The Venetian Resort
Canals, gondolas and a vast Italian-themed resort complex.
HOTEL OVERVIEW
The Venetian and its connected Palazzo tower form one of the largest resort complexes on the Strip, wrapped around indoor and outdoor canals, replica Venetian landmarks and the Grand Canal Shoppes.
THE VENETIAN RESORT AT A GLANCE
- LOCATION
- Center Strip, east side, opposite Treasure Island and next to Wynn Las Vegas
- OPENED
- 1999, on the former site of the Sands Hotel
- BEST KNOWN FOR
- The indoor Grand Canal, gondolas and replica St Mark's Square
- GOOD FOR
- Families, couples, indoor sightseeing, convention travellers, longer stays in suites
- FREE HIGHLIGHTS
- Walking the canals and St Mark's Square, the painted ceilings, the outdoor Rialto Bridge and façade
- REASONABLE SIGHTSEEING TIME
- About 1–2 hours to walk the Grand Canal Shoppes and both outdoor and indoor canals
IS THE VENETIAN RESORT WORTH VISITING?
The Venetian is one of the easiest Strip resorts to enjoy as a sightseer. You can walk the entire indoor canal level, cross the bridges, stand in the replica St Mark's Square and watch the street performers without paying anything or being a hotel guest — the gondola ride is the only part of the canal experience that is ticketed. It suits families and first-time visitors who want a lot of spectacle in a compact, air-conditioned space, and it is a good bad-weather or high-heat option. What separates it from other themed resorts is the level of detail: hand-painted ceilings, frescoed corridors and a full-scale campanile and Rialto Bridge out front.
WHY THIS HOTEL IS FAMOUS
Gondola rides on the indoor Grand Canal, the replica St Mark's Square and Rialto Bridge, and all-suite rooms.
THE STORY BEHIND THE HOTEL
The Venetian opened in 1999 on the site of the demolished Sands Hotel, a property closely tied to the Rat Pack era. Its developer, Sheldon Adelson, built it around convention business as much as tourism, and the adjoining Palazzo and Venetian Expo made the complex a centre of Las Vegas trade-show travel.
WHAT TO SEE
- The Grand Canal and its gondolas (ticketed rides)
- Replica St Mark's Square, campanile and Rialto Bridge
- The Grand Canal Shoppes and painted ceilings
- Street performers and living statues in the shopping promenade
FREE THINGS TO SEE
- Walking the indoor canals and St Mark's Square
- Outdoor replica bridges and facades from the Strip
BEST FREE THINGS TO DO AT THE VENETIAN RESORT
The Grand Canal walkway and St Mark's Square (free to see)
The canal runs the length of the shopping level under a painted sky ceiling, ending in a replica St Mark's Square where costumed performers and living statues appear through the day. Walking the whole route, crossing the bridges and photographing the gondolas costs nothing.
Gondola rides (paid experience)
Riding a gondola, indoors on the Grand Canal or outdoors in front of the resort, is a ticketed experience booked on the property. Prices and operating hours change, so check with The Venetian directly rather than relying on figures published elsewhere.
The outdoor façade, Rialto Bridge and campanile
From the Strip sidewalk you can walk up the replica Rialto Bridge and take in the campanile, the Doge's Palace frontage and the outdoor canal. It is one of the Strip's best free photo stops, and particularly striking after dark.
The Grand Canal Shoppes interior
The frescoed ceilings and marble corridors of the shopping level are free to walk. Only purchases and dining inside are paid, so you can treat the whole promenade as a self-guided walk.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- The Venetian, Palazzo and Venetian Expo are connected but far apart — allow extra walking time.
- Rooms are suites, which makes the property popular with families and longer stays.
FIRST TIME AT THE VENETIAN RESORT?
- The complex is enormous: The Venetian, The Palazzo and the Venetian Expo are connected but far apart, so budget extra walking time between them.
- The canals are on an upper shopping level — take the escalators up from the casino floor rather than looking for them at ground level.
- Walking the canal and square is free; the gondola ride is the paid part, so decide in advance if you want to queue for it.
- All rooms are suites, which is why the property is popular with families and travellers staying several nights.
- The Venetian pairs naturally with Wynn Las Vegas and Treasure Island in a single North-of-Center Strip walk.
WHAT'S NEARBY
THE VENETIAN RESORT FAQ
Can I walk around The Venetian canals for free?
Yes. The indoor canal walkway, the bridges and St Mark's Square are open to the public at no charge. Only the gondola ride itself is ticketed.
What is there to do at The Venetian if I'm not staying there?
Walk the Grand Canal Shoppes and canals, see St Mark's Square and its performers, photograph the Rialto Bridge and campanile from the Strip, and browse the casino and restaurants.
Where is The Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip?
On the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard toward the north end of the Center Strip, across from Treasure Island and directly south of Wynn Las Vegas.
How much does a gondola ride at The Venetian cost?
Gondola pricing and operating hours change, and we do not publish unverified figures. Check the official Venetian website or the gondola desk on the property for current rates.
Are The Venetian and The Palazzo the same hotel?
They are separate towers within one connected resort complex, sharing the shopping promenade and facilities. Check which tower your booking is in, because the internal walk between them is long.
How much time should I allow to visit The Venetian?
Roughly one to two hours covers the canals, St Mark's Square and the outdoor façade at an unhurried pace. Add time for a gondola ride, a meal or shopping.
What hotels are near The Venetian Las Vegas?
Wynn Las Vegas and Encore just north, Treasure Island across the Boulevard, Resorts World a little further north, and Caesars Palace a longer walk south.
Is The Venetian good for families?
The canals, performers and all-suite rooms make it one of the more family-friendly Strip resorts for sightseeing, though as with all Las Vegas casinos the gaming floor itself is adults only.
ASK ABOUT THE VENETIAN RESORT
Not sure where to stay, what to see, or how to plan your trip? Ask us anything about Las Vegas.
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