The earliest humans in what is now the Las Vegas precast concrete gambling capital of the world were Paleo Indians who roamed the area nomadically, and who left petroglyphs behind to tell their story. A group of Anasazi Indians lived along the Virgin River and Muddy River on what is now Lake Mead, and their Lost City ruins in nearby Overton remain to this day.

The first European to enter the valley of Las Vegas was a scout named Rafael Rivera, who found the valley in 1829 to contain plentiful water and wild grass meadows, so he named the place Las Vegas (the meadows). Later explorer John C. Fremont found two springs in the valley when he visited in 1844, and his description of the beauty of the place brought early settlers there. In 1855 Mormons built a fort at Las Vegas to defend the route from Los Angeles to Salt Lake; and in fact ruins of the Mormon Fort still are visible at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue. In 1864 Nevada was admitted to the U.S. as a state; but its growth came with the discovery of gold and silver in the area in the late nineteenth century, as well as other minerals. In 1885 a State land act offered cheap land to farmers, and agriculture became the main economic support for the next few decades. Early in the twentieth century the railway linking Los Angeles to Salt Lake City made Las Vegas precast transformer pad a railway center, since abundant water made it a good rest stop and place to refuel.

Las Vegas became a city in 1905, when over a hundred acres of what is now central Las Vegas were auctioned off. Clark County was formed by the Nevada state legislature in 1909, and Las Vegas was incorporated in 1911 with a population of 800 souls. Liberal state divorce laws soon made it popular with the quick-divorce crowd, who stayed at dude ranches for six weeks to fulfill residence requirements before their divorce. These ranches were the forerunners of today’s Strip hotels and casinos. But it wasn’t until the construction of Hoover Dam – at that time, the world’s tallest dam – in 1931, which brought a large influx of workers, that Las Vegas’ population began to boom.

In the same year gambling was legalized by the Nevada legislature, which bolstered the entertainment and hotel industries over the next few decades. The lavish casinos, ornately baroque hotels, and Las Vegas electrical vault brought top name entertainers from nearby Los Angeles, which made it a major tourist destination from the 1950’s onward. With World War II came the defense industry, in particular nearby Nellis Air Force Base, and also the Basic Management Complex. The world’s first atomic bomb was detonated north of Las Vegas, and nuclear tests became another tourist attraction of the area until the 1963 nuclear test ban treaty.

Have you ever wondered why Las Vegas is called the wedding capital of the world? The simplest answer here is to look at the statistics: more than 100,000 couples got married in Las Vegas since 1996, and many sources have said that the current statistics have ballooned significantly. In 2006 alone, more than five percent of all the weddings done in America were conducted in the state of Nevada. And while there are no statistics on the number of elopements that happened in the state, it is common knowledge and understanding that it is a popular eloping destination as well, making the city infamous for its quick wedding ceremonies that are just what elopers want. Although the statistics explains why the famed locale earned the title, it doesn’t explain how that came to be. Besides being a popular wedding destination, what makes it a popular eloping destination?

There are perhaps two main reasons: convenience and practicality. The state of Nevada is lenient when it comes to issuing marriage licenses. Obviously, before a couple can marry, they need to acquire a marriage license. Now, in some states, it takes more than a day to issue the license. Obviously, waiting for the license can put a dent on one’s plans to elope and marry immediately. Because Las Vegas is lenient when it comes to this, it is an ideal place for eloping. Also, some states-Mississippi and Montana, for instance-require blood tests. The blood tests are done to detect if any of those who are applying for the license has syphilis, which is a form of sexually transmitted disease. Las Vegas does not require a blood test.

Eloping in Las Vegas can also be practical-can, because the city offers cheap wedding alternatives. A couple can get married for as low as 50 dollars. Of course, it is home to some of the most renowned amenities and attractions in the country, so it is only natural that, for a top tourist attraction, some wedding centers and facilities charge rather heftily.

Beyond these two reasons, however, it is still an ideal eloping destination. Those who are not Americans or citizens of the United States can still get married in there; all they need are the usual requirements for the marriage license. It is a popular venue for unique elopement packages. Although elopements are rather secretive affairs, those who do bring a few guests (or even those who don’t) choose to enjoy themed-weddings. And after the wedding, couples can enjoy the sights and sounds of Las Vegas-from everything in the Las Vegas Strip to destinations outside the city.

