Las Vegas vacations often involve sitting in one of the many well-appointed casinos, taking a chance and hoping to build up a massive bankroll.  Gambling, however, isn’t the only thing the city has to offer. Of course, Las Vegas offers a great nightlife scene, world class golfing, spas and resorts, and some of the world’s greatest shows.  Even after that, however, Vegas continues to offer more.  There are some amazing sight-seeing options that can be key parts of unforgettable Las Vegas vacations.  Let’s just review a few of the must-see sights in the Vegas area.

Hover Dam is an obvious choice.  This truly massive structure is a sight to behold and its surroundings are equally awe-inspiring.  If you want to see a true man-made miracle, you simply must make the drive to the dam.  Take the tour, too.  You’ll learn a lot about the structure and the history of the area, allowing you to leave with an even greater appreciation for both.

Everyone who visits Las Vegas should take a trip down to the Fremont Street Experience, too.  This one-of-a-kind downtown overhead light show is simply fantastic.  You can travel to city after city for your entire life without ever encountering anything like this electric extravaganza.  The show is on several times a day, making it easy to catch regardless of your schedule.  While you’re in the area, you can also sneak a peak at some of the city’s most famed and venerable casino properties.

Those who appreciate natural beauty should add a journey to Red Rock Canyon to their itinerary.  This massive federally-protected area is probably the best way to really experience the beauty and scope of the Mojave desert.  Bicyclists, hikers and climbers will find that Red Rock Canyon is a paradise.  Those less inclined toward outdoors adventure can soak in the amazing views of the Spring Mountains and Las Vegas Valley from the car while tooling down the special scenic drive.

Even if you’re staying downtown or in Henderson, Las Vegas vacations should always include a trip to The Strip.  That four-mile strip of Las Vegas Boulevard is stuffed with some of the most extravagant hotel structures ever conceived, offers amazing shopping and even boasts a few golf courses.  The Strip is Vegas at its best and its a must-see for any traveler.

There are many things to do in Las Vegas and one of the best is to take a little time away from the card tables to enjoy the sites.  Whether you’re marveling at the natural beauty of Nevada or observing some of the most impressive man-made structures around, you can find unforgettable memories and photo opportunities during Las Vegas vacations.

Las Vegas used to be were adults went to play cards, roll dice, bet ballgames, smoke, drink and to generally misbehave. You could get married in a matter of minutes at a drive through chapel and get divorced almost as quickly when you came to your senses. Vegas was an adults-only playground. Nowadays, it’s a great place for everyone. Family-friendly hotels dot the strip, advertising campaigns promote the city as a family vacation destination and you can find enough things for kids to do to keep them busy for months.

Las Vegas has grown a great deal over the last thirty years and it’s changed it’s attitude a little bit in the process. Don’t be fooled, though. Las Vegas is still the place to go if you’re an adult. Sure, there are plenty of things for the younger set, but Vegas is still a great spot to cut loose. Think about the options.

Gambling
That’s the big one and it’s still reserved for adults. If you want to surround yourself by other adults, just hit the casino floor. There’s no place in the US like Vegas. You can play just about any slot machine or table game at virtually any limit. Enjoy the cheap drinks and try to make a killing. You can even bet on sports events, something that isn’t legal anywhere else in the country.

Eating
The food in Vegas doesn’t consist merely of cheap all-you-can-eat casino buffets. The city has attracted top chefs who have built spectacular restaurants that will appeal to adult palates. If you want to go gourmet, go to Las Vegas.

Shows
Vegas has long been known for its big star shows and lounge acts. The tradition continues. You can check out big-time superstars giving awesome concerts or you can hit some of the traditional Vegas variety shows—complete with feather-wearing showgirls and comics with a knack for telling somewhat less-than-clean jokes. The entertainment options abound and many of them have a distinctly adult flavor.

Clubs
If you love the nightlife, you’ll love Las Vegas. The clubs are world-class and the party stretches deep into the night. Great atmosphere. Great music. Great drinks. Great dancing. If you have a penchant for the club scene, you’re going to fall in love with Las Vegas.

Put it all together. Where else can you take a cab to your top-notch hotel, enjoy a few cocktails in the pool while playing on a floating blackjack table, get a great meal, see a world-class show, go clubbing until sunrise and top things off with a little gambling on the casino floor before you even bother laying down in your bed?

That’s grown-up fun and it’s still at the core of the Las Vegas experience. Las Vegas has expanded in popularity. Part of that growth has stemmed from the city’s efforts at attracting family vacationers, but the city has never turned its back on its primary audience—adults.

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Las Vegas vacations feature some of the most exhilarating nighttime fun possible.  Vegas is a twenty four hour city and there’s always a party going on.  Usually, there are hundreds of parties, to tell you the truth.  If you’ve ever wanted to take a trip that provided maximum opportunity for nightlife adventure, Las Vegas is the perfect destination.

In most cities, there’s a nighttime club scene to keep you busy, but there’s no place quite like Vegas.  Options are seemingly limitless in that regard.  If you want to dance the night away with live music, you’ll have more options than you can imagine.  If boogieing down at a high-style club while a DJ keeps things going is more your style, you can line up behind the velvet ropes of several top clubs.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a well-known A-lister to find a good party.  Sure, Vegas has more than its fair share of exclusive clubs populated by celebrities and “party people”.  The great thing, though, is that many of those usually off-limits places are actually accessible to the general public.  Plus, there are hundreds of clubs that are more than happy to welcome people of all types and preferences.

Not everyone is a dancer.  Some folks want a different kind of night life.  When the sun goes down over the mountains outside of Las Vegas, a variety of interesting and enticing adult pursuits become available.

There is, of course, a thriving bar scene.  Whether you’re looking for a place to fly your freak flag or prefer someplace with a little Hank Williams on the jukebox, you can find a perfect place to throw back a few adult beverages.

You can gamble the night away in the countless casinos.  Las Vegas vacations often featuring gaming as a centerpiece and hitting the slot machines or the tables in hopes of hitting a big winner is a popular overnight activity.  Enjoy the excitement—and the cheap drinks—with your friends or loved ones as you try to strike it rich.

If you’re looking for something a little more risque, Las Vegas has you covered.  From old school burlesque shows to exclusive “gentleman’s clubs”, there are adult entertainment options aplenty.  On most nights, the ladies can find risque shows that will appeal to their sensibilities.  When they say Las Vegas vacations offer something for everyone, they aren’t exaggerating.

The most annoying part of many Las Vegas vacations is the fact that your body will eventually cry out for some sleep.  There’s so much to do and so much fun to be had overnight that you might find it hard to resist pulling at least one all-nighter during your stay.  Those famous Vegas neon lights stay on from dusk until dawn, guiding the way to a cornucopia of fun night life events.

Long before a single fast-handed dealer yelled “blackjack” and pushed a stack of chips to a lucky card player, there was Las Vegas. Las Vegas pre-dates the bright lights, the shows, the all-night parties and the gorgeous resorts. The original residents of the area that now includes Las Vegas were, of course, Native Americans.  As settlers and traders pushed west, a small trading caravan gave the spot the name “Las Vegas” (“the meadows”). Mormon settlers tried to convert Native Americans. Buoyed by cheap government land sales, families tried to scrape out a living farming the Nevada land.  By the early 20th century, Las Vegas was an actual town, albeit one with under 1,000 citizens.

