"Las Vegas, Nevada" a Las Vegas Travel Page by malianrob

Being from Southern California, Las Vegas is a place I go to quite often. Last year i went to Vegas 21 times, thats almost every other weekend! Yes, that is alittle exessive. But what can I say, I love this place. We go for birthdays, we go for concerts, sporting events, big holiday weekends, or just for the weekend ...just because. Needless to say its one of my favorite weekend retreat spots.
I am not a big gambler but i do gamble alittle bit. When I came to vegas I try to check out a show or two. My favorite shows are the Cirque du soleil shows although they are alittle bit expensive, but Las Vegas also has a few free shows that are pretty good too.
Most people think that Vegas is more for adults and this is true but the kids also have alot of fun when we have brought them. This could make for a nice family vacation as well. Lets just say that there is something to do here for everyone.
Rooms at the nice hotels can get expensive and one of the tricks I have learned is to get a players card. I have a few different players cards but the one I get the most results from is the Harrah's/Rio players card. I have realized that I dont need to Gamble that much to start getting some of the freebie that they have to offer. Harrah's is also right around the middle of the strip so it make it a good starting point to get around.
I have stayed at almost every hotel on and off the strip at least once but i end up usually staying at Harrah's. It isnt the most fanciest hotel and it isnt a dump either. Its right in the middle more toward the better hotels and still affordable. And like I said if you get a players card the prices go even lower.
If money isnt an object then you might concider a hotel like the Venetian or the Bellagio. They are beautiful, big and expensive. Most of the hotels in Vegas are not just hotels, they are mega resorts. You can eat, shop, gamble, pamper yourself and get married all without leaving the hotel.

Another reason that we come to Vegas so often is that we have friends that have moved out here so occassionally we stay with them. Vegas is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. They offer reasonable prices for homes (prices are going up) and there alot of jobs here. Also Las Vegas is the Convention Capital of the world, I have been sent a few times to Vegas for trainning seminars or conventions through my job...Must be nice, huh?

I know its going to take me a while to do my Las Vegas page because i have so much information and so many pictures that I dont know where to start. So i have decided to do alittle at a time. I have been to Vegas on the weekends and on the weekdays and I can tell you that there are alot of great deals during the week but its alot more fun during the weekends. I personally do not spend too much money on accomodations here because when you generally come to Vegas you really arent in your room much except to sleep. I have stayed at some expensive hotels when I get a good deal, just to see what its like but usually i stay at Harrahs on the strip or Candlewood suites off the strip. Both places give me an excellent deal on accomodations. Also since I have a timeshare here I try to stay there as much as possible when there is availability. Key words: WHEN THERE IS AVAILABILITY.

-The city of Las Vegas celebrated its 100th birthday on May 15, 2005. The event celebrated the May 15, 1905 land auction when 110 acres of land in downtown Las Vegas were auctioned off.
-A 1910 law made it illegal to gamble in Las Vegas. The Nevada Legislature later approved a legalized gambling bill in 1931.
-The first hotel and casino to open in Las Vegas was the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino in 1906.
-The Hoover Dam was completed in 1935. It took a total of 21,000 men five years to complete the structure.
-The Moulin Rouge, the city’s first racially integrated hotel, opened in 1955.
-In 1957, topless showgirls debuted on the Las Vegas Strip in “Minsky’s Follies” at the Dunes.
-The famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign was created in 1959 by Betty Willis.
-In 2004, more than 37 million people visited Las Vegas. Compare this to 1970 when a mere 6.7 million people visited the city.
-More than 22,000 conventions were held in Las Vegas in 2004.
-In 2004, visitors stayed an average of 3.6 nights.
-More than 5,000 people move into the Las Vegas valley on a monthly basis.
-Las Vegas is home to Clark County School District, the fifth largest school district, which currently handles more than 280,000 students.
-The famous Las Vegas strip is for the most part, not within the city limits of Las Vegas. The majority of the strip is located within Clark County.
-The Stratosphere Hotel and Tower, at more than 1,100 feet, is the tallest building west of the Mississippi and the fifth tallest building in the United States.
-A marriage license costs $55 in Nevada. Many couples choose to marry in Nevada because there is no blood test or waiting period.
-Fremont Street was closed to traffic in 1994. The Fremont Street Experience opened in December 1995.