Set in the middle of the vast Mojave Desert, Las Vegas was created entirely to entertain and has been described as the world's largest theme park. This psychedelic city is home to over 1 million people and welcomes 35 million more each year to its lavish hotels and casinos. Visitors today are amazed that only 70 years ago this thriving metropolis was a backwater with less than a thousand inhabitants whose only guests were railway passengers stopping off to stretch their legs on the long journey between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.
Things started to change in March 1931 when the State of Nevada legalised gambling; 1 month later the City issued six licenses. Then in 1946 the sensationally lavish Flamingo Hilton on Highway 91 opened it’s doors and the Las Vegas Boulevard was born. The city now boasts 18 out of the 21 largest hotels in the world and walking down 'The Strip' you will see the skylines of New York and Paris, discover the canals of Venice and the Pyramids of Egypt and, at Treasure Island, see a full on-sea battle between a Pirate ship and a British Galleon. The downtown area of Las Vegas is known as the Fremont Street Experience or 'Glitter Gulch' for the bright neon signs and thousands of flashing lights that line the streets. This is where you'll find Vegas Vic and Sassy Sal, two of the nations best-known neon icons. Some of the city's most famous vintage casinos are also found here, including the Golden Nugget and the Gold Spike. Most entertainment is on, or just off, the Freemont Street Experience Mall.
Although Las Vegas is renowned for it’s casino’s and nightlife it is now recognised as a family destination and there is no shortage of activities, shopping malls, golf courses and theme parks including the Adventure Dome and MGM Grand Park with it’s infamous ‘High Roller Coaster’. Las Vegas also boasts the Stratosphere Tower which at 350 meters is the tallest free-standing observation tower in the United States. No holiday to the region would be complete without a visit to the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam or a tour of the Valley of Fire which is the crown jewel of Nevada’s state parks, with it’s 150 million year old Aztec formations.
Time Difference: GMT - 8
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Flying Time: Approx 11.5 hours to Las Vegas
Visa: Ireland participates in the ‘Visa Waiver Program’ as operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Irish Passport holders therefore do not require a visa to enter the United States, instead you must apply for an ‘Authorisation to Travel to the United States’. This application must be completed personally by each passenger prior to travelling and it can be completed online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html. All travellers to the United States must have a machine readable passport (MRP) as well as return or onward air tickets together with the address of where you will be staying.