Las Vegas is a city that needs no introduction. Nicknamed Sin City and the Entertainment Capital of the World, it is situated in the midst of the southern Nevada desert landscape. From it’s inception in 1904 several events would come together in less than twenty years to make Las Vegas what it is today:
- The construction of Hoover Dam in 1928 brought thousands of workers to the area.
- Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, and what is now downtown Las Vegas became an entertainment cenre for the dam workers
- In 1941, the luxurious El Rancho Vegas resort opened on what would later become the Las Vegas Strip. Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel later opened the Flamingo Hotel in 1946, starting the building boom and one-upmanship that would continue for the next 50 years.
The city now has giant casino hotels, illuminated with lavish care and attention to detail to create an almost fantasy-land feeling. From its top-of-the-line resorts, shopping and dining to its exciting entertainment and nightlife, Las Vegas has earned its place as one of the world’s premier tourist destinations. Nevada’s largest city has long outgrown its adult playground moniker and is no longer just a gambling Mecca.
The mega-resorts that line The Strip offer visitors more than meets the eye. Behind the flashing neon and dazzling lights, each of them is a destination unto itself. Take Caesars Palace and the designer fashions available at The Forum Shops, or Mandalay Bay and its sandy beaches and wave pool or Bellagio’s world-class spa—each day in Las Vegas can be a whole new vacation. Kids and kids at heart can enjoy roller coasters and other rides at Circus Circus, Stratosphere and New York – New York with live animal exhibits at many resorts including Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage and the MGM Grand Lion Habitat.
For some education with your vacation, the Springs Preserve is a fun way to learn all about the desert that surrounds Las Vegas and the Nevada State Museum, opening in 2009, will include even more informative exhibits and displays. Sun-seekers can soak up rays at resort pools at the Hard Rock Hotel, Palms, and everywhere in between.
Not just a gambling Mecca it is most definitely a major centre of shopping with almost an infinite list of glamorous stores matcehd by outlet parks that will provide the deals to turn you green and back. Folow this link to whet the appetite.....Shopping Las Vegas.
Las Vegas is the home of the kitsch wedding with a large variety of themes and nuptual arrangements. From an Elvis Graceland styled wedding to The Chapel In The Clouds, all tastes are catered for.
For food and drink there are few cities that will rival the huge mix available, from exotic and rare fish dishes or the $777 Burger right down to the 99cent shrimp there's a place at the table for everybody.
For those seeking a break from the bright lights there's plenty to do in the geat outdoors - Las Vegas has some of the best climbing in America? Red Rock Canyon is on the western edge of the Las Vegas city limits and features hundreds of traditional/gear and sport routes. Climbing is possible year-round, though Autumn and Spring tend to be most suitable. North of Red Rock Canyon, the Spring Mountains have five peaks over 11,000 fttt. At 11,918 ft Mt. Charleston reaches the treeless alpine zone and is Nevada's fourth highest peak!
But Vegas is all about the glamour and it truly comes alive after dark. A more impressive skyline you'll struggle to find, if not for scale then for sheer triumpalism and grandiosity.
Probably Elvis said it best, “Viva Las Vegas!”