While Las Vegas Blvd continues for several miles north, the Las Vegas Strip usually refers to the area from Mandalay Bay south of Tropicana to the Stratosphere on Las Vegas Blvd and Sahara. Starting south:

Mandalay Bay is a giant 4 star resort with perhaps the nicest pool in Las Vegas, complete with a wave pool and a man-made beach. The Four Seasons is a 5 star resort atop Mandalay Bay, and THEHOTEL at Mandalay Bay is a recent addition to the property.
Luxor is right next to Mandalay. It is impossible to miss, an eye-catching pyramid with a replica of the Sphinx at the entrance.
Excalibur is on the southwest corner of Tropicana Ave. and Las Vegas Blvd. It is a medieval themed resort, perhaps best known for the Tournament of Kings, a jousting event with knights and a feast for spectators.

Across Las Vegas Blvd (east side of Las Vegas Blvd) on the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd. is Tropicana Resort, a staple of the Strip. And just behind it is Hooters, a great place for Wings, a beer, and to watch your favorite team.
MGM Grand is the largest hotel in the world (second largest if you include Izmailovo in Moscow, however this hotel has 4 separate towers, so really it�s 4 hotels in our book) with 7,372 rooms. It originally had an Emerald City theme, but since has moved away from that idea. It features the bust of a large lion in front, and has a lion habitat within. (Interesting fact, of the 20 largest hotels in the world, 13 are in Las Vegas.)

Right next to MGM Grand is the Showcase Mall, with a huge arcade, M&M store, and theatre.
Across Las Vegas Blvd is New York-New York Hotel Casino. The second floor of the casino features Coney Island experience and a thrilling roller coaster visible from the street.
Monte Carlo is next to New York-New York. Right in the Center of the Strip, Monte Carlo is a great place for gambling and partying � you�ll find tons of great bars and lounges.
Polo Towers is across from Monte Carlo and features Tuscan inspired accommodations.
Travelodge and Marriott�s Grand Chateau is right next door on Harmon and Las Vegas Blvd. They feature excellent lodgings in the middle of the Strip which are often a bit less expensive than other better known resorts.
CityCenter is the newest addition to the Strip and features some of the most modern architecture anywhere in the world. It is practically a city within itself featuring many clubs, pools, bars, shopping centers, and of course gambling. There are three main hotels within the complex, Aria, Mandarin Oriental and Vdara.
Next to this is Jockey Club. It is a smaller time share. It is not a resort, but has some beautiful accommodations on prime real estate right on the Strip.
Across the Street is Planet Hollywood. This property has undergone a number of name and ownership changes, and is now one of the more popular spots on the Strip. It features the Miracle Mile of Shops and is a popular spot for 20-30 somethings with great clubs, bars, and restaurants.
You can�t miss Paris next door with its replica Eiffel Tower and romantic Paris theme. This is a great place for couples and is perfectly located.
On the same side of Las Vegas Blvd, on the corner of Flamingo Rd. is Bally�s. Bally�s is a long time favorite on the Strip. It�s a very large hotel with great gaming and plenty to do for families and the younger crowd alike.
Across the Street on the corner of Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvd. is Bellagio. Bellagio is considered by many the most posh hotel in Vegas, and the Bellagio water show on the Strip might be the favorite free attraction other than Viva Vegas Downtown.
Across Flamingo Rd. is Caesars Palace and the Forum Shops at Caesars. Caesars has been a long time favorite on the Strip with its ancient Rome theme, great accommodations, score of excellent restaurants, and tons of entertainment. You may want to stop by the Moving Statues while there, an impressive free show. The Forum Shops have many high-end shops you won�t find anywhere else.
Across the street is Bill�s Hotel, and just behind is Hilton Grand Vacations by Marriot. Bill�s is little known but has nice accommodations and great gaming. Hilton Grand is just off the Strip and has excellent rooms.
One of the first on the Strip and the first well-known hotel on the Strip is the Flamingo. Today it is one of the medium sized resorts, but is credited as being the hotel that started the Strip. Opened by Bugsy and the center of many a mob story.
Imperial Palace is the biggest little casino on the Strip� literally. It is also the only privately owned non-corporate casino on the Strip. Go there for lower limits and a more �neighborly� atmosphere.
Same side of the Las Vegas Blvd. and the next hotel north is Harrah�s. Harrah�s has a fun carnival theme, an outdoor bar with live entertainment at night, and they are known for their exciting piano bar just inside. Harrah�s is a larger hotel with nice accommodations and is usually moderately priced (by Strip standards.)
Across the Las Vegas Blvd. is the Mirage. The Mirage is a well-known spot on the Strip with great rooms, nice restaurants, an entertaining lounge and popular nightclub. You may want to stop by the volcano just outside, which blasts off with real fire every half an hour after the sun goes down.
On the same property and next to the Mirage is TI, formerly Treasure Island. Once a pirate themed resort catering to families, it is still a pirate themed resort but attracts a younger �party� crowd. The Sirens of TI is a great free show right on the Strip complete with pirates and sirens showing every 90 minutes.
The property right across Las Vegas Blvd. features the Venetian and its newer addition Palazzo. These are a couple of the larger hotels on the Strip. Venetian has gondola rides within the Grand Canal Shops inside with Italian oarsmen. There are a number of great shops, clubs, bars and restaurants inside. Palazzo is another beautiful property with a similar theme and wonderful accommodations. Just behind is the Sands Expo, one of the larger convention centers in Las Vegas.
Across Sands Ave. (Spring Mountain Rd. turns into Sands) is Wynn Las Vegas and Encore. These are Steve Wynn�s newest additions on the Strip, and following the reputation of other Wynn-built resorts like Bellagio, Mirage, TI, and others, both have top-notch accommodations and amazing entertainment. They are two of the larger hotels on the Strip.
Across Las Vegas Blvd. is the Fashion Show Mall, a favorite for shoppers and identified easily by its enormous UFO shaped canopy. North and further back on the Strip is Trump tower, accessible via Industrial.
A little north on the same side of the Blvd. is the aptly named Circus Circus. This is perhaps the most family oriented resort on the Las Vegas Strip, with a carnival theme and indoor amusement park. Come here for great roller coasters and a fun time if you have kids or teenagers. Hilton Grand Vacations is rarely mentioned but a very nice hotel next to the Circus Circus property.
Across the way is Riviera. Riviera is a lot of fun, and often has better deals on rooms than some of the other Strip resorts.
On the Southeast corner of Sahara Ave. and Las Vegas Blvd is the Sahara. If you love NASCAR this is the spot for you. They feature a fun NASCAR bar and restaurant and a fast roller coaster visible from the street (note: parking is in the rear off Paradise Rd.)
On the opposite corner is the Stratosphere, the tallest structure in Nevada and higher than the Space Needle in Seattle. What�s more, you can jump off of it � bungee jump that is. There are also a couple of high flying roller coasters atop. Not for the faint of heart.