What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas
Seven Facts about Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Sin City, Lost Wages, whatever you call it, Vegas is known as America’s playground for adults. You’ve probably heard about the casino myths and all the things you can and cannot do.
You probably also know about the restaurants of famous chefs and the larger-than-life shows.
There are probably some facts about Sin City that you don’t know yet. You will soon realize that it is a strange place with a bizarre history.
It’s simple, what other cities in the United States areas known for their ties to the mafia as Las Vegas?
Below you can read more about why Sin City is the way it is.
The Atrium of Luxor
The Luxor Resort and Casino is one of the standout casinos on Vegas’ famous Strip, not necessarily because of the gambling, but because of its awe-inspiring architecture. The casino has a pyramid of glass and steel.
The 30-story hotel and casino is a tribute to the ancient Egyptians and their fascinating history. The casino resort even has a sphinx guarding the entrance to the property.
The atrium is said to be about 29,000,000 square feet in total space. Almost nine Boeing 747s can be stacked on top of each other. Another well-known fact about Luxor is the spotlight at the top of the pyramid.
It is one of the brightest in the world, but the rumors are not valid, to be honest. It cannot be seen from space.
Las Vegas Tunnels
Las Vegas calls the arid Mojave Desert home. And what happens in deserts? Sudden floods. Sudden floods can come out of nowhere and destroy whole cities and the entire landscape, but Vegas does not have this. The city’s designers built underground tunnels as a form of flood control.
When Las Vegas would get heavy rainfall in the winter and spring, the city could easily be washed away in the downpour. The tunnels diverted the enormous rain away from the city and its infrastructure.
The tunnels are not empty.
The Las Vegas tunnels house a massive space for homeless people. All kinds of people inhabit the Vegas tunnels, and it is rumored that more than 2,000 people live in the tunnels.
No Lottery in Las Vegas
Nevada is the undisputed gambling capital of the United States. The state has more than 400 casinos, which is more than any other state or combination of states. You can also drink on the pavements in Las Vegas. You can get married on a whim in one of the many wedding chapels in Vegas. Within walking distance of a hotel room on the Strip, you can find any cuisine you want to eat at.
Of course, this is all part of Las Vegas, but you can’t enter a lottery. This, of course, seems off-brand for this hedonistic city. The state of Nevada has absolutely no lottery, not even scratch cards. Legislators and casino operators have decided that this is not a good idea for Nevada’s bottom line.
The state has never had a lottery system, which is not going to change anytime soon.
The Las Vegas Strip is Not in Las Vegas
You read it right. The Las Vegas Strip is not actually within the city limits of Vegas.
The Strip is located 4.2 miles (6.8 km) south of Las Vegas.
The Strip is located in two different cities. Half is in Paradise, Nevada, and the rest is in Winchester, Nevada. Interestingly, the two towns are part of unincorporated Clark County.
The two municipalities reap the benefits of their taxes from the casinos. Eighteen of the world’s most famous hotels are not even in Vegas. The luxury hotels are in the city of Paradise or Winchester.
Maybe next time you travel, you can say you are visiting Winchester, Nevada.
Vegas Quickie
This is one of Vegas’ nicknames, “The Wedding Capital of the World,” and don’t forget that Elvis can be the wedding officiant. Las Vegas is a wedding destination for planned and unplanned weddings.
You can walk into one of the many chapels and be officially married in 20 minutes.
Generally, in America, you have to wait three days before getting married for $50. You can get married in a courthouse or a more traditional location.
When you get married in Las Vegas, you can walk in with your future husband or wife, show a valid ID, pay between $50 and $75, get your wedding license, get married and walk out as a married couple in just 20 minutes later.
Vegas offers an array of wedding venues.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada
We all know that iconic sign that welcomes visitors to Sin City. It is a kitschy neon sign printed on all kinds of gifts for sale on the Strip. The Welcome to Las Vegas sign is not even in Las Vegas like the Strip.
It is in Paradise, Nevada. The movement is the original selfie instigator. Visitors have been risking their lives for years to stand in the middle of South Las Vegas Boulevard to take a picture of themselves in front of the famous sign.
The sign is on a busy street, and people have hit and nearly hit oncoming traffic to get a picture. The City of Paradise eventually installed a car park so that visitors could safely take that coveted selfie with the Las Vegas sign.
Howard Hughes Meant a Lot
Mr. Hughes gave the hotel and casino staff value for money when he was in Vegas for one of his extended stays. The wealthy business genius, executive, and pilot was known for his exaggerated requests and strange habits.
This became most apparent when he stayed at the Desert Inn. While at the Desert Inn Casino and Hotel, he asked for 200 liters of Baskin Robbins banana nut ice cream for a long weekend.
In the 1950s, this was an operational achievement. Delivery would take several days. While Hughes waited for the delivery, he changed his mind.
He decided that he was fed up with banana nut ice cream and would only eat chocolate marshmallow ice cream from then on.
In the end, there was an excellent outcome; the Desert Inn handed out free scoops for a year.
High Maintenance
Howard was high maintenance, and he proved it when he stayed at one of the more prominent hotels and casinos on the Vegas Strip. He had reserved the two top floors of the hotel. When the hotel staff politely informed him that he had exceeded his booking, he asked how much it was to buy the hotel.
The owner was contacted and replied that he would sell the hotel for $13 million. Hughes pulled out his check book and wrote a cheque for that amount. Thus, Hughes Hotel-Casino was born. It was under his ownership, later his legacy, until 1978.
Conclusion
Las Vegas has so many obscure facts, and the list is endless.
Remember, Sin City is home to more than what meets the eye. It is a beautiful city that has a lot to offer. If you ever have the chance to travel to Las Vegas, you really should.
Apart from the casinos, the surrounding area is stunning and offers a lot.
So make sure you don’t just stay in the casinos, but go out!