When Nevada loosened its divorce laws, the precursors of today’s resorts started springing up in the desert.  If you could maintain Nevada residency for six weeks, you could get a no-hassle divorce.  Dude ranches supplied a diverting place to spend those six weeks and Las Vegas was developing a reputation as the place to end your marriage by the early 1930s.

Water is a problem in the desert.  So is power.  The best way to solve those problem?  A dam.  Enter the biggest dam project anyone had ever seen—Hoover dam.  The massive engineering feat required personnel and Las Vegas became their home away from home.  Illegal gambling flourished in the dam camps and in the little town.  In 1931, the authorities decided it made more sense to bring the gaming out into the open.  With the dam project underway and a population that had grown to nearly 25,000 people, Las Vegas started earning its reputation as a gambling Mecca.

The dam was done by the late 30s.  The casinos were growing and the bright lights of “Glitter Gulch”, powered by the electricity generated by the dam, were shining.  The second World War brought a significant army training presence to Las Vegas, feeding the growing gaming industry.

Many people will tell you that the Las Vegas we know today started when two gangsters, Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo Hotel in 1946.  Earlier casinos were small, simple affairs.  The Flamingo, on the other hand, featured a world-class restaurant, venues for performances, luxury hotel space and a massive (by the time’s standards) casino floor.  It became a model for future projects and Las Vegas continued to boom.

Today, Las Vegas is an endless series of amazing casino properties connected by flashing bulbs and neon tubes.  It’s the home of many top performances, the site of magnificent resorts, and the only place in America where you can legally book a sports bet.  It’s casinos and adult cabarets.  It’s family fun and activities for the kids.  It’s a playground for everyone.

Las Vegas is one of the most famed cities in the world.  It has a reputation and a personality all of its own.  The back story is fascinating—who would’ve thought that a change in divorce laws, the construction of a hydroelectric dam, and the entrepreneurial instinct of mobsters would combine to produce something on the scale of Las Vegas?

Las Vegas vacations inevitably involve a trip to at least one or two of the many awesome casinos that have made the city famous.  While many travelers will be chomping at the bit to sit down at a high stakes table, others might approach the whole situation with some trepidation.

Not everyone is a veteran gambler.  In fact, many of the folks who head west on Las Vegas vacations have never placed a wager in their lives.  That can be intimidating.  There’s money on the line and it seems like everyone else is up-to-speed with the hustle and bustle of the casinos. Las Vegas vacations can be an absolute blast and a good time at the casino is often the highlight of a trip.

Enjoying a few games of chance while in Vegas shouldn’t be scary.  It should be fun!  Here are a few tips for novice gamblers that will make their first casino visit a little less intense and a lot more entertaining.

First, stick to relatively simple games.  Some games are more involved and complicated than others.  For instance, craps has literally thousands of betting possibilities, its own unique vocabulary and a lot of fast action.  It might not be the best place for a new gamer to try his or her luck.  Poker is a game of skill and Vegas attracts many skilled players who don’t have a lot of patience for someone who needs to be reminded whether three of a kind beats two pairs (it does) or who don’t know the difference between a big blind and a check raise.  The poker tables aren’t a great place for a newbie gambler to cut his or her teeth.

If, on the other hand, you can stick to relatively simple games.  Slot machines, obviously, are very easy to play.  Blackjack isn’t particularly complicated and almost anyone can master the basic strategy in a short period of time.  You’ll feel more comfortable when you understand the game.

Second, play at low limit tables and don’t over-bet. There are a few reasons for this.  First, tables that have low limits usually attract more newer players.  You’ll be “among your own” with a dealer who is prepared to deal with occasional delays, errors and questions.  It’s a more comfortable environment.  Second, it’s easier to lose a bundle than it is to win one.  Novice gamblers should stay away from situations that make it too easy to lose too much quickly.

Finally, take advantage of lessons.  You might not know it, but almost every resort casino in Las Vegas will give you free lessons about how the various games are played.  You can learn the ins and outs of the games that interest you before you ever put a single chip on the felt.  Free lessons are a great way of developing the kind of comfort level that make Las Vegas vacations less intimidating and more fun.

You can have a great time gaming even if you’re completely inexperienced.   Following the three simple tips outlined here can render even a first-time novice comfortable in a casino setting.

Freebies at the MGM Grand

The MGM Grand offers the Lion Habitat, which is fun for all ages. Just look up and you’ll be able to see the huge cats groom themselves, play, and eat. There’s also a store right next to the habitat where you can buy lion themed items. Kids and adults alike will love watching the cats and there’s only a thin slab of glass that separates you from them. While you’re at the MGM, consider watching and rating new television shows at the research center, which is located by the pool. New shows from several networks are previewed in order to gauge audience reaction and some participants are chosen for longer focus groups, some of which are paid. Some people are even lucky enough to watch a new movie and get paid for their time and opinions.

Free Thunderstorm

You’ve never paid for a thunderstorm before, so why start now? Experience a computer generated one at the Miracle Mile Shopping Mall, which is attached to the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino. Hear the thunder roll while the lightning strikes and the rain beats down.

Also, be sure and visit M&M’s World and the Coca-Cola, shop, both of which are on the strip and offer the kind of themed merchandise that you don’t often see. M&M’s World has about 26 different colors of M&M’s and you can even special order them with sayings or someone’s face on the tiny chocolate candies. Even if you don’t buy anything though, these two venues are fun to just walk around in.

Circus Circus

Whether or not you have kids in your party, you won’t want to miss the free circus acts at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. The show only lasts about 10 minutes but the shows start every half hour between 11 am and midnight. Limited seating is available so arrive early if you want to sit while you watch the trapeze artists, jugglers, and clowns, but if you don’t mind standing, there is plenty of room for that as well.

Las Vegas vacations inevitably involve “hitting The Strip”.  Just what is “The Strip” and why is it the city’s number one destination? The Strip is an amazing sight to behold.  It’s almost impossible to believe that so much can be crammed into such a compact area.  There are few, if any, similar examples of vacation options within a single defined area.  The Las Vegas strip is a one-of-a-kind spot!

It’s hard to imagine that so much fun, excitement and excess can be shoehorned into a single four-mile section of a city street, but that’s what’s happening on The Strip.  Officially a part of Las Vegas Boulevard South, The Strip has a taken on an identity–and a life–of its own. It started small.  The “Pair o’ Dice” casino had been down the road for ten years when El Rancho Vegas was built on today’s Strip back in 1941.  Modest by today’s standards, the first joint on the strip featured around sixty rooms.  It lasted twenty years and was just the first of many ventures to call The Strip home.  Growth came fast.

Today, this one little piece or road is the key to countless Las Vegas vacations because it hosts so many massive hotel properties.  The bulk of Vegas’ famous casinos and resorts call The Strip home.  In fact, there are nearly seventy thousand hotel rooms on that one four-mile chunk of boulevard!  The list of properties features some of the city’s most recognizable names. But The Strip isn’t just part of so many Las Vegas vacations because of the hotels and their attached casinos.  It’s the centerpiece of any Las Vegas shopping experience, the place to find some of the world’s finest cuisine and the home of countless internationally-acclaimed shows and performances.  There are even world-class golf courses nestled into The Strip.

