LAS VEgas,
nevada.
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Have you ever seen the New York City skyline down the block from the Eiffel Tower?
Part city that never sleeps, part city of love, part city of lights; Las Vegas is all city you’ll never forget.
You won’t believe your eyes. Whether it’s your first or your tenth visit to Las Vegas, the grandeur and energy will take your breath away. Bring the family, come for a romantic getaway or just come with your good friends – there’s so much to do, you’ll have to visit often to touch on all of the possibilities in this exhilarating and dazzling city! Get away from the hum-drum and see one-of-a-kind shows, take a chance in the most famous casinos in the world and enjoy fabulous shopping, dining and attractions.
There is truly no place on earth like Vegas. Expect to spend a lot of time looking up! Buildings are on an incredible scale and the attention to detail is truly astonishing; the cobbled streets of Paris are mere minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, the tranquil waterways of Venice, a Caribbean Pirate’s cove, a medieval castle, a Roman palace fit for an emperor, and that’s just for starters.
Everything is bigger in Vegas, even nature. Las Vegas isn't far from the Hoover Dam or from one of the largest natural wonders on earth; the Grand Canyon. Adventure travellers will have the experience of a lifetime hiking, biking or rafting in a variety of places in the Las Vegas valley. Go now; see Las Vegas for yourself, and if you’re a devotee, there’s no better time to go back!
Las Vegas is justifiably recognized as the Entertainment Capital of the World. Daily and nightly performances feature some of the biggest names, in every genre; comedy, Broadway caliber productions, magic acts, cabaret and is home to not one, but five Cirque de Soleil shows! Don’t miss the chance to see Blue Man Group, Stomp out Loud, Criss Angel, Gordie Brown, The Producers, David Copperfield, Elton John, Wayne Brady, among others. There are too many to mention! Vegas is also associated with rock bands, statuesque showgirls in elaborate headdresses, Elvis impersonators and many other amazing sights.
Casinos, casinos, casinos! If you like gambling or are interested in learning – the casinos in Las Vegas are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. From high stakes poker and Roulette to playing the penny slots, there’s something for every style of gambler and skill level. Looking for some helpful hints? Most casinos offer free gaming lessons for beginners.
People don’t just visit Las Vegas for gambling any more though; it has become a popular destination for all ages. Families are seen by the dozens walking up and down the Strip and in the amazing venues designed with kids in mind.
- Rides, roller coasters and Chaos! Check out Circus Circus, The Stratosphere and New York New York for just some of the spine tingling amusement park attractions,
- Las Vegas is home to one of the U.S.’s largest children’s museums: The Lied Discovery Children's Museum, as well as others like Madame Tussaud’s, The Nevada State Museum and Las Vegas Natural History Museum where you’ll there’s hours of enjoyment in store,
- Special effects have a whole new meaning in Las Vegas; the Las Vegas Cyber Speedway, In Search of the Obelisk and GameWorks are high-tech, super games for kids,
- Get up close to wild animals at the MGM Grand Lion Habitat, Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat and White Tiger Habitat at the Mirage, or the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay,
- A lot of Vegas shows are kid friendly; check with the ticket office for anything you are considering tickets for; or try the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur or the IMAX Theatre at the Luxor for lots of family fun.
You can't visit Las Vegas and go home empty-handed. If you want to pick up the perfect souvenir of your fabulous trip for someone back home or a special reminder for yourself; maybe you’re looking for great deals or perhaps even a very exclusive purchase; there are literally hundreds of place to browse on and off the strip - from souvenir and specialty shops to designer outlets and couture boutiques.
- Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace and the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood have many retail stores as well as high end shops,
- Las Vegas Premium Outlets and the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas at Primm are two large outlet malls featuring well-known brand name stores at discount prices,
- Unique knick-knacks and trinkets can be found in the many souvenir shops!
Practically every resort in Las Vegas has a spa in-house; as well there are many independent day spas and salons on and off the strip.
Ease away tensions of daily life, rejuvenate after long nights partying or find a way to spend quality time with someone you love. Try a soothing massage; revive your senses with an aromatherapy treatment or salt scrub; or spoil yourself with luxurious aesthetic services like a pedicure or facial.
Most salons and spas offer services for weddings and special occasions. Be sure to inquire what packages and treatments are available, as you’ll want to make sure you’ve covered all of the bases for your special day.
The original downtown Las Vegas was most famous during Hollywood’s golden era, where the Rat Pack spent much of their time performing and partying in the Fremont Street casinos and resorts in the 1960’s, prompting the creation of a classic motion picture; Oceans Eleven.
Recently the focus in Las Vegas has shifted from Fremont Street to the newer, bolder and larger Vegas “Strip”. However in 1995 The Fremont Street Experience pedestrian mall and attraction was opened. The FSE occupies the westernmost five blocks of Fremont Street and portions of some other adjacent streets. Concerts, usually free, are held on two sound stages. The venue has become a major tourist attraction for downtown Las Vegas, bringing visitors back to the area to experience the old Las Vegas with a new flair. The Neon Museum is also located at the Fremont Street Experience.
