Just a couple of generations ago, a trip to a casino was a rare occurrence. Few existed in the UK and the ones that were operating did so in big cities, while our American cousins had a similar situation across the pond. That made Las Vegas very special as one of the few places where you could find a large array of casinos and casino games in one place. Today, however, we all have the internet for that. In fact, there are so many casino options now that operators have taken to offering bonuses to new players in an attempt to build their market share.
With every casino game imaginable at their fingertips, there is no longer a need to travel to Las Vegas just to play these popular titles. But for the hospitality sector in Nevada’s most famous city, this poses a challenge: they must find a way to keep tourists flocking to the desert.
Vegas has certainly risen to this challenge and the city’s response has been an overwhelming success, but the general population still associate it with its gaming sector. Of course, the casinos still play a big part in making Vegas Vegas, but there is now much more to it. Probably more than you think.
Concerts
Las Vegas casino owners have been diversifying their entertainment offering for decades, even before the advent of the internet. One of the earliest methods for doing this was to host concerts by some of the best and most famous singers in the US and in the world.
Although Vegas residencies may feel like a modern phenomenon, with names like Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Elton John all having runs where they performed regularly, the tradition goes back to 1944.
The first artist to take up residency was Liberace in 1944, just three years after the first Vegas casino opened on the Strip. In the proceeding years, big names from the mid-20th century followed suit. This included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, and Elvis Presley.
However, they fell out of fashion for a while, with Cher referring to her Vegas residency as an ‘elephant graveyard’ as it was where big talent went to die. She wasn’t being derogatory either; she was talking about herself.
Vegas’ talented business people and marketers have been successful in revitalising the residency since the 2000s, turning it into something that artists want to perform and fans want to see.
Roller Coasters and Thrill Rides
Casino games were the traditional way to get your heart racing in Las Vegas, but today there are other ways to boost your adrenaline levels. One of the most visible ways is the city’s range of roller coasters that tower over the Strip.
The most famous of these is the Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York Hotel & Casino because it twists and turns its way around the mock Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty. There are several others too, including the Canyon Blaster and El Loco at the Adventure Dome, and the unique X-Scream at The Strat. There were also other white knuckle coasters in Vegas, including the High Roller and Speed The Ride, but both of these have been dismantled in recent years.
If you prefer other types of thrill rides, Sin City still has you covered. The Sling Shot ride at Circus Circus will launch you high into the air at high speed. Alternatively, the Big Shot, which sits on top of The Strat, is a similar ride but offers the best views over the city thanks to its rooftop location.
Sport
Boxing matches have been common sights in Las Vegas for more than half a century, with many of the biggest bouts in history taking place along the Strip. However, there’s much more sporting action on offer than just burley boxers beating each other up.
In recent years, Las Vegas has become home to several major sports teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders NFL team, Vegas Golden Knights NHL team, and Las Vegas Aces WNBA team. This provides the city with a steady flow of visitors from fans coming to watch their teams play away games in the city.
In addition to regular fixtures like this, Vegas also hosts annual and one-off events. From 2023 onwards, it will be home to the Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix which will take place along and around the Strip, while nearby Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts many other high-octane races throughout the year.