When you see those dramatic, exciting photos of Las Vegas, you’re probably looking at a shot of The Strip.  The hotels, casinos and restaurants compete for attention in shocking ways.  The themed properties with massive external structures, amusement parks and cutting edge architecture are awash in lights, creating an absolutely unforgettable scene. There really isn’t anything that you’d want to do in Vegas that you can’t do on the strip.  Literally everything necessary to create a memorable and exciting trip is right there, jammed into those four remarkable miles.

Las Vegas vacations and The Strip are really inseparable concepts.  Even if you aren’t staying on The Strip, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself there before you leave Las Vegas.  It’s truly the heart of the city and offers everything from the world’s finest gaming to spectacular gourmet restaurants.  Travelers inevitably take in the sights, travel via the casino-operated trams, and marvel at the wild sights and sounds of The Strip.

It’s easy to think of Las Vegas as an adult town. There are the risque shows featuring scantily clad showgirls. There are bars with cheap drinks, clubs with heavy-duty parties, adult-themed shows featuring plenty of “blue” comedy and, of course, gambling. If you’re not twenty-one years old, you can’t roll the dice or bet on a football game. It’s easy to think of Las Vegas as a grown-up getaway.

There’s no doubt about it, there’s a lot of things to do for the adult set in Las Vegas. However, thinking of the city as an adults-only vacation destination overlooks the many different family-friendly activities that are available. That’s right, Las Vegas really is a great place for the whole family. Just consider a handful of the hundreds of things in Vegas that will appeal to the young and the young at heart.

Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel. The giant hydroelectric dam is an awe-inspiring site with a fascinating history. Hoover Dam tours are available and their guaranteed to drop the jaws of young and old alike.

Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Las Vegas Springs Preserve whisks visitors away from the blinking bulbs and neon of downtown and the strip, providing travelers with a great look at interactive exhibits that provide insight about the area’s ecology. Nature buffs will love the Preserve.

Las Vegas GameWorks
You may need to be twenty one to play blackjack, but there are great games available for people of any age at Las Vegas’ massive arcades. Operations like the Gameworks Arcade at Showcase Mall feature hundreds of video games and other activities suitable for all ages.

Bonnie Springs Old Nevada
Before the lights and the concerts, there were cowboys and trains. You can take a trip back in time at destinations like Bonnie Springs Old Nevada. It’s a complete old western town located within twenty miles of Las Vegas featuring everything from western souvenirs to gunfight reenactments.

Rides
Many of the casino properties offer rides that would fit in at any high-end amusement park. There’s the Gondola Ride at The Venetian, roller coasters at New York/New York, and a score of different routes to the high-rises providing an unforgettable view of the well-lit city from above.

Amusement Parks
If you want to wrap yourself up completely in the amusement park experience, you can do it at places like Adventuredome at Circus Circus. It’s one of a handful of full-featured amusement parks that will keep kids happy in Las Vegas.

There’s no shortage of family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas. You can see sharks in aquariums, make your way to the top of an Eiffel Tower replica, visit a wax museum, or do just about anything else you can imagine!

Las Vegas is a great place for the grown-ups to cut loose, but it’s also an A-plus vacation destination for those who happen to be under twenty-one. Not everything that happens in Vegas needs to stay there for the sake of discretion—there are plenty of adventures that any kid will want to talk about for years to come.

Las Vegas vacations inevitably feature at least a few shows. The strip is the best place to catch some of the more famous (and elaborate) productions. Although there are scores of great shows on the strip on any given night, a few stand out in the crowd. Let’s look at three shows that often end up being vacation highlights.

Cirque du Soleil – Various Locations

Who would’ve ever believed that French circus act would eventually become so tightly linked to Las Vegas in the public consciousness? Right now, there are no fewer than six different Cirque shows gracing the Vegas area and you can find a performance on the strip at virtually every time. Cirque shows aren’t just performances, they’re events. If you haven’t been to one, you owe it to yourself to check one out. The participants will wow you with their grace, dexterity, contortions and sense of performance.

Phantom of the Opera – Venetian Hotel and Casino
The Venetian hosts an absolutely fabulous version of this musical staple. The special effects are amazing (including an eye-popping version of the famous chandelier scene) and the venue has been completely redesigned to evoke an old French opera house. You may have seen “Phantom of the Opera” before, but you’ve never seen it like this. It’s one of the best shows on the strip and it’s a perfect example of the kind of entertainment that makes Las Vegas vacations so memorable. You don’t even need to be a fan of musicals to love “Phantom”, it’s a fantastic event no matter what yardstick you use to measure it.

Blue Man Group – Venetian Hotel and Casino
The Venetian gets another “thumbs up” for Blue Man Group, one of the most unique pieces of performance art anyone has ever seen. This fascinating blend of genres has been dropping jaws all around the world for years and never fails to entertain. It’s comedy. It’s action. It’s intense. It’s fun. It’s Blue Man Group and it is one of the best things going on the strip. Blue Man Group has been simultaneously defying explanation and enchanting full houses for years. If you want to pick a show that you’re sure to remember, this is the one.

Las Vegas vacations often feature big-name shows for a reason—they are thoroughly entertaining. You can find great shows all over Las Vegas, but the “big boys” reside in the custom-built theaters of the hotels and casinos on the strip. If you want to add a truly memorable event to your vacation itinerary, just hit the strip. You won’t be disappointed. Whether you see “Phantom”, one of the great Cirque programs or Blue Man Group, you’ll have a blast.

With so many other things to do in this fabulous city, you may not think of going to Las Vegas for the shopping, but it is truly a shopper’s paradise. From outlet malls to the ritziest boutiques, to souvenir shops on the street, there is something for everyone who wants to shop in Las Vegas. The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace offer a wealth of unique items, and there are plenty of upscale shops, such as Christian Dior, Fendi, and Gucci, to name a few.

All of the strip casinos have their special shops as well, but if you’re looking for a bargain, you might want to head on out to the Las Vegas Outlet Mall. It has 130 shops, including Nike and Levi’s and several shoe stores as well. You can take the Deuce all the way to the mall and if you get hungry, there’s a food court there so you can easily spend all day at the mall. There’s also the Fashion Show Mall, which is right on the strip, and it has over 250 shops and restaurants, including Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom.

If you have a little time between flights, do some shopping at McCarran International Airport. McCarran is the kind of airport that you want to have some time to spend in because, between all the slot machines, shops, and dining choices, it is a fun adventure in itself. If you happen to forget to take home a souvenir, you can find numerous options at the airport, including treasures from some of the famous strip hotels. Even if you didn’t stay at one of the grand resorts, you can act as if you did just by shopping at the airport. You’ll find shot glasses and other souvenirs from Treasure Island, Bellagio, MGM, and others. You can also get some delectable candy at the airport, including chocolates for the chocolate lover on your list.

Grand Canal Shoppes

This is a must see, must do, even if you’re just window shopping. Laid out to replicate St. Mark’s square, the canal shoppes offer an ambiance so rich you’ll think you’ve died and gone to Venice.  There’s a strolling juggler and opera singers to keep you entertained and you can also lunch at the food court, which has a great variety of dining options at a decent price. Take home a hand blown glass figurine or a Venetian labeled souvenir or just browse the day away. Whether you’re looking for top notch merchandise or are just out for a leisurely stroll, the Grand Canal Shoppes offer an experience like no other shopping venue in Vegas.

Las Vacation vacations have unprecedented worldwide popularity.  Every year, millions of people soak up the fun of Las Vegas and create amazing lifelong memories.  Occasionally, though, a trip to Vegas can be a little rough.  Those who don’t prepare adequately for the city and its pace can find the whole affair a little uncomfortable and downright exhausting.  That’s why it pays to get ready before you even think about sitting down to play your first hand of blackjack.

