Las Vegas is a mini guide to Sin City in the USA. How to get to the complex on your own, where all the Las Vegas airport rental cars are located. Las Vegas Attractions: Roller Coaster

Most people think that Las Vegas is just hotels and casinos, and non-gambling people simply have nothing to do here, in vain deleting it from the list of places to visit. Las Vegas is not only "one-armed bandits" and card tables. This is a city-theater, looking behind the scenes of which you can make amazing discoveries. I want to dispel the myth that people come here for the sole purpose of getting rich, day and night without leaving the gambling halls. On the contrary, those who are absolutely indifferent to gambling will be no less interested in visiting one of the most famous cities in the world. I present to your attention 10 reasons to go to Las Vegas.

1. Gondola ride

Do you dream of immersing yourself in the unique atmosphere of Venice and taking a romantic walk along its canals? For this, it is not necessary to fly to Italy. If you are traveling in the United States, then your dream can come true right in Las Vegas! This city never ceases to amaze. An entire Italian city spread over 46,000 sq.m. with its most popular attractions - Piazza San Marco, the Campanile Bell Tower, the Rialto Bridge, and, of course, gondolas floating along the real Venetian canals. The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, or in other words "Venice", invites everyone to ride along the canals to the sounds of a professional gondolier's serenade. The internal canal flows along the second floor of the hotel - it is here that an exact copy of Venice is recreated. Visitors can watch charming Italian architecture and painted blue skies. The outside walk offers a splendid view of the Las Vegas Strip. For the newlyweds, a snow-white gondola decorated with golden flowers is provided. Couples in love, according to tradition, need to kiss while swimming under the bridge.

Address: 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV

2. Beach resort. Beware: sharks!

It is hard to imagine that in the desert it was possible to sunbathe on white sandy beach an area of ​​4.5 hectares, enjoying the sound of the surf. For Las Vegas, truly, there are no barriers. When heading to this unpredictable city, grab your swimwear. In a hotel Mandalay Bay, next to the wave-simulating pool, you can soak up the soft sand imported from California.

In addition, there is a huge aquarium "Shark Reef" (Shark Reef Aquarium), which registered two thousand different representatives sea ​​world our planet. This is the only aquarium that is located away from water sources. Piranhas, sharks, turtles, jellyfish, sea squirts, molluscs, snails and the rarest representative of golden crocodiles are just the tip of the oceanarium iceberg. Well, those who can boast of a diving certificate are offered to scuba dive with sharks.

Address: 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV

3. Dancing fountains

You can rest from the hot heat and relax from the city noise near the dancing fountains next to the Bellagio hotel. The Bellagio Fountain impresses with its choreography and colors of water jets. This is one of the main attractions in Las Vegas. Jets of water rise to the music to a height of 152 meters. To the beat of the music, they also sway, that is, they dance, and the sound of water mixes with the voices of Pavarotti, Bocceli, Sinatra. The fountain show must be seen at least twice - from the ground, standing right in front of them, and from a height, sitting in a restaurant or just standing on the balcony of one of the hotels in the area. It will be two completely different spectacles.

Address: 3600 Las Vegas Blvd S, Bellagio Hotel Resort, Las Vegas, NV

4. Museums

It would seem, well, what kind of museums can be in Las Vegas ... However, the city boasts a considerable number of them. Here you can visit such museums as: "Museum of Neon Signs", without which Las Vegas would not be Las Vegas; "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" - artifacts of the Titanic liner raised from the bottom of the ocean, as well as an accurate reproduction of some cabins and front staircase ship; "Museum nuclear testing”- a film demonstration of nuclear tests conducted near the city at a test site in the second half of the 20th century, accompanied by a roar, blinding flashes, shaking benches and a wave of warm air. As well as the Guinness World Records Museum, Natural History Museum, Vintage Car Museum, Bellagio Art Gallery, Madame Tussauds Museum and many others.

5. Concerts, shows and musicals

No less popular than casinos are all kinds of Las Vegas shows. No wonder it is called the entertainment capital of the world. What is not here:

• comedy performances
• Illusionists and other magicians
• Circus performances
• Adult Programs
• Hypnotists
• Concerts of famous stars
• Musicals
• dance shows
• Sport events

The most popular are, for example, the famous Cirque Du Soleil, which offers almost a dozen different programs, Blue Man Group, David Copperfield, the musical Mamma Mia! and others.

6. Secret garden, dolphins and white tigers

Those who wish can take a walk through the "Secret Garden" of the Mirage Hotel, which welcomes visitors from its very doorstep with tropical palm trees, exotic flowers and waterfalls. White lions and white tigers, panthers and leopards live on its territory. In fact, no one can accurately determine who lives in the Secret Garden. Someone meets an owl, others - peacocks, someone managed to pet a lemur. Then you meet flamingos and hummingbirds, and then you pass along the pool with dolphins and tropical fish. Here, dolphins frolic and play in conditions that are as close to natural as possible - a real coral reef and sand raised from the ocean floor. They will be happy to play ball with you.

The main attraction of the hotel is its artificial volcano, the "eruption" of which is accompanied by musical accompaniment. This impressive show can be watched every hour every day from 19.00 to 23.00.

Address: 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV

7. Cinema "Fremont Street Experience"

Fremont Street, the former main street of Las Vegas, has a unique "overhead cinema" - a giant screen 460 meters long. It consists of 12 million LED displays controlled by 10 computers. Movies, excerpts from show programs that take place in the Las Vegas casinos, and performances by stars are shown on the screen. In fact, it is a domed roof above the street, onto which advertisements and various videos are projected. You can watch both standing and lying down. For convenience, the street is closed during the show.

Address: Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV

8. High Roller

Coming to Las Vegas and not taking a ride on the Ferris wheel? Especially when its height reaches 168 meters… This is one of the highest Ferris wheels in the world. It is located opposite the Caesars Palace entertainment complex, in the new LINQ shopping and entertainment district. The wheel is equipped with 28 spherical glazed cabins, accommodating up to 40 people. Within 30 minutes, tourists have the opportunity to fully view Las Vegas, as the cabins rotate around their axis. From it opens beautiful view for the entire Strip. Especially at night. Therefore, the cost of tickets at night is higher.

9. Night clubs and bars

Those who can't sit still, and they are the majority in Vegas, are invited by numerous nightclubs and bars. There are both establishments at large hotels-casinos, and existing on their own. Clubs in Las Vegas are considered unique, because it is here that you can come face to face with some celebrity.

Some of the most famous clubs:

• Chateau Nightclub at Paris Hotel-Casino
• Marquee Nightclub in The Cosmopolitan
• Moon Nightclub in the Palms
• Voodoo Lounge at Rio Hotel

More bars! They can be found at any casino or even in the open air.

10. Stratosphere Hotel Tower

The tallest observation tower in the United States, the Stratosphere (350 meters), offers a ride on 4 heart-rending rides located on its top. Thrills guaranteed! big shot in a matter of seconds, it catapults at a speed of 72 km / h to a 32-meter height, and then lowers it back at the same speed, while there is a complete feeling of free fall. Insanity- a carousel in the form of a claw with five open booths, rotating at different angles outside the tower at a height of 274 meters. X-Scream- an open trailer without railings, accelerating along the guide rails straight down from the roof of the tower at a distance of 8 meters from it and braking sharply, hovering at a height of 264 meters. sky jump is a free fall ride from a height of 260 meters on cables fastened to the body - this is a kind of "bungee".

In addition to breathtaking extreme rides and an observation deck, the tower houses a revolving restaurant "Top of the World".

Address: 2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89104, USA

It was founded in 1829 when a caravan lost its way and stumbled upon an oasis. The city received the official status of founding only in May 1905, when the construction of the railway track from Salt Lake City to was completed. It became the center of the gaming industry in 1915. A little later in 1931 gambling became legal. Interesting is the fact that the proposal to create a gaming zone was made by a mysterious resident of the state, who had never played in a casino. He believed that gambling taxes could be funded by educational institutions. Already at that distant time, Vegas attracted people to enjoy the unique and fantastic features of the city, which grew up in the desert. It is worth noting that the winning situations of that time were different from the existing payouts. The whole big sum was paid in kind, whether it was cigars or alcohol. Thanks to the "reckons of a natural kind" - he received the well-known pseudonym "city of sin".