Explore the beauty and splendor of the Nevada golf scene, where golfers of every skill level can find a course in the Las Vegas area to meet their needs. With dozens of golf courses there are lots to choose from, but don’t be discouraged if some high-end courses are too pricey. Talk to some of the locals who have an inside scoop on the best bargains; you’ll soon be set “on course” for a round you’ll never forget.
Keep these tips in mind when booking your tee time at a Las Vegas course: Friday through Sunday are the busiest days, so look at mid-week for more availability and better deals. For seasonal bargains, winter days (which are still around 18°C days with plenty of sunshine) and cooler summer days are ideal. Just remember, morning and evening tee times in summer fill up early so book in advance.
To get away from the chaos of non-stop lights and action, why not leave Las Vegas? Check out these tranquil desert spots to find calm and peacefulness.
- Mt. Charleston is 56 km from Las Vegas and has winter skiing, picnicking, hiking and horseback riding,
- The Grand Canyon is approximately 480 km from Las Vegas or about 1 1/2 hour flight,
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s closest point is 40 km from Las Vegas, and includes more than 880 km of shoreline, swimming, water skiing, camping, boating and fishing,
- Hoover Dam is 54 km from Las Vegas; see this wonder of the modern world, tours of inside and outside of dam are available. Black Canyon River Raft Tours are offered from below dam,
- Red Rock Canyon, 24 km west of Las Vegas, is a 3,000 foot escarpment produced by thrust fault, where you’ll find the Bureau of Land Management visitors center and scenic rock formations and desert ideal for walking and hiking,
- Valley of Fire State Park is about 88 km from Las Vegas has scenic landscapes of hidden canyons and unique rock formations, petroglyphs and remains of ancient Indian civilization, the Nevada Park Service visitors center and tours available. There is a $3 entrance fee.
There are so many things to do in Las Vegas, it’s almost impossible for us to list them all in one place. Check out www.vegas.com because they’ve come close to doing just that, including detailed information on how you can plan your ideal vacation in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas couldn’t be busier. Nowhere else is so much is going on all at once, at any hour of the day or night.
It has become a much desired meeting and convention destination with
more than 133,000 guest rooms, 9.5 million square feet of convention and exhibit space, award-winning restaurants, luxurious spas, fantastic shopping, world class golf, truly unique entertainment; and so remains one of the most exciting convention, meeting and incentive destinations in the world. Some of the leading convention spaces can be found at:
- Las Vegas Convention Center;
- Sixteen exhibit halls (1,984,755 sq. ft.) separable by movable walls
- Lobby and Concourse areas of 109,515 sq. ft. and 144 meeting rooms, with seating capacities ranging from 20 to 7,500 for public use, meetings, or convention trade show exhibit booth area;
- Cashman Center;
- The Sands Expo Center and Venetian Congress facility;
- The Mandalay Bay Convention Center;
- In addition to most hotels having meeting facilities on site.
Thanks to the money spent by gamblers, Vegas room rates and food prices are kept very low in relation to the city's high quality of accommodations and dining.
Many Las Vegas resorts have set the standards for amenities and services in hospitality industry. Comfort, privacy and indulgence are hallmarks of Las Vegas resorts. Las Vegas accommodations are abundant and vary from the truly luxurious to economically friendly. Many Vegas resorts are situated along the Strip, and include a casinos, dining options, shopping and other amenities in-house; however several high-end hotels are a block or two “off the Strip” as well. In addition you can find a selection of privately owned villas, motels, condos and Bed & Breakfasts for options to suit everyone’s lodging needs, as well as being priced for any budget.
Las Vegas is the “marriage capital” of America; there are hundreds of chapels in the city, usually booked for half an hour at a time. For the most part this means no long ceremonies or quality time in the chapel. Some chapels can be booked for longer, but will cost extra. Civil or religious ceremonies are both available, a minister or rabbi can be provided – but outside marriage officials are not allowed. Be cautious of holidays which are usually busier times for weddings. While unplanned weddings are easier in Vegas than anywhere else - because there is no waiting period - a marriage license is needed and some legal requirements must still be met.
Most hotels also have elegant wedding chapels too, usually providing a wedding coordinator and all of the trimmings in the package price. If you are looking for a no hassle wedding, with more frills and reception options, a hotel chapel may be what you need. Imagine the lights and colourful people on the Strip as a unique backdrop in your wedding photos.
Thinking of an outdoor wedding? Helicopter weddings offer the chance of a lifetime to enjoy the spectacular backdrop of the Grand Canyon or Red Rock National Conservation Area. Helicopter wedding packages can include a variety of special services, including limo rides to and from your hotel, minister fee, flowers, cake, special catering or beverages, music, videographer, photographer, violinist and more. Check with the helicopter company for standard package amenities or ask about specialty arrangements.
