Travel Advisors Say Goodbye to Las Vegas’ The Mirage for the Last Time

On Wednesday, the Las Vegas Mirage dealt its last cards and closed its doors for good to make way for the new Hard Rock hotel that will adorn the Vegas Strip starting in 2027.

The resort was originally opened in 1989 by Steve Wynn, and welcomes guests as the world’s most expensive resort, one of the world’s largest hotels, and, perhaps, one of the most unique Las Vegas properties, with animal habitats, an indoor tropical forest, and its iconic outdoor volcano.

Its closure is a bittersweet moment for Sin City and for the travel industry. While there’s a lot of excitement for a new name on the Strip, The Mirage was one of Vegas’ mainstays.

Over the years, it played host to some major events, including the first Sugar Ray Leonard v Roberto Durán fight, several Mike Tyson fights, the first Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas show in 1992, and several runs from Siegfried & Roy, who first signed a $58 million contract with the Wynn in 1990.

There will be plenty of time to build up excitement for the launch of Hard Rock’s guitar-shaped hotel, but this week, as The Mirage shut its doors and turned off its volcano, travel advisors paid tribute to the resort.

“Impactful,” Christina W. Kimball, an advisor with Volant Global Travel Advisors told TMR when asked to describe The Mirage. “That’s not typically a word associated with a hotel, casino, or resort but it’s the best word I have for The Mirage.”

Because of its tropical design, with the fountain and lush landscape, Kimball called the resort an “oasis” in the Nevada desert and told TMR that her experience at the resort when she was young started her love of travel.

“I’m sure that played a part in one of my favorite travels to plan and experience – safaris! I am confident that I am just one of many who will miss the Mirage’s presence on the Strip. Thank you to everyone at the Mirage for giving us so many years of fascination, experiences, and great memories,” she added.

Helene Quick of Quick Aloha Travel Services moved her family from Hawaii to Las Vegas in 2003. One of her first memories of that trip was a day trip to The Mirage to introduce the city to her 8-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter.

“We must’ve spent hours there with fond memories of Sigfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. Everyone’s favorite of course… The white tigers. None of us had experienced anything like that ever. In fact, my daughter Kiana still remembers it till this day, almost 21 years ago now,” she said.

As for the Volcano, “it always served as a kind and subtle reminder of our time in Hawaii and how we went from the tropical, laid back lifestyle of the Hawaiian Islands to the symbolic and explosive energy you can only find in Las Vegas,” she said, adding that there’s always a chance to make new family members, even as change comes.

“Now that the kids are adults with families of their own, we can’t wait to welcome the Hard Rock Las Vegas together in 2027!” she said.

Carolyn Sandgren-Kempf opened her travel agency Elite Travel Inc., which was initially focused on Las Vegas charter business, just a few years after The Mirage opened its doors in 1989.

Her fondest memories all revolve around The Mirage Volcano.

“For decades the pyrotechnics of the Volcano have dazzled and heated millions of vacationers.  One of the best free attractions it drew clients into the property where the rainforest-themed Atrium carried the theme of excitement and allure.  Mirage was one of the most iconic and exciting themed experiences on the strip.  I know I should be excited about the change, but anyone who loves Vegas will miss the memories.  When the building and volcano go so will a piece of my heart,” she told TMR.