Harrahs

Across from the Forum Shops you can see one of the oldest hotels still operating on the Strip: Harrah’s Las Vegas. Its history goes back to the early 70s, when it first opened under the name Holiday Inn Center Strip, with a casino inspired by Mississippi riverboats. The atmosphere at the time was fairly classic, aimed at a middle-class clientele and far from the extravagance Las Vegas is known for today. Over the decades the property expanded, several towers were added, and by the 80s it had even become the largest Holiday Inn in the world. It was only in 1992 that the resort officially adopted the name Harrah’s, before gradually dropping the riverboat theme a few years later in favor of a much more festive décor inspired by carnival and Mardi Gras, which you can still see today on the façade and in parts of the casino. With more than 2,500 rooms spread across three towers, it is one of those historic hotels that has continuously evolved to keep up with the neighboring mega-resorts. Unlike some of the newer complexes built around spectacular themes, Harrah’s focuses more on a lively atmosphere, especially around Carnaval Court, an outdoor stage where concerts and entertainment take place regularly. Now connected to Caesars Forum by a modern pedestrian bridge, it remains a very centrally located option on the Strip, positioned between the large luxury resorts and the more affordable hotels.