Las Vegas is a figurative oasis of fun, but it is located smack-dab in the middle of a very real desert.  That means a few things for visitors.  First, you can expect some very warm temperatures during the day.  If you go during the summer months, the heat can be nothing short of oppressive.  Second, you can expect some serious overnight temperature dips.

What does that mean in terms of trip preparation?  Well, it certainly points to the wisdom of packing the right kind of clothing for a Las Vegas vacation.  You want to make sure you have cool and comfortable clothing for the days that feature an ability to warm up a little bit after sundown.  Layering with light fabrics is a great defense, as is having a pair of slacks and a jacket for the evenings.

The weather isn’t the only thing you need to prepare for if you’re going to join the ranks of those heading out for Las Vegas vacations.  You’re also going to want to think about pacing yourself a little bit.  Las Vegas is one of the busiest around-the-clock cities in the world.  You can do things at three in the morning in Vegas that you couldn’t do during regular business hours elsewhere in the world.

Those casinos are humming with activity twenty four hours a day and almost everything else in the city runs on that same twenty-four hour clock.  The list of fun diversions is long and you can find yourself cutting way too much sleep out of your daily routine.  You don’t want to spend your trip stumbling around in a haze.  Schedule time for sleep—and maintain that schedule.

Scheduling is also important when it comes to Las Vegas vacations simply because you’re going to need to make tough choices if you don’t want to run yourself ragged.  There are so many things to do that you could spend a lifetime sampling them.  Unfortunately, your vacation has some pretty strict time limitations.  You need to put together a good plan, finding a way to do the things you’ll love the most and leaving some other tempting options out of the mix.

Don’t worry, though.  There’s no rule against taking multiple Las Vegas vacations.  Whatever doesn’t fit on your first trip can become part of your next visit.

Las Vegas is the number one place to tie the knot and there are some very good reasons why that’s the case. You can get a very clear idea of why so many people opt for weddings in Las Vegas just by reviewing this handful of facts.

Weddings in Las Vegas are more common than slot machine jackpots. The wedding industry in Sin City is always bustling and the city has gained a deserved reputation as the nation’s marriage capital. Here are a few fun facts about weddings in Las Vegas that you may not know.

Economic Turmoil Made Marriage Easy
In 1931, Nevada re-legalized gambling. That same year, the state also loosened restrictions on marriage and divorce. These decisions were made, in large measure, to give the state a leg up on other states in terms of collecting fees and business from folks who’d be wiling to hop over state lines to tie (or cut) the knot. Nevada was looking for a way to minimize the impact of the Great Depression and created the Las Vegas Wedding industry in the process.

You Don’t Need Much To Get Married
Everyone knows that it’s easy to get married in Vegas. That’s the main reason weddings in Las Vegas are popular enough to keep wedding chapels busy around the clock. Few people, though, really understand how easy it is to get a marriage license. All you need is valid identification, a Social Security number and around fifty dollars to pay the licensing fees. Assuming you’re over sixteen years old, that’s all it takes to get married in Sin City.

Marriage Is A Twenty Four Hour Affair
The marriage license bureau isn’t a nine-to-five operation. They stay open until midnight through the week. On weekends, they operate on a 24-hour schedule. Those who perform the actual ceremonies keep long hours, too. You can get married any time, night or day, with no advanced scheduling required at any one of the many specialty chapels that officiate weddings in Las Vegas.

Marriages Of All Types Are Available
If you want to get married by a somber man or woman of the cloth, you can do it. Heck, you can wear a beautiful white gown, carry a bouquet and do all of the other things involved in traditional marriages. If you’re looking for something different, though, Las Vegas is the place for you. Where else could you have an Elvis Presley impersonator conduct a ceremony? Where else can you get married from the comfort of you car at a drive-in wedding chapel at four in the morning? No matter what kind of marriage ceremony you want, one of the many chapels that perform Las Vegas weddings will be able to help you out.

Christmas in Las Vegas

Christmas is a magical time no matter where you spend it but Christmas in Las Vegas is truly spectacular. With huge Christmas trees and magnificent displays, the atmosphere in Las Vegas, which is already jolly, gets even merrier during the Christmas season. The casinos go all out to create an extravaganza of merriment. The Bellagio gardens, which is awe-inspiring in any season, takes on an extra air of festivity at Christmas, with extravagantly decorated Christmas trees and a plethora of poinsettias. The lobby of the Bellagio, as well as all the hotel lobbies along the strip are decorated to the nines, with casino employees wearing Santa hats and Christmas shows taking over the stages.

You’ll find that you’ll need reservations at restaurants that you may not normally need reservations for if you’re in Vegas during Christmas. Also, be aware that the casino buffets usually serve special foods during this time, which means the prices are higher than normal. Two for one buffet coupons may not work for this time of year either so plan accordingly.

Celebrate the Fourth in Las Vegas

The Fourth of July is another fun holiday to spend in Las Vegas. Parades, fireworks, and barbecues permeate the city and it is an exciting time all over. Be prepared, though, to wait longer for everything as this is an extremely popular time to visit Las Vegas. Whether you’re taking a shuttle from the airport or waiting on line for a drink, you’ll wait longer for almost everything. In addition, realize that the heat in Vegas this time of year is incredible. Days of 110 degree weather are common and many days see hotter temperatures than that. Keep bottled water with you if you are sightseeing and if you’re walking along the strip, take advantage of the numerous misting fans you’ll come across. These fans provide a quick cool off by gently misting you with cool water and you might also want to take advantage of one of the strip’s many swimming pools. If you like to swim, check out what your hotel has to offer before you make your reservations as some of the strip hotels have fabulous swimming pools and other water attractions.

Ring in the New Year in Las Vegas

If you’re lucky enough to travel to Las Vegas during the New Year’s holiday, you’re in for a spectacular treat. Realize, though, that many New Year’s reservations are booked months ahead of time so you may be out of luck if you wait until the last minute to book your trip or reservations. If you go during this time, though, there is a New Year’s party going on virtually everywhere in the city so you’re bound to have a good time.

People have weddings in Las Vegas.  Lots and lots of weddings.  It’s the number one marriage city in the number one marriage state in the USA.  When people think about running off and eloping, they usually have Vegas on their minds.  What’s the backstory?  Why is Las Vegas the wedding capital of the world?

The story dates back to the early 20th century.  Divorces weren’t just more rare than they are now, they were also very hard to get.  State laws governing divorce were strict.  Ending marriage took a great deal of time and, in many cases, some level of personal embarrassment.

A few states attracted folks from other areas who wanted to put an end to their marriages.  These states had divorce laws that weren’t quite as demanding.  Nevada, along with Arkansas and few other states, had less restrictive laws and divorce became a profitable industry.  Reno, for instance, was recognized as the divorce spot for several years before the Great Depression hit.

When the stock market collapsed in 1929, every state was in a scramble to find ways to keep their citizens employed.  Nevada was no exception.  In 1931, the state decided to implement a variety of changes in order to boost business.  Those changes served as the foundation for the Nevada—and the Las Vegas—we know today.

The divorce laws were loosened even more, making Nevada a clear-cut choice for those seeking a quick dissolution of marriage.  The state legislature also decided to allow legalized gambling, which is now the very foundation of Las Vegas.  The other change of 1931 has led to countless weddings in Las Vegas—the loosened marriage requirements along with divorce regulations.