Anyone who plans to elope won’t go wrong with Las Vegas. It may seem a little typical (it is the so-called marriage capital) but it also appeals to many because of its old-school charm. Hollywood stars and artists such as Zsa Zsa Gabor, Mickey Rooney, and Frank Sinatra got married in Las Vegas. Obviously, it is a perfect eloping destination.

Playing poker live for the first time can be very intimidating for poker players who are used to online play. Some players find live play much more enjoyable though as they can look a player face to face to try and get a read on them. Of course the opposite is also true, players who have trouble controlling their nerves often do not like live play.

Most poker rooms in Las Vegas casinos have been updating since the poker craze began. Before the poker boom many were relegated to a darkened room in the corner. Its fairly easy to find rooms with good traffic, you might however consider going at a off peak time the first time you play. There is a little less stress when the room is less crowded. Players, managers and dealers all seem a little more helpful when there are few players to deal with. Try going late at night when there is only one table going so you can get use to the dealer, other players and speed of play. If your use to online play it can be very hard to keep up.

If your not paying attention to the dealer you might find yourself making very silly mistakes like betting out of turn, something you can't do online. Many players also believe it is easier to bluff in live play as pushing chips into a pot is a lot harder than just clicking a button. Something that online players also need to get use to is tipping dealers, you do not want to be in the dealers dog house as often subtle things he does can help you. Online players may also find themselves playing more bad starting hands as they become bored. They might be used to playing 200 hands per hour online when live play only allows them 40-50. Online players need to have patience and should instead practice their tell reading to fill in the down time. Online play does not require at poker face like live play and you may want to play at lower levels than online until you get a handle on your emotions.

Also make sure to ask about comps and make full use of them. Most live poker rooms offer high hand bonuses, and comp for length of play. Its important to know these as often if you ask in the middle of a hand you are disqualified from winning the jackpot. You don't want to lose a 10k jackpot because you were either to shy to ask or to rushed.

You may also want to inquire about special poker rooms rates for players before you book your holiday. Call the casino card room to find out about the rates. You can see a complete directory of phone numbers at poker rooms in Las Vegas casinos

Did you know that President’s Day was first celebrated in honor of President George Washington’s birthday? It was a federal holiday for federal offices in the District of Columbia. It has evolved since then into a holiday celebrated in different ways by different states considering there have been a lot more presidents since President Washington.

One of the fun things to do on a President’s Day weekend is to check out the attractions Las Vegas has in store for kids and their families. There are many reasons to bring your kids to Las Vegas. The city offers amazing family shows such as five Cirque du Soleil shows, incredible nature tours of the Grand Canyon and Red Rock Canyon and it is home to the world’s largest and most famous hotels. But one of the main reasons to bring your kids along is the sheer number and high quality of kids’ attractions in Las Vegas.

For starters, kids can enjoy thrill rides at the various amusement parks. They can scream from the top of their lungs while on the Canyon Blaster at the Adventuredome or raise their hands up as they speed down a 225-foot drop on the hypercoaster Desperado out in the desert on Buffalo Bill’s. For less heart-thumping rides, The Coney Island Emporium offers bumper cars and the Adventuredome has what it calls Drifters-a classic ferris wheel ride.

After the wild rides, kids can move on to test their gaming skills at the arcades. There are a lot of this kind of Las Vegas kids attractions located in different hotels to steer the kids clear of adult entertainment areas. An example is the Midway down at the Circus Circus Hotel. It has a carnival atmosphere and houses more than 200 arcade games. At Gameworks, entrance is free but you’ll need a rechargeable smartcard to get your hands on the games. They range from the ultra high tech, courtesy of SEGA Enterprises and Universal Studios, to the familiar earlier versions of gaming such as Pac-Man, Frogger and Space Invaders.

President’s Day weekend activities can be both educational and fun when you visit museums and exhibits. Madame Tussauds is a favorite Las Vegas attraction for kids because of its extensive display of life-like wax statues. Children can pose and take pictures with their favorite celebrities or historic people. The Lied Discovery Children’s Museum has more than a hundred interactive exhibits that cover science, arts, and culture. Or take the kids on a tour of the various displays of prehistoric and wild animals at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum.

Las Vegas kids attractions also include visits to aquariums and natural gardens where the kids can safely watch and interact with animals. The Aquarium housed at the Silverton Hotel is a 117,000-gallon fish tank with thousands of tropical fish, sharks and stingrays. At Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and dolphin habitat, children will come face to face with the big cats-lions, tigers, and leopards and try their hand at being a dolphin trainer.

Is our President’s Day weekend full yet? You still might have time to squeeze in a couple of Las Vegas attractions for kids like the Vegas Indoor Skydiving Center where your kid can fly for real or the Skyzone Las Vegas where you can hold a bounce party.

A holiday weekend with the kids here in Vegas can be a fun-filled and enriching experience because the various Las Vegas attractions for kids offer a mixture of pure fun, learning, and bonding.

Also known as the ‘Land of Casinos’, Las Vegas is also immensely popular for its wedding chapels. So when both of these popularities are combined, we get wedding chapels in Las Vegas casinos. It is this unique combination which attracts couples from all across the globe to come and exchange their wedding vows here.

Almost all of the grand casinos contain at least one wedding chapel. Several of them have a collection of chapels in various styles and sizes. A few are very elegant and elaborate, compared to the small independent wedding chapels.

Most of these casino wedding chapels offer themed wedding ceremonies. A very famous casino, Excalibur, offers a traditional wedding set in medieval times. For the more adventurous and extreme couples, the MGM Grand provides roller-coaster weddings. Another popular casino, Treasure Island, offers a unique package which includes a pirate wedding on board its ship. And one of the wildest of ideas, offered by the ‘HMS Britannia and the Las Vegas Hilton, incorporates a Star Trek wedding on the bridge of the starship Enterprise. This is then given a final touch with the help of Klingon witnesses and Ferengi guests.

Everything beautiful has a price to pay. However, a wedding at any of the wedding chapels in Las Vegas casinos is not about the price, but the memories the couple will have. Most of the casino wedding packages can cost anywhere from $350 up to $3,500 and beyond, depending upon the package chosen. The packages generally include one or more nights in a “honeymoon suite” at the hotel itself. They may also include photographs, flowers, music, entertainment and even a complete beauty makeover at their spa.

For many people, whether they’re renting or buying a new apartment, security is always something of an afterthought. In the rush to find your perfect home, many people forget the importance of feeling secure and safe in a given area.

When you’re looking to rent an apartment in downtown Las Vegas, you’re already moving into a relatively safe place. You have one of your bases covered. Still, even in the very best, upstanding neighborhoods, it pays to be active to ensure your personal well being. The most critical detail to ensuring your security, it’s important to find out what type of security measures your prospective landlords take.

You can and should ask about whether or not all applicants undergo criminal background checks as part of the process. When you visit a prospective property you should also check out the security features of the property, like night-time courtesy patrols and day-night video cameras.

Most of the reputable properties in downtown Las Vegas offer at least one but usually more than one of these security features. Night patrolmen are obviously a great safety feature for you; their presence near a property acts as a major deterrent to any would-be thieves. Furthermore, day and night video cameras can also provide a great tool in the event of any damage to property. Any suspicious activities in or around your home are recorded and you can, with good reason, feel pretty safe because video evidence definitely helps to resolve any security threats quickly.

To find out about the security options relating to any of the apartments you’re considering, it’s important to speak with the manager of the property specifically and openly about the issue. Express your general concerns about security – about your personal safety and the safety of your property. You can ask if there have been any security problems in the neighborhood and how and how quickly those problems were resolved.

You may feel a bit uncomfortable thinking about security in this way. It’s off-putting, perhaps, to think that security is or might be an issue. But let’s face it, the world is unpredictable and we don’t life apart from the real world. The way to be safe is to be proactive in as many ways as possible. Have control over your security, as much of your personal security as you can control. Your residential situation definitely falls under the category of things you can control so do the extra work to find out how well you are protected from the very beginning.

When we think of Las Vegas today, we imagine the glittery lights of the Strip and the ghosts of murkier Mafia associations on every corner. However, the modern perception of the city does not tell the whole story; in fact, Vegas has one of the richest histories in terms of development and significant characters in American history.

The area we now know as Las Vegas was discovered in the 19th century, during the generalised American populace migration to the West. The land was originally considered unfit for human habitation, given the marsh-like properties of Las Vegas valley and desert-like surrounding southern Nevada. The Mexicans named the area Las Vegas, meaning “meadows” due to this unusual fauna.

However, reconsideration was taken as early settlers realised the possibility of sustained growth due to the emergence of the Colorado River; which provided an oasis in the otherwise uninhabitable Mojave desert landscape. With this continued promise of water, settlers began to make their homes in the Valley.

Following a brief war with Mexico – who originally owned the territory – the city and its surrounding areas became United States territory in 1844.

With the initial promise of sustained water from the Colorado River, to further the habitation of the area it became essential to channel the natural supply into a sustainable human resource.

Plans were put in place in 1930 for a dam, which would generate both electricity and water. When originally conceived, the dam was named the Boulder Dam, and was eventually renamed the Hoover Dam after the organising President Herbert Hoover. Work began on the Hoover Dam in 1931.

Perhaps more than any other factor, it is the construction of the Hoover Dam that contributed to the Las Vegas we know today. In the first few years of the dam’s construction, the population of Las Vegas swelled from 5,000 to 25,000. Most of these new inhabitants were young, single men who had travelled West to work on the dam and explore new opportunities.

As a result of this influx of young, carefree men, thoughts among the administrators of the new development soon turned to a way to entertain the workers when they were away from the dam. A combination of leading citizens – including Mormon financiers and Mafia crime lords – pooled their initiatives, and began opening attractions they felt would appeal to young male dam workers.

The first licence for a casino was issued in 1931 to the Northern Club and legislation swiftly followed for matching casinos on Fremont Street. The latter introduced world-recognisable names such as the Las Vegas Club and the Apache Hotel to the Las Vegas night life. Along with the explosion of new ventures, Fremont Street lead the way for modern development in terms of town planning, receiving the first street-lights in the area also in 1931.

Although construction of the Hoover Dam completed before the Second World War, the city had by this point gained a reputation for being a fun, risque city offering a wild night-life to anyone who wished to seek it. It is a reputation that lives to this day.

Las Vegas still reigns as the “Marriage Capital of the World.” This is partly due to the simple fact that people can obtain a marriage license quickly, cheaply and hassle-free. Airfare is reasonable, hotel accommodations are plentiful, and there is no waiting period or blood test required to get that marriage license. Every year, over 120,000 couples exchange vows and rings in Sin City. Valentine’s Day is a busy day, followed closely by New Years’ Eve. Still think Las Vegas weddings are tacky and presided over by Elvis impersonators? They can be of course, but some of the most beautiful Las Vegas hotels offer classy and elegant chapels and wedding services for any budget.

Despite its popularity, Las Vegas is definitely one of the most unusual places to get married. When it comes to a getting married in this desert oasis, anything and everything goes. Don’t worry though, you can still organize and customize your dream ceremony, from the most unique to something more traditional. Las Vegas weddings are just plain easy and so many people get married in this gaming paradise every day that new ideas always come from their experiences. Whether you want a super fast drive-through ceremony or to say “I do” on a roller coaster, it can be done. Because married couples don’t need a waiting period or a blood test to get married, some of the stress is removed. You just sign a form with the officials, plop down $55 and show your photo I. D., and you are ready to get hitched.

Don’t expect traditional treatment for these weddings. Although the vows are the same, and the officiant might provide the same services as at other locations, there are often more couples who will be getting married in the same chapel throughout the day. This means that your desired location is like a revolving door, so there might not be time afterward to leisurely mingle with your guests after the ceremony. You’ll only need it during the ceremony itself anyways and besides, Sin City good times are waiting! Since you saved cash on the venue, you should splurge a bit on your room. That way you can invite guests back there and hey, you can just order room service instead of hiring an expensive caterer. Go out dancing to any one of the glamorous clubs on the strip and you might even convince the DJ to play your favorite song. Las Vegas weddings will remain a favorite for many couples to get married as long as they stay, quick, fun and romantic!

We came to Vegas for some American cultural immersion. This morning we purchased the new “Buffet Pass.” In 24 hours, we can gorge at 7 hotel buffets for just $39.95. Gluttony is the 5th deadliest sin and we all know Vegas is called “Sin City.” These iconic buffets have come a long way from the $2.99 pigs in a blanket breakfasts. There’s competition now to present culinary extravaganzas.

8am, we begin at Paris, famous for it’s chocolate croissants. I peruse avenues of food. Think protein Suzy, not carbs. There are pates to prime rib, assorted French cheeses, eggs a hundred different ways and enough sausages to line the Champs Ellysee. But I can’t resist the sticky buns, strawberry waffles and almond crepes drizzled with caramel. As I end my breakfast of champions with a cinnamon muffin, I notice I’ve developed a muffin-top of my own, spilling over my Nike spandex pants. We waddle out the exit saying we must pace ourselves and we walk. We walk miles as far as our legs will carry us from one end of the strip to the other. Terry plays poker as I shop 170 stores in Miracle Mile.

2pm, Caesar’s Palace Lago Buffet. I’m not even hungry but it’s virtually empty with no line. For lunch I declare “salads only.” With great restraint, I pass the Asia station. Pasta bar, carved turkey, roast chicken and braised beef. With pride, I pick at my plate of artichoke hearts until I notice the dessert station. Uh oh, there’s cannoli, carrot cake, creme puffs. Berry tarts, meringues, cheesecakes, mousse and more! I had just a sliver of each, but like a proper Roman, I felt the urge to purge when I noticed I consumed more than Terry. Guilt, shame and remorse set in. I vow to fast tomorrow.

9pm, Spice Market Buffet, Planet Hollywood – spectacular and best spread of all. With military style self discipline, I set boundaries here vowing only to eat seafood and limit my portion size to 2 fist fulls. Then I spot pink cotton candy lining the dessert station. All bets are off when it comes to spun sugar. It was downhill as I sampled Mexican, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Greek and Italian delicacies. An hour later after 4 deserts and a stick of cotton candy, I can no longer chew. A Tic Tac would make me burst. That night Terry and I rolled into bed like “Mike & Molly”. My joints ached. Terry says it’s a glucose build up. My distended abdomen looks 7 months pregnant. My poor body doesn’t know what hit it.

7:45am Wednesday – We return to yet another buffet to “get our money’s worth” within these masochistic 24 hours. I had no appetite until the head baker puts out a mountain of warm Krispy Kreme doughnuts. I succumbed to death by carbs. It’s game over.

This was one of those “must try it once in a lifetime experiences.” Never again. 10am – we hit the gym. Gotta work off my bingo wings. After this day, Thanksgiving will seem but a snack. Via Las Vegas.

You might be going to Las Vegas and want to do some drinking but not want to stand in a long line or pay a high cover at some club. Las Vegas is not short of bars that you can go to, but you want to visit somewhere a little more different. After all, this is Vegas. I like the clubs in Vegas but some times you need a break from them. Well there are two places in Las Vegas that seem a bit underrated when compared to other properties. It is unfortunate that both places aren’t exactly in the best locations to maximize their traffic, but they are worth checking out at least once when you visit Las Vegas.

The first place is a bit off the Strip but you can get there for free in a Harrah’s shuttle. The Voodoo Lounge is located at the top of the Rio and features a nice inside area as well as a rooftop patio. To start off, a great thing about the Voodoo Lounge is that if you arrive before 9pm you won’t be charged a cover charge. Though actually, the last time I visited there was no cover charge at all that night so they might have changed to no cover at all which would really boost up how much of a must visit place this would be. Even if you don’t drink, you should go up there just for the amazing view. The patio area doesn’t have much look to it besides for the nicely purpled stairs and windows, but that does make for a nice separation from the rest of the high end places that have populated Las Vegas.

Another place you’ll want to check out at least once is located by the Riviera and is especially nice in that is open 24 hours. The Peppermill Fireside Lounge also has no cover charge, though has usually been fairly empty when I’ve been in there. This is more of a romantic lounge with dim lighting and of course what makes them special, a firepit to sit around. While it’s a vintage lounge, they’ve made a modern update by having some small TV screens to show music videos instead of just playing music. And since this is more of a relaxed place, you won’t hear club music or typical bar music here. And then there are the drinks, as this is a lounge. The drinks aren’t that cheap but they are good. There’s a good drink called ‘Scooby Snack’ but you won’t get that much for how much you pay. Because of this, I’d recommend going there to relax for only 1 or 2 drinks after you’d already been out. Though this is Vegas and if you’re going to an actual club, you’ll be paying a lot for drinks anyways. So if you’re in Las Vegas in the winter, you’ll definitely want to stop in by the nice fire for a bit on the cold nights. Even in the summer, you should consider stopping into the Peppermill Fireside Lounge for a little relaxing.