Farewell To The Mirage: Iconic Era Ends As Doors Close For Good

After an iconic 34 years standing tall in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, The Mirage will close its doors for the last time on Wednesday afternoon.

Just months after the Tropicana closed for good, visitors now have to say goodbye to The Mirage to make room for a new Hard Rock Hotel.

The day has arrived that many have dreaded. The Mirage, a popular casino/hotel in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, is closing its doors for the last time to make room for a new Hard Rock Casino & Hotel.

Crowds of fans gathered outside the hotel on Tuesday night for the chance to see the iconic volcano show one last time. All gambling operations ended overnight, and the final guests checked out on Monday.

Opening in 1989 with more than 3,000 rooms and a tropical theme, The Mirage was well known for many years as the home of Sigfried & Roy's tiger show, Secret Garden, and Dolphin Habitat. It was also more recently home to the popular The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil show and Shin Lim's "Limitless" magic show.

The Hard Rock Casino & Hotel is set to open in 2027.

Leading up to the closing, the hotel/casino has been sharing memories on Instagram. Fans of the resort are not happy about the closing and have been sharing their thoughts in the comment sections of the posts.

"This place is where I have my fondest Vegas moments. It’s a shame it has to go away for something totally random," one person shared. Another added, "I will miss Mirage dearly."

In the comments of another recent post that asked fans to share their favorite memories, many shared their outrage for The Mirage closing down.

"The Mirage is too iconic and beloved to many locals and fans from around the world! It is sad to see this beautiful romantic tropical-themed hotel and casino be rethemed and ruined. I’m going to miss the Mirage, the Las Vegas Strip won’t be the same anymore," one fan wrote.

Another said, "Worst MGM change ever. I won’t share my memories with you!! You’re destroying it!!! So SAD."

After all the resort's fish and animals were rehomed, many longtime fans wondered what would happen to George the duck, who called the pond around the Mirage volcano home for many years.  George was cared for by a local resident because an old injury left him unable to fly or fend for himself. Many were worried that George would be forgotten, but news recently broke that he's being rehomed.

Vegas Starfish, a popular content creator who focuses on everything Vegas, recently shared an update to George's dire situation.

"All of the other animals at The Mirage have been rehomed ahead of the closing. George's caretaker set up a website to share that George is in big trouble because Mirage management seemed to think the duck was faking it and would be fine without intervention," she explained.

She said that thanks to her video going viral, Mirage President Joe Lupo saw it and commented.

"This story is not accurate. No one from this website has spoken to Mirage leadership to verify anything reported. The Mirage will ensure the ducks are safely moved while adhering to and communicating with NV. Dept. of Wildlife and LV Animal Control," he wrote in the comments.

Shortly after Lupo left that comment, Vegas Starfish received an email that he reached out to Flamingo and "scored a spot for George in the Flamingo Animal Sanctuary."

After the closing, construction will begin on the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The Mirage issued a formal statement about the changes on their website a while back.

"Hard Rock International (HRI) announced its plans to cease operations of The Mirage Hotel & Casino as of July 17, 2024, to begin the transformation of the property into the highly anticipated Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas," the statement reads. "The last day of hotel occupancy will be July 14, 2024."

A new message on the website thanks visitors for the past 34 years.

"Hard Rock International (HRI) thanks you for your incredible support over the past 34 years. It's been an unforgettable journey at The Mirage Hotel & Casino, and we appreciate every visitor who made it special," the message reads.

"We are excited to announce that on July 17, 2024, The Mirage will close to begin its transformation into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas. This next chapter promises the luxury, gaming, dining, and entertainment experiences you love from Hard Rock."

The Mirage opened in 1989 and offered something different on The Strip. With a tropical theme like an oasis in the middle of the desert, The Mirage was considered the first megaresort on The Strip.

The casino was home to the iconic duo Siegfried & Roy and their tiger show from 1990 through 2003, when the show ended after one of Roy Horn's tigers mauled him on stage, nearly killing him. Horn died in 2020 from COVID complications and his partner Siegfried Fischbacher died in 2021 from pancreatic cancer.

The Mirage was also home to Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, as well as nightly volcano eruptions.

More recently, the resort has been home to The Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil show, which went dark for good on July 6.