The city of Las Vegas features
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The city of Las Vegas, Nevada has transformed itself over the last 20 years from simply being a gambling destination to becoming a first class tourist mecca. No other city in the world looks like this one. At last count, Las Vegas owned 18 of the world's 25 largest hotels. And these are not just plain old hotels either. These are fantasy themed mega-resorts.
Nighttime view of the Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas - built in 1990.
This photograph was taken in 1998.
The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino is seen from the grounds of the Excalibur in 1994. It has nearly 7,000 rooms in it and also features a large indoor arena (among other things).
The long list of Las Vegas attractions grows every year. The photos that you see on this website were taken in 1994 and 1998. The Las Vegas skyline has changed dramatically since then. However, even back in 1998, the city of Las Vegas had already become a top tourist destination. Some of the best resorts back then are still among the best to visit now. Places like the
Mirage Resort and Casino,
the Excalibur, Treasure Island, the MGM Grand Hotel, and the Luxor Pyramid are still among the favorite resorts of guests to this exciting city. The New York, New York Hotel and Casino was already open in 1998 and so was the 1,149 foot tall
Stratosphere Tower.
Viewing the city of Las Vegas from the top of this structure is absolutely breathtaking - especially at night.
Front entrance to the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. This photo is from 1998.
1998 photograph of the recently opened New York, New York resort. The resort features a large roller coaster (which runs a bit rough for my tastes) and a replica of the Statue of Liberty.
This replica of the Statue of Liberty stands in front of the New York, New York Hotel and Casino.
Las Vegas tourism continues to boom as new hotels and attractions are added each year along Las Vegas Boulevard (better known as "The Strip"). McCarran International Airport is nearby and is one of the busiest airports in the United States. And many of the new visitors are making the city of Las Vegas their permanent home. The population of greater Las Vegas has grown to nearly 1.8 million people - the 28th largest metropolitan region in the nation. And it continues to grow quickly.
The lights of the famous Las Vegas Strip are seen (in 1998) from the top of the Stratosphere Tower. Many more resorts have been built since this photo was taken.
The same view seen by day - what a difference! The large building at the right side of the picture is the Circus Circus Hotel. It also has a roller coaster (like the New York, New York Resort) along with other rides.
This is a 1994 photograph of the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. It is a 30-story pyramid encased with black glass panels. The tip of the pyramid has a spotlight which points straight up. It produces the brightest beam of light in the world and can be seen for miles. The hotel has 4,407 rooms in it.
Some of the new development in the city of Las Vegas is taking place in the downtown area (away from the Strip). The Fremont Street Experience was built in the late 1990's and is still a big draw. And more downtown attractions and condo/office towers are currently under construction.
The city of Las Vegas is hoping to build a thriving downtown area. The city core is beginning to expand dramatically with new towers, plus attractions such as the Fremont Street Experience. Local businesses hope to lure more visitors away from the Strip (which is several miles away).
The 4 Queens Hotel and Casino has been around for more than 50 years.
The Fremont Casino's lights remind me of the old neon Las Vegas
that I remember seeing as a kid during a family vacation.
For the photographer, the
city of Las Vegas
is the perfect place to practice the art of night photography. No other city in the world lights up at night like Las Vegas does. In fact, it is the brightest city on earth when viewed from the Space Shuttle. While many resorts look good during the day, they are transformed into magical places after dark.
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The Riviera Casino was built back in 1955. It still looks terrific on the Las Vegas Strip and is one of the few left with lots of neon lights on display.
The Monte Carlo Resort opened in June of 1996.
Entrance to the New York, New York Casino. It is located across the street from the Excalibur Hotel.
Las Vegas bills itself as the entertainment capital of the world. That might be open to some debate, but it is certainly one of the most visually appealing cities to see - by day or by night. If you plan to visit this magical place in the future, make sure to bring your camera. Viva Las Vegas!
Another view of the very unique Luxor Hotel and Casino.
The M & M World Store stands right next to this over-sized Coca-Cola bottle on Las Vegas Boulevard. A visit here will satisfy your sweet tooth.
The back side of the Excalibur Hotel looks just as good as the front.
Please visit my other Las Vegas pages:
Pictures of the Mirage Resort
Views from the top of the Stratosphere Tower
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