2 Best Hotels in North Strip, Las Vegas

The rooms at the hotel at the "Big Top" are periodically renovated, giving some much-needed TLC to some of the oldest ones on the Strip (the resort opened in 1968). Other accommodations on the property range from luxury (in the Skyrise Tower, which includes its own casino) to campsites; the RV Park at Circus Circus, which has a children's play area, pet run, and seasonal pool and hot tub, is the only one on the Strip. In the casino, gaming is nothing if not affordable; in addition to rock-bottom table limits and 1-cent to 25-dollar slot machines, dealers offer complimentary lessons in blackjack, roulette, and craps. There are even more machines, and an adults-only arcade, in the adjacent Slots-a-Fun. Still, the biggest draw at this hulking resort is the Adventuredome Theme Park, Nevada's largest, featuring more than 25 rides and attractions. The Midway at Circus Circus holds a world record as the world's largest permanent circus.

Whether you call it Treasure Island or TI, what sets this resort apart is a dash of elegance mixed with a decidedly unpretentious vibe and reasonably priced dining options. Whereas other properties boast of a branch of Tiffany's, this one features a CVS and a vaping store (those aren't the only stores, but you get the picture). Whereas others feature sky-high-priced restaurants, Gilley's BBQ anchors the scene here. This more inviting approach for a modern Strip property is the product of owner Phil Ruffin's plan to make the place more accessible to all. Thankfully, accommodations are still top-notch. Mystère, the Strip's first Cirque du Soleil show, is still going strong here, and the Cove Bar & Arcade is family-friendly, despite the name. T.I. is a short walk from The Venetian, Wynn, and Fashion Show Mall.