The Ipanema Tower of the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino on Flamingo Rd (about a half-mile west of the Strip).  The Rio is located not far from the Palms.  The hotel opened on January 15, 1990.

At the base of the Ipanema tower.  The Rio stands out at night with the signature blue and red neon and can be identified from anywhere in the Las Vegas area.  The Rio is named after Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

The 20-story expansion tower which was added in 1993. 

The large signage facing I-15.  

The Rio has 2,563 suites and offers two highly recommended buffets:  The Carnival World Buffet and the Village Seafood Buffet.  Magician's Penn & Teller have had a long-running act at the Rio.

Masquerade Village and casino as viewed from the second floor on April 22, 2011.

The casino in Masquerade Village as it appeared in May, 2007.

A close-up of a bar on the casino floor in Masquerade Village. 

This is the "King of the Parade"--with his blue-eyes searching back and forth as he hangs from the ceiling.  When you see him, you know the Masquerade in the Sky show will be starting soon. 

A scene from the stage show portion of Masquerade in the Sky performed on the casino floor.  Photo taken April 22, 2011. 

A woman throwing beads to gamblers below on the casino floor as her float, the Rio Grande riverboat, moves along the ceiling. The Masquerade Show in the Sky--is a Mardi Gras- type parade with music and dance, scantily clad women, bead-throwing and neon lights; the floats hang from the ceiling and make a circuit around the casino during each show.   

A woman throwing beads from the balloon float--April 22, 2011. 

A photo of the Show in the Sky from 2007.  For a nominal fee, guests can ride on the floats and participate in the parade.  The show opened in 1997 and is free to the public (unless one wants to ride on a float).

A colorful Rio sign above the pedestrian bridge connecting the casino with the paraking structure. 

The Ipanema Tower on a cloudy and very windy night in Vegas. 

The Rio seen from the Vdara tram station--with Penn & Teller very prominent on the side. 

The Rio complex as viewed from Treasure Island on the Strip.  Note the white neon of Palms Place in the background. 

The Show in the Sky; video taken April 22, 2011.  Includes parts of the floor show and the floats traveling along the ceiling. 

Flair bartender at Masquerade Village; he gives a pretty long show!  April 22, 2011. 

Rio's Masquerade Show in the Sky--hanging from the ceiling above the casino floor.  Video taken on May 30, 2007.  For $15, a person can ride in the parade!  (If the video doesn't load-up, try refreshing the page).