Uniquely Las Vegas Sights
Some things listed here may be found elsewhere on the site, but in a different context. They are included here to simplify navigation.
This icon of the city, on Las Vegas Boulevard south of Tropicana, is actually located in the unincorporated city of Paradise. The sign was created in 1959, and has moved south as the Strip expanded, resulting in its current location.
Truly a startling sight, especially for visitors seeing it for the first time out of their airplane window, the pyramid is unlikely to be mistaken for any other building on the planet. The sphinx is actually over the hotels' entrance, and the light is one of the few man made items visible from space.
I just have to smile when I see it.
Ok, you can see the original in Paris, France, but this is the only one (that I know of) in this country. Although not in Paris, France, it is in the Paris hotel. It is about half the size of the original, but it is still something to see among its neighbors.
Something most places would charge half a days pay to bring your family, but it's one of the great, free Las Vegas sights. Actually, I have probably seen them from my car more than the sidewalk, they make a traffic jam kind of fun. I will admit, when I first heard about them, the idea didn't seem very exciting. Once I saw them, though, I became a convert. It's a truly fantastic show.
I haven't confirmed it, but I'm willing to guess this is the only indoor reproduction of Venice, complete with canals and gondolas in any shopping center in the world. I read a comment a while back by someone who had been to Venice. They said this was better ... no pigeons.
Another one of those Las Vegas sights that brings on a feeling of total unreality. You're walking through the streets of ancient Rome lit with with electric lights, lined with modern chain store, and featuring some very good fountain shows.
I have yet to see this from a really good vantage point. The one night we had a room that overlooked it (for our anniversary), we went to a show, followed by dinner, and got back too late to see it (easy to do in Las Vegas). Even from the front parking valet, it's a good show.
I suspect you need to watch this several times before you see everything that happens. I've seen it a couple of times, and would like to see it again. One of the truly odd Las Vegas sights, is driving down the Strip, and seeing a pirate ship parked just off the road.
Las Vegas is crazy for animals. Although you can see all three at the Mirage, the MGM has Lions in a really neat habitat, and tigers, although not as popular as they were, are still around. At the intermission of the Follies Bergere a few years back, the entertainer apologized, saying he thought he was the only performer in Las Vegas without a tiger.
Maybe not the most exciting thing on the list, but hey, it is the world's largest. Located on the Strip, just north of Tropicana.
I can think of two hotels (New York, New York and The Sahara) that have roller coasters as an integral part of the building. It still unsettles me, when I'm waiting at a light, to have a roller coaster pop out through a hole in the wall of a building, go through a few gyrations, then disappear into another hole. I'm left wondering if I imagined the entire thing.
Either way, one Las Vegas sight that always amuses me is Elvis. Especially when five or six of them get together. Talk about surreal. I have yet to see any of the shows, but I'll report, if I do.
L.A. might contest this, but everybody comes to Vegas. Real celebrities are no exception. In fact, many live here. I have seen several TV personalities, sports stars and other famous people in Las Vegas, just being themselves as they enjoy the city. You probably will too.
Ok, they are actually advertising signs, but they might as well be TVs. They are all over the place, and can be a major distraction when driving ... especially at night. Wait until you're at a light to watch. The driver behind you will honk to let you know the light is green.
I wondered about this when we first started visiting on a regular basis. These do double duty as flood prevention catch basins during heavy rains. The water is then channeled into Lake Mead (so I'm told).
... and not always sober. Generally downtown and on the Strip. I've never seen it elsewhere. Most cities don't allow this, but it's just part of Vegas. Go ahead. Grab a beer, and enjoy the sights.
Las Vegas has a number topless shows, and other adult entertainment. They are not shy about advertising. Be forewarned. Many of these ads are probably beyond PG (although with some things I see on TV these days, who knows?).
|