Originated in the center of the famous Mojave Desert. The climate is arid, 310 days a year the bright and scorching sun shines. The city never sleeps thanks to its gambling fame. The game continues day and night. The gambling capital of the United States amazes many tourists with its amazingness. It is the world capital of bright neon lights, signage, noisy entertainment centers and luxury hotel complexes. Gambling establishments appear as a visiting card of the city, based on the lifeless sands of Nevada. Trip to the city slot machines is a chance to get to know yourself, your nerves and luck. If in one institution you were unlucky to “throw a coin” and lost, you should not despair, luck and success of a big jackpot are sure to await in a neighboring institution.

Las Vegas - the whole planet in miniature

Many people mistakenly believe that the city is just a casino, slot machines and hotel complexes. Here you can not only spend the night, but also have a wonderful free time. The city is strewn with attractions that every tourist needs to visit. Cultural monuments and world-class buildings, created in a miniature composition, deserve a special look from tourists. Only in this place can you capture the Parisian beauty of the Eiffel Tower, the miniature or legendary tomb of Emperor Tutankhamun, which has become the highlight of the Luxor casino. This is just a small part of all the attractions of fantastic Vegas.

The best hotels in Las Vegas

In the city of slot machines there are 80% of the largest hotels in the world. All major hotels are divided into thematic varieties:

• "Stratosphere". The hotel is connected with the theme of air navigation. From its height, and this is a couple of hundred meters, the main street of the city is visible - the Strip or Southern Boulevard, as it is called legally.
• "NY". This complex is like Manhattan in miniature. It even has its own "Statue of Liberty", only smaller in size.
• "Caesar's Mansions". A unique likeness of the palaces of the past, which adorn ancient greek statues, triumphal arches and Roman perennial gardens. But modern technology has not gone far either. A moving walkway leads to the main entrance. The complex provides a hall for dancing "Tour of Cleopatra". And in the world of attractions "Streets of the Roman Empire" holograms are illuminated that tell about historical era that time.
• "Luxor". This hotel is exactly the same ancient egypt. The design is made in the form of a pyramid, made of real blackened glass. The Sphinx is the main entrance to the building. Around it are palm trees that form a grove. There is also its own Nile. On the perimeter of the hotel there is a museum similar in shape to the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen. And although the building has thematic aspects of ancient history, it is still filled with modern technologies. Particularly attractive is the striking beam from the roof, which is clearly visible even from orbit.
• "Mirage". The building is presented as a classical-style hotel, but upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this is a jungle. Growing around the perimeter of the complex tropical plants, pouring fountains, beautiful waterfalls. Also, the highlight of the hotel are white tigers that roam its territory.
• "Paris". The hotel is dedicated to the name of the capital and built in the French style. On the territory there is an exact copy of the Eiffel Tower.
• "Grand MGM". It is dedicated to the fairy tale about the emerald city. The main entrance to this complex is made in the form of a lion's mouth. The size of the lion reaches 31 meters. On the territory of the hotel there are theater stages, sports grounds, entertainment bars and 5005 luxurious rooms. Disneyland is located near the complex.
• "Excalibur". This complex is associated with the castle of the times of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. There are natural castle towers here, rising walkways are sometimes held tournaments of knights, especially for tourists. The construction cost of this building exceeded 300 million US greens.
• To spend the night in your favorite hotel, you will have to pay $ 5,000 for a regular room. In the absence of such an amount, but the desire to contemplate the magnificence remains, then excursions come to the rescue, which will fully satisfy the curiosity of each of the hotels. This is economical, reasonable, from which there will be much more impressions and emotions than from visiting theater buildings or a museum.

Landmarks of Las Vegas

Plan of Las Vegas

In plan, this capital of one-armed bandits is presented with only a single street, on which the most popular restaurant complexes, gaming establishments and hotels are located. The street of incredible size, reaches 5.5 kilometers, stretches from the air harbor to the alleys of the Sahara desert. All establishments are located on the main highway, and they are overly elegant. There are more than 80 large casinos in the city, whose income from the gambling vein alone is more than 4 billion dollars. It's hard to even imagine how much more comes to the piggy bank from additional services. But it is still necessary to get to entertainment gambling establishments, as visitors are required to settle somewhere for a couple of days.

Excursions away from the bustle of the city

Sometimes the noise, vanity and the city that does not fall asleep get bored. You can go on excursions, and for example, explore the Grand Canyon Reserve, 1.5 kilometers deep. The spectacle is breathtaking. A huge canyon is located on the Colorado River, Arizona. Its main aspect is the ability to have different shades at certain times of the day.

Purchases are usually made at Factory Outlets. As a memento, it is customary to buy economical options for jewelry, confectionery, personalized T-shirts, T-shirts and caps with Las Vegas logos, as well as fridge magnets. For a few cents, you can even buy something, remembering Las Vegas!

Entertaining little things

• In order not to get lost in an unknown city, you need to take a business card from the hotel "at the reception".
• With poor knowledge of English, you can hire Russian speaking guide but it's not cheap. But sometimes it’s not a pity for money, because with a guide a tourist will certainly see all the amazing places and learn a lot of new things that guidebooks don’t write about.
• If you have an idea to go shopping or use any service, then you should not forget to leave a tip. Their amount is usually 10-15 percent of the quoted price. Tipping applies to hotel staff, restaurants, casinos and taxis.
• Strange, but in the "sin city" to eat cheaper than in any city in the United States.
• It is very easy to get married in Las Vegas, you just need to pay the wedding tax - $ 55. The ceremony itself will cost $1,000. It is for these reasons that hundreds of thousands of couples are married. It is worth noting that if people have citizenship of the Russian Federation, then such marriages are invalid for the law.

The most important musical character in Vegas is Elvis Presley. The territory of the city is filled with its twins, which can be found everywhere.

- A mecca of excitement, a holiday city and the greatest schemer who made a name for himself on the main human weaknesses - the passion for the game and the hope of sudden enrichment. Spread out in the middle of the barren Mojave Desert, this extraordinary city is one of the greatest mysteries of modern times: nothing is produced here, but at the same time they turn millions, it is hellishly hot in summer, and within a radius of 40 km there is not a single body of water, but from tourists besieging Las Vegas hotels. Vegas, it's time to fight back.

Video: Las Vegas

Basic moments

Modern Las Vegas is amazing park entertainment 18+, where everything is subordinated to one single goal: to promote you to the game. Even a tourist with the endurance of James Bond cannot resist the subtle strategy of local casinos, and all because the art of “relatively honest taking money from the population” honed over the centuries has reached its zenith here. However, to resist this intoxicating hypnosis, which promises unheard-of wealth to anyone who scrapes together a few dollars for a bet, is not best idea. Agree, because you went to sultry and arid Nevada not only to admire its desert landscapes ...

"Sin City", "Entertainment Capital of the World", "City of Lights", the fastest growing US city, the largest American city founded in the 20th century - Las Vegas has many unofficial nicknames and quite official titles, emphasizing the amazing transformation in just 100 years of a non-standard railway station in the desert to one of the most unusual cities on Earth. Numerous casinos, hotels, daily concerts and shows attract tourists from all over the world. In total, more than eighty casinos, several thousand gaming pavilions, and many luxurious hotels are concentrated on the territory of Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is Hollywood for mere mortals, in which you play the main role, and not just watch a movie. This is the only place in the world where you can see the ancient hieroglyphs, the Eiffel Tower, the Brooklyn Bridge and the canals of Venice in just a few hours. Without a doubt, all these are copies, but in this part of the desert, which has turned into a flowering oasis, there is no middle ground - even in illusions.

Lovers from all over the world choose Las Vegas for their wedding because of the relatively easy procedure for registering a marriage, as well as the opportunity to experience this colorful city filled with entertainment and famous attractions during their honeymoon.

In downtown Las Vegas, where banks and office buildings sit side by side with casinos, the neon lights are so bright it looks like night in the Mojave Desert has turned to day. All attention here is riveted on Fremont Street, otherwise "Sparkling Gorge" (Glitter Gulch). Dozens of people are visible in all the illuminated windows, pulling the handles of slot machines. One of the neon signs reads: "For every US coin you receive, we get a slot machine."

In addition, in the downtown area, you can witness the Fremont Street Experience (hourly at dusk) - an amazing light show within a few blocks. This free show is Las Vegas' best buy.

To all visitors to the city, Las Vegas Avenue is better known as the Strip - a strip 6.5 km long, completely built up with hotels and casinos, whose neon lights invite to the most famous productions, comedians and singers, and where performances are given with half-naked dancers - on ice, in water and on the usual scaffolds. While Las Vegas has stopped pushing itself as a family vacation destination, it still has decent entertainment options, including a number of theme parks.

