After spending a few days in Las Vegas I thought this would be some interesting information, because while the city is known for some unparalleled restaurants, slot machines, and world class entertainment there is so much more to know about this city and some cool things to do if you tire of gambling, or should I say tired of losing! Like they say they didn’t build those beautiful casinos from all the winners!!

Las Vegas, famous for its casinos, entertainment has over 160,000 hotel rooms with more projects under way along with major renovations, and with their enormous signage and neon lights make them the brightest spot on the planet. NASA published an image taken by astronauts on the International Space Station showing just how magnificently bright the strip looks from above Earth.

What you might not know is there is a museum called The Neon Museum, displaying over 250 retired signs of casinos and businesses of old offering a peek into old Vegas. On a tour through the museum’s two acre courtyard, you’ll see gigantic, glitzy signs and learn more about their history. You can also watch the Brilliant Jackpot show, a fantastic augmented reality experience that reanimates 40 of the neon signs in the museum. Just a hint, the Neon Museum looks even more spectacular after dark when the signs are lit up. You can take a tour to gather more history from an experienced guide or walk around on your own.

The fountains at the Bellagio use recycled water, known as “grey water” The fountains of Bellagio were made for your senses. It is the most ambitious, complex water feature ever conceived and it’s right there for you to enjoy, simply step back, or find a comfortable place to sit, and watch and enjoy. Each performance is unique in expression and interpretation so no matter how many times you have seen the Fountains, they will always entertain. Everyone stands right on the sidewalk in front of the hotel but it gets quite crowded so I find a good spot is near the lobby entrance, looking across toward the strip facing Paris. With some money to spare, you can also sit and relax while having dinner from the patio area of Mon Ami Gabi restaurant, or from the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris Hotel which combines updated classic French cuisine in an elegant dining room perfect for a special occasion along with a perfect view.

Las Vegas is named after hidden underground wells, Las Vegas means “the meadows,” and it was named by Rafael Rivera in 1821. The Spanish pioneer laid out the Old Spanish Trail, and he was the first European to set foot into Las Vegas territory. He called the spacious fields Las Vegas because of its sprawling fields of vibrant grass nourished by abundant local springs. The springs were dried up by groundwater pumping, and now, 90% of the city’s water comes from Lake Mead.

Did you know that Las Vegas is the Wedding Capital of the World? Over 200 weddings happen every day in Las Vegas. A lot of people who get married there elope. The most famous chapel is the Graceland Wedding Chapel, an LGBTQ friendly venue that’s been in business for over 80 years. In 1977, it became the first wedding chapel on Earth to host an Elvis themed ceremony. Only in Vegas can you get married by “The King” in 10 minutes as you share your first dance as a couple. There are also fresh flowers, photography and limo services on-site, so you really can put a wedding together in minutes. There are also traditional weddings, minus the sideburns if you prefer something a little more low key.

If you are looking for a great view of Las Vegas from high up, try the High Roller, the tallest observation wheel in the World, located at the Linq Hotel. The Ferris soars 550 feet above the center of the Las Vegas Strip on the largest observation wheel in North America. With sweeping 360-degree views, the wheel takes 30 minutes to complete one revolution and features 28 spacious air conditioned cabins to accommodate guests. The views are prettiest at night when the city is illuminated, and you can opt for a Happy Hour ticket that comes with an open bar in the cabin for you and your party!! Have fun is that!

How brave are you, do you consider yourself a dare devil? If you like thrill rides, Stratosphere Hotel, Casino has several rides at the top of the tower and also an indoor and outdoor observation decks with views of the Las Vegas valley.  They have the following rides if you dare!

Big Shot A ride that shoots riders 160 feet into the air at 45 miles per hour. Riders are launched from a platform 921 feet high and catapulted up the tower’s mast to a height of 1,081 feet. 

X-Scream A roller coaster ride that teeters riders over the edge of the SkyPod from 866 feet high. Riders are propelled headfirst 27 feet over the edge of the tower and dangle above the Las Vegas Strip before being pulled back. 

