The MGM Grand is the second-largest hotel in the world and one of the most recognizable sights on the Strip in Las Vegas, with its distinctive emerald-green color and regal lion statue welcoming visitors to its main entrance. It's home to must-see shows, world-class restaurants from celebrity chefs, hot nightclubs and the city's main arena for large-scale concerts and sporting events.
Rooms at MGM Grand
With nearly 7,000 rooms, MGM Grand has accommodations for every kind of traveler. The main hotel features standard rooms, suites and penthouses, and MGM Grand also includes the Skylofts boutique hotel and the Signature condo-hotel, for visitors looking for accommodations with more luxury and/or longer-term stays.
Must see/do at MGM Grand
"Ka" may be the best of the many Vegas Cirque du Soleil shows, with its intricate shifting stage complementing typically impressive Cirque acrobatics. Brad Garrett's Comedy Club features a great mix of established and up-and-coming comedians, including its namesake. For club-goers, Hakkasan is one of the most high-profile clubs in town, with both superstar DJs and smaller, lower-key lounges.
Best and worst time to go to MGM Grand
The best time to visit Las Vegas is during the milder months, in spring (March to mid-May) and fall (mid-September to late November). Summer (mid-May to early September) can bring unpleasantly hot weather, but also lower room rates. For MGM Grand in particular, weekends of big fights (boxing, UFC) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena generally mean high room rates and low room availability.
Parking and public transportation at MGM Grand
Like pretty much every hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip, MGM Grand has ample free parking and a large parking garage. It's also easily accessible via local bus service as well as the Las Vegas Monorail, which has a station attached to the hotel. Taxis from elsewhere on the Strip generally cost $5 to $10, depending on location.
Other places to visit near MGM Grand
The New York-New York across Las Vegas Boulevard is another iconic local hotel-casino, with attractions including a roller coaster and the Cirque du Soleil show "Zumanity." Next door, the M&Ms World is a four-story monument to colored candy, including a free 3D M&Ms movie. Across Tropicana Avenue is the street's namesake, the Tropicana, one of the oldest hotel-casinos in Las Vegas.
Insider tip for visitors to MGM Grand
If you're planning to drive, use the entrance off of Koval Lane to avoid having to deal with any of the Las Vegas Boulevard traffic.
Author's bio: Josh Bell is a Las Vegas-based writer (and 20-year resident) and the film and TV critic for Las Vegas Weekly. Find him on Twitter and Facebook.