Evening walk along the Strip offers more fun than most cities can provide for an entire week. These places of entertainment turn out to be real monuments: a recreation in the form of a casino Great Pyramid in Luxor; St. Mark's Square and the Grand Canal in Venice and a smaller version of Manhattan's skyline in "New York, New York". Oriental, ancient Roman, Parisian and other famous palaces are also present. Bellagio is a miracle in an Italian way, imitating the coast of Lake Como with its graceful fountains; "Caesar's Palace" offers the decadent style of ancient Rome with Italian marble columns. In fact, there are much more such beauties in Las Vegas: medieval Excalibur, gardens, palm trees and an active volcano, even more significant and beautiful than before - in the Mirage casino; an artificial mountain and waterfalls of the most luxurious vacation spot - Winna Casino. Treasure Island depicts a naval battle with thundering cannon fire, half-naked girls and reckless pirates. The show is renewed hourly.

All this buffoonery here serves as a tantalizing backdrop for gambling: hundreds of slot machines have moved from the casino to the lobbies, and what can we say about roulette, baccarat card games, "point", lotto "bingo". Poker is usually played in secluded areas in a quiet environment where the participants are so engrossed in the game that they are not in the mood for jokes. The most spectacular tables are where craps are played, including craps. Players get extremely excited when rolling the dice. They squeal, clap, groan depending on their luck. There are two things you won't see in Las Vegas casinos: clocks and windows, since nothing here should distract from the game. The result is a continuous whirlwind, which you can plunge into.

History of Las Vegas

A picturesque oasis in the Mojave Desert, whose territory today is occupied by the gambling capital, was discovered in 1829 by a trade caravan that had gone astray. Merchants yearning for water joyfully dubbed the paradise “Las Vegas” (“fertile valley”), marked it on the map and spread the news of a wonderful place with artesian springs throughout the state. At the same time, Vegas received the status of a city only in 1905, when railroad tracks ran in its vicinity. So, the former oasis turned into a major railway junction that connected the west and east of the country.

However, soon this corner changed its qualification. Nevada, on whose land the city is located, has always enjoyed a reputation as a dashing state, whose inhabitants led a too liberated life even by American standards, so Las Vegas had no choice but to adapt to local realities. By 1915, the local saloons and cabarets had become so popular that they could afford to keep "one-armed bandits" who, instead of winning cash, presented the especially lucky with a drink. But the happy life did not last long. Dejected by the American craze for poker and roulette, the government tried to close all the casinos in the country. As a result, the Las Vegas gambling industry went underground, and the state budget suddenly lost a stable source of income. True, by the beginning of the 30s it became clear that the campaign against gambling was a failure, so the activity of gambling houses had to be legalized again.

Initially, it was only a transit point on the trail of pioneers rushing to the West. At the beginning of the 20th century, Las Vegas became one of the railroad junctions serving the mines in the area. As the railways, Las Vegas has somewhat lost its importance, but the construction of the Hoover Dam gave a new impetus to its development. The increase in tourism after the construction of the dam and the legalization of gambling led to the construction of many casino hotels, which Las Vegas is famous for.

In the mid-1940s, a local building boom led to casino hotels along the two-lane road leading to Las Vegas from Los Angeles. The street has survived to this day and is known as the Strip ("Strip"). Among the most notable buildings is Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo. The hotel, with neon signs and pink flamingos adorning the lawns, opened back in 1946.

In the 1950s, the resort continued to flourish. In 1950, the Desert Inn was opened by Wilbur Clark, a former porter in San Diego. Two years later, Milton Prell opened the Sahara Hotel on the site of the old Bingo Club. The Sands Hotel opened the same year. In 1955, the Riviera Hotel became the first of the Strip's "skyscrapers" - it rose to the ninth floor. Other hotels that opened in the same decade included the Royal Nevada, the Dunes, the Tropicana, and the Stardust (Stardust).

Photo reports from wild parties, songs by Presley and Sinatra, and ubiquitous advertising diligently sculpted the American dream from Vegas, which could be approached by every layman in whose pockets a few free dollars dangled.

In the 1970s, business declined somewhat, and Las Vegas turned into a small town, where there was little that could interest modern tourists. However, in the late 1980s, the Strip was revived with the construction of the $630,000,000 Mirage Hotel, with 3,049 rooms. This hotel has a white tiger corner, a dolphin pool, an amazing swimming pool for visitors, a waterfall and an artificial volcano that spews fire. From that day on, the revival of the former glory of Las Vegas began. Another example of recent developments is the Treasure Island Hotel, where every evening a real pirate ship comes into battle with a British frigate and sinks it at the end of the battle.

The 4,000-room Excalibur Colossus Hotel was opened in 1990. This quaint medieval "castle" has several floors devoted to non-gambling entertainment for children, and court jesters perform on-site. In a separate room every evening there is a tournament of knights, as in the court of King Arthur.

Luxor, a giant black glass pyramid, is famous for the world's most powerful beam of light that shoots from the top of the pyramid, as well as a full-scale replica of Tutankhamun's tomb. Nine Boeing 747 aircraft can be stacked in the inner courtyard of the pyramid.

As the resorts began to develop, boutiques of leading designers appeared in the city - from Tiffany to Gucci and Valentino. Entertainment giants such as Elton John and Celine Dion perform here.

The Hotel Bellagio, inspired by the landscape near Lake Como and the resort of Bellagio in Italy, is famous for its artificial lake. Thousands of fountains beat in the lake, their jets are illuminated by a whole rainbow of electric rays. No one doubts that Vegas has entered a new golden age!

Climate

When heading to Las Vegas in the summer, be prepared to roast well under the scorching Nevada sun. The climate in Sin City is desert subtropical, suggesting a long and hot summer, during which the thermometer needle stubbornly stays at +40 ° С. Frost is in short supply in this part of the desert, as is snow. However, if you go to the surrounding mountains closer to Christmas, then it will not be difficult to find snow caps on their slopes.

Casinos and entertainment complexes in Las Vegas

The first thing that greets a tourist in Las Vegas is the slot machines installed in the halls of the airport and an avalanche of advertisements for local casinos. So the smell of money for this paradise in the desert is not a beautiful metaphor, but a real everyday life. Those who are looking for proven old-school establishments are strongly advised to go to the old center of Vegas, Downtown, or rather, to its main playground - Fremont Street. Among the tourist fraternity, this part of the city is known as the cradle of the first Vegas casinos: it was here that the ancestors of modern Americans squandered their money in the hope of hitting a big jackpot.

In addition to "one-armed bandits" and roulette, Fremont Street offers its guests all sorts of relaxation areas like go-go bars and inexpensive variety shows. For a taste of the gold rush, take a look at Downtown's most replicated casino, the Golden Nugget. This institution still holds on to old traditions, stubbornly resisting innovation and endemic computerization, which attracts fortune seekers. In Benion, Golden Gate and El Cortez, too, there is nowhere to fall, but according to poker and blackjack gurus, these places are worth it. By the way, with a limited budget, it is better to give preference to Fremont Street gambling houses, where rates of 3-5 USD are a common occurrence.

The Las Vegas Strip casinos are gigantic complexes that combine hotels, gambling zones, nightclubs and show venues, designed to dazzle with a myriad of lights and lure the spectator greedy for free spectacles. Interestingly, until the 40s of the last century, the Strip was considered a typical city backyard, and all gambling houses were located exclusively on Fremont Street. But since it was not allowed anywhere else to build new casinos, except for the center of Vegas, advanced businessmen set up their "tents" in its suburbs: Paradise and Winchister. In a fairly short period of time, the Strip's hotels have surpassed downtown casinos in terms of luxury, not to mention all kinds of marketing "goodies" to lure clientele, so even if you come to Vegas without a penny in your pocket, do not miss the opportunity to stroll along the city's main boulevard to fully appreciate the scope of this "vanity fair".

Each of the giant casino hotels has a whole range of distinctive features that help it not to get lost against the backdrop of no less pretentious neighbors. In particular, the Luxor captivates with its exotic exterior: a giant black pyramid that launches a light beam of 40 billion candela into space at night looks incredibly futuristic. Inside, there is also something to look at: here you will find diverse exhibitions, ranging from the Titanic to Alexandrian rarities, and the phantasmagoric performances of Cirque du Soleil, and the crazy show programs of Chris Angel.

The New York, New York Hotel & Casino is the Big Apple in miniature. In principle, after visiting this institution, it is no longer necessary to go to New York itself, since on the territory of the complex you can see enough of the legendary Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and even the Brooklyn Bridge. Encircling all this miracle are roller coaster rails, along which wagons with screaming thrill-seekers are constantly rushing along. Another Strip mastodon, featured in movies like Ocean's Eleven and The Hangover, is the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. By the way, in addition to its magnificent interiors and surrealistic installations, the institution is famous for the fact that robbers really like it: it is in Bellagio that American gangsters most often “remove the cash register”.

