There is only one Sin City. Las Vegas, Nevada may be more notorious than it is liked, more over the top than it is humble, and perhaps even a bit offensive to cultures around the world. The city of decadence, gambling, excess and glamour doesn’t seem to mind its rather brash descriptions. The city just gets more and more over the top with colossal hotels, neon flashing signs to point you to the nearest casino, make-shift weddings and of course the occasional Elvis impersonator. What began humbly as a settlement in the 18th century in the heart of the Mojave Desert is no longer humble or reserved. Las Vegas is in your face. The city will leave you seeing spots whether due to too much partying or the sheer amounts of bright lights radiating from its strip nightly.
Many of the attractions in Las Vegas revolve around the city’s casinos. The Wynn Las Vegas stands where the famed Desert Inn once called the city home. While one of Las Vegas’ newest landmarks, the 10,000 square meter casino has quickly molded into the rest of the city’s casino scene. The Wynn Las Vegas is much more than just a casino. It holds an art gallery, golf course, and yes, even a 46-meter high mountain complete with five-storey waterfall.
Another landmark casino in Las Vegas is without question the MGM Grand. Said to be the largest hotel in the entire world, the MGM Grand boasts over 5,000 rooms. The casino area alone covers 15,300 square meters. However, the MGM Grand may be best known for its Grand Garden Area, home to many a good fight or two or American’s boxing scene.
Nothing is real in Las Vegas, but the city likes to try its hand at imitation. Who needs Italy when they can visit Caesars Palace in Las Vegas? The lavish roman setting contains Roman columns, marble statutes, fountains and ornate staircases. Caesar’s Palace is not just home to one of Las Vegas’ many attempts at European imitation, but it also contains not one, but two casinos.
There must be something in the Las Vegas desert air that continued to stretch its limits on imitation with Italy. The Bellagio mocks the northern Italian village on the shore with its 3,200 hotel rooms and 17 restaurants. You wouldn’t even have to leave the Bellagio while in Las Vegas for it holds a little bit of everything, from a shopping mall, fine art gallery, a conservatory, botanical gardens, to a 9,000 square meter casino. Las Vegas furthers the Italian charade with The Venetian, known for its copy of Venice’s canals and gondoliers.
Las Vegas puts on shows nightly, but the show going on daily at the Liberace Museum is a sight to see. Dedicated to the performer, known for his flamboyant outfits and appearance, the museum contains just that and more. With outrageous costumes, ornate pianos, and even a Rolls Royce covered in mirrored tiles, the Liberace Museum is unlike any other. It is after all for Mr. Showmanship. Others prefer to make their own show while in Vegas, flocking to Sin City to get married of all things. The place to wed is undoubtedly the Little White Chapel, helping couples tie the knot since 1946. It has also been a favorite spot for celebrities to say, “I do” with an Elvis impersonator as their witness.
Look around at the visitors of Las Vegas. Many have that look in their eye. Perhaps it is the city’s location in the south of the state that makes Las Vegas the ideal breeding ground for excess and lust. Vegas is nonetheless something that must be seen once in a lifetime, even if it is a sight for sore eyes post neon, glitter, flashy viewing.
