I think the construction of City Center, Waldorf, Cosmo, etc. ruined the Strip the way they were built, the new ones and the oldies followed suit.
Back in the day, places had grand entrances and towers weren't stuck right on the Strip.
You stood on moving sidewalks as went by the Tigers at the Mirage, Caesars had its little show, etc. There was the pirate battle at TI, the Mirage Volcano, etc.
The Fountains are virtually the only thing left to "see" on the Strip before you get to the Gaming areas and open your wallet.

When I was there in June, Venetian was the only place it seemed to still have moving sidewalks and a plan to get to their main shot, that 2 story entrance.
I know the idea of "theme" has gone by by, but yeah then it's just a bunch of big hotels like any other place and get us to a table.