Introduction to Las Vegas
Welcome to the internationally acclaimed resort city famous for its entertainment, gambling, shopping, and fine dining options – Las Vegas.
Las Vegas is known as the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’. And quite rightly so, for where else would one find such a heady mix of gambling, entertainment, shopping, and fine dining options? The casino–hotels and other entertainment venues of Las Vegas have earned the city the reputation of capriciousness and made it the preferred getaway for fun-seekers from across the world. The city is also known for the many forms of adult entertainment it offers, earning it the epithet ‘Sin City’. Vegas is also the setting for many Hollywood and international movies. It is also the most populous city of the State of Nevada.Facts about Las Vegas
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City |
Las Vegas |
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Country |
United States Of America |
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Area |
135.9 sq miles |
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Population |
1,951,269 (Metro) – 2010 |
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Average Summer Temperature |
20.5°C / 69°F |
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Average Winter Temperature |
8°C / 47°F |
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Currency |
US Dollar (USD) |
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Dialling Code |
Country – 1, City – 702 |
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Major Airports |
McCarran International Airport (LAS) |
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Geographic Coordinates |
36°10’N, 115°08’W |
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Time Zone |
Pacific Time |
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Official Website |
Historic Overview
The modern history of Las Vegas can be traced back to 1855 when Mormon Church members built a fort here. The fort was soon abandoned but within a decade Nevada became the 36th state to join the union setting the stage for the rise of Las Vegas as an urban hub, though it would be quite a few years before the city would be established. This happened as a result of the completion of the main rail link that connected Southern California and Salt Lake City. Las Vegas became the main refuelling point in this route and the availability of water made the growth of the city inevitable. Las Vegas City was established on May 15, 1905. On July 1, 1909, when the Nevada Legislature created Clark County, named after William Clark, Las Vegas became the county seat. Las Vegas was incorporated on June 1, 1911 and received a major boost in population with the start of construction of the Hoover Dam in 1931. The same year, the state legislature officially legalized gambling and further promoted the city’s growth. Following World War II, expensive and well-done up resort hotels and gambling joints became the biggest attraction of the valley. Tourism and entertainment became the largest employment generators in the valley. Through the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s major corporations started to invest in the hotels/resorts and casinos providing the city the touch of glamor and advertisement it required to take off. By the 1980’s Las Vegas became a world-famous entertainment and tourist destination and continues to grow at a rapid pace.
Many Cities In One – The Las Vegas Strip
The Strip is a section of Las Vegas Boulevard famous for its themed hotels. Among the world’s twenty five largest hotels (by room count) about fifteen are located here. The dramatic architecture of these hotels have altered the cityscape – New York, Paris, Luxor, Venice, Bellagio and many more recreated right in the heart of Nevada. New York – New York is built to recreate the Manhattan skyline, complete with the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and Broadway, and a rollercoaster around the top. Just about a minute away is the Paris Casino and Hotel where visitors can experience the beauty of Paris with replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre Museum built into the theme. Experience a visit to the great pyramids of Luxor, the beauty and serenity of the Grand Canal of Venice, an exciting journey into the world of Treasure Island and the fun of a visit to the grand circus at the themed hotels of Las Vegas. These themed hotel-casinos have every experience to offer and every dream to fulfil. With over 1,000 nozzles, 4,500 lights, and water jets shooting up over 25 stories, the Bellagio Fountains are probably the best-loved attraction of Las Vegas. After dark, the fountains light up and sway to the music of famous composers such as Strauss and Copland.
