Largely barren, the tourist mecca of Las Vegas shines bright in the Silver State.
Nevada is home to the Loneliest Road in America, a desolate stretch through the desert where you and your thoughts are free from any distractions. Though 7th in total size, the Silver State is largely undeveloped thus leading to the rise of its tourist hub Las Vegas from the desert surface. This alluring city in situated in the far south of Nevada and remains as the state’s premier attraction. In fact, it has become a nationwide hotspot due to its amenities. Gambling, lights, glitz, glamour, clubs, nightlife, food and architecture has led Sin City to rival Los Angeles, Miami and New York through its vibrant, party-focused culture. This is not a “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” article, as I want to disclose my experience in this city to you. I have been to Las Vegas twice: during the summer of 2006 and on New Year Eve in 2013, though I could not participate in many festivities because I was very young.
Atmosphere
Though my 2006 trip remains a distant memory, it was an unforgettable trip for me as a young kid, mesmerized by the bright array of lights and glamour. The palm trees sprinkled throughout the city was a reminder that it was immersed in the heart of the desert, yet this was a dreamy oasis. I was instantly charmed by the nighttime atmosphere, and all the acts and tourists around me was a realization that I might have been in the most entertaining destination in the world.
In 2006, my family stayed at Circus Circus, a hotel with the unique concept of having an amusement park inside. I was euphoric as my brother and I ran around the park to hop onto thrilling rollercoasters, peaceful carousels and speedy bumper carts. The plethora of rides clearly enticed me enough to write about it thirteen years later. Honestly, I thought Las Vegas was the most kid-friendly place, even though we all know most activities are intended for adults.
My 2013 return to Sin City was a more memorable experience largely because of my teenage “maturity.” There’s not a dull moment in Las Vegas, I will tell you that. My family had a flight to catch, but we had a few hours to spare and decided to traverse the renowned Strip (again) at night. Walking around flashing lights and underneath massive billboards, it was easy to be jammed in herds of tourists just like myself. I was so enchanted that I had no idea which direction to look. Caesar’s Palace, Flamingo Las Vegas, Bellagio and Paris Las Vegas were blinking their bright lights and design, leading me to frantically gaze at all of them as we continued strolling along. There were murmurs all around, pondering which one to check out too. The lines of uniquely designed and thought out hotels run this city, and no two hotels provide a similar lodging experience.
In addition, famous landmarks of the world are present in Las Vegas, I was amazed at replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. Back in 2006, witnessing tall medieval castles, a gargantuan pirate ship and a colossal pyramid was confusing, yet exhilarating because of I knew I was in paradise.
Street dancers, painters and other entertainers perched on the streets, adding a layer of illumination to this colorful city. Traffic was endless, advertising trucks for clubs and restaurants constantly drove around, and Sin City was booming. The most astonishing architecture to me will always be the Bellagio. This massive ivory hotel with a synchronized dancing water show at every hour – a true sight to behold. That water can dance with attitude! It’s a work of magnificence adding allure to Bellagio’s grandiose, which appears as if it is in the act of folding inward ever so slightly.
If my trips are of any justification, Las Vegas is welcoming for the entire family. Though on the surface it seems like a “party all night” type of town, there are other attractions that can lure all types of visitors. Though it’s 105 degrees on average during the summer, you are not daydreaming from the desert heat when you lay eyes on the city’s extraordinary sights. This mecca in Nevada is honestly the only place in the world where I can proclaim I visited the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, pyramids, castles, and so much more in one vacation.
