Las Vegas, NV

First incorporated in 1911, Las Vegas remained mostly a sleepy backwater until the state of Nevada legalized casino gambling in 1931. That same year, construction on the Hoover Dam began, bringing thousands of workers to the area. During World War II, the establishment of the Army air field that would later become Nellis Air Force Base attracted thousands more. All the while, lavish casinos were cropping up in this growing desert community, and by the 1950s Las Vegas had become synonymous with gaming. The city underwent a massive cultural change beginning in the 1980s, with new developers and casino owners shifting to a more family-friendly environment.

Las Vegas is full of gourmet buffets and restaurants, which attract large crowds of travelers and locals. Restaurants such as the Gordon Ramsey Pub & Grill at Caesar’s Palace get rave reviews befitting of their hefty prices. The Rio Casino & Resort has a seafood buffet that serves high-quality entrees that are among the best anywhere in Las Vegas. Whether you are interested in having a nice steak dinner or authentic Italian cuisine, restaurants on the strip and those dotted throughout the town are sure to exceed your expectations.

As a fairly isolated city, most people travel into and out of Las Vegas by air, with McCarran International Airport serving as the city’s major hub for air travel. Interstate 15 connects Vegas to Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. For folks who live and work near The Strip, the Las Vegas Monorail is a convenient way to get around the busiest parts of the city quickly and easily. The city has also earned national recognition for being high bike-friendly, with an extensive network of paths, trails, and bike lanes making life easier on cyclists.

Surrounded by desert and mountains, Las Vegas is a dream location for folks who need nature in their lives. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area borders the city to the West, giving residents direct access to the stunning natural beauty of the Nevada desert. Lake Mead is only a few minutes to the east, and serves as a highly popular area for swimming, boating, and sunbathing. Throughout the city, smaller public parks provide playgrounds, dog runs, sports fields, and tranquil greenspaces for residents to use at their leisure.

Despite the super-glamorous image projected by Las Vegas’ luxury hotels and resorts, rental rates for apartments are surprisingly reasonable. The average one-bedroom unit will run you just under $800, and two-bedroom apartments and condos average around $1000 monthly. The range is considerably wider than most cities, however: studios can be found for as little as $180, while super-swanky multi-bedroom units can exceed $4,000. Overall, it is not hard to find a cheap Las Vegas apartments without sacrificing key amenities and location.

Like most aspects of this city, the shopping in Las Vegas ranges from the traditional to the ultra-exclusive and exotic. Shopping centers such as Miracle Mile Shops and the Meadows Mall offer the conventional selection of department stores and kiosks, serving the needs of everyday shoppers. A far more upscale collective of specialty boutiques can be found in and around the swankier casinos, including Crystals, Via Bellagio, and multiple Rolex dealers. For a more unique selection, Downtown Container Park offers a wild twist on the shopping mall concept, with hip boutiques, galleries, art and craft vendors, bars, restaurants, and live music in a delightfully unusual, family-friendly setting.

Welcome to Las Vegas sign, Golden Nugget, The Strip, Fremont Street Experience, Bellagio, Cashman Field, Symphony Park, T-Mobile Arena, City Hall, Smith Center for Performing Arts, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Neon Museum (aka Neon Boneyard), Life Is Beautiful festival, Downtown Container Park, Cashman Field