Things to Do in Las Vegas

Las Vegas was founded in 1905 as a railroad town and remained a small settlement until the 1930s legalization of gambling transformed it into a major resort destination.

The Hoover Dam, completed in 1936 just 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, provides the city with most of its electricity and created Lake Mead, a major recreation area.

Las Vegas sits in the Mojave Desert at 2,001 feet elevation, making it one of the hottest US cities in summer, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F (38°C) from June to August.

The Strip, a 4.2-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard, generates more gaming revenue annually than any other location in the world, despite being outside city limits in Paradise, Nevada.

More than 40 million visitors arrive in Las Vegas each year, making it the most visited city in the United States after New York City.

The city observes Pacific Time (PSame as California) and never observes daylight saving time in some contexts, though Nevada officially does—check locally for current practices.