Las Vegas, Nevada, lies at 36ºN, within the classic range of latitudes for a hot desert. In this case, the Mojave Desert, the driest area of USA. Surrounded by mountains, Las Vegas is also in the rain shadow of any air masses moving in from the Pacific Ocean. Do beware of the occasional thunderstorm.
The temperate latitude also means that strictly speaking there is a summer and winter. Prepare for cold nights in the “winter” months, and extreme heat in the summer. Remember, temperatures are measured in the shade, so walking down The Strip in June in daylight will expose people to temperatures appreciably higher than reported. Even at night, it could be too much for some. Note the number of people carrying slushies.
Sources declare Las Vegas being founded in 1905 as a stop-over in the railway journey to/from California. The construction of the Hoover Dam in the early 1930s brought the people, the legalisation of both prostitution and gambling gave them somewhere to spend their wages. Cue – The Mob.
The middle of the twentieth century saw Las Vegas become – The Entertainment Capital of the World. The Rat Pack, Liberace, and a certain blond singer who dyed his hair black, were fixtures. More importantly, in 2000, Hector visited the Star Trek Experience at The Hilton. Inexplicably, this is no more. In 2024, Adele was having a break, The Scorpions had just concluded their residency, Marg had never heard of Santana, so we saw The Australian Bee Gees.
Arriving in Las Vegas
From California, one can easily drive, a stopover at Palm Springs CA is recommended. From Arizona, Highway 93 crosses the new bridge adjacent to the Hoover Dam.
By air, Harry Reid International Airport lies on the east side of the southern end of The Strip. Whilst there is a bus service to take one to The Strip, take an Uber, far easier, much quicker, less hassle. The pickup point is well signed and marshalled.
Getting around:
Map scales can be misleading, The Strip is some 6km long, if one walks it, how do you get back?
Again, Uber may be the solution, but note: taxis cannot pick you up on the street, only at designated points. There is the Monorail which runs to the east of The Strip. Much simpler is – The Deuce – bus which runs the length of The Strip terminating in Downtown Las Vegas in the north. A three day – Transit Pass – is worth considering, purchased at machines adjacent to the well spaced bus stops.
A warning!
Smoking is still permitted in casinos and casino bars.
Since a certain virus, Las Vegas is no longer a twenty four hour city, the majority of bars close.
Places of interest visited:
The Strip
Downtown Las Vegas
Hoover Dam
The Star Trek Experience (closed) – Hilton Hotel
The breweries, hotels, bars, restaurants and cafe visited:
Hop Nuts Brewing– 1120 S Main St #150, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Voodoo Brewing Company – 1415 S Commerce St #105, Las Vegas, NV 89102
Able Baker Brewing – 1510 S Main St Ste 120, Ls Vegas, NV 89104
Nevada Brew Works – 1327 S Main St Ste 160, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Beerhaus – The Park Vegas, 3970 Las Vegas Boulevard S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Center Bar – Excalibur Hotel and Casino, 3850 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Pour 24 – S Las Vegas Boulevard Zumanity – New York New York Theater, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Public House – Luxor Hotel, 3900 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89119
Greenwich Village Coffee – New York Casino, 3970 Las Vegas Boulevard S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Beer Park – 3655 Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Buca Di Beppo – Excalibur Hotel & Casino, 3850 Las Vegas Boulevard S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Johnny Rockets – Excalibur Hotel & Casino, 3850 Las Vegas Boulevard S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Divine Dosa and Biriyani – The Lassi Bar – 3049 S Las Vegas Blvd #15, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Lappert’s Ice Cream – California Hotel and Casino, 12 E Ogden Ave #2F, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Starbucks –