The casino complex "Mandalay Bay" has its own fans: in addition to hunters for free spins and jackpots, lovers of all kinds of spa treatments and pool parties hang out here. The hotel has an aquarium "Shark Reef", which can be entered by anyone who has unfastened 20 USD to the cashier of the establishment. An old-timer of the northern Strip, who hosted the unforgettable Beatles, Dietrich and Sinatra, on his stage, is the Sahara Hotel-Casino. In addition to traditional roulette tables and "one-armed bandits", here you can find roller coasters, several restaurants and an interactive racing simulator.

Roman decadence-era interiors and selfies in retro cars can be expected at Caesars Palace, while Planet Hollywood features themed rooms with original props from Hollywood blockbusters and artificially controlled thunderstorms. Take a mini trip to the fashion capital of the world at the Paris Casino, which excites the imagination with its ultra-realistic replicas of the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. Well, in order to swim along the azure canals in the company of a vociferous gondolier, take a walk along St. Mark's Square and enjoy a fantastic performance from the Blue Man Group, you will have to settle in Venice.

Attractions and entertainment

If you're drawn to traditional sightseeing in Las Vegas, it could mean one of two things: you've either lost your way or simply haven't found your casino. However, be that as it may, the gambling capital is full of places that are not associated with risk and grandiose financial expenses. For decades, entertainment complexes on the Las Vegas Strip have been fighting fierce battles for clientele, seducing the casual passerby with free concerts and performances. Here you will find Elvis clones singing the immortal hits of the king of pop music, and all kinds of circus troupes, delighting guests with incredible tricks exclusively “for applause”, and crazy illusionists. So feel free to wind your mileage along the main city boulevard, which has turned into one continuous attraction.

The famous singing fountain show in front of the Bellagio Hotel can also be enjoyed absolutely free of charge all day long. Well, if you are tired of watching the falling water cascades, try to move closer to the Mirage Hotel. Every day, a huge volcano erupts in front of the building of this institution, of course, fake, but, nevertheless, the spectacle is breathtaking. They also let you into the Museum of Neon Signs without a ticket, where visitors are waiting for the dazzling logos of Vegas casinos and restaurants that have sunk into oblivion. But a half-hour operation in one of the cabins of the High Roller Ferris wheel will cost a little more than 20 USD. Agree, not so much, considering that for this amount you get a fantastic panorama of Las Vegas from a height of 168 m and a flurry of emotions. Fans of apocalyptic themes and other atomic horror stories will be interested to get acquainted with the exposition of the Museum of Nuclear Tests. Well, to see the dark side of the most dazzling city on the planet, it is worth taking a walk around the Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement.

Strictly speaking, Vegas is not a children's city. But, if you still took the younger generation with you, take them to the Discovery Museum, and go to the Dig This theme park, which is a brutal sandbox where children's dreams of giant Easter cakes are skillfully realized with the help of a full-size excavator. Tourists craving drive and adrenaline should look at the dizzying rides of the Stratosphere Tower. Just do not overestimate your capabilities, all the entertainment here is designed for a very healthy heart.

The Atomic Testing Museum recalls an era in which the word "atomic" had a connotation of something new and mysterious, the Smithsonian's Atomic Testing Museum remains a curious testament to an era in which the fantastic - and destructive - power of nuclear energy tested right at the borders of Las Vegas. Visit the extraordinary Ground Zero Theater recreating a concrete test bunker (www.atomictestingmuseum.org ; 755 East Flamingo Road (E Flamingo Rd); adult/child $14/11; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat , 12.00-17.00 Sun).

Take a fun $19 walking tour of Neon Boneyard Park, where old neon signs - original Las Vegas art - beyond restoration, are retiring.

Walk around the center until evening (neon lights come on) and you will find the free section of this "museum". You'll find delightful open-air galleries of restored neon signs: sparkling 'magic lamps', luminous martini glasses and 1940s motel awnings. The largest collections are gathered at the dead end of Heart Street (3rd St), north of Fremont Street (Fremont St). Call 702-387-6366 or visit www.neonmuseum.org for details; 821 Las Vegas Boulevard North (Las Vegas Blvd N); free exhibitions, guided tours $19; exhibitions 24 hours, guided tours at 12.00 and 14.00 Tue-Sat.

Wedding in Las Vegas

The wedding ceremony in Vegas is a fashion trend that has not lost its position for several decades, thanks to competent self-promotion. Playing a wedding in the wildest city on the planet is as easy as shelling pears. No bureaucracy and no piles of useless papers! It is enough to drop by the Marriage License Bureau and buy a marriage license, after which you can go to any of the Las Vegas chapels with a light heart and agree on all the details of the celebration. The choice of options, by the way, exceeds even the most immodest expectations. One agency specializes in romantic ceremonies with a traditional white dress and a limousine. Others are ready to organize a marriage with mafia paraphernalia and an indispensable shootout "for dessert." Well, still others lure the spouses with real costume bacchanalia with the participation of strippers and tanks of cocktails.

Note: The city's guiding principle "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" does not apply to weddings. All express marriages concluded in the gambling capital are legally valid throughout the United States.

And further…

The title of the ever-awake city of Las Vegas is due not only to gambling houses. Like it or not, it is impossible to provide non-stop fun with roulettes alone, especially since there are always a little more losers in this grand attraction than winners. And this is where local nightclubs, all kinds of drinking establishments and the sex industry come to the rescue.

You can wash the broken jackpot or drown the disappointment from losing at the bottom of the glass in a hotel bar, a nightclub, and, finally, just on the street, since the laws of Nevada allow this. Of the most authentic entertainment venues in the city, first of all, it is worth mentioning Parasol Up Parasol Down (non-irritating music and delicious cocktails), Minus 5 (minus 5 on the bar thermometer plus a warm hat for each guest) and Frankie's Tiki Room (colorful African interiors and magical drinks that can immerse you in an illusory world from the first sip).

Representatives of the oldest profession in Las Vegas are also on the alert, which is easy to guess after walking for half an hour along the city streets. Flyers, promotional posters, car advertising - all available opportunities are used here to attract clients. Local cabarets and all kinds of strip bars, concentrated mainly in Downtown and partly in the Strip area, remain quite a popular tourist attraction.

How to save money in Vegas

Only level 99 players leave Vegas with a full pocket. The rest "donate" their savings to local croupiers and slot machines, or lower them in nightclubs and go-go bars. In order not to succumb to the general madness and save at least a small fraction of the initial capital, it is better to adhere to the simple rules followed by tourists who regularly visit the "stronghold of vice".

• It is better to gain experience in non-promoted casinos with low rates, so there is less chance of being left with an empty wallet.
• Book a hotel a couple of months before departure, this is the only way to catch the best deals.
• Place your bets on the new machines. According to players with experience, they give out winnings more often.
• If you're on a budget, don't be tempted by the hotel's offer to deliver food to your room: the fee for this type of service is impressive.
• Don't rent a car if you're only in Vegas to play. Most likely, the matter will not do without drinking, so the car will simply be idle.

Hotels and Hotels

It is better to look for accommodation in Las Vegas through online booking services. Booking.com alone offers over 300 accommodation options in various price categories. Travelers whose income level does not yet allow renting apartments in Bellagio and Luxor can settle in motels, budget hotels and hostels.

A night in a hotel with two stars in Vegas will cost about 30 USD (Longhorn Boulder Highway). The average price for a room in a "three-ruble note" is 40-50 USD (Days Inn Las Vegas at Wild Wild West Gambling Hall, Mardi Gras Casino). Rates per four star hotels usually start from 100-130 USD, but in elite establishments they will charge at least 200-300 USD per night (Red Rock Casino, Delano Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay). You can get a bed in a Vegas hostel for 20 USD, while a single room in a similar establishment will cost you 40-50 USD.

Restaurants and cafes in Las Vegas

Since players from all over the world come to Sin City, it's easy to find cuisines from all the nations of the world in Vegas. The level of establishments is very different, ranging from restaurants for moneybags with a strict dress code, ending with unpretentious cafes for "mere mortals". In addition, taverns are common in which the client pays only for admission and can absorb as much food as he likes. Well, for those who plan to live in Las Vegas for a week or two, there are restaurants with a daily subscription, where you can eat several times a day.

