About Las Vegas
As the second most popular travel destination in the country and called "The Entertainment Capital of the World," Las Vegas amuses a staggering 32 million visitors a year. The famous 4-mile stretch known as the "Strip" is aglow with flashing neon, all-night casinos and major hotels like Caesars Palace, The Mirage, MGM Grand, and so many more. Travel further downtown to popular Freemont Street - blanketed by an impressive laser light canopy - gives tourists a taste of Old Vegas. There is more here than just casinos and entertainment venues. The city boasts many museums, art galleries, amusement parks, and historical sites. Natural attractions abound on all sides, including picturesque views of Red Rock Canyon, numerous recreational opportunities atop Mt. Charleston, and water sports on Lake Mead. Nearby are the Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, and Death Valley.
Las Vegas Facts
Fact 1: If you're driving into Las Vegas, do it at night the glow of the city's bright lights is discernible from fifty miles out. Do fill your gas tank when you have the chance, though. The next gas station could be an hour away.
Fact 2: The city's average high temperature is 105° (which it reaches in July and August), and the average low drops to 30°. The good news is that, thanks to its informal character, Vegas has no strictly enforced dress code. Only a few of the finer restaurants require more formal attire. So, pack accordingly, warm or cool, depending on the season.
Fact 3: With appropriate planning, you should have no trouble finding a place to stay in Vegas. The city has 102,000-plus rooms more than any other city in the world! Even better, rates are 50% to 90% lower than in other major cities!
Fact 4: Las Vegas has been the fastest-growing city in the United States for ten years in a row. In fact, growth has been so rapid that the city ranks as the only one that requires two editions of the Yellow Pages to be printed every year.
Fact 5: An interesting fact: $5.8 billion was collected from gamblers in 2002. To put that into perspective, it's the equivalent of raking in $184 every second of every day for an entire year.
Fact 6: In some Vegas restaurants, you can eat at a buffet for as little as $1.99. In addition, new restaurants open every week, offering options to satisfy a multitude of different tastes.
Fact 7: It would be almost impossible to visit Las Vegas and not gamble. In fact, 9 out of 10 visitors test Lady Luck during their stays in Sin City. If you're wondering, black jack and video poker offer the best odds for winning in local casinos.
Fact 8: The 50-foot cowboy and cowgirl you'll see in the city are named Vegas Vic and Vegas Vicky. Now considered a veteran of silent hospitality, Vegas Vic has been welcoming visitors to Las Vegas since 1951.
Fact 9: Weddings have always been a big part of the Vegas scene, and more than 100,000 couples get married in the city every year. All it takes to get hitched is a quick trip to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau, complete with $35, an ID and your soon-to-be-spouse.
Fact 10: If you want a panoramic view of Vegas and its surroundings, ride to the top of The Stratosphere. The free-standing observation tower is the tallest building west of the Mississippi.
Las Vegas Weather
Sat October 11
Morning clouds. Refreshingly cool.
Sun October 12
Passing clouds. Refreshingly cool.
Mon October 13
Passing clouds. Refreshingly cool.
