MGM Grand Las Vegas

Opened in 1993, the MGM Grand has changed the design of the lion. It was some sort of cultural superstition about "entering the mouth of the lion" that caused the change to the new lion design, which doesn't incorporate the lion into the entryway. Cultural superstitions are also responsible for the absence of a 13th floor and 40th thru 49th floor in many Las Vegas properties. We've stayed at the MGM twice (2018 and 2019) and can recommend it as a nice mid-level property.

MGM Grand casino as it appeared around 1995.

The MGM Grand lobby as it appeared in December 2019 during the Wrangler National Finals rodeo. They put a cowboy hat on the MGM lion. We usually visit Las Vegas after the rodeo is over but before Christmas, as this seems to be the least crowded time of the year, which also means the lowest hotel rates.

The MGM Grand parking garage roof (7th floor) is one of our favorite locations for shooting photos. However a security guard did approach me one time and told me not to point my camera at the rooms (which I did here.) Parking garage rooftops almost always offer excellent photo opportunities.

These photos of the Strat were taken in 2000 and 2002 from the MGM Grand parking garage roof. The green arch was part of MGMs Grand Adventures theme park.