Fans of atmospheric places usually don't miss Ramsay Gordon's Gordon Ramsay Steak. The establishments of the most evil chef in Britain are distinguished by virtuoso service and perfect steaks. Vintage interiors, good old Italian cuisine and photos of the main crooner of the 20th century on the walls are the main "treats" offered by the Sinatra restaurant to its guests. Marked by the Michelin Red Guide, Picasso is preferred by fans of the "father of cubism": the restaurant has an impressive collection of paintings by the master and is very picky about the selection of chefs. Well, adherents of French molecular cuisine, as a rule, settle in Twist, which is under the auspices of Pierre Gagnère himself.

Buffets the size of a football field, pizzerias, Chinese and Mexican restaurants, and, of course, "fast food" are open to those who like to eat densely and inexpensively. In connection with all of the above, an independent choice of restaurants in Las Vegas can take a long time and, as a result, unfortunately, does not bring the desired result, so you should decide in advance on your taste, aesthetic requirements, financial expenses, and then finding the desired place will not be difficult. . If you really get confused, then poke your finger at random in the direction of the neon sign that interests you, and go ...

Transport

A “horseless” tourist in Vegas will have to travel by buses, monorail trains and taxis. All buses here belong to the RTC company and are divided into two types: tourist options plying along Las Vegas Boulevard (Deuce), and routes connecting the city center with its outskirts (Strip & Downtovn Express). The first ones run 24 hours a day with an interval of 10-15 minutes and slow down at each stop. The second roam the streets from 9:00 to midnight and do not stop everywhere. To ride on any of the buses, it is recommended to get a travel card, which is easy to buy from the driver or from vending machines. The cost of a two-hour ticket is 6 USD, a daily ticket is 8 USD, a three-day ticket is 20 USD (sold only in special rideRTC App vending machines).

The monorail is usually chosen for its efficiency (no need to stand in a traffic jam or maneuver in crazy traffic) and an inspiring view from the window (the height of the rail track is 8 m). Trains run along the city's main entertainment artery, the Las Vegas Strip, and stop at 7 stations: Sahara, Hilton, Convention Center, Harrah's / Imperial Palace, Flamingo / Caesars Palace, Bally's / Paris, MGM Grand. One trip on the monorail costs 5 USD, so it is more advisable to purchase a 24-hour ticket for 12 USD. You can check the categories of travel cards, as well as prices and operating hours of the monorail on the official website.

Taxis in Las Vegas are in demand, but in case of time trouble, local taxi companies are not helpful to the traveler. On the Friday-Sunday weekend, the number of cars on the roads exceeds all permissible limits, so you will most likely have to forget about driving with the breeze. On average, you can ride around Vegas for 10 USD plus the traditional 10% tip to the driver. The trip from the airport to the Strip will "eat" from 12 to 23 USD. By the way, in order not to overpay for standing in traffic jams, ask the driver to go around the main street of Vegas at rush hour: after such a phrase, the taxi driver, by definition, must be imbued with respect for the tourist and give up hope to breed him for money.

Note: most Vegas taxis are equipped with card payment terminals, but, just in case, it is better to coordinate the payment method with the driver before the trip.

Eco-lovers and adherents of active life can rent a bike and not depend on the traffic schedule public transport. There are enough rental points, as well as bike paths, in the city. As for rental rates, the most optimal of them are long-term options, for example, for a month.

Car rent

Renting a car in Vegas automatically excludes a tourist from the list of regulars in local bars, but provides him with endless opportunities to explore the ascetic landscapes of Nevada and the surroundings of the most gambling city on the planet. It is better to take a car in international rental offices like Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget and Alamo, whose racks can be found at the airport or Las Vegas itself. Usually, a day of renting an economy class car costs from 50 USD. The fines for traffic violations in this part of America are harsh, so following the basic safety rules on the road saves not only nerves, but also money.

Parking is no problem in Las Vegas, and there are both paid options and places that won't cost a dollar. For example, many casinos and hotels offer free parking (symbolic tips for parking staff are required).

Parking for tourists are divided into two main types: "valet parking" (service parking) and "public parking" (public parking). In the first case, a special employee will drive your car to the parking lot and issue a numbered ticket, according to which you will later need to get your car back. The specifics of this type of parking is that you will have to present a couple of dollars to the valet for services (usually twice, that is, when you hand over the car and when you pick it up). When you park in public, you usually end up in a multi-storey car park where you just leave your car in a free parking space. Be sure to remember the number of the parking level, otherwise you will be provided with anxious minutes of searching for your iron horse, since all floors are similar to each other, and there are a lot of cars. Parking is free, and you should not think that the car will be left unattended. All levels are controlled by a large number of video cameras. In addition, such parking lots are patrolled by police. And don't be surprised if they're on bikes!

To be honest, returning to Las Vegas from the desert hell is an impressive thing in itself. Bursting into your air-conditioned hotel room, you'll wonder if heaven is where we think it is.

In your eyes, as in a counter, solid numbers will spin. Numbers for length, height, width, money gains, your losses. In any case, no matter what denominator you come to, the atmosphere of Las Vegas will forever dissolve in your blood, and dreams filled with fires of idleness interspersed with natural beauty will visit you more than once!

Tours from Las Vegas

Many visitors go on a tour of the city's neighborhoods and national parks in Nevada. For example, one of the most visited places outside the “abode of vice” is the Hoover Dam, which harnessed the Colorado River and is located on the border of Arizona and Nevada. A stone's throw from Las Vegas to the greatest natural wonder America - the Grand Canyon: in the process of walking along its famous observation deck SkyWalk, 99% of atheists, as a rule, have time to reconsider their attitude to religion. Fans of endless space and infernal landscapes are advised to book a tour to Death Valley - the most lifeless corner of the United States. Sheer cliffs and mountain gorges are to be found in Zion National Park, with its crystal springs, serpentine trails and a great Indian past. And for western-style photo shoots, horseback riding and rock climbing, the Red Rocks Canyon is the best place.

There are many tours in jeeps, hummers, buses to all nearby parks. Organized rafting on the Colorado River, helicopter tours, including over Las Vegas. The cost of excursions ranges from $ 100-500 per person, as a rule, including meals. The price depends on the remoteness of the objects, the length of the route, the comfort of travel chosen by you, at the same time there is no big difference between the prices of various excursion companies, whether they are Russian-speaking or English-speaking excursions.

But you can also easily create your own itinerary, rent a car and go on a trip. Perhaps it will be much more interesting.

Safety

The main tourist areas are safe. However, the part of Las Vegas Boulevard between Downtown and the Strip is in a shabby and neglected state, and the section of Fremont Street to the east of the center is rather unfavorable.

Do not miss

Despite the fact that in Las Vegas every new day is one continuous holiday, extraordinary events take place in the city from time to time, which should be given a little more attention. In particular, since 1968, the main poker tournament of the planet, the World Series of Poker, has been held in the Sin City. If you want carefree fun and the ultimate immersion in the wild west holiday atmosphere, check out the annual Helldorado Days festival, which includes a grand carnival parade and an invariable rodeo featuring the best cowboys in the state. All fans of trance and house trends are drawn to Las Vegas closer to the beginning of June, when Electric Daisy Carnival or, simply, a dance music festival starts at the venues of the gambling capital.

5 things to do in Las Vegas

• Take a walk along Fremont Street to see with your own eyes the hallmark of the quarter - the neon cowboy Vic and the gigantic screen-canvas Fremont Experience, on which a delightful spotlight show is played every evening.
• Take a selfie in front of the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas!" sign ("Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas!"), Anticipating the entrance to the Strip.
• Buy a ticket to at least one of the paid shows organized by local hotels and fall out of reality for an hour and a half.
• Take a photo with a downtown mime, or at least talk some local freak into doing it (both will have to pay).
• Stop by the Golden Nugget Casino to concoct a plan to steal a 25kg gold nugget on display in the lobby of the establishment.

How to get there

You can fly to the “capital of excitement and vice” from Russia with Aeroflot, Virgin America, JetBlue, Airways, Delta Airlines, Swiss, but almost all flights will be with transfers. In addition, you can find offers from some carriers that, in addition to connecting, also mean changing the airport.

Las Vegas McCarran Airport is located 8 km from the city and has 2 terminals, which are connected by a free tram with three lines. To get from Terminal 1 to gates C, follow the green line, gates D - blue, but to get from Terminal 3 to gates D, you will have to take the red line.

There are three ways to get from the airport to Las Vegas:

• by shuttle (Terminal 1 - exits 7 to 13; Terminal 3 - zero level);
• by bus (Centennial Express, Westcliff Airport Express, No. 108, 109, departure from level zero);
• by taxi (Terminal 1 - exits 1 to 4; Terminal 3 - arrivals area).