Ever since, Vegas has been the place for a quick marriage.  You don’t need to be a resident of Vegas or of Nevada.  You don’t need a blood test.  All you need is a fistful of cash to get your wedding license and once the clerk at the license office (which, by the way, is open until midnight or longer almost every night), you can go to any of the several area wedding chapels.  Weddings in Las Vegas bring an unrivaled level of efficiency to the matrimony process!

These days, other states have also made it easier to get married, but Vegas remains the marriage hot spot.  Seventy years of marriage-related infrastructure is there for those who want to tie the knot in a hurry and that history of weddings in Las Vegas have created a surrounding culture of wedding-oriented businesses that make the whole process fast and easy

When people today want to get married quickly, they invariably head to Las Vegas.  It doesn’t look like that Nevada tradition is going to change any time soon, either.

If you’re off to Las Vegas for a romantic weekend or vacation, there is plenty of romantic things to see and do while you’re there. Consider a helicopter tour for two over the famous Las Vegas strip. Enjoy a champagne toast and then board a state of the art helicopter that will guide you over a million lights below. Whether you want to pop the question or you’ve been married for years, this romantic experience in the night skies of Las Vegas is a favorite for couples young and old.

Do Paris in Vegas

When is an observation deck romantic? When you ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel and Casino. Watch the sun set with someone special and if you time it right, you can see the Bellagio Fountains from there, which is truly an amazing site, even from the ground. Surrounded by the lights of Las Vegas and the beautiful valley below, romance is in the air when you mix in someone special, the Eiffel tower, and a little attitude.

Gondola Ride at the Venetian

Why not pretend you’re in Venice and take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal? There are both indoor and outdoor gondola rides at the Venetian and each gondola seats four. If you want a private ride just for the two of you, that can be arranged, but the price is double. Still, it’s only $64 and well worth the romance the atmosphere creates.

Spa Packages

Las Vegas is home to some of the ritziest spas on the planet and you can get romantic spa packages that include couple’s massages and other treats as well. The Bellagio Hotel and Casino as well as several other upscale resorts offer couple’s spa packages and you can also request couple’s massages in your room at many of the resorts.

Romantic Dining

Nothing is more romantic than a candlelight dinner and you can dine in style in Las Vegas. Try the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris Las Vegas. Dine eleven stories above the Las Vegas strip and see a great view of the Bellagio Fountains while you dine. This is a popular restaurant for question popping but even if you’re not headed in that direction or you’re already married, you’ll love the ambiance and the food here.

You can always get married at one of the wedding chapels in Las Vegas as well as a plethora of more conventional venues as well. However, you don’t have to get married, pop the question, or spend a fortune to find romance in the fabulous city of Las Vegas. Walking down the street can be romantic in Las Vegas as well as taking in many of the free activities. Look for the romance and you’ll find it, whether you spend a bundle or take it easy.

Golf is an integral part of many Las Vegas vacations. The city and its immediate surrounding area serves as the home of dozens of wonderful golf courses. Choosing the “best of the best” can be difficult with so many options available. In order to help you plan your Vegas golf getaway, we’ve assembled a list of the top ten courses and resorts in the area.

Desert Pines Golf Course
One of the toughest parts about organizing Las Vegas vacations is time management. You want to see the shows, hit the casino floors and play some great golf. Desert Pines makes the list, in large measure, due to location. It’s right on the strip, making it easy to fit a few rounds into your schedule, hassle-free. It’s a surprisingly attractive, straightforward, traditional course and you can go straight from the eighteenth hole to the blackjack table in a matter of minutes.

Primm Valley Golf Club (Desert Course)
Don’t let the word “desert” throw you. Sure, Primm Valley is nestled in a desert environment, but it’s as green as they come. Primm Valley was honored with a slot on Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” list. This Fazio course is great to play—it’s not a widow-maker, but it offers some fun challenges (watch out for the slopes on the tenth hole!).

Bear’s Best
Jack Nicklaus was a master on the links and he’s proven that he knows his stuff when it comes to course design. Bear’s Best hammers that point home. It’s made up of eighteen of his most highly-regarded holes from courses he’s designed all over the world. Take a trip into Bear’s world and be ready to bring your “A” game.

Tuscany Golf Course
Tuscany has a retro feel and a price tag that reminds duffers of the good ol’ days. It’s a vintage-styled desert course offering great play at bargain prices. The Tuscan wine village theme runs through the Robinson-designed course, but the real attraction is the straightforward play and bargain pricing.

Rio Secco Golf Club
Even heavy hitters gulp a little bit at Rio Secco. The Rio Hotel and Casino owns this fascinating 7,300 yard course, which features four par-five holes. If you’ve ever wanted to muscle up while overlooking Nevada canyons, Rio Secco is perfect for you.

Reflection Bay at Lake Las Vegas
You won’t believe you’re in Nevada. Jack Nicklaus designed this outstanding course to mimic the Palm Beach feel. Somehow, the waterfalls and palm trees seem to fit on this beauty that naturally eases into the Lake Vegas area.

The Wolf Course at Paiute Resort
Some courses are great for novices. Others are perfect for everyone. Some, however, bring serious challenges to even the best golfers. The Wolf falls into the last category. It’s the longest course in the state and it punishes sloppy play almost as much as it rewards the masters of the wedge. Those looking for Las Vegas vacations that will test their skills must consider the Wolf.

DragonRidge Country Club
DragonRidge is the pride of Henderson, and for good reason. It’s built right into the McCullough mountain range and features astounding valleys and hills. If you like challenging golf in a beautiful setting, you might want to consider making DragonRidge a part of your vacation.

Silverstone Golf Club
Silverstone is the centerpiece of many Las Vegas vacations. Located less than a half hour from the strip and featuring a jaw-dropping view of Sheep Mountain, Silverstone serves up three fantastic nine hold courses designed by no less than Bob Cupp himself!

The Lexington Golf Course at the Revere Golf Club
If you’re looking for a challenge, you need to call the Revere and book a tee time at the Lexington. The amazing course stretches out over 7,100 yards and will test both your swing and your decision making skills. If you want to test yourself, you need to put a round at the Lexington on your Vegas to-do list.

The Bali Hai Golf Course
The Bali Hai’s 7,000 yard course combines great play with an absolutely stunning environment. Designers Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt came up with course that plays well while engulfing clubbers in a tropical paradise. Seven acres of water, an unforgettable isle green and a hundred thousand tropical plants make the Bai Hai a great destination for duffers on Las Vegas vacations.

The Las Vegas National
Want to play one of the best-known courses in the country? Try the National on for size. This famed course has hosted the Las Vegas PGA event on multiple occasions. Previously known as the Sahara Country Club, the National is a traditional skill-tester with a professional-grade pedigree. You can walk the same path as golf legends at the National.

Aliante Golf Club
You can usually trust the locals to tell you where to play. Readers of Vegas Golfer Magazine named the Aliante Golf Club the best new course in Vegas. It’s an 18-hole championship layout designed by Gary Planks. The Aliante is an absolute beauty, blending seamlessly with some of the most attractive scenery in Nevada.

