Flamingo

Although the original buildings are long gone, Flamingo has been welcoming guests and gamblers for over 60 years since its construction in a then untouched part of the desert several miles south of downtown Las Vegas, a project partly financed by gangster Bugsy Siegel. It was the third major casino to be opened and the oldest still surviving. The hotel has a south Florida theme - named after the distinctive pink flamingo found across the tropical parts of that state, and with decor and styles influenced by Miami's South Beach district. The casino was known as the Flamingo Hilton between 1974 and 1999, but reverted to its original name when sold by the Hilton Hotel Group.

The casino has a prime location half way along the Strip by the junction of Las Vegas Boulevard with Flamingo Road, directly opposite Caesars Palace and a little overshadowed by its more showy neighbors. Aside from the many gambling outlets, the main leisure attraction is a 15 acre tropical garden, hidden from the main road, and containing one of the largest and best-rated pools in Las Vegas, complete with waterfalls, a waterslide, streams, several smaller lagoons, tennis courts and a poolside bar, all well shaded by many large palm trees. Flamingo also offers eight restaurants and varied entertainment from such acts as George Wallace, Donny & Marie, Nathan Burton, Vinnie Favorito and X Burlesque.