Remember the Dunes, Sands, Stardust, Desert Inn, and Frontier? Let’s take a trip down memory lane!
I was born and raised in Las Vegas in 1972, and one of the most incredible things about living here my entire life has been watching this city completely transform before my eyes.
When I was growing up in the 1970s and ’80s, the Las Vegas Strip looked NOTHING like it does today!
There was no Bellagio, no Venetian, no Wynn, no Cosmopolitan, and certainly no massive Sphere lighting up the skyline.
Instead, we had legendary hotels and casinos with names like the Dunes, Sands, Stardust, Desert Inn, Hacienda, and Frontier.
These weren’t just places where tourists came to gamble. They were part of the identity of Las Vegas.
And one by one, many of them disappeared.
Some were imploded in spectacular fashion. Others were demolished piece by piece. And a few were replaced by some of the most recognizable resorts in the world.
So, for my fellow longtime Las Vegas locals, let’s take a little trip down memory lane!
1. The Dunes Hotel — Where the Bellagio Stands Today
Opened: 1955 | Closed: 1993
Who remembers the Dunes?
The Dunes Hotel and Casino was one of the most recognizable properties on the Strip, famous for its towering neon signage, Arabian-inspired architecture, and its iconic Sultan statue.
I remember when the Dunes was part of the Strip’s skyline, long before the Bellagio fountains became one of Las Vegas’s most famous attractions.
In October 1993, the Dunes’ North Tower was dramatically imploded, with the newly opened Treasure Island staging a pirate-themed spectacle around the event.
The Bellagio eventually opened on the property in 1998.
It’s amazing to think that one of the most luxurious hotels in the world sits on the site of a resort that once represented the glamour of old Las Vegas.
🔗 Explore the history of the Dunes Hotel
2. The Sands Hotel — Home of the Rat Pack
Opened: 1952 | Closed: 1996
If there was one hotel that represented the golden age of Las Vegas entertainment, it was the Sands.
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and the rest of the Rat Pack helped make the Sands legendary.
Its famous Copa Room hosted some of the biggest entertainers in the world.
The Sands was everything people imagined when they thought of classic Las Vegas: glamorous showrooms, big-name performers, and an atmosphere that simply couldn’t be duplicated.
The hotel was imploded in November 1996 to make way for The Venetian, which opened in 1999.
Today, visitors walk through canals and past gondolas without necessarily realizing that one of the most famous entertainment venues in Las Vegas history once occupied that land.
🔗 Learn more about the Sands and the Rat Pack
3. The Stardust — One of the Most Famous Signs in Las Vegas
Opened: 1958 | Closed: 2006
Now THIS one brings back memories!
Who could forget the Stardust?
Its enormous roadside sign was one of the most recognizable pieces of neon on the entire Strip.
The Stardust was also famous for its entertainment, casino history, and connection to the old-school Las Vegas gaming industry.
For many longtime residents, it represented a time when Las Vegas still had that classic neon-filled personality.
The Stardust closed in 2006 and was imploded in March 2007.
After years of redevelopment, Resorts World Las Vegas opened on the former Stardust site in 2021.
I still think about the Stardust whenever I drive past that part of the Strip.
🔗 See the history of the Stardust Hotel
4. The Desert Inn — A Las Vegas Institution
Opened: 1950 | Closed: 2000
The Desert Inn was one of the Strip’s most elegant and historic resorts.
It was known for its beautiful grounds, golf course, celebrity guests, and a more sophisticated atmosphere than some of the louder properties along Las Vegas Boulevard.
Howard Hughes famously lived at the Desert Inn after arriving in Las Vegas in 1966, eventually purchasing the hotel.
The property closed in 2000, and its buildings were demolished in stages.
Today, Wynn Las Vegas and Encore occupy the former Desert Inn site.
Think about that for a minute.
Where the Wynn now stands, there was once a completely different Las Vegas landmark.
🔗 Discover the history of the Desert Inn
5. The Hacienda — Remember the Horse and Rider Sign?
Opened: 1956 | Closed: 1996
The Hacienda sat near the southern end of the Strip and was known for its distinctive horse-and-rider neon sign.
It was a familiar landmark for decades, especially for people arriving in Las Vegas from Southern California.
The Hacienda was demolished in a spectacular New Year’s Eve implosion in 1996.
Mandalay Bay eventually opened on the site in 1999.
And here’s a fun piece of Las Vegas history: The Hacienda’s famous horse-and-rider sign was preserved and is now part of the Neon Museum’s collection.
🔗 Visit the Neon Museum and explore vintage Las Vegas signs
6. The Frontier — Nearly 65 Years of Las Vegas History
Opened: 1942 | Closed: 2007
The Frontier was one of the longest-running hotel properties on the Strip.
It originally opened as the Last Frontier before later becoming the New Frontier and eventually the Frontier.
It was also famous for hosting Elvis Presley’s first Las Vegas engagement in 1956.
Imagine being able to say you saw Elvis perform at the Frontier!
The property closed in July 2007 and was imploded that November.
Unlike several of the other historic hotels on this list, its former site has remained largely undeveloped for years.
It’s another reminder of just how much the Strip has changed.
🔗 Explore the Frontier’s history
7. The Landmark — The Tower That Looked Like a Flying Saucer
Opened: 1969 | Closed: 1990
Okay, technically the Landmark wasn’t directly on Las Vegas Boulevard, but it was such a recognizable part of the old Las Vegas skyline that I couldn’t leave it out!
Located near the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Landmark was famous for its unusual tower design and revolving restaurant.
It looked like something straight out of a science-fiction movie!
The Landmark closed in 1990 and was imploded in 1995.
Its demolition was even filmed for the movie Mars Attacks!
Today, the former Landmark site is part of the Las Vegas Convention Center campus.
🔗 See photos and history of the Landmark Hotel
Las Vegas Keeps Reinventing Itself!
When I think back to the Las Vegas I grew up in, it’s hard to believe how many iconic hotels have disappeared.
The Dunes became the Bellagio.
The Sands became The Venetian.
The Desert Inn gave way to Wynn and Encore.
The Hacienda became Mandalay Bay.
And the Stardust site eventually became Resorts World.
Each generation gets to experience a different version of Las Vegas.
For those of us who grew up here in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, we were fortunate enough to experience a version of this city that future generations will only know through photographs and stories.
And while I love seeing our city grow and evolve, there’s something about those old neon signs, classic casinos, and legendary hotels that I don’t think Las Vegas will ever be able to duplicate.
The Las Vegas Strip may keep changing, but the memories of old Vegas will always be part of this city’s history.
Now I Want to Hear From YOU!
If you’ve lived in Las Vegas for a while, I have a few questions!
Which old Las Vegas hotel do you miss the most?
Was it the Stardust? The Dunes? The Sands? Maybe the Desert Inn or Frontier?
And here’s an even better question:
Did you ever stay at, work at, or have a memorable experience at one of these legendary hotels?
I’d love to hear your stories!
Send me a message or leave a comment. There’s nothing better than hearing memories from people who experienced old Las Vegas firsthand.
Until next time, here’s to the Las Vegas we remember and the city we continue to call home!
Daryl Hanna
Proud Las Vegas Native Since 1972
The Batchelor/Hanna Group | Real Brokerage
702-218-4585 Cell#
