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Las Vegas Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Las Vegas
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Las Vegas Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Las Vegas - Set in the middle of the vast Mojave Desert, Las
Vegas was created entirely to entertain and has been described as
the world's largest theme park. This psychedelic city of sin is
home to over a million people and welcomes 35 million more each
year to its lavish hotels and casinos. Visitors today are amazed
that only 70 years ago this thriving metropolis was a backwater
with less than a thousand inhabitants whose only guests were
railway passengers stopping off to stretch their legs on the long
journey between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.
Things started to change in March 1931 when the State of
Nevada legalised gambling; one month later the City issued six
licenses, then in 1946, Mafia don Ben 'Bugsy' Siegel opened the
sensationally lavish Flamingo Hilton on Highway 91. Las Vegas
Boulevard was born and the city would never be the same.
Soon stars like Elvis, Liberace and Sinatra were making
the pilgrimage to what was fast becoming America's premier
entertainment Mecca. In the early days the Mafia dominated the
gambling industry but in the 1960s their influence waned and soon
all the large hotels and casinos were controlled by big
business. Las Vegas has 18 of the largest 21
hotels in the world and walking down 'The Strip' visitors will see
the skylines of New York and Paris, discover the canals of Venice
and the Pyramids of Egypt and, at Treasure Island, see a full
on-sea battle between a Pirate ship and a British Galleon. Despite
these excesses, room rates and restaurant bills are the lowest in
the western world - all subsidised by gamblers intent on a free
holiday. Although the principal draw card is
still gambling, Las Vegas is now marketed as a family destination
and there is no shortage of theme parks, shopping malls or golf
courses. However, the vast majority of visitors come to gamble and
the incredible displays are mostly designed to lure passers-by into
the casinos, and once there it's hard to leave; the exits are
discreetly hidden.
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Las Vegas
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Venetian Hotel and Casino
3355 Las Vegas Boulevard
www.venetian.com |
What is it? No expense was spared creating the Venetian
Hotel, in fact two billion dollars was spent recreating Venice in
the Nevada Desert and the result is fairly spectacular. Guests can
travel around the hotel in a gondola - real canals run through the
hotel - and a replica of St Mark's Square and the Basilica turns
from night to day every three hours; visitors have to look
carefully to notice that the sky is actually a vast fresco. The
only thing missing are the pigeons and the backpackers. The casino
itself is massive, featuring 2,500 slot machines and 125 gaming
tables. For guests taking a break from the tables, there are five
swimming pools, a fitness centre, and 17 restaurants - mostly
pizzerias. One of the main attractions is Madame Tussauds Las
Vegas, a wax museum presenting some of the world's biggest icons
including stars, politicians, record-breaking athletes and
legends.
Hours of Operation: Hotel and Casino: daily 24 hours. Madame Tussauds:
opening hours vary depending on the season, but generally daily
10am to 11pm
Phone:(702) 414 1000 |
2. Bellagio Hotel and Casino
3600 S. Las Vegas Boulevard
www.bellagiolasvegas.com |
What is it? The Bellagio is one of Las Vegas' most
opulent hotels and most popular casinos. With an Italian theme, the
great bulk of the Bellagio sits in its own vast garden. It has over
3,000 rooms and hundreds of slot machines and gaming tables,
however its best-known attraction is its amazing water show - a
breathtaking union of water, music and light. Between 3pm and
midnight (from 12pm on weekends) Bellagio's world-famous fountains
'dance' to opera, classical or whimsical music with carefully
choreographed movements. Beyond the Bellagio's gracious lobby lies
the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, a magnificent garden
abounding in fragrance, texture and colour. The hotel also has a
new fine arts gallery that hosts contemporary art exhibits; it is
currently exhibiting a series of celebrity portraits by Andy
Warhol.
Hours of Operation: Daily 24 hours. The art gallery opens daily 9am to
10pm
Phone:(702) 693 7111 |
3. The Mirage
3400 S. Las Vegas Boulevard
www.mirage.com |
What is it? Another MGM mega-casino, the showpiece at the
Mirage is a Volcano that shoots flames 100ft (30m) into the night
sky every 15 minutes (6pm to midnight), spewing smoke and
transforming a tranquil waterfall into spectacular streams of
molten lava. As you'd expect of Las Vegas, it's all quite naff, but
great entertainment. Siegfried & Roy's White Tigers are the
other signature attraction at the Mirage (unfortunately the
Siegfried & Roy show has been cancelled indefinitely due to
the near-fatal attack on Roy Horn by one of the tigers during a
performance). Unlike conventional tigers, which have black and gold
markings, the white tiger is white with black stripes, pink paws
and ice-blue eyes. There are only a few dozen white tigers in the
world, which makes them rarer than the panda bear. The open-air
Tiger Habitat features a swimming pool with fountains and simulated
mountain terrain for the tigers' enjoyment and the public's
entertainment. Another popular attraction is the aquarium located
behind the Front Desk. This 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium is
home to angelfish, puffer fish, tangs, sharks and other exotic sea
creatures.
Hours of Operation: Daily 24 hours
Phone:(702) 791 7111 |
Las Vegas
holidays - Top Events
1. National Finals Rodeo
From
To
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What is it? Referred to as the 'Superbowl of Rodeos',
cowboys and cowgirls from across America and Canada work hard all
year in the hope of being one of the top 15 to qualify for the NFR
and to compete for the prize money. Events include bull riding,
calf roping, team roping, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding,
steer wrestling and barrel racing.
Where is it? Thomas & Mack Center |
2. Burning Man
From 2006-08-28
To 2006-09-04
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What is it? The Festival of the Burning Man is one of the
most unique festivals. Drawing crowds of over 20,000 each year from
all over the world, the celebration is of art, creativity and
humanity. Unlike most other festivals in the world, this one has no
commerce; no shops, no rock stars, no rollercoasters. It is simply
a gathering, albeit a very large one. The Black Rock Desert, two or
three hours north of Reno is the setting. The serenity of the place
allows festival goers the environment to feel uninhibited and
expressive. The emphasis is on community and people helping one
another and all who attend do so in friendship. And on the last
day, the bonfire of the Burning Man takes place setting the skies
alight in fire while the community dances around. Due to the
non-commercial nature of the festival, those attending are advised
to bring everything they might need for themselves with them as
little or nothing will be available.
Where is it? Black Rock Desert |
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