to disapoint.

Red Rock Casino sits even farther from the Strip, more than 10 miles, but its seclusion makes your discovery of it that much more special. Completed in 2006, Red Rock simply hasn’t been around long enough to garner the reputation it deserves yet — but trust us, it will soon. The gaming floor’s compact 87,000 square feet use ingenious lighting techniques and modern design, making it an attractive destination for gambling in comfort. Make sure you play the Mini Baccarat, one of the lowest house-advantage games in town.

In addition, Red Rock Casino caters to families more effectively than most of the other high-end resorts in town. The “Kids Quest” service entertains guests up to 12 years old with a climbing maze, Wii consoles, basketball court and loads of other toys and activities. Or spend time with the whole family at the giant bowling alley, the arcade or the 16-screen movie theater. After everyone inevitably gets hungry, try the always-popular Grand Cafe.

On the other end of the spectrum, the center-of-the-Strip MGM Grand dwarfs every other casino in Vegas, on or off the Strip. You have to go to Moscow to find one bigger. But size doesn’t matter, glamour does. The romance of the MGM Grand comes from its sheer sumptuousness and extravagance that would be ostentatious in any other context. But this casino resort, with its constant A-list concerts, its hotel-within-a-hotel, The Mansion, and generous point rewards program make it the very heart of Las Vegas. If you splurge on a room or take advantage of their seriously great January deals, you never need leave the premises.

Whether you have booked a room or not, be prepared to do a lot of walking. The Grand’s pools, rivers and waterfalls cannot be missed, but they sit on the opposite corner of the complex from the game room. Speaking of which, the casino alone sprawls 171,500 feet squared. That’s three football fields, including end zones, enough room for 3,500 slots, 165 game tables and a great leg workout.

Treasure Island Casino graces the Strip three blocks to the north and attracts more visitors with interests in fashion and culture. TI, as it is called, connects to the sleek Fashion Show Mall with a footbridge, so you’re never too far away from great shopping. If you’ve brought the kids, don’t miss Cirque du Soleil’s visually stunning show called Mystère, a permanent engagement since 1993. After they’ve gone to bed, though, Gilley’s BBQ will keep you entertained with dancing, mechanical bull rides and some of the best drink deals in town until you’re ready for bed yourself!

For hipness and verve, no casino can rival the Palms. Aggressively modern, the casino’s culture emphasizes an exciting nightlife, with clubs called Moon, Ghostbar and Ditch Fridays. The dollar slots at Palms not only pay better than most in the city, but also allow you to earn comps quickly (encouraging a return to the nightclubs). If you want to stay in their rooms, you might think you have a tough decision to make, as their three towers each cultivate different characters. But this is Palms, so it’s actually easy: choose the Ivory Tower, the standard for all that is chic and cool. Just leave the kids with your parents.

Orleans, Red Rock, MGM Grand, Treasure Island, and Palms maintain five of the most appealing casinos in Las Vegas. And while all five of these resorts have accommodations from the modestly luxurious to the extravagantly fantastic, you don’t need to rent a room at any of them to garner this ultimate experience — just make sure you visit.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Travelocity Editors

Latest posts by Travelocity Editors (see all)

• Why some airline refunds take so long - March 18, 2022
• Save $1,000 on these popular family vacation destinations during Daylight Saving Time  - March 4, 2021
• 4 season’s greetings from the Travelocity Roaming Gnome (VIDEO) - December 16, 2020

Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.