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Here’s What’s New At Circus Circus Las Vegas

Circus Circus Las Vegas is currently renovating and adding rides and games to the family-friendly casino hotel on the Vegas Strip.

Exterior View of Las Vegas' Circus Circus Marquee and Entrance
Photo by John Locher / AP Photo
Marc Meltzer Avatar
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Circus Circus continues to evolve on the north end of the Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas casino owned by Phil Ruffin has been changing since it was sold by MGM Resorts in 2019.

Ruffin, who also owns Treasure Island and the Las Vegas Festival Grounds next to Circus Circus, has been making subtle upgrades to the property since taking over. The constant minor changes have been to bring the casino back to the glory of the late 1960s.

The latest round of renovations will cost between $25 million and $30 million. The budget may seem relatively low for a Las Vegas casino but that’s by design.

Since purchasing the property, Ruffin has been committed to keeping Circus Circus a family-friendly value property. There aren’t many Vegas Strip casinos that can compare on price and amenities for the entire family.

One of the latest improvements at Circus Circus is visible to anyone who passes by the casino. The pinstripe circus tent-like roof has been painted. The bright pink striping on the Circus Circus roof is brighter than it’s been in years.

While some upgrades are already completed, some won’t be noticeable for a couple of years.

Circus Circus Las Vegas casino adds family-friendly non-gambling attractions

Circus Circus is updating and adding to its family-friendly amenities. Frequent visitors will notice new gaming (not gambling) space as well as an update to the popular Midway.

Earlier this year Circus Circus opened a larger pool space. There’s room for twice as many guests at the upgraded pool.

Circus Circus has a new arcade area called The Garage. This space includes mini bowling, a golf simulator, and a VR game.

The Midway has new rides and attractions. Ax It Up is a new venue where families can test their ax-throwing skills.

As part of the ongoing changes as the Adventuredome, Circus Circus has added a go-karting track, a teacup ride, and a new ship ride over the past few years.

In December Circus Circus plans to open a new SpongeBob ride. Circus Circus Senior Vice President of Operations, Shana Gertey told News Nation that the ride will be “the only one of its kind on the West Coast.”

Circus Circus is also investing in the infrastructure of the hotel. More than $10 million of the renovation budget will be dedicated to upgrading the elevator system. There are more than 30 elevators that will receive an upgrade. This won’t be finished until 2025.

A North Vegas Strip resurgence in the past two decades

Circus Circus is just a part of a long-awaited resurgence on the north end of the Vegas Strip.

Sahara returned to its original name a few years ago after a brief stint as SLS Las Vegas. Since being purchased, Sahara has undergone a multi-year renovation that touches almost every inch of the property including the entrances, casino floor,  hotel rooms, pool, and more.

Resorts World Las Vegas opened near Circus Circus in 2021. This land had been mostly vacant since Boyd Gaming stopped construction on Echelon Place in 2008.

Construction on Fontainebleau Las Vegas started in 2007. Work stopped in 2009 during the last great recession. After numerous ownership changes the property is on target to open in December. Fontainebleau operators are finally sharing details on what Fontainebleau will offer visitors.

The Stratosphere was rebranded as The Strat in 2020. Owners Golden Entertainment continue to upgrade the property. Atomic Golf is on schedule to open before the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November. This is a similar venue to Topgolf at MGM Grand.

While the area is coming together there are still two large plots of land ready for new businesses. The bare land next to Sahara is still tied to All Net Arena. This concept hasn’t gotten off the ground despite numerous attempts.

Wynn Resorts owns land across the street from its Las Vegas property and next to Fashion Show Mall. The unused land was once earmarked for a project called Wynn West.

The new casino and hotel concept was floated by Steve Wynn before stepping away from the company that bears his name. Wynn Resorts has no plans for the land at this time.

Marc Meltzer Avatar
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Marc grew up on the mean streets of the South Bronx. He's the rare combination of Yankees and Jets fan which explains his often contrarian point of view. Marc is a freelance writer and social media consultant. Writing about steak, booze, gambling and Las Vegas is a tough job but somebody has to do it.

View all posts by Marc Meltzer

Marc grew up on the mean streets of the South Bronx. He's the rare combination of Yankees and Jets fan which explains his often contrarian point of view. Marc is a freelance writer and social media consultant. Writing about steak, booze, gambling and Las Vegas is a tough job but somebody has to do it.

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