By Tamara Benbow
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
With the many great attractions and the monumental hotels, Las Vegas, Nevada, is the place to be all year round.
Las Vegas is generally used to describe not just the city itself, but areas beyond the city limits, especially the resort areas on and near the Las Vegas Strip and the Las Vegas Valley. Vegas was established in 1905 and was not yet incorporated as a city until 1911. In the 20th century Las Vegas was the most populous American city founded in that century.
“Coming to Vegas is an experience not just a destination,” said Heidi Hayes, 36, public relations manager of the Conventions & Visitors Authority. “This is not just a place to visit, it’s an iconic destination.”
Making a record of 41.1 million tours given and the strip revenue reaching $6.4 billion last year, the loud and colorful streets are literally where money and people never sleep.
With casinos, bars, restaurants, and city tours there is always something to do.
“This is a city out of a comfort zone, where you can do what you want,” said Mana Merritt, 23, concierge at the Caesars Palace, a Las Vegas hotel and casino. “I moved here two years ago, and I am still trying to get comfortable with the fast paced city. It’s always something going on.”
Being from an island where things are mellower and laid back and moving to a city is one of the quickest adjustment one has to make in life, Merritt said.
Getting used to the rude guest and the fast paced talkers was the hardest part for her.
“I can handle a lot of things, but one thing for the life of me, I cannot stand are rude guest,” Merritt said.
“This city is beautiful though,” Merritt said.
Events are happening every month and there is beautiful weather throughout the year.
While the weather is nice year round, recommended times to visit are during the Spring and Fall. Throughout the different seasons tourists still love to visit what they call “Sin City,” but Hayes refers to it as an adult playground instead.
“I don’t believe Vegas still has the title Sin City,” Hayes said. “With the city redeveloping itself with cool restaurants and shows, that title should have been gone a long time ago.”
The city’s tolerance for numerous forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City and has made Las Vegas a popular setting for films, television programs and music videos.
The term sin city refers to a city catering to various vices, such as sex, gambling and drugs. With times changing, Las Vegas is rebuilding the attractions in the city and not focusing only on the vice.
An attraction that was recently added is “Fly and Float the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead,” which is similar to riding the helicopter over the strip. The boat will pick you up from your hotel, if on the strip, and take you on a three-day, and two-night luxury trip.
Another attraction is Slotzilla Las Vegas Zip line, which is rated four out of five stars, according to the Huffington Post.
“I think the best thing that really excites people is the strip in itself,” said Victoria Anderson, concierge at the Bellagio Hotel. “I’ve lived here my entire life and still become amazed over the same thing. I love the fact of knowing no city is like mine.”
The strip always has the tourist captured in amazement. The Bellagio Hotel also grabs their attention every night with its magnificent fountain.
The Bellagio fountain explodes with 1,214 spritzers shooting water 460 feet in the air. The water dances to “One Singular Sensation,” from a chorus line, a musical of music from Marvin Hamlisch. The fountain goes off every half hour between 3 and 8 p.m. daily.
Capturing the attention of many, the Bellagio fountains are considered one of the must do’s when visiting Vegas.
“I love my job, seeing different faces every day, as well as seeing the different expressions every night after the fountains,” Anderson said. “It truly makes me love my job even more.”
Working for the Bellagio hotel now for 5 years and living in Nevada her entire life, Anderson said she is staying at the hotel.
“This is my dream job,” said Anderson.
With the enjoyment of Vegas, some people would rather just come and visit than live near the city.
“I have visited Las Vegas eight times, and I fall in love with it more and more each time,” said Amber Black, 24, sales associate at Aldo shoes in Temple Hills, Maryland. “My mother has family that lives in Nevada, so going out to the city is never a problem.”
Black said the night life in Vegas is the best site. There’s just enough lights and just the right amount of music.
The strip is not the only thing that excites her.
“I come and gamble every time I visit and I’ve only lost money once,” said Black. “This is definitely money making city baby.”
While the enjoyment lasts of visiting “Sin City,” Black said that Vegas is a place she will always visit. She said she cannot stay away from the great scenery, wonderful attractions, casinos, and bars.
After starting a family, Black plans to continue to make yearly trips with her friends just for a getaway. The city is known for its bright lights, loud music, different attractions and grand hotels. Las Vegas is a place you do not just visit once. The wonderful thing about the city is it has no theme. Your visit, your theme.
With so much to do in so little time, the experience must be enjoyed.