Bugsy Siegel opened the original Flamingo Hotel in 1946
In this photo provided by the Las Vegas News Bureau, the Flamingo Hotel before the Las Vegas Strip goes dark for an hour on a busy Saturday night to show support for Earth Hour and emphasizing the importance of energy conservation. Saturday, March 26, 2011. (Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Glenn Pinkerton)
By Donna Larson
Feelin’ lucky? Take a trip to one of the biggest gambling centers in the world — Las Vegas. Not everyone’s luck is as good as the winner of the $27.6 million jackpot at the Palace Station Hotel Casino in 1996, but nearly every hotel and all casinos provide the opportunity to test Lady Luck.
But Vegas isn’t just “Sin City”; there is plenty to see and do.
A local resident since the early 1960s, Paul Santa Cruz has seen his hometown go through some major transformations.
“Years back, a person could slip the maître d’ a few bucks for a front row seat at a big show. Now you don’t get anywhere with that,” says Santa Cruz. “It used to be just gambling and some shows, but not anymore. Use your imagination and Vegas has it.”
In Vegas, you can take a trip to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower; ride a gondola in Venice; visit the Sphinx or pyramids of Egypt — and do it all in one day.
“Most hotels have a theme,” says Santa Cruz. “Some hotels like the Bellagio, Venetian and Luxor have an international theme. The food, decor and staff all fit the theme so that you feel like you’re in another country. Vegas is the adult playground.”
A favorite spot for Arizona local Susan Oliveira is the Reef at Mandalay Bay, North America’s only predator-based aquarium and exhibit. In all, there are more than 2,000 animals in 1.6 million gallons of water. As a diver and former resident of Hawaii, Oliveira is impressed with the exhibit.
“It’s quite an experience to see sharks, giant rays, jellies, endangered green sea turtles, and other sea creatures up close.”
Another favorite attraction is the 117,000-gallon aquarium that earned the Silverton Hotel and Casino the distinction of “best free attraction” in Las Vegas. The aquarium will transport you to a tropical oasis where you can admire more than 4,000 tropical fish and three species each of stingrays and sharks. During the feeding shows, staff marine biologists are equipped with full-face communication masks and answer guests’ questions. And of course it wouldn’t be Las Vegas without a mermaid swimming by.
You can also get a different view of Vegas, from the air. Tours on Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters out of McCarran International Airport fly over the Las Vegas Strip day and night, and an even more breathtaking ride is over the majestic Grand Canyon.
Vegas also offers multiple theme-park attractions and thrills for all ages. The Stratosphere X-Scream at the Stratosphere Tower is a roller coaster experience 900 feet above the ground. The Fremont Street Experience just off the Strip brings the night alive with music, dancing and the ever-popular Zip Line. Known as the “world’s biggest street party,” the Fremont Street Experience takes up five city blocks for street performers, food and drink specials, and spectacular light and sound shows.
One of the nation’s largest shopping centers, Fashion Show Mall is located on the Strip. It has more than 200 specialty retailers, restaurants and the Cloud — an elliptical steel super structure, larger than a football field, that hovers 20 stories above the entrance to the mall. The Cloud provides shade during those hot Vegas days and at night it becomes a multi-colored projection screen that brightens the Vegas night. The weekend runway shows attract fashion-conscious visitors to check out the latest trends.
Though known for its glitz and glamour, Las Vegas still attracts visitors to desert parks and preserves similar to those in Arizona. The Springs Preserve is known as the birthplace of Las Vegas and at one time had a natural spring. Today it is a combination of natural gardens and museums where visitors can learn about the history of the area while enjoying magnificent works of art situated in beautiful Mojave Desert. Hiking, mountain biking and desert tours are also popular for outdoor excursionists, and the beautiful vistas attract visitors, and locals, looking to take a break from the city lights.
From glamorous shows to a peaceful hike, a unique experience awaits just a short flight away. No matter what your interest, or how large or small your budget, Las Vegas has it all.
Time to get away and play.
Now one of the most famous adult playgrounds is easier to visit for East Valley residents. In mid-November, Allegiant Airlines began new nonstop jet service between Mesa and Las Vegas.
“We are excited to offer new service between the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport and Las Vegas,” says Andrew C. Levy, president of Allegiant Airlines. “The Phoenix-Mesa community has long been asking for this service and we answered with low fares and great deals on hotels, car rentals and show tickets.”
Plan your trip with Allegiant packages including airfare, hotel and entertainment. Visit www.allegiantair.com for more information.
Las Vegas hasn’t always been a city of neon lights. The Southern Paiute inhabited the hot desert area known as Las Vegas long before the first European arrived in 1829. Twenty-five years later, the Mormons established a fort and the area gradually drew more settlers. Nevada legalized gambling in 1931 and with it came new development.
Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo Hotel in 1946 and by the 1950s such famous hotels as the Sands, Dunes, Tropicana and Stardust opened their doors. At the same time, the intrigue and publicity of the Senate-televised hearings on organized crime turned into a publicity bonanza for Las Vegas.
The mystique and excitement of Vegas continues to draw millions of visitors from around the world.