Things are heating up, both in terms of entertainment and temperatures! With the unusually long winter temps, we have seemed to skip spring and went straight into summer, which means it’s going to be hot! The daily temps are perfect for the pools; however, keep in mind with those hot temps to use sunscreen if you’ll be outdoors and stay hydrated…with water, not those big slushy drinks! It does cool off somewhat at night and the AC in the casinos can be cool, so it’s always good to bring a light jacket.
A fun and FREE exhibit to check out in this beautiful weather is the Flamingo Habitat at Flamingo Hotel & Casino. The Flamingos have finally returned (they were removed late last summer) and are ready to pose for your social media photos and videos. There are also several other of their fowl friends, along with koi, joining them in the habitat.
A lot has been happening here on the Ninth Island of Las Vegas! The latest addition to Horseshoe (formerly Ballys) is Imagine Exhibition’s Dino Safari, which provides an interactive, educational, and outright fun experience for both kids and adults. This immersive exhibit consists of over 30 larger-than-life animatronic dinosaurs, along with multiple interactive stations throughout the self-guided experience.
If all of these cool dinosaurs aren’t entertaining enough, they even host birthday parties! Heads up, we’ve been informed that a Dino Safari adults’ only speakeasy is on the way soon! Dino Safari is located in the lower level of Horseshoe, next to Cabinet of Curiosities and The Lock Speakeasy, both of which are also fun to check out. While on the topic of Horseshoe, they’re continuing to transition their signage from Bally’s to Horseshoe, although they still need to paint the Jubilee Tower building.
Outside, the construction continues for the anticipated Blake Shelton’s 4-story Ole Red and the 3-story Bottled Blonde. If you’re in the Grand Bazaar Shops area, be prepared for the construction and crowds that it has caused!
That’s not the end of the construction. The Miracle Mile shops are wrapping up the work inside, and finally are beginning to install their LED screens on the outside of the building. The goal was for the entire project to be completed by spring 2023, so we shall see if it gets done soon.
The construction throughout many of the Caesar’s properties seems to almost be done, including Caesars Palace where the latest restaurant, Stanton Social Prime is now open. This replaced Searsucker. The Rotunda outside of Caesars is going to be torn down in the near future to make room for seating for Formula 1 taking place this November. At Harrah’s they’re still working on the new lounge where the old high limit area was and still no sightings of Buck & Winnie Greenback, the statue that’s been inside of Harrah’s for years. The Rio’s Carnival World Buffet has closed and a food hall is in the near future there.
Paris is done with all of their construction, the last of which was their sportsbook. The sportsbook is open and bright and beautiful!
Of course we can’t talk construction without talking about Formula 1, which seems to be a big driving force (pun intended) behind all of the renovations on the Strip. The area for the homebase for Formula 1 is in full construction and coming up quickly. They’re also scheduling paving on and near Las Vegas Blvd over the next few months, which of course is going to cause even more traffic. Speaking of traffic, the Dropicana project is still in progress and will be backing up traffic near Tropicana throughout the summer.
Bellagio announced that they will be beginning a $110 million room renovation.
The Mirage still looks the same inside and out, although their rewards program has changed. If you’re a Vegas local they are offering some perks, including free parking. The Volcano is still there for the moment, but again it will be torn down to make room for the guitar-shaped hotel tower and possibly Formula 1 seating for this fall. Construction is still happening on the future mall coming up by Aria and across the street where the Hawaiian Marketplace used to be. Two long-awaited projects, Fountaine Bleu and the Sphere are coming along. The Sphere announced a new immersive experience, “Postcard From Earth,” that will run three shows daily, beginning in October.
Resorts World Las Vegas is the home of a new immersive art experience, as well. TRANSFIX is the world’s largest touring immersive art exhibit and is scheduled to remain at RWLV until the fall. Also, Resorts World Las Vegas has closed their Genting Palace Restaurant. This has become the Golden Monkey Tiki Bar.
There are so many great events happening in Vegas this month! First of all, the Electric Daisy Carnival returns, May 19-22. This of course is a very popular music festival that brings in thousands of EDC fans. In honor of this festival, Resorts World Las Vegas has created a new immersive hotel experience, “Hotel EDC”, at RWLV’s Hilton, which will feature entertainment and unique fan experiences for guests booking this package.
If you’re visiting Las Vegas in May, here are some of the exciting events:
- The Chicks Bakkt Theater (formerly Zappos) (5/3, 5/5-5/6, 5/10, 5/12-13)
- B-52’s Venetian5/5
- Raekwon the Chef & Ghostface Killah Craig Ranch Park5/5
- Lovers & Friends Festival Las Vegas Festival Grounds 5/6
- Reggae in the Desert 5/6
- TUMUA Las Vegas Events Center 5/6
- Kool & the Gang Westgate (5/5 & 5/6)
- Bill Burr Dolby Theater Park MGM (5/5 & 5/6)
- Holo Holo Festival Downtown Events Center 5/6-7
- Pixies Wynn 5/12-13
- Sick New World Festival 5/13
- Rod Stewart Caesars Colosseum (5/3, 5/5, 5/10, 5/12-13, 5/15)
- Jim Gaffigan Wynn 5/19
- Barry Manilow Westgate (5/18-20 & 5/25)
- Santana House of Blues (5/17, 5/19-21, 5/24, 26, 28)
- Garth Brooks Caesars Colosseum (5/20-1, 5/25, 5/27)
- Maoli Virgin Las Vegas 5/21
- The Righteous Brothers South Point 5/23-25
- AEW Dynamite & AEW Rampage MGM Grand 5/24
- Bruno Mars at Dolby Theater Park MGM 5/24-5
- Ringo Starr at Venetian 5/24
- Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival 5/26
- I Love the 90’s Tour (Vanilla Ice, All 4 One, Color Me Badd, Tone Loc, Rob Base, Young MC, Treach of Naughty By Nature, Tag Team & C&C Music Factory) Palms 5/26
- Jack Harlow RWLV 5/27
- No Chaser Comedy Tour MGM Grand 5/27
- Chain Smokers Wynn 5/27
- Katy Perry RWLV (5/12-13, 5/17, 5/19-20, 5/24, 5/27-8)
- All Elite Wrestling T-Mobile 5/28
- Ja Rule & Ashanti Palms 5/28
As always, change is the constant in Las Vegas, so be sure to stay up to date on any event, show or concert that you plan on attending and check their websites for policies on what you can bring into the different venues. For more information on Las Vegas events, entertainment and updates, check out our spring update video. Also, tune into our YouTube Channel, Ninth Island Connection, on Wednesdays between 12pm and 1pm PST for weekly LIVE updates on Las Vegas.
Whether you’re a Las Vegas Local, or just visiting the Ninth Island, be sure to get out and explore this beautiful state! For more information on each of these destinations, check out this video, or tune into Ninth Island Connection on YouTube or YurView (Channel 14) Wednesdays @ 9 PM
