History of Las Vegas

History of the Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas developed in 1905 as a major midway point on the railroad between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.

Then in the 1940's, the success of the El Rancho Las Vegas Hotel triggered a small building boom including construction of several hotel-casinos fronting on a two-lane highway leading into Las Vegas from Los Angeles.

Entertainment, along with gambling, built Las Vegas' reputation as a play land getaway of the world. When the El Rancho Vegas was the only resort on the Las Vegas Strip in 1941, singers, comedians, strippers, instrumentalists, dancers and a wide variety of performers were booked to entertain hotel guests in the resort's small, intimate showroom.

The Las Vegas hotel casinos that followed copied the successful star format for a number of years, eventually adding Las Vegas promo codes to the mix as well.

When Las Vegas Started Booming

The stretch of road where the El Rancho Hotel in Las Vegas planted itself evolved into today's Las Vegas Strip. Early hotels included the Last Frontier, Thunderbird (Still standing as the Arubu Hotel & Spa) and Club Bingo.

In the late 50's the casinos really start rising. In 1957, the Mint Casino was added and the Golden Nugget Las Vegas installed its neon, Victorian styled, bull-nose facade.

The famous neon lights in Las Vegas were populating downtown and the Strip. Las Vegas was officially booming.

Lucky Strike, in late 1962, added its tower sign - arguably the most outdated 'new' structure ever built in Las Vegas (using styling more suited to a 1940s pulp science fiction magazine - than the Space-Age 60s).

Recent Las Vegas History

In early 1962, Binions added its much more modern and futuristic facade, which has remained stylish even up to 2007.

In the late 1960's, the Golden Nugget bought out the Lucky Strike in Las Vegas and extended its casino all the way to First Street.

In 1988, Binions, likewise, bought out the Mint and extended its casino and facade down to First Street.

In 1991, the Golden Nugget tore off its neon facade and modernized its look with a Beverly Hills' style and palm trees on Fremont.

Today, the constant development on the Las Vegas Strip has created one of the most modern and revolutionary skylines on Earth.

		Hotel Info	Nightly Rate*
1.	Region: South Strip, Strip	4.35 19 user reviews Mandalay Bay 4 The impressive Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino offers a world of possibilities in one of the most all-inclusive, luxurious resorts in Las Vegas. The giant complex truly offers something for everybody, from the 11-acre pool... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at ~~$96~~ you pay $72*
2.	Region: Strip	4.75 5 user reviews ARIA 5 One of the freshest faces on the Strip belongs to the Aria, a curvillinear wonder in the heart of CityCenter. With state-of-the-art guest rooms and an earth friendly philosophy, the Aria Resort and Casino stands alone in... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at ~~$236~~ you pay $177*
3.	Region: Strip	4.3 19 user reviews MGM Grand 4 Surprises await around every corner for visitors to the massive MGM Grand. Excellent attractions and the hottest pool party in the city, Wet Republic, make for an exciting and unique visit to one of the largest hotels on... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at ~~$87~~ you pay $65*
4.	Region:	4.15 7 user reviews Caesars Palace 4 Caesars Palace Resort and Casino is a leader in Las Vegas luxury and entertainment. You will be hard pressed to find a better line-up of excellent restaurants, headliner performers like Cher and Elton John and beautifully... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at $109*
5.	Region: Strip	4.1 7 user reviews Planet Hollywood 4 While located directly in the middle of the Strip, Planet Hollywood Las Vegas offers anything you could want in a Las Vegas hotel. From trendy restaurants to hip clubs to adult entertainment, this joint has got it all.... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at ~~$61~~ you pay $52*
6.	Region: Strip	3.9 8 user reviews Paris 4 From the top of the Paris Hotel and Casinos Eiffel Tower French restaurant, Las Vegas sparkles below from 11 stories high. In addition to great views and food, the Paris-themed hotel on the Strip offers a great pool and... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at ~~$80~~ you pay $68*
7.	Region: Strip	3.8 14 user reviews Mirage 4 From the moment you experience your first volcano eruption standing in front of the sprawling resort and casino, you'll know this Las Vegas vacation is sure to be unforgettable. The Mirage Resort and Casino offers... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at ~~$94~~ you pay $81*
8.	Region: South Strip, Strip	3.55 9 user reviews NY NY 4 Transport yourself from the Nevada desert to the heart of Manhattan at the New York New York Hotel and Casino. The unmistakable facade features replicas of the Big Apple's brightest stars including the Statue of Liberty... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at ~~$87~~ you pay $65*
9.	Region: Off-Strip	3.35 10 user reviews Rio 4 Get ready to party at the Carnival-themed Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino right on the Strip! The non-stop party vibe happening at the Rio is thanks to surprising touches like the host of 'bevertainers' ready to serve you... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at ~~$39~~ you pay $33*
10.	Region: North Strip, Strip	3 8 user reviews Circus Circus 3 For family-friendly fun for your Las Vegas vacation, the Circus Circus offers more entertainment options than any other hotel on the Strip. From the world's largest permanent circus to Adventuredom, a huge indoor theme... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at ~~$44~~ you pay $21*
11.	Region: Off-Strip	3.9 5 user reviews Palms 4 The Palms Resort is one of the best party hotels in Las Vegas. Droves of trend-setters set out to stay at the hotel and experience upscale dining, nightlife and entertainment that is ammassed at the Palms. If you want to... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at ~~$74~~ you pay $73*
12.	Region: Off-Strip, Strip	4.9 5 user reviews The Signature Las Vegas 4 Providing luxury accommodations, The Signature at MGM Grand perfect for families. The rooms feature a fully-equipped kitchen and a spacious bathroom with a jetted tub. While The Signature is a non-gambling, non-smoking... View for this hotel -	Rates starting at ~~$134~~ you pay $100*

Old Las Vegas Videos and Photos

Las Vegas is the most populous city founded in the 20th Century. Even though this city rose from the desert so recently, the history of Las Vegas is still a fascinating story to tell. Below are some of our best Las Vegas photos from the early days of Las Vegas. There are also a couple old Las Vegas videos from the 50's and 60's. This is a great way to see what the modern city of Las Vegas looked like back 50 years ago. Las Vegas has now famously evolved into a modern metropolis where the most cutting edge trends in architecture, food and clubbing begin.

Stardust Las Vegas at Night