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Las Vegas is the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and a major vacation, shopping, entertainment and gambling destination. It was established in 1905, officially became a city in 1911 and became the largest American city founded in the 20th century.
One-armed bandits, beautiful desert, free drinks and unlimited glitz.
Las Vegas is all about glamour for its own sake, over-the-top hustle and flash as means and end. It's crowds of people in polyester pantsuits, big hair and gold chains, staring at neon signs and spinning lemons like deer hypnotised by headlights.
Not that Vegas doesn't have a serious side - billions are at stake on the tables and in the theme parks. But you're given enough distractions to ignore it, until you lose. If you tire of tugging on the slot machines, the surrounding area has some of the region's most beautiful scenery.
'For a loser, Vegas is the meanest town on earth.' - Hunter S. Thompson
Las Vegas is in the southern part of the state of Nevada, about 80km (50mi) east of the California border and 50km (30mi) west of the Arizona border. The city is divided into two main parts: a compact downtown called Glitter Gulch, centred on the intersection of Highway 95 and Interstate 15; and the Strip, a corridor of hotels and casinos lining Interstate 15 a few kilometres south of downtown. The casinos are divided between downtown's Glitter Gulch and the Strip; most hotels are on or near the Strip. McCarran International Airport is located at the southern end of the Strip, about 8km (5mi) south of downtown. The Greyhound bus and Amtrak railway stations are downtown and the railway station is located inside Jackie Gaughan's Plaza Hotel and Casino.
If you can tear yourself away from the gaming tables, you'll find that the city is surrounded by a rough-and-rugged desert landscape that is ideal for a range of outdoor activities. The steep, jagged red rock valleys and canyons around Las Vegas are superb hiking and camping territory.
Things to do:
There are dozens of golf courses in Las Vegas Valley, most within 16km (10mi) of the Strip. Unless you can hustle together 30000.00 up front plus 350.00 a month for membership of a private club, you'll be playing at a public course. Reserve your tee-off time a week in advance.
Skiers are thrilled by the downhill at the Lee Canyon Ski Area on Charleston Peak in the Toiyabe National Forest, about 130km (80mi) northwest of Las Vegas.
Bowling is very big in Las Vegas and most bowling centres are in hotel-casinos where you can work on your glide and release far into the small hours. Occasionally a venue can suffer an 'attack of the bowling league', so call ahead to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
For boating and water-skiing, smear on the sunscreen, slither into your wetsuit and head over to Lake Mead, about 50km (30mi) east of Las Vegas. You can even scuba dive here. The lake's 800km (500mi) of shoreline offers plenty of sunbathing spots.
Great for hiking, Red Rock Canyon, about 30km (20mi) west of the city, has multicoloured sandstone scenery. Toiyabe National Forest, further west, features the 3700m (12000ft) Charleston Peak and trails that wind through pine forests and desert scrub. Camping is allowed.
Events
It's pretty hard to upstage the dollar-driven party pumping that is Las Vegas in everyday wear, but some diehard enthusiasts have been known to try. It would be sacrilegious for Sin City to close down its own peculiar devotions for a religious holiday (though it does take time out for Christ's birthday) but the city does have a few annual events and festivals. Locals wear green for the St Patrick's Day Parade in March. It's chaps and chili during the Helldorado Days Rodeo and Western Festival in June and the National Finals Rodeo in December. October brings both the Jaycee State Fair and the Cashman Field PGA Invitational Golf Tournament.
Shopping:
In Las Vegas consumption is as conspicuous as dancing fountains in the desert. Haute purveyors cater to the cashed-up, but there are a few high-roller items not likely to be sold anytime soon, like Ginger Rogers' marquis diamond engagement ring and the world's largest carved emerald, both of which you'll find here.
Eating out:
With so many 'celebrity chefs', the food stakes are high and those who come to live out a high-life fantasy expect a gourmet meal in an opulent setting - which Vegas will provide. Hard-core punters numbly head for a fast-food fix while the thrifty yet ravenous duel with the buffet superleague.
Places of Interest:
In Vegas, history means Elvis and culture is imported from New York.
Flashing lights have given way to laser shows, but the aim is old-fashioned: ensure visitors go gaga, are entranced and keep coming back for more and more. Beyond the clamouring casino Strip, the Elvis Museum has recently been upstaged by the Guggenheim, and amusement parks galore.
Las Vegas is all about glamour for its own sake, over-the-top hustle and flash as means and end. It's crowds of people in polyester pantsuits, big hair and gold chains, staring at neon signs and spinning lemons like deer hypnotised by headlights.
Not that Vegas doesn't have a serious side - billions are at stake on the tables and in the theme parks. But you're given enough distractions to ignore it, until you lose. If you tire of tugging on the slot machines, the surrounding area has some of the region's most beautiful scenery.