The most sensible people in everyday life can go completely nuts when they’re gambling so it is imperative to establish a gambling budget and stick to it. If you’re tempted to spend more than you should, leave the credit cards behind because it is just too easy to get money in Las Vegas. Not only can you seriously dent your credit or debit cards, but you’ll pay hefty fees each time you use the casinos to take money off of your cards. If you are a slots fan, the penny machines can be just as much fun as the dollar machines. You can play a lot longer and not feel guilty. What’s more, you can still have the thrill of knowing you can win a jackpot worth several hundred dollars, even if you’re playing just fifteen cents a spin.

Watch out for the progressives. Although just the thought of winning one of the monstrous jackpots that are advertised in neon lights above a bank of slots is exciting, realize that in order to even be in the running for the top prize, you’ll have to max out your wager. That can add up in a hurry so if you can’t afford to play at full throttle every spin, choose a standalone slot machine instead.

You can spend a small fortune just picking up a few things you may have forgotten for your trip to Las Vegas. If you’ve forgotten over the counter medicine or your toothbrush, look for the nearest Walgreens or CVS instead of purchasing these items at your hotel, where the prices are exorbitant. Also, lay off the minibar unless you have a fortune to spend and stock up on snacks and drinks at the drugstore too. Most of the strip hotels don’t offer refrigerators in the rooms, but you can fill one of the sinks with ice and save a ton of money as even bottled water costs several dollars a bottle in the hotels and casinos.
If you can afford it, see one of your favorite shows and get the best seats you can afford. You’ll make memories that will last a lifetime and you never know when you’ll get the chance to see your favorite performer again. If you’re strapped for cash, stop in at one of the Tickets Tonite booths. Calling won’t do any good so you’ll have to show up on the day of the performance you want to see to find out if they have any discounted tickets. You could get lucky and get as much as 50% off of a major performance. Realize, though, that you might not get the best seats or even get seats together with the others in your party, however, it is worth checking out.

There are lots of ways you can save money and still have a great time in Las Vegas. Look for the savings and you’ll find numerous ways to stay under budget and still make memories that will last for a lifetime.

The Beach at Mandalay Bay

If you didn’t think you could go to the beach in Las Vegas, you were mistaken. Set upon eleven acres, the beach, which includes 2,700 tons of sand at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino offers a wave pool, lazy river, and 3 swimming pools. You can also rent a cabana, get a poolside massage, and dine at the open air Beach Bar and Grill. For those adults who enjoy the European style of sunbathing, the Morea Club offers a sophisticated experience. Instead of baking in the scorching heat, cool off at the Beach at Mandalay Bay.

Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino

You’ll have 4 swimming pools to choose from here, among the Roman statues and fountains. If you like to indulge in European sunbathing, you can do so for free on weekdays, although there is a cover charge on the weekends. If you want to make the experience truly indulgent, rent an air conditioned cabana, which is stocked full of drinks and lounge around on the cushy lounge chairs while you watch TV. There is just no reason you should suffer in the Las Vegas heat because there are too many delicious ways to cool off here.

Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

If you’re lucky enough to be staying at this hotel, you absolutely have to make it up to the roof for a swim or bask in their rooftop hot tub. You can also rent poolside cabanas and villas to make your time at the pool truly spectacular. Keep in mind that in order to be admitted into most of the strip hotel’s pools, you’ll have to present your room key. If there is a pool you’re dying to take a dip in, ask if you can pay an admission fee if you’re not staying at that particular hotel. Some may allow it while others won’t.

Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

If you’re in the mood for a tropical paradise, try the pools at the Flamingo. Complete with lagoons and a waterfall, this tropical oasis can be yours and it is located right in the heart of the Las Vegas strip. If you have kids in your party, this is the one with the water slides, which are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You can also rent private cabanas, which come with LCD TVs and a private host as well.

There’s always something to do in Las Vegas.  Every day is an event.  The lights.  The massive hotels.  Fine dining, non-stop partying, endless gambling and scores of world-class shows are daily happenings.  Las Vegas, however, doesn’t seem satisfied with its everyday excitement.  The city sweetens the pot with a wide assortment of annual events that add yet another dimension to the Vegas experience.

There is something special happening on a daily basis, but some of the annual events really stand out.  Consider just a few of the annual happenings that never fail to attract a crowd.

Las Vegas BikeFest
If you’re a fan of the open road and motorcycles, the FSE Las Vegas BikeFest is the place to be.  Motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world gather to celebrate their hobby and lifestyle.

Races
There are a series of automobile races in Las Vegas every year.  Whether you’re a fan of the dragsters who burn down the track at the Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, into the Craftsman Truck race series or obsessed with cheering on your favorite NASCAR driver, you can find a way to feed your need for speed in Vegas.

Rodeo
Las Vegas is a western town and that legacy shines through in its strong support of top-grade professional rodeo events.  The most famous is the always-packed National Finals Rodeo.  The NFR, however, is merely the biggest jewel on the Vegas belt buckle.  The PBR event shows off the skills of the best professional bull riders.  The annual senior rodeo is a hit, too.  Hey, Vegas is even the host of the annual Miss Rodeo America pageant.  If you love rodeo, you’ll love Las Vegas.  Shine up your boots and grab your best Stetson.  It seems like there’s always a rodeo event in Vegas.

Poker
Most of us make an immediate connection between Las Vegas and gambling.  Poker is the epitome of professional gaming and Vegas plays host to the granddaddy of all poker tournaments every year.  The World Series of Poker is an awesome annual event.  There’s always a poker tourney somewhere in Las Vegas, but the notable annual events are nothing short of a tourist attraction in their own rights as celebrity professionals hit the tables and try to draw winning hands.

That’s just a taste of the wide assortment of annual events that up the ante in Las Vegas.  It only scratches the surface.  You can find annual fairs, get togethers, rallies and festivals of every sort.  You have Salsa Days in Henderson, the Clark County Fair, Reggae in the Desert, the nation’s biggest New Year’s Eve Party, film festivals, Independence Day celebrations and loads of other exciting and fun annual happenings that make visiting Las Vegas extra special.

You can put on a blindfold and throw a dart at a calendar.  No matter what day your dart hits, you can be assured that there’s something different happening in Las Vegas.  Every day offers the “standard” thrills that only Vegas can provide, but the city goes beyond that with awesome annual events that guarantee added fun and adventure.

The Deuce is a double-decker, climate controlled bus that goes up and down the Las Vegas strip until about 2 am. You can buy a one day pass or a pass that is good for several days. It’s far cheaper than taking a taxi every time you want to switch casinos but it isn’t as fast. Still, it’s air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter and beats walking. In addition, the view from the top level of the bus is incredible at night, with millions of lights sparkling in the Vegas sky.

Taxis

Taxis are in plentiful supply at all the strip hotels and of course, from the airport as well. Not only can you get from the airport to almost any strip hotel for about ten bucks, it’ll cost about $10 or less to switch from one casino to another as well. While it’s not a bad rate if you only take a taxi once or twice, it can really add up if you use them for very many rides. In addition, if you’re going to a show or somewhere else off the strip, the taxi ride can get hefty in a hurry.

Monorail

The monorail is a train that goes between some of the hotels and it is a fun way to travel as well. Everyone should ride the monorail at least once but if you’re traveling very much, you’ll find that the Deuce is cheaper. You’ll also find hundreds of people walking along the strip at any given time and if you’re visiting Las Vegas when the weather isn’t too hot or too cold, you’ll find it fun to meander along the strip as well. The time of year that you come may have a lot to do with the transportation options you choose. Also, if you’re taking public transportation to a show or an event, plan well ahead of time as the taxi lines can be really long during certain times of the year or when it is time for a popular show. That also means that the bus and other forms of transportation are fuller too so planning ahead is key.

