In 1995, the Fremont Street Experience opened in Las Vegas’s downtown area. In 1951, nuclear weapons testing began at the Nevada Test Site, 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Las Vegas. The Spanish “las vegas” or “the meadows” (more precisely, lower land near a river) in English, was applied to describe the fertile lowlands near the springs. The city’s tolerance for numerous forms of adult entertainment has earned it the nickname “Sin City,” and has made it a popular setting for films, literature, television programs, commercials and music videos. At the close of the 20th century, it was the most populated North American city founded within that century.
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The former city hall building is now occupied by the corporate headquarters for the online retailer Zappos.com, which opened downtown in 2013. It was built within city limits, in front of the Strat resort and north of Sahara Avenue. The center of the gambling and entertainment industry is the Las Vegas Strip, outside the city limits in the surrounding unincorporated communities of Paradise and Winchester in Clark County. The most notable of the early casinos may have been Binion’s Horseshoe (now Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel) while it was run by Benny Binion.citation needed The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, downtown along the Fremont Street Experience, is the oldest continuously operating hotel and casino in Las Vegas; it opened in 1906 as the Hotel Nevada.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas Review for 2026
Van Aken is quick to highlight the resort’s “impressive and interesting” collection, including specially curated murals and sculptures. Located on the northern end of the Strip, the ultra-luxe Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened its doors in December 2023 after 16 years of construction. With floor-to-ceiling glass walls and postcard-worthy Strip views, the 100,000-square-foot casino at the swanky Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is a favorite of Van Aken.
- In addition to table games and a swanky sportsbook (The Tavern), there are 105 high limit slots and video poker machines.
- A recent report from the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, projects that the city will host 40.1 million visitors in 2026, representing a 2.4 percent increase over 2025.
- The Desert Research Institute’s southern campus sits next to UNLV, while its northern campus is in Reno.
- “I’m telling everybody in Canada, please come,” Berkley said at the time.
- The Spanish “las vegas” or “the meadows” (more precisely, lower land near a river) in English, was applied to describe the fertile lowlands near the springs.
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Latest figures show there are more than 400 casinos in Nevada with 63 of them in Las Vegas alone. Choosing the best casinos in Las Vegas is like choosing your favourite child, or pet, or chocolate bar. Explore a world of top-tier gaming andenhance your onsite casino journey.
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A replica welcome sign, standing nearly 16 feet (4.9 m) tall, was installed within city limits in 2002, at Las Vegas Boulevard and Fourth Street. In 1929, the city installed a welcome arch over Fremont Street, at the corner of Main Street. The Four Queens also operates downtown along the Fremont Street Experience.citation needed
- The Four Queens also operates downtown along the Fremont Street Experience.citation needed
- While you’re welcoming in 2026, check out these additional can’t-miss experiences and don’t forget to explore the various hotel packages and deals!
- It’s the city that embodies the spirit of ‘all or nothing’, where every moment spent is a heart-throbbing race of chance and luck.
- Reservations are required for both indoor and patio seating, and you’ll be in the center of the action when the fireworks launch at midnight.
- Las Vegas is synonymous with world-class casinos, offering a dazzling array of gaming experiences that attract millions of visitors each year.
- Vegas gamblers are famous for burning the candle at both ends,” Silver wrote. “But if at every interface you feel put out — the rooms are overbudget, the food is expensive, and the odds you face at the tables are tilted even further against you — you might reconsider your next trip.”
Before you throw down your hard-earned cash in a casino, PRACTICE FIRST! Practice gambling with play money Casino only; no hotel. The newest casino on the Strip (2023).
For the ultimate splurge, Bell recommends staying in a Tower Suite, which comes Los Vegas Casino with “private entrances and dedicated concierges who deliver exceptional experiences.” “From high limit salons to its variety of 1,800-plus slot machines, this casino has so much to offer players,” says Mahdavi. Spanning more than 110,000 square feet, the casino at Wynn Las Vegas comes highly recommended.
The Bellagio Las Vegas casino is “elegance personified,” according to Fora travel advisor Jane Henzerling. “They should be greeted immediately once they are seated at a table or machine,” says Fora travel advisor Celine Mahdavi. Lynsey is a regular Las Vegas visitor and a keen slots and roulette player.
Dark, clubby casino feel that some love; great game variety. Tech-forward rooms (tablet controls, auto-drapes) and three pools; no resident show, but prime central location. Rooms are luxe and large; pools, five-star spa, and top-tier service define the experience. A sharp, much-needed spark for the north end. Opened Dec 2023 on the north Strip, blending classic Vegas glam with modern design.
Chic, vertical resort smack in the Strip’s center with a stylish 100k sq ft casino, about 1,300 slots, 80+ tables, big sportsbook, and two high-limit rooms. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a first-time visitor, Las Vegas casinos provide an unforgettable blend of excitement, elegance, and opportunity, making them a central part of the city’s legendary appeal. Following World War II, lavishly decorated hotels, gambling casinos, and big-name entertainment became synonymous with Las Vegas.
In March 2010, the RTC launched bus rapid transit link in Las Vegas called the Strip & Downtown Express with limited stops and frequent service that connects downtown Las Vegas, the Strip and the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Union Pacific Railroad is the only Class I railroad providing rail freight service to the city. Inter-city bus service to and from Las Vegas is provided by Greyhound, BoltBus, Orange Belt Stages, Tufesa, and several smaller carriers. The Desert Research Institute’s southern campus sits next to UNLV, while its northern campus is in Reno.
However, this year, another notable event occurred in the U.S. concurrently with the race—the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should have been Las Vegas’ busiest month of the year ended up being another bust for the tourism-centric city. Also for the first time, 600 synchronized drones will join the Strip’s traditional midnight show, launching from the Las Vegas Event Plaza near Wynn Las Vegas.