Las Vegas – Entertainment Capital of the World
Las Vegas is famous the world over for the variety of entertainment options – primarily gaming and adult entertainment. From casinos to strip shows, Sin City has it all. Apart from the innumerable casinos there are a number of attractions in and around Las Vegas city. Among the most popular is Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum Las Vegas. Madame Tussaud’s Celebrity Encounter showcases over 100 wax figures of celebrities. The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino is an excellent family attraction to experience nature and wildlife in this city. The tropical garden is home to African penguins, Chilean flamingos, ducks, hummingbirds and many varieties of birds from all around the world. Be Rock Star For A Day at the Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp. The Las Vegas Natural History Museum and the Shark Reef Aquarium are favorites with kids. A visit to the 726 feet high Hoover Dam, a 32- mile ride from Las Vegas promises to be great fun. The dam was constructed in 1936, over the Colorado River. The dam impounds Lake Mead which is also the largest reservoir in country. Water discharged from the dam reaches the All American Canal that supplies water to the drier parts of Nevada and Arizona and serves about 8 million people. The dam is a popular attraction with camp sites, boat rides, adventure trails, and walkways. Over a million tourists visit this dam each year. Another popular attraction is the Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park. The early Mormon settlers had built a fort in this area. The fort has now been turned into a museum that houses artefacts and historical remains of these early settlers. The Grand Canyon Skywalk (123 miles from Vegas) at the Grand Canyon West is another favorite getaway from the city. The 70-foot glass-bottomed skywalk is the first ever cantilever of its kind. Built at a height of 4000 feet, the walkway leads tourists about 70 feet over the edge of the canyon. The Indian Village, also at the Grand Canyon West has a model original Native American village; helicopter trips to the bottom of the canyon are also available here.
The Vegas Experience
In a city where Entertainment is synonymous with life, it is difficult not to find options and places to have fun. If it is shopping, fine dining, and a day of fun on your mind, head straight to Town Square Las Vegas, the district designed to resemble a laid-back European village and spread across 117 acres. It is an open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment center on the Las Vegas Strip. It is the most visited shopping destination in Las Vegas. It houses more than 200 outlets of leading fashion brands, specialized spas, fine dining joints, an 18 screen movie theatre, and much more to choose from. Another great place to shop for goodies is the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. There are over 170 specialty stores, and 15 gourmet eateries here. Another popular shopping zone is the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Spread across 500,000 square feet area, the Shoppes there are more than 70 specialty stores, a few signature outlets of world famous designers, and more in this unique shopping zone. Las Vegas offers a unique night life experience – its vibrancy, spice, and variety unmatched in the world. The bars, casinos, specialty restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, and shows come alive at sundown and there is always something special happening in Las Vegas. Some of the most popular nightclubs in are Marquee Nightclub in the Cosmopolitan Area, Rain in the Desert of Palm Casino Resorts, XS Nightclub in Encore Las Vegas, Hyde Bellagio, and Hakkasan at the MGM Grand. Some of the best cocktail bars in Las Vegas are The Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan, The Artisan Bar, Freakin’ Frog, Dino’s Lounge, and The Griffin.
Las Vegas Restaurants
Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare 3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: (702) 770-3305 www.wynnlasvegas.com/Restaurants/FineDining/Bartolotta Restaurant Guy Savoy, Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: (702) 731-7110 www.caesarspalace.com/restaurants/guy-savoy.html Burger Bar 3930 Las Vegas Boulevard South #121A Las Vegas, NV 89119 Phone: (702) 632-9364 www.burger-bar.com/lv_main.php Stack 3400 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: (866) 339-4566 http://stacklasvegas.com/ Hugo’s Cellar 202 Fremont Street, Las Vegas Phone: (702) 385-4011 www.hugoscellar.com/
Hotels in Las Vegas
Luxury Hotels – Four Seasons Las Vegas 3960 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89119 Phone: (702) 632-5000 www.fourseasons.com/lasvegas/ Trump International Hotel Las Vegas 2000 Fashion Show Drive (near Las Vegas Boulevard), Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: (702) 982-0000, http://www.trumphotelcollection.com/las-vegas/ Bellagio Las Vegas Hotel 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: (702) 693-7111 www.bellagio.com Economy Hotels – Riviera Hotel and Casino 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: (702) 734-5110 www.rivierahotel.com/ El Cortez Hotel And Casino 600 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101 Phone: (702) 385-5200 http://www.elcortezhotelcasino.com/ Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel And Casino 3555 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: (702) 733-3111 www.flamingolasvegas.com/ Last Updated on: July 31, 2013