Las Vegas Vacations

Overview

Las Vegas, also known as The Entertainment Capital of the World, is a Spanish name that translates into The Meadows. The area was first settled in 1829 by Mexican merchant Antonio Armijo, whose party was creating a trade route to Los Angeles. During the early 1900s a few disputes involving the respective owners of the east and west sides of Vegas took place, and after the upheavals Las Vegas became an official city in 1911.

Casinos made their debut after 1930, when U.S. President Herbert Hoover appropriated work to begin on the Boulder Dam. The swell in population created a need for entertainment in the area for the workers, who largely made up the population at that time. Hence, gambling was legalized.

Activities & Attractions

Las Vegas is internationally renowned for gambling, shopping and entertainment. In fact, tourism and gaming are the major sources of income to the city. Las Vegas has a large number of casinos, the most famous of which are found on the Las Vegas Strip. The Mirage, Bellagio, MGM Grand, and many other mega-resorts line the streets and are visited by countless tourists each year.

Of course, there is a history in Las Vegas that will fascinate you should you decide to explore that aspect of the city. Organized crime, Howard Hughes, and atomic testing are just some of the buzzwords sure to come up when exploring the history of Las Vegas.

Outside of gambling and history, Las Vegas has a lot to offer. The Las Vegas Zoo is a popular attraction, as is the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. Auto collections at the Imperial Palace, fine art at the Bellagio, and the Liberace Museum are just some of the educational and exciting places worth visiting in Las Vegas.

Lodging

Accommodations are never a problem in Las Vegas. There are hotels with every theme imaginable, up and down the strip and all across the city. It really is fun trying to decide where you want to stay. You may even decide to change hotels every night when you stay at this magical city! Whether you are looking to save some money by staying in a cheap hotel or want to be pampered in the most expensive of suites, Las Vegas has just the place for you. For more information, check out the links below in the resources section.

Transportation

There are a various modes of transportation available in Las Vegas. There are taxis, rental cars, buses and even a monorail. If you have a few extra dollars to spare you can even roll down the strip in a limo. One feature that many visitors love - when walking the streets of Las Vegas you are allowed to have open bottles of alcohol.