The Flamingo hotel lives up to its name with live Chilean flamingos roaming the wildlife habitat on the hotel grounds. The habitat is also home to swans, ducks, brown pelicans, and turtles. The controlled environment includes several waterfalls, islands, and exotic plant life. The exhibit is open to the public free of charge, and can be visited day or night. Feedings are done twice a day for visitors to watch. This is a must visit for nature enthusiasts, animal lovers, and those with children who will get a kick out of the big pink birds.
Flamingo hotel was the third resort built on the Las Vegas Strip, and has outlived the two that came before it to become the oldest resort on the Strip, a prestigious honor to hold. When coming up with the concept for the luxury hotel in 1945, the owner did not want another “sawdust joint” like the ones on Fremont Street. He wanted a European style high end resort. The result was a grand hotel with a French style casino, spa, health club, showroom, nightclub, golf course, and luxurious rooms.
When the mob boss Bugsy Siegel invested in the building of the resort, he installed a hidden ladder in the Presidential Suite in order to escape should the need arise. The ladder led to an underground car garage with a limousine awaiting him.