What else is new/revamped since my last visit in 2013?

I'll be at Mirage for four nights in May and it will be my first trip to Las Vegas since August/September 2013. One of my favorite pastimes is wandering up and down the Strip with a drink, playing here and there, and seeing all of the sights, but I especially like checking out anything new or changed since my last visit.

Being that I didn't think we could make a trip happen any time soon, I've mostly avoided keeping a close eye on Vegas news the past few years since it's heartbreaking to read when you don't know when you'll be going again. But now that we're booked, I've started reading up and making a list of things to check out during our walkabouts.

Here's what I know of so far:

- The Cromwell (Bill's was being torn down last I saw it)
- The Linq hotel (was The Quad last time I was there and much of it seemed to be blocked off in the casino)
- The Linq shopping area and The High Roller (probably won't pay to go up in the wheel but will check out the area)
- Shopping area in front of Ballys (was still those long flat moving sidewalks last time)
- The Park and Arena area
- SLS (signs were up for SLS but not much else as it was under construction last time - my first trip in 2006 we stayed at Sahara, so this will likely be a shock)

Also, we may go off Strip for a day if we end up getting a rental car but I'm mostly concerned with on-Strip sights since we may forego the rental. If there's something big that's changed off-Strip, though, feel free to mention it.

 

The Lucky Dragon is new. May want to look into it to see if it's worth visiting.

I'm eager to see the other replies, since I'm in a similar position.

 

Revolution Lounge is gone at Mirage, replaced by a bar/lounge/eatery with a sports theme.

 

Ah yes, I forgot I'd seen that it opened. I'll have to take a stroll through when I check out SLS. It's walking distance, right?

Hmm, have you been? Any good? Only went in Revolution once, I think. My wife and I wanted a night cap before heading to the room but didn't realize it was their gay night (I think it was once per week or something like that). Stayed anyways to get our drinks and I ended up getting hit on by someone who thought she was my sister. I felt bad for the guy because clearly he had a good reason to think that.

 

I started to go in, but changed my mind and went to California Pizza Kitchen instead. It never came around again for that trip. I want to try it next time. I'll see if I can dig up a pic.

https://www.mirage.com/en/restaurants/the-still.html

 

Yep, now it's called The Still and food is served from an actual food truck - appears to be a popular spot for a quick bite.
Also a piano lounge which doesn't seem to be used as frequently as I thought it might.

 

I don't know how granular you want to get, but there have been a few changes in the area of the Bally's-Paris connector. The Bally's Tequila Bar, which used to have $2 margaritas and cervezas, has turned into Tequila Taqueria. In the connector itself, Martorano's restaurant replaced... something. And the Le Central bar in Paris has been expanded and spiffed up.

I don't know if you're an Ellis Island person, but both the sidewalk along Flamingo from Bally's to Koval has been spiffed up a bit (new fence in the last couple of years) and the EI casino itself has also been neatened up/de-grunged.

 

In front of the Paris there is the Hexx Restaurant and Chocolate Store. We usually have lunch there on our way out of town there. The Hexx has a patio right at the strip for people watching. The food is pretty decent.

Above it is the Budweiser Beer Park. It is an open outdoor bar that is pretty big. Couches, tv's and a pool table. Tons of beer on the menu. Nice view. They tag you with a 4.5% hidden food tax that gets people all rilled up. $5 on a hundo brings out people with pitch forks and torches storming the castle right out of a monster movie.

There are some MyVegas rewards for each. There were Groupons at one time. Both are priced only like Vegas can price a sandwich and glass of beer.

 

Make sure it's in a plastic cup. Glass and/or aluminum bottles aren't allowed outside casinos anymore.

 

I think you already nailed a lot of the major changes in the mid-strip area. My two cents:
+ definitely check out the Cromwell, as well as the Linq and the O'Sheas area.
+ definitely check out the Linq shopping area. If you do the High Roller, definitely get some Travelzoo or Groupon coupons for the "bar car".
- the Grand Bazaar Shops and the Park are nothing special
+/- The SLS and the Lucky Dragon are probably worth seeing, but YMMV.
++ both Aria and the Cosmopolitan have undergone some changes, espeically to the restaurant line-ups. I personally think all have been for the good (but not necessarily cheap).

Off-strip: I really enjoy both Frankie's Tiki Room and the Golden Tiki.

Good luck and have fun!

 

One other item that may be up your alley is Level Up at MGM. I think it's at the location where they used to have Rainforest Cafe. I don't totally get the concept of the place now, but it's unique enough to merit a peek. Supposedly it's geared towards millenials.

 

Place looks like it would be fun. I am in my 40's and would play bubble hockey and dink beer for a bit. Looks like they have the Sigma Derby game there now.

http://vegas.eater.com/2016/12/30/14122230/level-up-now-open-mgm-grand

 

Oh wow, good updates in here. Thanks for all the info!

 

The Riviera was 86'd and is now a parking lot.

 

Also about the Mirage, Kokomo's is gone, replaced by Tom Colicchio's Steak House.

 

Strip - Giordanos's at Ballys:
https://www.giordanos.com/locations/las-vegas-nv/

Strip - Gordan Ramsey's Fish & Chips at the LINQ
https://www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/gordon-ramsay-fish-chips/

Downtown - The Fremont Arcade in the Neonopolis bldg:
http://www.fremontarcade.com/

Off strip - Axe Monkeys
https://axemonkeys.com/las-vegas/

Off strip - Big B's Texas BBQ
http://www.bigbztexasbbq.com/