Lost Vegas: 5 Iconic Strip Experiences That Have Disappeared Forever
Las Vegas has transformed dramatically over the years, with many iconic Strip experiences disappearing forever. Here's what you can no longer experience on the famous Las Vegas Boulevard:
Showgirl Shows
The last authentic showgirl production, "Jubilee!" at Bally's, closed in 2016. These elaborate shows, featuring classically trained dancers in glamorous costumes and headdresses, became unsustainable at $5 million annually. Today's Strip entertainment consists mainly of A-list residencies and Cirque du Soleil productions.
Showgirls in feathers from Jubilee show
Cheap Buffets
The original Strip buffet debuted in the 1940s at El Rancho Vegas, costing just $1 (equivalent to $11 today). When gambling represented 75% of casino revenue, buffets served as loss leaders. Now, with gaming revenue at 25%, only seven of the original 18 Strip buffets remain, all at premium prices.
Chuck Wagon buffet counter at UNLV
Free Parking
Free parking, a Strip tradition since 1941, ended in June 2016 when MGM Resorts began charging at all its properties. Caesars Entertainment followed suit, effectively making two-thirds of the Strip paid parking zones.
24/7 Lounge Acts
Black and white band photograph
Free entertainment from B- and C-list performers was once commonplace 24/7 in casino lounges. These shows kept guests gambling throughout the night. Today's late-night entertainment consists mainly of expensive DJ sets at nightclubs.
Big Cat Shows
Magician Dirk Arthur with leopard
Magic shows featuring big cats declined after Roy Horn's 2003 tiger attack and shifting attitudes toward animal welfare. The last such show, Dirk Arthur's "Wild Illusions," ended with the Riviera's closure in 2015, marking the end of an era in Las Vegas entertainment.
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