Whether you get married in Las Vegas, or somewhere else, there’s still the honeymoon to think of! Why go anywhere else for romance, when you can find luxurious suites in most of the resorts along the Strip; many with a Jacuzzi right in the room, and amazing views of the Strip right from the tub! Another great idea is: why not indulge in a couples spa treatment at one of the many spas?
Las Vegas offers romantic options ranging from free outdoor attractions and fine dining, to glamorous musical and dance productions. Watch the Bellagio water show at sunset – find a good place in the center to get great view; a gondola ride at the Venetian is lovely, romantic way to spend some time on your Vegas honeymoon; and don’t forget to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower for dinner at the restaurant. Inquire about the Honeymoon in Paris wedding package at Paris, including champagne and glass flutes, cookies and milk for two, a special honeymoon gift basket and more. Want to take a little time away from the Strip? How about the Serenity tour, which includes a dinner cruise around Lake Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is one of the largest cities in the United States without a major professional sports league team, due in part to the perceived risks of professional sports in a city with legal sports betting. The NBA awarded the 2007 NBA All-Star Game to Las Vegas. This was the first all-star game to be played in a non-NBA city. As part of the conditions the NBA set for holding the game in Las Vegas, Nevada sports books agreed not to take bets on the game.
However the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) fields Division I athletic teams, such as the men’s basketball squad, the Runnin’ Rebels and the NCAA football Las Vegas Bowl takes place each December. In addition, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, just north of the city hosts NASCAR and other automotive events.
Whether you prefer to rub shoulders with “A” list celebrities, hard-core cowboys or people who just have the same love of a good party as you do; you’re sure to find an exciting experience at any time of the year. Check out some of the annual events in Las Vegas:
- The Las Vegas film festival CineVegas showcases independent cinema each June;
- The Pacific Islands Festival offers arts and crafts, dance, live music and great food in September;
- Wrangler’s National Finals Rodeo features rodeo’s top 120 professional athletes competing for more than $4.5 million in prize money December;
- The city's annual New Year's Eve party, complete with fireworks on the display screen.
Las Vegas was discovered by Spanish explorers in 1829. Originally part of the Arizona Territory, Las Vegas – which means “The Meadows” in Spanish - was a place to stop over for California bound travellers, but was settled in 1855 by Mormons. About two years later, the Mormons moved on and the U.S. Army then established Fort Baker in 1864. In 1867, Las Vegas joined with Nevada, and in 1905, the town was established and started to grow with the arrival of the railroad.
Growth in Las Vegas truly boomed shortly after 1931, when the Nevada legislature legalized gambling in an attempt to improve economic conditions during the Great Depression. The construction of Hoover Dam supplied the area with employment and financial expansion opportunities as well.
The Las Vegas that we know today began after World War II, when the idea of large hotel and casino development really took off and Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo. Eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes began buying hotels and casinos in the late 1960s.
Tourism and the convention industry are still the city's major sources of income; however manufacturing, government, warehousing, and trucking are also major sources of employment. In addition, many high-technology companies are located in Las Vegas.
The construction industry sustains the majority of Southern Nevada’s employment as the demand for residential, resort, office and industrial space remains high. Approximately 7,000 new residents move to the Las Vegas Valley each month; while the development of approximately 40,000 new hotel rooms means the value of residential and commercial building, combined, exceeds $4 billion annually.
With the huge number of new residents making Las Vegas their home each month, it may be difficult to find someone born and bred there. However, any resident of Las Vegas, either those who have lived there all of their lives or the newcomers, will be quick to tell you how much they love the city they live in, in several languages! Of the diverse ethnic backgrounds you will find, the most predominant are:
- American;
- Mexican;
- German;
- African American;
- Irish;
- English;
- Italian;
- Other Hispanic or Latino;
- Filipino.
That being said, English is the primary language spoken in Las Vegas, and the American dollar is the official currency.
A car isn’t necessary to get around in Las Vegas. However, keep in mind that distances can be deceiving – what looks close is actually farther away than you think because Las Vegas city blocks are huge to accommodate the mammoth buildings. It is possible you to do a lot of walking while you are here.
If you would like to rent a car, this might be handy if you want to get to an outlet mall on the outskirts of the city or further out to one of the tourist spots like Hoover Dam or even the Grand Canyon.
Check out our amazing deals and daily non-stop flights, and you canbe on the world famous Las Vegas Strip faster than two shakes of a pair of dice.
WestJet flies non-stop from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto to Las Vegas daily and from Winnipeg four times a week, with connections from our other WestJet destinations.
As with any flight entering in the United States, visitors require a valid passport to travel to Las Vegas, NV.
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