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The city of Las Vegas is the epitome of vanity and American megalomania in its purest form. Everything is “the best” here: the largest, most expensive, highest, deepest .. The largest bottle of Coca-Cola, the largest gold bar, the largest singing fountains. This is a city that dazzles with gold dust and flaunts it. Everything here is aimed at setting you on the “right wave” as quickly and efficiently as possible: so that you start and do not stop spending your hard-earned money in numerous casinos for as long as possible and at the same time not be distracted by trifles - so that hunger does not interfere with you, the waitresses will carefully bring food and drinks, the croupiers will rejoice like family for every dollar you win ...

There are no windows and no clocks in Las Vegas casinos - so that, God forbid, you don’t remember how many hours / days / weeks you have been trying to catch your luck by the tail. Some really succeed, but for the majority, the memory of the “fun” city of Las Vegas is left with devastated bank accounts and vague memories.

But all this applies to the players - and besides them, there are ordinary travelers in Vegas. These are those who do not play or play "for show" and for whom Las Vegas is not the center of the universe, but just a bright spot on the map of Nevada. It is travelers who are interested in "what to see in Las Vegas", and not "where to play in the smoke" and this short story about the city of Las Vegas and its attractions is addressed. So..

Once an oasis in the Nevada desert (the very name of the city of Las Vegas means "floodplain meadows"), the first birth of the future gambling capital of the United States took place in 1829, when a lost caravan stopped at this place. Rebirth - when the tiny town was made a refueling point for steam locomotives coming from Salt Lake City V Los Angeles. But for some reason, the official date of birth of the city of Las Vegas is May 15, 1905, although by this time it was already full of gambling halls and saloons. Historians insist on 1864 as the date of the emergence of Las Vegas - it was then that the question arose of legalizing gambling in the state of Nevada. Mormon influence was quite strong in the then USA - and in neighboring Utah, the "stronghold" of the Mormons, gambling was prohibited, and remains illegal to this day. But there were not so many moralists in Nevada, and already in 1869 gambling was legalized - which predetermined the direction of development of the city of Las Vegas, and not only it. As usual, the authorities have repeatedly changed their position in relation to gambling - for example, in 1909 the cup of patience ran out and the government launched a powerful attack on the "dens", where gambling was often accompanied by criminal showdowns. However, already in 1911, the pendulum swung back and serious indulgences were introduced - for example, games were again allowed without "entry fees" and whose participants, according to the rules, had to mix the deck. From that moment on, Las Vegas became the center of attraction for professional gamblers - there was not a single saloon in the city where they would not play poker.

In 1915, poker was supplemented with several more legalized games, and the first slot machines appeared in some advanced establishments. However, until the middle of the 20th century, Las Vegas did not stand out among others like it, until one day a wheel burst at a certain Thomas Hull on the outskirts of the city. While the damage was being repaired, Hull toiled with idleness - and the idea came to him that a hotel located right on the road would not hurt to have its own casino - and then many sufferers would not have to drag themselves to downtown Las Vegas, where until that moment everyone was crowded entertainment establishments. According to legend, from this moment begins the history of the main attraction of Las Vegas (consisting of a mass of smaller sights) - the world famous "Las Vegas Boulevard" or, in short, the Strip. In 1941, Hull opened the first casino hotel, El Rancho. Then Benjamin Siegel (aka "Handsome Bugsy", whose story is told in the movie "Casino" with De Niro and Sharon Stone) purchased El Cortez, and in 1946 built the chic Flamingo Hotel and Casino.

Las Vegas Attractions: Flamingo Hotel

Now, against the backdrop of the brightest Venetian or Mandalay Bay, hotel Flamingo(Las Vegas Blvd Strip 3555) does not make much impression, but, in fact, the current city of Las Vegas began with it. Flamingo was the lifelong dream of its creator - Siegel himself developed scenarios for luxurious shows designed to make a stunning impression on the audience, he himself designed the appearance of the future hotel, insisted on creating a grove in front of the hotel, for which the necessary amount of fertile soil was brought to Las Vegas; in addition, ponds have been dug in front of the hotel for graceful flamingos. In the end, the passion for the hotel quarreled its creator with mafia companions, which, however, did not prevent the Flamingo from opening on Christmas Day 1946. Local stars were invited to the opening of the hotel from Hollywood - who were recruited on a couple of planes, but even such advertising did not provide the hotel with instant success - for post-war America the institution was too chic and those who could afford to play in such places preferred to do it in Monaco and Monte Carlo. It should also be borne in mind that Las Vegas itself was at that time nothing more than a dusty hole somewhere in the Far West - and only the imagination and perseverance of people like Siegel made possible the appearance of modern Las Vegas in this place, one of the most striking sights of the United States. and the whole world. However, Siegel's services to the city of Las Vegas did not save him from the long arms of Lucky Luciano, along with Al Capone, one of the most famous mafiosi in the United States. According to Luciano's biography, he became interested in the outflow of funds from Flamingo and in December 1946, Siegel's fate was sealed: he was shot through the window of his house in Los Angeles. None of the Hollywood stars honored Benjamin's funeral with their presence - this could spoil the reputation, but Siegel's death had a beneficial effect on the fate of the hotel: Flamingo became known throughout the country and many wanted to visit the Las Vegas landmark that cost its creator his life.

Not far from Flamingo is the famous hotel-casino "Sahara", once the highest on the Strip and initiating the fashion for African interiors. Aft of them, "Sahara" is known for the fact that the nail of her entertainment program in 1964 there were Beatles twice. Of no small importance in turning the Sahara into one of the most popular casinos in Las Vegas was the lifting of the ban on visiting it by blacks - it was the first to open its doors to "colored" players.

It is on the Strip that 17 of the 20 largest hotels in the world are located; on my first visit to Las Vegas, I stayed in one of these, hotel-casino "Luxor"(Luxor, Las Vegas Blvd Strip 3900, www.luxor.com) - the dimensions are truly amazing.

The Luxor of Las Vegas is a life-size replica of an ancient Egyptian pyramid, and inside there is an exact copy of Tutankhamun's tomb.

The only difference is that the Egyptians used the pyramid to rest the dead, while the practical Americans used it to entertain the living. And besides, from the top of the pyramid, a most powerful ray of light goes vertically upwards; it can be seen even from space, according to the booklet at the hotel reception.

In addition to the above-mentioned goodies, the Luxor Hotel is known for its IMAX cinema.

Attractions of Las Vegas: hotel-casino "Stratosphere"

The main attraction hotel-casino "Stratosphere"(Stratosphere, www.stratospherehotel.com) in Las Vegas is its observation deck at an altitude of 350 meters:

In addition to it, at the top of the tower there is a revolving restaurant and attractions for the most desperate thrill-seekers:

Attraction Insanity the Ride It is set at a height of 274 meters and is a carousel in the form of claws located in a star with chairs under them. After landing and fixing the tourists in the chairs, the mechanism takes the carousel out of the tower, where it begins to rotate in a circle at a speed of about 65 km / h - those who dare to ride this attraction can observe the city of Las Vegas from a height of about 300 meters (if they don't screw up).

Attraction X-Scream is located at an altitude of 264 m. It is an open trailer, driving off to the side of the tower, swinging and braking sharply - which, presumably, greatly entertains the thrill hunters sitting in it.

big shot- entertainment at a height of 329 meters, is considered the highest attraction in the world.

skyjump- a jump from a height of 261 meters, those who want to experience it for themselves in flight overcome 108 floors of the Stratosphere Tower.

Las Vegas Attractions: Roller Coaster

Between copies of the famous New York skyscrapers, standing close to each other and forming the "island of New York", winding furious "roller coaster" (in America they are called "Russian") - another brightest attraction of the city of Las Vegas.

An interesting effect: if you happen to be in this mini-New York at night, then you may not immediately notice the slides themselves - they are laid at a height of several floors. But sooner or later you will definitely hear them: first, heart-rending screams and squeals will be heard from the darkness, and then, raising your head, you will be able to distinguish wagons with desperate passengers flying at breakneck speed. After watching them (cars make dead loops, rotate around their axis, and all this is at the height of an average skyscraper), I personally did not dare to ride - it was too extreme for me.

After weighing all the pros and cons, instead of such a flight, I went to skip a shot at a nearby Coyote Ugly Bar, a cult and iconic place - you can find out where the cult came from from the film of the same name.