It used to be that if someone were offered a free room on the strip, you knew they were spending serious money at the casinos but that is no longer the case. You don’t have to be a high roller to enjoy your share of Vegas comps. Even if you just play enough to earn a free buffet, it is well worth it to join the Player’s Club everywhere you play. If you’ve been to Vegas before and already have your favorites, try to stay where you play because then you have the chance to get your room comped by earning points on your player’s card. You earn points whether you win or lose and every point counts toward eventual rewards so it is to your advantage to sign up for a player’s card. Even if you think you won’t be back to Las Vegas for some time, you might earn enough points this trip to pay for one night’s lodging or a free buffet.

Check Out the Properties

Most people like to visit as many casinos as possible on their trip to Las Vegas but if you do a little research first, it may be more profitable for you in the way of comps. For example, the same company that owns the MGM Grand also owns the Bellagio, New York, New York, Mandalay Bay, and others. By playing at the properties that are owned by the same group, your player’s card points will add up faster than if you play at properties that are owned by different groups. If Caesar’s Palace is your favorite casino, look to see which other properties are owned by the same company so your points will add up enough to turn in for comps.

MGM Mirage Player’s Club

At the MGM Mirage Player’s Club, which encompasses 12 partner casinos, you can earn points all year long and save them up for the holiday extravaganza. Each year, during the latter part of November and first part of December, they host a holiday gift shop where special gifts are on display. You can redeem all of the player’s club points you have saved all year long for fabulous gifts that are then mailed to your home. You can also turn in your points for free play that you’ll receive immediately. Several times throughout the year they have special promotions where you’ll earn double or triple points so if you can make it to Las Vegas during one of those times, your points can really add up. The only downside to the whole program is that if you don’t spend your points by the end of the current year, they will expire and you’ll have to start all over the following year.

You’ll find a variety of eats along Freemont Street, as well as some of the older casinos. Some people actually like them better because they haven’t upgraded to the “ticket in, ticket out” system, which means you can still hear the clink clank of quarters when someone gets lucky. If you haven’t quite gotten used to the newfangled slot machines, you’ll love the ones in the casinos on Freemont street.

Millions of visitors visit Freemont Street each year, many for the famous party atmosphere, which includes free concerts between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Others come for the spectacular light show, which is projected on a screen the size of five football fields. When the lights and the music come together, it truly is a sight and sound to behold. It is no wonder that more than 25,000 people take part in the Freemont Street Experience every day. It’s the biggest sing along you’ve ever been to when the crowds get wound up and start singing along with the band.

Other than the free nightly entertainment, several times each year, the Freemont Street Experience hosts special events. Shopping is also a favorite activity of locals and tourists alike along Freemont street and the downtown Las Vegas area. Shoppers can take home trinkets and souvenirs and shop the specialty shops in the area. Many people like to visit the area simply because the drinks are cheaper than they are on the strip and it’s a great place to eat if you want to avoid the pricey strip buffets.

While you can visit Freemont street day or night, the light show is truly spectacular at night. For those that do visit in the heat of the day, though, the huge canopy provides a respite from the scorching heat so if you’re going to be walking around Las Vegas during the hot summer days, this is the place to do it.

For those who like to make good use of the coupon deals, you can hit the jackpot with match play coupons and the like along Freemont street. Some of the gamblers cite better odds in the casinos on Freemont street than the casinos on the strip. While many visitors to the Freemont Street Experience don’t realize that it was the original Las Vegas strip, most will agree it is worth visiting and many loyal Las Vegas fans go back to the Experience year after year.

When the “Pair o’ Dice” casino set up on what is now known as “the strip” in 1931, no one was really thinking about millions of people taking Las Vegas vacations. What started as a little recreation opportunity for locals, however, has grown into a tourist-magnet industry. Casinos are king in Las Vegas.

Not all casinos are created equal, however. There’s a big difference between the best casino resorts and a few of the more rundown gaming houses. Those who want to experience Las Vegas vacations with style and comfort understand that finding a great resort casino is a key to success. Let’s take a quick look at ten amazing resort casinos.

We’ll start our look at the best places to go with The Bellagio. Any list of the best has to start with The Bellagio. This amazing property has carried the AAA Five-Diamond Award for over five years. It’s also a perennial part of the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List. When it comes to great resort casinos, The Bellagio is the gold standard.

The Palms Hotel and Resort
Another great example of how to do Las Vegas vacations the right way. The Palms is forty stories of elegantly-designed luxury, featuring all of the extras you’d expect in a superior resort.

The Green Valley Ranch Resort
A different way to “do the Vegas thing”. Nestled off of the bustling strip, Green Valley Ranch does offer world-class gaming but the emphasis is on a full-featured resort experience.

The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
An exemplar of how Las Vegas somehow manages to pull off a delicate balancing act by combining excess with elegance. The old world romantic styling merges seamlessly with an almost infinite variety of relaxation and entertainment options.

New York-New York
Combines the Las Vegas penchant for theme-based properties with the attention to guest needs and services discriminating travelers expect from a superior casino resort.

The Rio
A Las Vegas favorite. Originally designed with appeal to locals who take their relaxation and entertainment seriously, Luxury Resorts: The Rio is comprised completely of effectively-designed and well-appointed suites.

Wynn Resort Hotel Casino
Bears the name of the famed Vegas developer, Steve Wynn. It definitely measures up to his standards, too, offering everything necessary for some of the most comfortable and entertaining Las Vegas vacations.

Caesar’s Palace
One of the first places that crosses one’s mind when thinking about a Las Vegas getaway. The well-established landmark is a sprawling empire not unlike Rome. Casino floors alone comprise nearly 130,00 square feet and there’s no shortage of luxury recreational and relaxing vacation options.

Red Rock Station
A full-featured resort and gaming facility. It may not have the immediate name recognition of The Bellagio or Caesar’s Palace, but it’s a great home base for winning Las Vegas vacations that features a top-ranked comprehensive spa experience.

The Palms
A fantastic off-the-strip experience for travelers. Less than ten years old, the Palms structures still glisten as if they opened only the day before. This is another perfect example of how a single location can offer everything you need for an enjoyable stay in Las Vegas.

If you’re planning to join the legions of people who have had wonderful Las Vegas vacations, any of these casino resorts will deliver a truly unforgettable experience.

Weddings in Las Vegas are extremely popular due to a number of considerations.  These include the exciting and fun nature of the city itself, the presence of many wedding chapels capable of providing any kind of ceremony and, most notably, the easy-to-meet requirements to get married in Vegas.

Vegas has a reputation for easy marriages, but just how easy is it to tie the knot there?  What do you need in order to join the ranks of those who’ve enjoyed weddings in Las Vegas?  This is one case where reality lives up to the hype.  Getting hitched in Sin City is easy!

You’ll need proof of identification.  A driver’s license will do the trick (assuming it’s valid).  If you don’t have one, you can use a passport.  You can actually get by with nothing more than an authorized official copy of a birth certificate, if all else fails.

You’ll need to have a social security number, too.  If you’re from outside of the US, some additional documentation may be required.  That will vary based on your home country and their requirements for recognizable foreign marriages.

