Touring Las Vegas, Nevada: yesterday and today
by Paul H. Green
One place that's always exciting to visit is Las Vegas, Nevada. Situated in the Nevada desert, the lights and sounds come to life as one enters this bright vacation spot. Whether it's an individual, a couple who want to take their chances at the casinos, or family vacationers who want to see the sights and tour the area, Las Vegas has something to offer everyone.
About Las Vegas
As of 2003, Las Vegas had an estimated population of 517,000. As the county seat in Clark County, the area offers many hotels, restaurants, entertainment spots, and much more. In history, Las Vegas was founded by Rafael Rivera during the early 1700s. It had been a valley of wild grass with an abundance of water. The name
"Las Vegas" was given for this reason. It is a Spanish term meaning The Meadows.
In 1855, a fort was built in the area by missionaries who followed the famous Mormon leader, Brigham Young. Paiute Indians raided the fort, so it was quickly abandoned. The fort became the first non-Indian settlement in Las Vegas and still stands today at the corner of Washington Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard.
During the late 1800s, Las Vegas became a mining area. In 1905, it became an official city. The city of Las Vegas was incorporated in 1911. Gambling was legalized this year as well. The Hoover Dam was built in 1931, which gave the city a tremendous population boost due to workers moving there as the construction went on. The population grew to around 8,400 by the 1940s.
Howard Hughes promotes gambling
During the 1960s, a well-known billionaire named Howard Hughes started buying up hotels and casinos. He strongly promoted gambling in Las Vegas, making the area a milestone in the gaming industry. With his promotions, many hotels began opening in the area with casinos inside for convenience. There were live music shows and dancing. In 1969, Elvis Presley performed at the International Hotel, known as the Las Vegas Hilton today.
The area grew in tourism and began attracting people from all over the world. More family-friendly attractions and hotels have been built in recent years to make the area more welcoming for family vacationers.
Things to do in Las Vegas
Las Vegas offers an array of attractions, from museums to theme parks, to hotels that have everything a person would need or want on a vacation. Some people come to tour the area - some never leave their hotel. It all depends on the tourist and the reason for their visit - gambling and entertainment or outdoor family fun.
The museums in Las Vegas give tourists an opportunity to explore history and nature. Here are just a few of the area museums. The Las Vegas Natural History Museum features lots of interesting dinosaur exhibits, snakes, fossils, live sharks, and other fascinating wildlife. Other museums include the Neon Museum, the Nevada State Museum, the Elvis-a-Rama Museum, and for the kids - the Lied Children's Museum. Those interested in Mormon history will love taking a tour of the Old Mormon Fort.
Find adventure in Las Vegas
Those who enjoy the races are sure to love the Mario Andretti Race Car Rides and the blood-pumping Richard Petty Driving Experience. Always wondered about the car driven by Bonnie and Clyde? Just outside of Las Vegas is a town called Primm, Nevada where one can see the actual "getaway car" of Bonnie and Clyde, which has been on display since 1988.
Also in the town of Primm, families will want to take the kids along for a fun time at the Adventure Canyon Ride at Buffalo Bill's. Here, passengers can get on a log ride and go down a 35-foot drop to make a huge splash at the bottom. Be prepared to get wet. Then, there's a Wild West scene where riders get to shoot outlaw targets, and many other thrill rides that make Buffalo Bill's worth the drive.
The amazing Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is an awe-inspiring sight as it towers between the canyons above the Colorado River. It is 725 feet high, and gives an amazing view of the Boulder Canyon and Lake Mead below. It's only a 35-minute drive from Las Vegas. Those heading that way shouldn't forget their cameras.
Romance and out on the town in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is very popular for weddings and honeymoons. Some couples even have both their wedding and honeymoon in Las Vegas. With lake cruises, romantic dining for two and some great shows such as the Sunset Stampede and the Fremont Street Experience, there's plenty to keep newlyweds busy. There are also many hotels that offer special honeymoon suites to make the honeymoon as special as it can be.
Those who want to spend a day or night out on the town in Las Vegas will find plenty to see and do. There are many shopping areas, live shows and entertainment, golfing, restaurants for fine dining, casinos, and more. There are also hotels in Las Vegas that cater to families and offer entertainment and fun stuff for the kids throughout the stay.
One thing's for sure about Las Vegas, it offers variety to all who visit. It's a great place to book a week's vacation or to stop by for a day of sight-seeing while traveling.
Side Bar:
- Those who enjoy the races are sure to love the Mario Andretti Race Car Rides shop.lasvegas.com/tours/tour.jsp?tour=qualifier_dri
- Also in the town of Primm, families will want to take the kids along for a fun time at the Adventure Canyon Ride at Buffalo Bill's www.primmvalleyresorts.com/pages/bb_home.asp
- The Hoover Dam www.sunsetcities.com/hoover-dam/hoover-dam-tour-information.html is an awe-inspiring sight.