Hidden Gems of Las Vegas Casinos: Secret Relics the Strip Won’t Let You See

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and that often applies to the evolving landscape of the Strip. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and that often applies to the evolving landscape of the Strip. For many Las Vegas casinos, it is frequently more cost-effective to wall off aging attractions that have fallen out of favor rather than undergoing the massive expense of complete demolition and reconstruction. This strategic approach to property management is especially common when the future plans for a specific gaming space remain undetermined.

Currently, Spiegelworld’s DiscoShow at the Linq is taking place in a former sportsbook that was sealed off when the Imperial Palace closed its doors in 2012.

Here are three intriguing examples of relics from Vegas’s past that still exist and have been uncovered by adventurous trespassers who took the risk of arrest to validate their existence.

The Dragon, Excalibur

“Merlin v Dragon” was a prime example of Vegas at its most thematic. This animatronic show located in the moat outside the medieval-themed resort featured the legendary wizard, Merlin, battling a dragon that emerged from a cave in the moat. Built by AVG Productions, this rubber dragon, known as Murphy, measured a staggering 71 feet long, had glowing yellow eyes, and glided along tracks laid in the bottom of the moat. Named after Murphy’s Law, it had its fair share of mechanical failures.

Guests could watch from a drawbridge as Merlin hurled fireballs at the dragon, which retaliated until he ultimately triumphed. The free attraction would run multiple performances from 6 p.m. to midnight daily; however, it was dismantled in 2001 due to high maintenance costs and reliability issues. While the moat remained until a renovation in 2010, the dragon is still there, albeit off-limits to the public.

This was verified by YouTuber Freddy Trap, who documented his discovery of the dragon in 2023. It was noted later on a subreddit that a wall was erected to prevent further trespassers from witnessing this remarkable relic of Las Vegas history.

Maybe one day, Murphy will be restored and showcased, but for now, knowing he remains within the castle walls adds an air of mystery to the resort.

Hunter S. Thompson’s Hotel Room

A significant portion of the action in Hunter S. Thompson’s 1971 novel “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” occurred in Room 1850 of The Mint’s tower. According to Thompson, he and his companion, Oscar Acosta, accumulated an astronomical unpaid room-service bill while trashing the room over 48 hours.

In 1988, the Mint merged with the neighbouring Binion’s Gambling Hall, formerly known as Binion’s Horseshoe, which closed all of its hotel rooms in 2009. When Hotel Apache reopened 81 of those rooms a decade later, none were located in the Mint’s tower, which has remained closed ever since.

In an audacious move earlier this year, Australian reporter Elmo Keep managed to trespass into the locked tower. He took an elevator to the roof of the adjoining Hotel Apache and climbed down a fire escape to access the corridor leading to the tower.

“You’ll need to navigate through the corridors until you find the room, and there it will be, right before you: the site where one of the most groundbreaking pieces of journalism was conceived,” Keep noted.

However, he cautioned that the disheveled tower is “in severe disrepair,” littered with refuse, and inhabited by several individuals who have made it their home base. Furthermore, attempting this venture is definitely illegal.

Adult Theater, Circus Circus

When it opened in 1968, Circus Circus featured an adult showroom known as the Hippodrome, which showcased the production “Nudes in the Night” that starred Babette Bardot.

In 1970, owner Jay Sarno launched a topless show named “Tom Jones”—not the singer, but based on the 1963 film of the same name.

Additional shows that graced the theater included “Naked But Nice,” “French Love Connection,” “Nudes Delight,” and “Hot Pants Sexplosion.” Notably, rather than being demolished, the theater was simply sealed off between 1973 and 1979. Dusty and neglected, it has remained untouched since, although employees can still access it via back corridors behind what is now a pizzeria on the casino level.

“We didn’t know about it,” admitted owner Phil Ruffin in a 2020 profile by the Nevada Independent. “We just discovered it.”

At the time, Las Vegas architectural firm Bergman Walls & Associates was in discussions about redesigning the theater for a prospective reopening. However, plans have since changed, with Ruffin expressing his desire to sell Circus Circus at a price requiring the buyer to demolish it and build a luxury resort in its place.

“Lost Vegas” is an ongoing Casino.org series that sheds light on the overlooked history of Las Vegas. Got a good Vegas story that’s faded into history? Get in touch!

 

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