Assuming you’re over the age of sixteen, that’s all you’ll need in terms of documentation.  If you’re under sixteen years of age, you can still get married in Las Vegas if you have an appropriate court order and official parental consent forms, though.

What about waiting periods and blood tests for weddings in Las Vegas?  Forget about them.  You don’t need them.  You don’t need to be a Nevada resident, either.  The rules are lenient and the standards are low.  It’s downright easy to tie the knot there.

There is one other thing you will need, though.  You’re going to need a marriage license.  All you need to do to get one is to show up at the Clark County Marriage License Bureau with a little over fifty bucks in cash.  That’s right, you can be all set to married your beloved for around fifty dollars!

Assuming you have the necessary documentation, they’ll be happy to give you the license.  And to make matters even easier, they’re open from eight in the morning until midnight on weeknights.  On weekends and other special days, they stay open all night long.

When you take a look at just how easy it is to go through the process, it’s no surprise that weddings in Las Vegas continue to be incredibly popular.   It’s been that way since Nevada loosened wedding restrictions back in 1931 (the same year they legalized gambling, by the way) and there’s no reason to think that the tradition of tying the knot in Vegas will loose its appeal any time soon.

When you think about Las Vegas vacations, what crosses your mind? If you’re like most people, you immediately start thinking about casino action, awesome shows, great food and luxury resorts. That’s only part of a bigger and even more beautiful picture, though. Las Vegas and its surrounding area are also the home of some amazing national parks.

Those who are planning Las Vegas vacations should really consider integrating park trips into their itinerary. There are many awesome options that will give you the chance to add a memorable outdoor component to your trip. Let’s look at a handful of the many parks you can visit.

Death Valley National Monument
A great place to get hot! This desert park is located at the lowest dry sub-sea level point in the United States of America. They don’t call it “Death Valley” for nothing, either. If you want to experience the desert in full force, this history-rich area is worth the two hour drive from Vegas.

Floyd Lamb Park
About ten miles away from the city and it offers healthy doses of natural beauty and history. The park was a Native American winter resting point and a working ranch. Back in the 50s, it was one of the infamous Las Vegas “guest ranches”. Estranged couples would stay there for six weeks, which allowed them to meet the Nevada residency standards required to get a Las Vegas divorce. It’s great for walking, biking and picnics. You can even fish the park’s four lakes. When you think about Las Vegas vacations, fishing may not usually cross your mind—unless you know about Floyd Lamb Park.

Kyle Ranch
Not much of a ranch these days and it isn’t a traditional park. It is, however, considered part of the national park system and it’s a great slice of history located within Vegas city limits. All that’s left of what was once a bustling ranch is a single building—which just so happens to be the oldest remaining building in Vegas. It’s neat to find that kind of history in such an ultra-modern environment.

Red Rock Canyon
A massive park, covering nearly 200,000 acres and its within a quick drive of Las Vegas. It boasts a great gift shop and a variety of recreational options including bicycling, climbing and hiking. There’s a scenic drive that allows you to get some amazing views of the Las Vegas Valley and the Spring Mountains.

There’s nothing wrong with Las Vegas vacations that revolve around the roulette wheel and A-list shows. By the same token, though, you can organize a slightly more well-rounded vacation by taking advantage of some of the areas great national parks.

Those who enjoy golf should make Las Vegas vacations a regular part of their lives.  While Vegas is better known for its gaming and shows, there are literally dozens of top-notch golf courses surrounding the city.  You can get a good idea of the amazing Las Vegas golf scene just by taking a quick glance at a few of the fantastic courses.  Here are five Vegas courses that belong on your vacation itinerary.

Silverstone Golf Club
Silverstone is the centerpiece of many Las Vegas vacations.  Located less than a half hour from the strip and featuring a jaw-dropping view of Sheep Mountain, Silverstone serves up three fantastic nine hold courses designed by no less than Bob Cupp himself!

The Lexington Golf Course at the Revere Golf Club
If you’re looking for a challenge, you need to call the Revere and book a tee time at the Lexington.  The amazing course stretches out over 7,100 yards and will test both your swing and your decision making skills.  If you want to test yourself, you need to put a round at the Lexington on your Vegas to-do list.

The Bali Hai Golf Course
The Bali Hai’s 7,000 yard course combines great play with an absolutely stunning environment.  Designers Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt came up with course that plays well while engulfing clubbers in a tropical paradise.  Seven acres of water, an unforgettable isle green and a hundred thousand tropical plants make the Bai Hai a great destination for duffers on Las Vegas vacations.

The Las Vegas National
Want to play one of the best-known courses in the country?  Try the National on for size.  This famed course has hosted the Las Vegas PGA event on multiple occasions.  Previously known as the Sahara Country Club, the National is a traditional skill-tester with a professional-grade pedigree.  You can walk the same path as golf legends at the National.

Aliante Golf Club
You can usually trust the locals to tell you where to play.  Readers of Vegas Golfer Magazine named the Aliante Golf Club the best new course in Vegas.  It’s an 18-hole championship layout designed by Gary Planks.  The Aliante is an absolute beauty, blending seamlessly with some of the most attractive scenery in Nevada.

Las Vegas vacations aren’t just for craps, blackjack, shows and nightlife.  You can spend your day preparing for the evening’s festivities on some of the nation’s greatest golf courses.  If you’re more interested in spending your vacation time in a golf cart than on a tour bus, book a flight and pack your clubs for Vegas!  There are few, if any, American cities that offer so many great golfing options.

Have you ever wondered why there are so many weddings in Las Vegas?  What makes the idea of tying the knot in “Sin City” so attractive?  What is it about Vegas that attracts marrying couples like moths to a flame?  Here are a few of the reasons why weddings in Las Vegas are such a recognizable and popular feature of the exciting city.

First, there are legal reasons for many people to love the idea of getting married in Las Vegas.  Unlike some places, there are no residency requirements for a wedding license.  A would-be husband and groom can also skip taking a blood test or undergoing any kind of mandatory waiting period.  The city offices have a whole separate division designed just to hand out licenses for weddings in Las Vegas–and that office keeps hours more like a convenience store than a government building.

Second, there is the wedding “infrastructure” that’s grown up in Vegas.  People originally flocked to the city primarily because of the aforementioned legal issues.  As more and more people decided to have weddings in Las Vegas, a series of businesses and services grew up to support them.  Vegas is home to more bridal shops than you can imagine.  Wedding chapels are a regular feature of the city’s commercial landscape–and they are equipped to handle marriages of any kind imaginable.  Las Vegas is a great place to marry because the city has grown to be designed for that very function.

Third, Vegas itself is hard to resist.  Can you think of a better place for a honeymoon?  Las Vegas offers an awesome array of things to do and has great activities to suit any interest.  Why not get married in Las Vegas?  You can, after all, walk right away from the altar into one of the most exciting and fun cities in the country.  Weddings in Las Vegas are popular, in large measure, because Las Vegas is so much fun.  It’s a great way to roll the ceremony and the honeymoon all into one awesome package and it makes the special event a great deal of fun for anyone else who might want to attend, too.

People get married in Las Vegas frequently and they do it for some pretty strong reasons. The legal requirements for a marriage in Vegas are set so low that it makes the whole process very easy, efficient and attractive. Not everyone has the dream of a Vegas wedding, but those who do usually find that fantasy rooted in justifications like the ones outlined here.  “Sin City” is the marriage capital of the world and there’s no reason to believe that it will lose that status any time soon!