Attractions of Las Vegas: hotels-casinos "Paris" and "Bellagio"

Having been in mini-New York, you can get to "Paris"(“Paris”, Las Vegas Blvd Strip 3655) - at least the main symbols of the European "city of light" in the face of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe are present there - and even look very good upon closer inspection.

The entrance to the copy of the Eiffel Tower is inside the hotel - climbing up, you can admire the views of the city of Las Vegas from a height of 140 meters (tickets are sold inside the hotel in the Eiffel store). From this observation deck it is also very convenient to watch the show of dancing fountains near the Bellagio Hotel, located next door.

Bellagio Hotel-Casino(Bellagio) - in addition to one of the best dancing fountain shows in the world, it houses two of the three best restaurants in Las Vegas: Le Cirque And Picasso(both recipients of the prestigious US AAA Five Diamond Award). Returning to the dancing fountains: water extravaganzas from more than a thousand fountains, accompanied by classical and modern compositions, take place every fifteen minutes - I recommend watching them from two different angles: from the side of the pool with fountains and from the height of the observation deck of "Paris" - both times will be the most different and eminently worthy impressions.

In addition to the fountain show and the best restaurants, Bellagio is famous for its art museum (by the way, this is one of the few places in Las Vegas where they charge $ 12 for admission), there are masterpieces of such masters as Goya, Picasso, Degas and others. According to information from the electronic guide to the museum, the exposition costs about the same as the hotel itself - $ 1.7 billion.

Not far from "Paris" and "Bellagio" there is another attraction of Las Vegas, which is a must-see - hotel-casino "Caesar's Palace"(Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, Strip, 3570). The first floor and the park in front of the hotel are so skillfully lined with copies of ancient Roman sculptures that it is quite possible to mix up the eras for a while. On top of that, Caesar's Palace hosts a massive (you can apply the word to pretty much everything in Las Vegas) Creation of Earth show, complete with flames, roar and laser special effects.

Another attraction of Las Vegas is the out-of-stellar Mirage Hotel:

Inside "Mirage"(Mirage, Las Vegas Blvd Strip, www.mirage.com) white tigers roam, and you can also find a rainforest, a lagoon, waterfalls, a dolphin pool and an artificial volcano that erupts every half hour (from 19:00 to midnight).

Attractions of Las Vegas: hotel "Venetian"

Venetian(www.venetian.com) - here real gondolas float along artificial channels; in them - almost real gondoliers sing very similar to real Venetian barcarolles; tourists, usually Asians, are delighted.

After meeting with another overseas Venice (the previous one was in Los Angeles – Venice City) I went to treasure island, the road to which from there is only a couple of minutes. In general, the city of Las Vegas is very reminiscent of a giant theme amusement park, where from "New York" you get to "Venice", then to "Paris" - and so on.

Entertainment complex "Treasure Island"(Treasure Island, Las Vegas Blvd Strip 3300, www.treasureisland.com) is famous for its evening show Sirens' of Treasure Island, which takes place in a specially built "seaside village" with a canal dug around it. The performance is full of pirate romance, dancing beauties and fights on the masts - at the end of it, an entire English frigate goes under water.

South of the Venetian is located Imperial Palace Hotel, notable for its huge concert hall, where Elvis Presley once performed, and the museum of vintage cars, among the exhibits of which you can find the Rolls-Roys of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II, Hitler's Mercedes and the Packard of the Emperor of Japan Hirohito. The museum is located on the fifth floor of the Imperial Palace Hotel, (Las Vegas Blvd Strip 3535, www.autocollections.com).

Excalibur Hotel-Casino, built in the form of a fairy-tale castle - inside this impression is greatly enhanced:

Las Vegas Attractions: Mandalay Bay Casino Hotel

Mandalay Bay Casino Hotel (www.mandalaybay.com) is the "pearl" of my personal list of "what to see in Las Vegas" - at least from those Las Vegas city casino hotels that were available for "people from the street", it seemed to me the most interesting and stylish.

This hotel is famous for its topless pool (admission is paid for men) and a glass underwater tunnel where you can admire sharks, “golden” crocodiles, stonefish - one of the most poisonous fish on Earth, and other aquatic fauna.

Transportation in Las Vegas

There are two types of buses: SDX express and DEUCE regular buses, bus tickets are valid for both SDX express and DEUCE - DEUCE buses have more stops and they travel noticeably slower than SDX, since almost every stop in the central part of the Strip includes and there are crowds of tourists. A ticket for an unlimited number of trips for 2 hours costs $ 6, they are sold only in vending machines, the vending machine does not give change. Large bills can be exchanged in special change machines in any of the surrounding casinos, of which there are many. The city also has a 6 km monorail along the Strip. Trains run at a height of about eight meters, so that, in addition to a purely transport function, the monorail can also successfully perform a sightseeing function.

Stops are located near the main large casino hotels of the Strip, such as Flamingo-Caesars, Bally's-Paris, MGM Grand, Luxor and the like. Opening hours - from 8:00 to 24:00.

How to get to the complex where all Las Vegas airport rental cars are located

First, take the DEUCE bus to the southern bus station, then take bus 117 from there for two stops, the address of the complex is 7135 Gilespie street.

The return of a rented car in rental cars located at the Las Vegas airport is organized very simply: you drive into the parking lot and then follow the signs with the name of your rental company (all rental cars operating at Las Vegas McCarran Airport are located in this complex). Having driven by the signs to the Hertz parking lot, I waited for an employee who marked the fuel level in the tank and something else in the documents. After that, leaving the keys in the car, I went to the office for an invoice, which indicated the final cost of renting a car. I was once again told that I did not have to pay anything for my adventure with an engine crankcase pierced in Monument Valley and insurance covered it.

Rent-a-car is not located at the airport itself, but not far from it and between it and the Las Vegas airport terminals, a free bus runs, travel time is about 5 minutes.

How to get to Las Vegas from Moscow

There are currently no direct flights between Russian cities and Las Vegas, so you will have to fly with at least one transfer - in New York or in one of the European hubs; the minimum price for round-trip tickets is $600

To search for flights to Las Vegas, you can use this search form:

How to get from Los Angeles to Las Vegas

You can come to the fun city of Las Vegas in different ways - by planes, buses, rented or private cars. Personally, I remember most of all my second visit there: when in half a day I drove a car for almost 500 miles across the territory of the three states and in the dead of night bright lights appeared on the horizon in a lowland in the middle of the desert - for me at that moment Las Vegas was the same a welcome oasis, as it was for those first pilgrims from the lost caravan. For auto travelers, the city of Las Vegas is very convenient and comfortable: no problems with parking near casino hotels or other attractions, plus the opportunity to visit amazingly interesting national parks located within reach: Grand Canyon, Death Valley, monument valley and others.

If there is no car and no desire to rent it, then getting to Las Vegas from the cities of the American West Coast, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, is most convenient by bus. First you need to get to the local terminal of the Greyhound bus carrier and take their express bus to Las Vegas (for example, from Los Angeles to Las Vegas can be reached in four hours) - that's exactly what I drove. In order not to step over the homeless citizens sleeping on the sidewalks great country and Mexican illegal immigrants, I decided not to walk to the aforementioned Los Angeles bus terminal (although it was quite possible, the weather was good, the walk would have been about an hour), I got there by bus. From downtown Los Angeles, the bus terminal can be reached by bus routes 60 (longer) and 760 (faster). On the bus on the way to Las Vegas, I met an Armenian who has been living in the US for 25 years, works as a glassblower and, due to the lack of work in his specialty in Los Angeles, goes to Las Vegas to earn money. He, in the joy of meeting with a former compatriot, gave me homemade pies with cabbage, cheese and potatoes - objections and refusals were not accepted.

Life hack: how I save on hotels and insurance

In addition to traditional and well-known tools such as Booking or Hotellook, new online services have recently appeared that make life much easier for the traveler and pleasantly protect the thickness of his wallet. One of them - roomguru I use it all the time and recommend it to all my friends and family. This service compares prices for an object in 30 booking systems at once, and offers you the most interesting options. In addition, it tracks discounts and special offers.

As for a good working travel insurance, it was not easy to find it before, but now it has become even more difficult due to the constant fluctuations of the ruble against world currencies. For the past few years, I have taken out insurance for my travels through an online service.

