Las Vegas, known for its bright lights, casinos, and endless entertainment, also has a lesser-known side filled with abandoned places that contrast sharply with the glitz and glamour of the Strip. From decaying hotels and forgotten attractions to relics of past industries, these sites offer a haunting glimpse into the city's history and its rapid expansion. Here are 10 of the most captivating abandoned places in Las Vegas for urban explorers and history enthusiasts.
1. The Fontainebleau Resort (Las Vegas, Nevada)
The Fontainebleau Resort was planned to be one of the most luxurious hotels in Las Vegas, but construction halted in 2009 during the Great Recession. For years, the towering blue structure stood unfinished and abandoned, a symbol of Las Vegas' boom-and-bust cycle. While construction has resumed in recent years, its long-abandoned state left an eerie mark on the skyline for over a decade.
2. The Harmon Hotel (CityCenter Las Vegas, Nevada)
The Harmon Hotel was supposed to be part of the CityCenter project on the Las Vegas Strip, but after structural defects were discovered during construction, the building was never completed. The half-finished hotel stood abandoned for years, a strange contrast to the luxury buildings surrounding it. It was eventually demolished, but its story remains a notorious chapter in Las Vegas development history.
3. El Rancho Vegas (Las Vegas, Nevada)
El Rancho Vegas, the first resort-style casino on the Las Vegas Strip, opened in 1941 and burned down in 1960. The land was left abandoned for decades, and though redevelopment plans were made, the site remains an empty lot, surrounded by memories of Las Vegas' early days. Urban explorers can still feel the history of the once-thriving resort on the now-barren plot of land.
4. Las Vegas Underground House
Hidden beneath the streets of Las Vegas is the Underground House, a Cold War-era bunker built in the 1970s as a nuclear fallout shelter. The house is complete with a faux outdoor setting, including a pool, artificial trees, and painted walls that mimic the sky. Abandoned for years, the underground house offers an eerie, retro look at survivalist architecture. Though technically not open to the public, its existence adds mystery to the city’s abandoned sites.
5. The Moulin Rouge Hotel (Las Vegas, Nevada)
The Moulin Rouge Hotel, which opened in 1955, was the first integrated hotel and casino in Las Vegas, but it closed just months after opening. The property has been abandoned multiple times over the years, with several attempts at renovation failing. Fires and neglect have left the building in ruins, though its history as a symbol of civil rights and racial integration is still significant.
6. Water Park of Las Vegas (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Las Vegas once had an outdoor water park called Wet 'n' Wild that was a major attraction for locals and tourists alike. After its closure in 2004, the land remained abandoned for years, leaving behind dried-up pools, crumbling slides, and decaying structures. Though the site has been redeveloped since then, it was an eerie, forgotten landscape for many years.
7. The Liberace Mansion (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Once the opulent home of the famous pianist Liberace, this mansion was abandoned after his death in 1987. The extravagant house, complete with lavish decorations and a piano-shaped pool, fell into disrepair over the years. While there have been attempts to restore and preserve the mansion, it spent much of its time in a state of decay, offering a glimpse into the excess of Las Vegas’ golden entertainment age.
8. Texas Station Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, Nevada)
The Texas Station Hotel and Casino opened in 1995 and was popular among locals for its affordable dining and entertainment. However, the casino was permanently closed in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic forced a shutdown. Now sitting abandoned, the once-bustling complex is a haunting reminder of the financial impact of the pandemic on Las Vegas' entertainment industry.
9. Rock-a-Hoola Waterpark (Newberry Springs, California)
Though not directly in Las Vegas, Rock-a-Hoola Waterpark (also known as Lake Dolores Waterpark) is a well-known abandoned site near Las Vegas, off the I-15 in California. Once a popular destination in the 1960s, the park closed in the early 2000s. Now it’s a decaying landscape of empty pools, rusting slides, and graffiti-covered structures, making it a favorite stop for urban explorers on the way to or from Las Vegas.
10. Las Vegas Club Hotel and Casino (Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada)
The Las Vegas Club Hotel and Casino was one of the older properties in downtown Las Vegas, originally opening in 1930. It operated for decades before being abandoned in 2015 and eventually demolished. For a time, the vacant building stood as a symbol of the changing fortunes of Las Vegas casinos, slowly decaying in the heart of downtown.
Conclusion
Las Vegas may be a city of constant renewal and change, but its abandoned places offer a window into the past. From unfinished mega-resorts and crumbling casinos to forgotten homes and water parks, these locations reveal the rise, fall, and rapid evolution of Sin City. As always, it’s important to prioritize safety and respect property laws when visiting these sites, as many are dangerous or off-limits. For those who explore responsibly, Las Vegas' abandoned places provide an unforgettable journey into the hidden side of the city.