Sorry, no tips were foundOne-armed bandits, beautiful desert, free drinks and unlimited glitz.
Las Vegas is all about glamour for its own sake, over-the-top hustle and flash as means and end. It's crowds of people in polyester pantsuits, big hair and gold chains, staring at neon signs and spinning lemons like deer hypnotised by headlights.
Not that Vegas doesn't have a serious side - billions are at stake on the tables and in the theme parks. But you're given enough distractions to ignore it, until you lose. If you tire of tugging on the slot machines, the surrounding area has some of the region's most beautiful scenery.
'For a loser, Vegas is the meanest town on earth.' - Hunter S. Thompson
Las Vegas is in the southern part of the state of Nevada, about 80km (50mi) east of the California border and 50km (30mi) west of the Arizona border. The city is divided into two main parts: a compact downtown called Glitter Gulch, centred on the intersection of Highway 95 and Interstate 15; and the Strip, a corridor of hotels and casinos lining Interstate 15 a few kilometres south of downtown. The casinos are divided between downtown's Glitter Gulch and the Strip; most hotels are on or near the Strip. McCarran International Airport is located at the southern end of the Strip, about 8km (5mi) south of downtown. The Greyhound bus and Amtrak railway stations are downtown and the railway station is located inside Jackie Gaughan's Plaza Hotel and Casino.
If you can tear yourself away from the gaming tables, you'll find that the city is surrounded by a rough-and-rugged desert landscape that is ideal for a range of outdoor activities. The steep, jagged red rock valleys and canyons around Las Vegas are superb hiking and camping territory.
Things to do:
There are dozens of golf courses in Las Vegas Valley, most within 16km (10mi) of the Strip. Unless you can hustle together 30000.00 up front plus 350.00 a month for membership of a private club, you'll be playing at a public course. Reserve your tee-off time a week in advance.
Skiers are thrilled by the downhill at the Lee Canyon Ski Area on Charleston Peak in the Toiyabe National Forest, about 130km (80mi) northwest of Las Vegas.
Bowling is very big in Las Vegas and most bowling centres are in hotel-casinos where you can work on your glide and release far into the small hours. Occasionally a venue can suffer an 'attack of the bowling league', so call ahead to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
For boating and water-skiing, smear on the sunscreen, slither into your wetsuit and head over to Lake Mead, about 50km (30mi) east of Las Vegas. You can even scuba dive here. The lake's 800km (500mi) of shoreline offers plenty of sunbathing spots.
Great for hiking, Red Rock Canyon, about 30km (20mi) west of the city, has multicoloured sandstone scenery. Toiyabe National Forest, further west, features the 3700m (12000ft) Charleston Peak and trails that wind through pine forests and desert scrub. Camping is allowed.
Events
It's pretty hard to upstage the dollar-driven party pumping that is Las Vegas in everyday wear, but some diehard enthusiasts have been known to try. It would be sacrilegious for Sin City to close down its own peculiar devotions for a religious holiday (though it does take time out for Christ's birthday) but the city does have a few annual events and festivals. Locals wear green for the St Patrick's Day Parade in March. It's chaps and chili during the Helldorado Days Rodeo and Western Festival in June and the National Finals Rodeo in December. October brings both the Jaycee State Fair and the Cashman Field PGA Invitational Golf Tournament.
Shopping:
In Las Vegas consumption is as conspicuous as dancing fountains in the desert. Haute purveyors cater to the cashed-up, but there are a few high-roller items not likely to be sold anytime soon, like Ginger Rogers' marquis diamond engagement ring and the world's largest carved emerald, both of which you'll find here.
Eating out:
With so many 'celebrity chefs', the food stakes are high and those who come to live out a high-life fantasy expect a gourmet meal in an opulent setting - which Vegas will provide. Hard-core punters numbly head for a fast-food fix while the thrifty yet ravenous duel with the buffet superleague.
Places of Interest:
In Vegas, history means Elvis and culture is imported from New York.
Flashing lights have given way to laser shows, but the aim is old-fashioned: ensure visitors go gaga, are entranced and keep coming back for more and more. Beyond the clamouring casino Strip, the Elvis Museum has recently been upstaged by the Guggenheim, and amusement parks galore.
Las Vegas is all about glamour for its own sake, over-the-top hustle and flash as means and end. It's crowds of people in polyester pantsuits, big hair and gold chains, staring at neon signs and spinning lemons like deer hypnotised by headlights.
Not that Vegas doesn't have a serious side - billions are at stake on the tables and in the theme parks. But you're given enough distractions to ignore it, until you lose. If you tire of tugging on the slot machines, the surrounding area has some of the region's most beautiful scenery.
Last edited by Anna (2:00, 09 August 2006)
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