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I wish you bright impressions and photos from the “gambling capital” of the USA, the city of Las Vegas!
Your Roman Mironenko

Landmarks of Las Vegas- these are sometimes the most vivid impressions of the entire trip to the States. Memorable and attractive, like an oasis in the desert, they leave a long memory. The main thing is to figure out what is really worthwhile thing in this chaos of excitement, and what is just a fake that will not stand the test of time. I bring to your attention an overview of the best and most popular attractions that every tourist who comes to Nevada must see. We are talking about the famous casino hotels, and natural attractions near Vegas, and the many entertainments and shows of the City of Sins. Traveling with this list, you will definitely get a taste of the most gambling city in the USA and will know for sure what everyone saw in Las Vegas.

First of all, of course, it is worth saying that in Las Vegas it is simply necessary to play casino in blackjack, place a bet on roulette, or at least once go to one of the slot machines (they are also called one-armed bandits in the old fashioned way) that meet travelers right at the airport and are located on every corner of the city, as well as on the border with other states in border towns. Initially, after all, Las Vegas at the beginning of the 20th century was created as the gambling capital of the United States. However, today it has undergone great changes, and from small scattered casinos has grown into a rich collection of themed hotels and entertainment complexes for literally every taste, where not only bets are placed, but also go to concerts of famous singers, shows of popular artists and circus performers.

So, if the spirit of excitement is not alien to you, then maybe it’s worth playing a little. But be careful, because luck is a tricky lady!

What else is there in Las Vegas? What to see for those who do not like gambling, but the atmosphere of Vegas still temptingly attracts. I’ll say right away: go to the main entertainment street of Vegas - Strip- this is one huge attraction 6.5 km long!

Here's what to do in Las Vegas:

As you can see, Las Vegas is full of the most interesting entertainment, events, shows and tours. To visit just a part of them, it will take more than one day. If you are traveling around the USA on your own, then I advise you to stay in Sin City for a few days in one of the good hotels, and leisurely see the most interesting sights of Las Vegas for you. Well, for those who came on the tour, I recommend that you carefully listen to everything during the tour and then spend your free time with maximum benefit.

Useful article:

Now let's talk about all the most popular attractions in Las Vegas more.

And let's start with the most famous attraction in Las Vegas - this is Bellagio fountains, which are located right in front of the entrance to the Bellagio hotel. The whole complex is a copy of the amazing villas of Northern Italy, where you can walk along art galleries and like visiting Lake Como, one of the main sources of inspiration for Italian art.

The Bellagio fountains are located right on the surface of this lake. Beautiful geysers (1200 in number) shoot water into the air every half an hour during the daytime, and in the evening (until midnight) every fifteen minutes, and dance to various music, from Gene Kelly to Michael Jackson. See the Bellagio fountains There are two ways to get to Las Vegas:

• While walking along the lake located in the middle of the Strip;
• From the window of a hotel or restaurant** located next to the Bellagio fountains.

** Reservations for tables in restaurants near the Bellagio fountains must be made in advance.

Best places to see dancing fountains in las vegas, are in restaurants The Eifel Tower(Hotel Paris) and Giada(Hotel Cromwell).

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2. Extreme sky jumps from the Stratosphere tower ()

Who's afraid high altitude, so it's better not to climb Stratosphere Tower, towering 350 meters above Las Vegas so that it can be seen from almost any part of the city. But those who dare and want to get an adrenaline rush and experience extreme emotions can try to soar up with a rocket on an unusual attraction. big shot is a giant jump 49 meters up to the stratosphere! This is not just a test, but also an opportunity to feel the moment of weightlessness at the peak of the jump.

But that's not all, because the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas has other interesting attractions for those who like to test themselves and tickle their nerves. X Scream will spin you over the city on a giant arm, and Insanity will begin to randomly release above the ground and lift back at various angles with coups.

You can also jump from the Stratosphere tower from the largest bungee in the world. Skydiving skyjump is a 253-meter head-down jump that is very popular in Vegas.

If you want to experience these unforgettable sensations, then I recommend staying in a hotel.

Here is the cost of tickets for attractions in the Stratosphere:

• Entrance to the Stratosphere Tower for adults costs $20, children from 3 to 12 years old get a ticket for $12. For those who live in a room at the Stratosphere Hotel, discount coupons are provided, and the entrance ticket costs only $5;
• An all-day pass (includes entrance to the Tower) costs $39.95;
• Three rides on Big Shot, X Scream, and Insanity are $35, two rides are $30, and you can try just one for $25;
• Sky Jump will cost from $100 to $119 per person.

3. Gondola ride in Venice (Hotel The Venetian)

One of the most popular places in Las Vegas is a hotel-casino Venice, which recreates the atmosphere and architecture of the northern Italian city, standing on the water. There is Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge and, of course, gondola rides along the canals.

What do tourists usually do in Venice, Italy? Of course they ride in gondola with a gondolier, colorfully dressed in a costume from the times of the Republic of Venice. Similarly, in the Venice of America in the middle of Las Vegas, you can ride a gondola along the canals along the houses and listen to Italian serenade songs.

Gondolas in Las Vegas depart from St. Mark's Square. The cost of the trip starts from $21.

Hotel Venice (The Venetian) 5 stars in Las Vegas

4. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum (Madame Tussauds Las Vegas)

First Wax Museum Madame Tussauds in the USA has hundreds of statues of stars, which are exact copies of celebrities. It is located in the building of the shopping center Grand Canal (Grand Canal Shoppes) next to the hotel The Venetian. Basically, here you can see American celebrities from different times. Contemporaries are represented here in the form of wax figures: Nikki Minaj, Will Smith, Johnny Depp, Ricky Martin, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Lady Gaga and many others.

Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas is open from 10:00 to 21:00, on Friday and Saturday - until 22:00, and on Thursday - a short day, closes at 16:00. Occasionally it hosts special events and opening hours may vary. Entrance fee: $29.95 for adults, and tickets for children (4-12 years old) - $19.95. A family ticket for two parents and two children will cost $80.

5. Go to one of the shows of the Circus of the Sun (Cirque du Soleil)

Performances of the world famous circus Cirque du Soleil take place in Las Vegas in several halls at once. Therefore, you can purchase tickets and visit several unique shows on different days. It is best to stay at the MGM Grand Hotel or Bellagio.

If you want to watch certain performances, it is better to book tickets in advance, because all shows are designed for the interests of different visitors, and even despite the high price, they end quickly.

Will be delighted with water acrobats and clowns in the show O and Ka Cirque du Soleil, and adults will appreciate the magic of the Mystere show. Beatles fans will of course choose Love and Michael Jackson fans will buy tickets to the One show.

Here is a list of all Cirque du Soleil shows you can watch in Las Vegas:

• Mystère at Treasure Island Hotel
• 'O' in Bellagio
• Zumanity's New York-New York
• KA at the MGM Grand
• Love in the Mirage
• Criss Angel Believe in Luxor
• Zarkana in Aria

What to do in Las Vegas: what to go and what to see

Now I will tell you in detail about what else you can do in Las Vegas, as well as where to go and what will be interesting to see near Las Vegas.

1. Go to conquer the Martian rocks near Vegas in Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire

Near Las Vegas, there are two amazing parks with curious sandstone formations - these are Red Rock Canyon And Valley of Fire. If you arrive in the morning, you can see how the rocks are painted in such a bright red or red color, as if on fire. A trip along the main attractions and trekking to curious and hidden geological formations can take half a day or an entire daylight hours.

Entrance to Red Rock Canyon - $7, ticket to the Valley of Fire - $10.

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2. Take a tour of the Grand Canyon

- This is the most famous natural attraction in the United States, which is located in the state of Arizona, not very far from Las Vegas. Officially, the Grand Canyon is called the Grand Canyon for a reason. He really is just huge! From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon you can go to different viewing platforms. And on the way, make a stop at Lake Mead and look at the Hoover Dam.

• The closest thing to go to the so-called Western Rome Grand Canyon, where observation platform Skywalk with a transparent floor, which is located on the territory. Travel time from Las Vegas will take about 2 hours one way.
  How to get to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas? You can buy a bus (from $ 120 per person, it is profitable to go alone), fly over it in a helicopter (about $ 500 per person) or rent a car to go on your own (it will be cheaper for two than by bus). I recommend looking at prices and booking a car.
• The most visited part of the Grand Canyon National Park is this. By car, it’s worth going there for two days, so as not to regret that you didn’t manage to fully enjoy the beauty. You must first book a hotel near the Grand Canyon or settle in a lodge or campsite right in the park. Read all the details.
• And the most distant, but also the most beautiful Grand Canyon is best visited along with other attractions nearby - national parks and, for example, or go further into the city to see the famous one.

Read detailed articles with practical information about a trip to the Grand Canyon:

3. Relax in an upscale hotel spa or soak by the pool