Las Vegas
United States · Country profile
Las Vegas is the self-created miracle city of the Nevada desert, the gambling and entertainment capital of the world, where the great themed resorts of the Strip, the neon boulevards and the 24-hour rhythms of the casinos create an artificial, addictive magnificence unlike anywhere else. The famous Strip runs its pyramid, its canals, its Eiffel towers and its fountains along the length of the boulevard, and the Fremont Street of the old downtown glows under one of the largest light screens in existence. Outside the strip, the city is a growing, suburban, working American town, and the desert and the Grand Canyon wait beyond the mountains. Extravagant, theatrical and utterly devoted to pleasure, Las Vegas is a city that exists to be experienced, not understood.
About Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a city in United States. The city's documented population is around 660,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the US Dollar (USD) and English is spoken; the dialling code is +1. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Harry Reid International Airport.
The Strip, the Shows and the Nights That Never End
Las Vegas is the great artificial stage of the American desert, a city built to entertain around the clock, and its Strip is the relentless star: the themed megahotels, the shows, the pools, the restaurants and the casinos of the famous strip. The visitor experience is bigger, brighter and more exaggerated than in almost any other city, and the pace is set by the desire to see, eat, bet and be entertained. Beyond the Strip, the old downtown and the surrounding desert, the dams and the canyons, give the region its natural drama. It is a city of superlatives and of sensory overload, and for many travellers, the trip means the pure theatre of the Strip.
The Cooler Months, the Shows and the Day Trips of the Grand Canyon
The heat of the desert is extreme in the summer, and the cooler months, from October to April, are the pleasant season; the city is a year-round destination but the desert excursions and the outdoor photography favour the mild months. The shows and the top restaurants book well ahead, and the hotel bargains come midweek and off-season. The Strip is walkable in sections but enormous in total, and the monorail, the trams and the rideshares fill the gaps. The Grand Canyon and the other great day trips of the region need a full, well-planned day and an early start. The city is safe in its public areas, the lure of the tables and the slots is a cost to budget for, and the whole experience runs on the American standard of tipping.
The Trams, the Buffets and the Air of the Desert
The Strip is the experience, and its highlight reel runs the fountains of the Bellagio, the canals of the Venetian and the volcano of the Mirage, all free and all spectacular at night. The light show of the Fremont Street and the retro casinos of the old downtown give the older Vegas. The buffets and the celebrity restaurants make the food part of the show, and the pool decks of the resorts fill the days in the warm season. The day trips of the region, the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam and the Valley of Fire, are the essential escapes into the real drama of the desert. The city is a machine built for enjoyment, and it works that machine brilliantly. Do not forget the water, the sunscreen and the walking shoes.
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- Country
- United States
- Population
- 660,000
- Coordinates
- 36.0840, -115.1537
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Country code
- US
Entry requirements for United States
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting United States for tourism.
Getting to Las Vegas
Airports we list for Las Vegas:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in United States
Other cities we cover in United States:
Frequently asked questions
Is Las Vegas the capital of United States?
No — the capital of United States is Washington, D.C..
What currency do I need in Las Vegas?
The local currency is the US Dollar (USD). Languages spoken in United States include English.
What is the dialling code for United States?
The international dialling code for United States is +1.
Which airport should I fly into for Las Vegas?
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the airport we list for Las Vegas.
How far is Las Vegas from the nearest airport?
Las Vegas is about 380 km from Los Angeles International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit United States?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Argentina (visa required), Japan (e-visa), Morocco (visa required), Singapore (e-visa) and South Korea (e-visa). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Las Vegas? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.