In its early days a one-horse town in the middle of nowhere USA, Las Vegas has grown into a first-class destination that attracts visitors from every corner of the globe. Glitz is the name of the game here – the more the better – yet you’ll still find a bit of Western hospitality among locals who continue to don cowboy boots and well-worn leather Stetson hats as they make their way down the neon-lit Strip that’s made the town so famous.
Though the Las Vegas visitors’ bureau made some attempts in recent years to dub the town “kid-friendly”, gambling is still the major reason visitors head to this southeastern Nevada city. The hotels and resorts located along “The Strip” are the most elaborate and well-known. Built by the top names in hospitality and entertainment, they provide not only places to enjoy slots, table games, and card games but also boast top-of-the-line accommodations, elaborate five-star restaurants, posh spas, and entertainment venues that provide showcases for the best names in show biz. Many have also added a bit more, designing the resorts around a theme and entertaining guests with theme-based attractions like circuses and sinking pirate ships. Las Vegas, however, got its start in the Downtown area, where you’ll still find a number of older casinos that boast less expensive lodging. Though these casinos are off-the- beaten-track a bit, some visitors still prefer the humbleness of the Downtown region and the opportunity to escape the crowds on the Strip.
In recent years, during the time when Las Vegas was attempting to entice families to visit, clever entrepreneurs built the exciting Fremont Street Experience, a multi-media state-of-the-art light and animation display that cost more than $17 million to construct and install. Billed as “Over the Top Vintage Vegas,” Fremont Street Experience wows visitors with five blocks of fun, lighting up the night with a variety of different shows and guest entertainers. Young or old, visitors to Las Vegas should set aside a day to visit nearby Hoover Dam. Just 30 miles southeast of the city on the Arizona/Nevada border, this historic dam is a sight to behold! Travel there by chartered bus tour (available from many resort hotels), or for an unforgettable experience, chose a helicopter ride that will allow you to explore the immense dam from the air. These helicopter tours can also be combined with trips to the Grand Canyon.
Visitors who enjoy recreational pursuits won’t be disappointed with the selection of things to do in and around the Las Vegas area. Golf is quite popular here and many of the courses in the area are designed by top names in the sport, like Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus. Those who prefer the water to dry land can go boating at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area or book a helicopter tour that will take them to the Colorado River, where whitewater aficionados can enjoy some of the best rafting in the country. Float tours can also be enjoyed at Black Canyon, just below the Hoover Dam.
