This is a rewritten version of something I started writing while I was in Vegas last week

Since we only get to Vegas every couple of years, there are always lots of changes. One of the places I was looking forward to seeing this time was Wynn (aka Bellagio w/ a different color scheme). I’d seen it under construction when I was out in Aug 04. It’s on the site of the Desert Inn. That makes Wynn the second place where I’ve been to the imploded casino and the replacement (the other is the Sands/Venetian). I remember walking thru the DI, thinking how posh it looked, and how odd it was that they were playing Green Day over the sound system. One of the odd little similarities between Wynn and Bellagio are the signs in the casino, which use the same font. Well, Wynn built Bellagio, so I guess similarities are no surprise. He must really like that font. A lot of the floorplan (casino, shops, restaurant, conference rooms, etc) seems very similar. Wynn doesn’t have the lake and fountains, but there is a mountain and waterfall which is gorgeous, if not as impressive. There’s nothing at Wynn to match the Conservatory at Bellagio. But I did like the parasols in the atrium area. Those I think hold their own compared to the Chihuly glass in Bellagio. Wynn, of course, has the DI golf course, which I’m sure is a big draw for the golfing crowd. That also gives the non-Strip view rooms something better to look at than Bellagio (where the off-Strip facing rooms are basically overlooking I15).

Two of the other big changes in progress are the additional tower at Venetian, and the big City Center project, between Monte Carlo and Bellagio. The Venetian expansion I was expecting to be another relatively sedate tower, like Venezia. Instead it (I’d guess) close to doubles the size of Venetian, with a new room tower and new shopping. Making it much like the latest Caesar’s expansion. Anyway, Venetian is now going all the way to the corner opposite Wynn. I think they took out several oldschool, low rent properties like the Tam o’ Shanter and the Rosewoood Grille (famous for giant lobsters). Further down the street, ground’s been broken for City Center (current rumor is that when CC opens, it’ll be hosting a Cirque du Soleil show based on Elvis music). That’s shut down the tram between MC and Bellagio, which was a nice little ride. Also gone is the Boardwalk (aka the other freaky clown-head casino). Altho the freaky clown-head is gone, at least the sign is still standing. I noticed the torn-down Bourbon Street still had its sign standing. Perhaps that’s due to the Neon Museum and Boneyard. I hope so. If the city’s going to tear itself down and rebuild constantly it’s nice that at least something is being saved. Back on our first trip to Vegas, Sarah and I took this free shuttle bus downtown to see the light show at Fremont Street. The waiting room for the bus was in this little strip of shops next to Boardwalk. I had to walk over to the casino to use the bathroom. While I was gone, Sarah got the once over from the suspicious shuttle attendant who apparently thought she was a resident trying to sneak onto the free bus ride. So apparently other tourists and shuttle operators think we’re locals.