If you associate Las Vegas only with casinos and slot machines, you are missing most of the fun. During the last years, Las Vegas has slowly become a family destination, with activities for everyone. However, the city keeps its vibe as one of the most famous destinations for gambling.
Conventions, weddings, bachelor parties… it seems there is always happening in the city, and perhaps that’s the reason why it keeps its status as one of the most visited destinations in the United States. The McCarran Las Vegas International airport receives over 51 million passengers every year, making it a top 10 among the busiest airports in the country.
With so much to see and do, the best alternative will always be to book your airport transfer in advance, avoiding dealing with long taxi lines and down times waiting for a ride. You can book the best airport car service in Las Vegas in a few clicks away and provided by the best local drivers through Elife, the global private transportation platform.
Some facts about Las Vegas
- The valley on where the city is located was discovered by a Mexican explorer in 1829, when this territory was still part of Mexico. The city was founded in 1905, as an important train stop for those traveling to the west. It is curious that now Las Vegas doesn’t have any train connectivity.
- It wasn’t until 1941 that gambling was legalized in the state and the first casinos were settled. The first casino ever built in Las Vegas opened in April 1941, meaning that the city just got 80 years welcoming gamblers.
- During the 50’s, one of the city’s main attractions was to watch atomic bomb tests in the desert. Imagine the show!
- There are about 300 weddings each day in Las Vegas on average.
- Th city is home for both the tallest observation tower in the US (1,149 feet) and the largest observation wheel in the world (550 feet high)
- Also, 6 of the 10 largest hotels in the world by number of rooms are in the city.
Arriving at Las Vegas
McCarran International Airport connects the city with 150 destinations, 127 domestic and 23 internationals, with flights provided by 30 different airlines. That means you won’t have any problem in booking a flight form most cities in North America. If you have some spare change, you can use it in one of the hundreds of slot machines scattered around the airport.
If you’re up for a road trip, Las Vegas is well connected to most of the major western cities:
- Los Angeles: 292 miles (4 hours)
- Phoenix: 301 miles (4.5 hours)
- San Diego: 331 miles (5 hours)
- Salt Lake City: 420 miles (6 hours)
- San Francisco/Albuquerque: 570 miles (8.5 hours)
You can hire a long-distance ride for you and your party to enjoy the desert views on your way to Vegas. With Elife’s intercity service you can select the vehicle that best suits your needs, no matter how big your travel group is.
Choosing a hotel at Las Vegas
With so many amazing, themed resorts to choose from, the world-famous Las Vegas Strip should be your first alternative to select a place to stay. The Strip is the central section of Las Vegas Boulevard, which runs through the city from north to south, and is considered the epicenter of Las Vegas’ vibe.
Massive casinos and entertainment palaces, as well as performance venues and show centers are within this 2.5-mile-long section of the boulevard, standing between the city of Las Vegas and the neighboring town of Paradise.
Here’s a quick list of the best hotels in Las Vegas
- The Venetian and the Palazzo Las Vegas. This Italian-themed resort is the largest in the world by number of rooms (with over 7,100 of them) and offers gondola rides, frescos painted in their halls and a replicate of St. Mark’s Square.
- MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. One of Vegas’ favorite resorts since its opening in 1993, the MGM Grand is home to the biggest casino in Clark County and one of the most famous arenas in the city, as well as incredible outdoor pools, rivers and waterfalls.
- Wynn Las Vegas. A luxurious resort where you can find cooking masterclasses given by world’s best chefs, a state-of-the-art golf course and amazing spas.
- Bellagio Las Vegas. Another Italian-themed resort famous for its astounding fountains, a marvelous and complex water feature that will feast your senses.
- New York New York. A small but complete piece of Manhattan in Las Vegas. Experience New York’s best at affordable prices and add some gambling and shows to spice up your stay.
What to do in Las Vegas
Have a casino experience
Any Las Vegas trip is not complete without gambling a few (or a lot) bucks in the game you like the most. If you’re not that into gambling, the slot machines represent about 60% of Las Vegas’ game revenues, and it’s a quick, exciting way to test your fortune.
From the luxurious to the small, less crowded ones you will find a casino option that will ease your desire to explore the most famous face of the city.
Explore the surroundings
Although it seems that everything happens in Las Vegas, there’s still much to see outside the city. Explore the Hoover Dam, give yourself a breathtaking helicopter tour above the Grand Canyon, walk the steps of the first Old West explorers and even take a ride to an amazing National Park near Las Vegas.
If you want a break from the city lights, give yourself a chance to discover the natural, wild side of Las Vegas. If you already have your plan decided, you can book a ride with a local driver that will also be your guide through the region’s best kept secrets.
Visit Las Vegas museums
Perhaps Las Vegas would be the last place when thinking about visiting a museum, but you can be sure you’ll be happy to know more about the amazing history of the city, told by the ones who made of Las Vegas what it is now.
The Neon Museum tells us about the city through one of its more recognizable features: its neon lights, while The Mob museum lets us understand how the big crime lords of the 40’s and 50’s envisioned the city and gave the first steps to make of Las Vegas the entertainment capital it is now.
Follow the lights at Fremont Street
A one-of-a-kind street experience,Fremont Street is located a few miles north from Las Vegas Strip and has 5 blocks of it covered by a LED lights canopy that offer an extraordinary show of color as you walk through it.
Live music, several shopping and dining options, casinos and even a unique zip line that allows you to see the Fremont Street lights from a closer spot. This experience let us know that you’ll be amazed by this city everywhere you look at.
