Bonanza Gift Shop
📍 Address: 2400 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89104, United States
Nestled at the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip (near the intersection with Sahara Avenue), the ‘Bonanza Gift Shop’ has been a beloved institution for countless tourists and locals alike since its opening in 1980. This long-established, colossal souvenir store proudly displays a neon sign on its exterior proclaiming ‘World’s Largest Gift Shop.’ Its expansive 3,700 square meter (40,000 square feet) floor is packed wall-to-wall with an overwhelming array of kitschy items that scream Las Vegas.
This site was originally home to a cluster of small casinos and shops, which were eventually acquired and developed into the massive store it is today. Its striking presence has even landed it a spot as a filming location for movies, such as the Nicholas Cage film ‘The Trust,’ making it a deep-dive spot where you can feel the undertones of Las Vegas’s history and pop culture.
True to its humorous slogan, ‘If it’s in stock, we have it!’, the store is a chaotic mix of everything imaginable, from classic T-shirts and mugs to NFL and MLB sports merchandise, Native American jewelry, and even pet supplies for dogs. Perhaps because the ‘world’s largest’ claim sets the bar incredibly high, some visitors calmly remark that ‘the size is decent.’ However, in terms of product variety and affordability, it boasts a cost performance that far surpasses the shops found inside hotels along the Strip.
A Collector’s Dream! The Must-Buy ‘Used Casino Playing Cards’
When you visit Bonanza Gift Shop, one local item you absolutely must seek out is ‘Canceled Casino Cards’ or casino chips that were actually used in a casino.
In Las Vegas casinos, playing cards used at a table are promptly replaced to prevent cheating, and then processed to be unusable—by cutting corners or punching holes—before being discarded. A while ago, these used playing cards were readily available in most hotel gift shops. However, in recent years, more and more hotels have stopped selling them, making them surprisingly difficult to acquire for tourists, thus becoming rare collector’s items.
Fortunately, Bonanza Gift Shop still maintains a rich selection of these used playing cards and chips. Cards featuring the logos of famous existing hotels like ‘Flamingo’ or ‘Circus Circus’ make for the ultimate souvenir, allowing you to take a piece of Las Vegas’s excitement home with you. If you give them to a casino-loving friend, they’ll undoubtedly appreciate your unique and niche choice.
Tips for Shopping and Access Details for Travelers!
The biggest tip for shopping at this store is ‘don’t expect refined sophistication.’ The shelves are filled with quintessential American kitsch: aprons with cheesy jokes, flamboyant shot glasses, and countless other novelty items. By approaching it as the perfect place to stock up on inexpensive, bulk souvenirs for colleagues and friends, you’ll fully appreciate the true value of this store.
Moreover, its practical accessibility is a significant advantage for travelers. While it’s a bit far from the central Strip, you can use the famous 24-hour double-decker bus, ‘The DEUCE,’ which allows you to get on and off right near the store, making it easy to return to your hotel even with heavy bags.
What’s even more noteworthy is that despite being on Las Vegas Boulevard, it boasts a ‘spacious and easy-to-park free parking lot.’ Around the Strip, parking fees can be exorbitant, and you often have to walk endlessly from huge hotel parking garages to your destination. Here, you can step out of your car and directly into the store, offering an oasis-like convenience for travelers using rental cars. Be sure to include it in your itinerary as a great spot for last-minute souvenir shopping before your departure.
