Background

Las Vegas means “The Meadows” in Spanish. Ironically, this desert valley was once abundant in water and wild vegetation. In 1829, Mexican trader Antonio Armijo, who was leading a party along the Spanish Trail, veered off his route and found the oasis. Mormon settlers from Salt Lake City soon followed. After railroad developers made tracks to Las Vegas in 1890, a town began to form. The city was founded May 15, 1905. The initial growth of Las Vegas can be traced to 1931, when the Nevada Legislature formally legalized gambling. A few years later, the building of nearby Hoover Dam added thousands of jobs to the economy. In the years since then, construction and gaming boomed, allowing the gambling, dining, shopping and entertainment mecca of modern Las Vegas to be born.

Conventions

The two main convention facilities are the Las Vegas Convention Center (702-892-0711) at 3150 Paradise Road, and the Sands Expo Center (702-733-5556) behind The Venetian.

Mccarran airport

Located about one mile from the Strip, McCarran International Airport is an ultramodern facility that even provides slot and video poker machines! With an average of 1,100 flights arriving and departing daily, more than 40 million people pass through the airport’s 95 gates annually. The airport contains restaurants, shopping kiosks and national retailers. The airport is named after former U.S. Sen. Patrick McCarran of Nevada.

Medical Facilities

There are 16 hospitals in the Clark County area:

 There are other convenient quick care facilities and some resorts may provide urgent care.

Parking

Nearly all hotels on the Strip have their own large lots or garages where visitors can park for free, although you might pay downtown. In addition, most hotels provide valet service. Drive up to the main entrance, hand your keys to the valet and step right into the lobby. It is customary to tip a couple of dollars when the valet brings your car back.

Services

Hertz Rentals
The first choice for any traveler looking to gain some mobility when they touch down in a new city, Hertz is the most trusted name in the car rental business. These Las Vegas Hertz locations can’t wait to put you into the car of your dreams—most of which can be equipped with hand controls for disabled drivers, Hertz’ in-car navigation system, child seats and more.

*Pick-up and return service available

Visitors Centers

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority provides visitors to Las Vegas with helpful welcome centers at multiple locations in the city and in surrounding areas.

Weddings

An amazing number of weddings take place in this city. More than 122,000 couples tie the knot in Vegas each year. Las Vegas is a popular site for wedding ceremonies partly because the only requirement is a license. Nevada licenses cost $60, payable in cash, or by credit card with an additional $5 fee, and can be obtained at the Downtown Clark County Marriage Bureau, 201 Clark Ave., daily from 8 a.m.-midnight. Couples can purchase a license and say their vows at the Office of Civil Marriages or get married elsewhere. The license is good for up to one year. Call 702-671-0600.

Nearly every resort on the Strip has a chapel. Here are some of Las Vegas’ most popular non-resort chapels: