Best Ideas for a Las Vegas Vacation

By Chris Linch

A Las Vegas vacation calls to mind a variety of images. For some, it's a non-stop party filled with drinks and casinos. For others, Las Vegas represents an enjoyable family getaway. Las Vegas' tourism industry had its heyday in the late 60s and early 70s, thanks to a publicity campaign that marketed the city as an adult playground.

Las Vegas was, in that era, a city filled with glamorous casinos, famous live performances and 24-hour bars. It wasn't uncommon back then for vacationers to show up in time for an evening stage show, spend the entire night playing cards, down their eggs and toast with whiskey sours and only catch a few hours of early morning sleep before doing the whole thing over again.

In the beginning of the 90s, the trip to Las Vegas began to transform into an entirely different type of vacation. Its casinos started drawing in family vacationers in order to compete with kid-friendly attractions at New York New York and the family-oriented MGM Grand.

The proprietors of casinos understood the potential of retaining their traditional gamblers and high spenders while bringing in a new market. Families were bringing their own money and looking to spend it in Las Vegas. Thus, Las Vegas began to host more child-friendly shows, restaurants and other entertainment. Lots of casinos offered places for kids to play so their parents could continue to drink and spend money on the games.

These days, Las Vegas vacations can be anything from a kid's fantasy-land to the adult playground of yore. Gamblers need only look up from their slot machines or roulette wheels to see a roller coaster whiz over their heads. Sponge Bob Square Pants commercials share space with ads for topless shows and escort services, now that prostitution is legal in Vegas.

The aura of the adult playground still permeates, despite the strip's re-branding as a family vacation spot. The city flows with money and champagne, as it remains host to the greatest number of fine restaurants and dance clubs to be found in any place in the U.S.A. - 30229

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here