ABOUT LAS VEGAS

 Then…

Las Vegas began as water stop for locomotives in the 1820s. A formal town charter was penned in 1905 and the growth began -- from rail hub & supply center to leisure destination (thanks, in part, to the construction of Hoover Dam in the 1930’s

Casinos and hotels established a presence after the state legalized gaming in 1931…and already-infamous mobster Bugsy Siegel helped transform the once-humble gaming "industry" from sawdust into neon.

Siege’sl “classiest resort-casino in the world” – the Flamingo Hotel -- opened in 1946, backed by mob money, but millions of dollars over budget. The Flamingo flopped out of the gate and Bugsy paid the price -- shot down by hired killers in his Los Angeles living room. Six months later, the Flamingo began to boom, and with it, the Las Vegas gambling industry.

Now…

Since the days of Bugsy and his cohorts, Las Vegas has grown in population from 25,000 in 1950 to 125,000 in 1970 to nearly 600,000 today with no signs of slowing down. Tourism numbers are off the charts -- between 1970 and 2005, annual visits grew from 6.7 million to 38.6 million.

If you're a fan of gaming, Las Vegas surpassed fabulous long ago, and is now absolutely stellar. But the Vegas of today has morphed into an amazingly well-rounded destination – world-class dining, edge entertainment and super-exclusive nightclubs continues to increase. There's enough to see and do both on and off the Strip to keep even the most thrill jaded individual busy for days on end.

Sights, Sites, and Sensations

Casino-hopping at the corner of Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard puts you right in the center of the action. Within a short walk are the Bellagio, with its dramatic fountains, gardens, and art museum; Paris, with its half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower; and the Roman-theme Caesars Palace. An easy walk north takes you to other Strip sensations, including the Venetian and Wynn Las Vegas.

The Studio Walk at MGM Grand This indoor promenade at MGM Grand has become arguably America's most impressive "Restaurant Row." Eat your heart out at such culinary shrines as Joël Robuchon, Nobhill, Emeril's, Diego, and Shibuya -- to name but a few.

Forum Shops at Caesars A classic shopping and dining mall modeled after a Roman streetscape In addition to stellar restaurants like BOA Prime Grill and Spago, this snazzy space contains dozens of fine stores, including Gucci, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, and Bulgari.

Legendary Nightlife Skyhigh bars. Burlesque. Wild dance clubs. Improv comedy and revues. Sophisticated lounges. Strip clubs. Magicians galore. You can't go to Vegas and not at least check out the spectacle. Pick your scene -- and join the 24-hour party.

Buffets in Las Vegas are an event in and of themselves. They’re everywhere – and there are still plenty of cheapies-but-goodies around, as well as those of the upscale, gourmet variety.

Siegried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat  -- a lushly landscaped encounter with rare exotic creatures from snow leopards to white tigers. Bottle-nosed dolphins coasting through 2.5-million gallons of water, too.

Thrill rides at The Stratosphere…Not for the faint of heart. High above the Strip at the top of the 112-floor Stratosphere Tower are three thrill rides that will seriously challenge your concept of ‘scared” -- especially if you have even a little “thing” about heights. The Big Shot fires you 160 feet up the Stratosphere needle, and both the X Scream and Insanity dangle you over the edge of the Stratosphere tower – the former like a giant seesaw, the latter on a 64-ft long arm that spins with the force equivalent of 3-g’s.

Hoover Dam Considered one of the seven wonders of the industrial world, Hoover Dam rises 726 feet above the Colorado River. Tours into its interior are available—and scenic Lake Mead is nearby.

 And more…

     • Auto Collections at Imperial Palace  More than 250 antique, classic, and special-

       interest vehicles – and they’re all for sale!

        • Circus Circus Carnival Midway   More than 200 games -- from dime toss,

           milk can, and bushel baskets to clown-face painting and a state-of-the-art

           video arcade. Every half hour from 11 AM to midnight, acrobats, high-wire

           walkers, jugglers, and trapeze artists perform free shows in the stands.

        • Jubilee! The last place to experience the over-the-top vision of Vegas

      showman Donn Arden, who produced shows on the Strip from 1952 to 1994.

      A cast of 80 or more performs in a theater with 1,100 seats, but the show is

      stolen by the gargantuan sets and props, such as the sinking of the Titanic

      and Samson destroying the temple. Still the best vehicle for showgirls

      parading about in the largest spectacle of feathers and well…you know.

        • Cyber Speedway at Sahara   First you get into a car about [7//8] the size of

           an authentic stock car. Then you buckle your seat belt and prepare for a ride

           that delivers the speedway riving experience.

        • The Wildlife Habitat at The Flamingo   Right next to the pool area, a flock

     of live Chilean flamingos, African penguins, swans, ducks, koi, goldfish, and

     turtles live on islands and in streams surrounded by sparkling waterfalls and

     lush foliage.

        • Peppermill's Fireside Lounge. Made more famous (or infamous) by the Martin

           Scorsese film, Casino, this deliciously retro night spot is near the old Stardust Hotel,

           It serves food, but what you're really here for is the must-see-to-believe firepit, the

           crazy waitress outfits, and the lethally alcoholic Scorpion cocktail.

        • Flyaway Indoor Skydiving   The thrill of skydiving without leaving the

      ground. A vertical wind tunnel produces a powerful stream of air that lets

      you float, hover, and fly, simulating a real freefall experience. Airspeeds

      reach 120 mph.

        • Haunted Vegas Tours   As you ride through the streets of Las Vegas on this

           cheesy, 2 1/2-hour tour, your guide, dressed as a mortician, tells the tales of

           Sin City's notorious murders, suicides, and ghosts (including Bugsy Siegel,

           Elvis, and Tupac Shakur).

        • Les Folies Bergere Running since 1959, this revue is living history -- complete with

           singers, dancers, a juggler, and, of course, showgirls in feathers.

 And…of course…

        • Vegas Vic    The 50-foot-tall neon cowboy outside the Pioneer Club has been

           waving to Las Vegas visitors since 1947.