Insanity A centrifuge ride that swings out beyond the tower, leaving riders dangling over 900 feet in the air. The ride spins at 3 Gs and seats rise and tilt passengers downward to face the Strip. 

SkyJump A ride where riders jump off the side of the tower at 108 floors above the Las Vegas Strip. Riders use a decelerator machine to slow down towards the end of the jump!!

Some hotels in Las Vegas are missing a floor, The number seven is lucky in America, and 13 is considered bad luck. In many Asian cultures, it’s the number four you have to watch out for. To respect this, some hotels skip the figure altogether. Most notably, the Wynn is missing a fourth floor and all hotel numbers in the 40s. The same goes for its sister property, the Encore. Many Asian-themed lodgings will also leave out this number, so don’t be alarmed if you realize there’s a button absent in the elevator.

The Las Vegas Strip isn’t in Las Vegas How can the city’s most famous attraction not even be in it? Well, it all comes down to a geographic technicality. Instead of being in Las Vegas proper, The Strip is actually in Clark County, Nevada, with the majority located in the aptly named Paradise township. The Strip remains as one of America’s leading tourist attractions and generates billions of dollars in revenue for the State.

The Bronze Lion at the MGM Grand is the largest in the World. When you think of impressive sculptures, you might not immediately envision a hotel in Las Vegas. However, Las Vegas is home to the largest bronze sculpture in the United States. The iconic bronze lion at the MGM Grand weighs a staggering 90,000 pounds and stands at 45 feet tall. The MGM Grand lion was built by a convicted con artist, Snellen Maurice Johnson, who wanted to become a sculptor after he got out of prison. Over the course of his life, the self-taught artist produced over 500 statues in bronze.

Interested in the history of Las Vegas, and how the Mob got started there, then visit the Mob Museum. In 2000 the federal government sold the former post office and federal courthouse building that’s been sitting unused back to the city of Las Vegas for $1. Only two stipulations, one the building had to be restored to its original glory and two, used for a cultural purpose. Oscar Goodman, a former Mob defense attorney and then mayor of Las Vegas, had the idea for a Mob museum in 2002, and while the idea was supported by the FBI, it faced some pushback by Italian Americans, but it opened Valentine’s Day, 2012.

While we were in Vegas we spent a couple of hours there exploring but could have easily spent much more time there was so much to see. The Mob Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the public understanding of organized crime’s history and impact on American society. The Mob Museum offers a bold and authentic view of organized crime from vintage Las Vegas to the back alleys of American cities and increasingly across the borders and networks of the entire world. You get to explore the one of a kind mob stories and the actual events of Mob history through interactive exhibits and law enforcement artifacts. Shadows and whispers. G-men and made men. This is a big part of American history and there’s no better place than Vegas to tell the story and what a story it is, this should be on your list when you visit Vegas. It is very close to downtown Las Vegas, another fun thing to do after.

Looking for a couple of hours away from the hustle and bustle and crave some chocolate along with some nice fresh air? You will need a car for this 20 minute drive from the Strip or you can always uber your way over to Henderson, but it’s only open Monday thru Friday. Discover the best chocolate experience in Las Vegas by a visit to the Ethel M Chocolates Factory and Flagship Store and watch as expert chocolatiers craft the Ethel M Chocolates operation, take a self-guided chocolate factory tour to see each piece of chocolate packed by hand with care. At the end you get a yummy free sample and if of age, you get to try the uniquely blended, expertly made Liqueurs feature flavor infused creamy centers and hand painted chocolate shells. Try my favorite one filled with Amaretto or the Bailey’s Irish Creme is also very good. There is one here made with your favorite liqueur!

Then walk outside to a beautiful 3 acre Cactus Garden, the largest in Nevada!), shop at the gourmet Gift Shop and bring home some chocolate goodies from Las Vegas no one will expect but certainly enjoy!

For a special treat adults over the age of 21 can book a Chocolate Tasting Experience and learn how gourmet chocolate is sourced, refined and produced, and understand how to identify subtle flavor notes in chocolates, indulge in the unique Chocolate and Wine Pairing experience. Earn your honorary chocolatier certificate, plus get 15% off your entire in-store purchase on the day of your tasting!

Ethel M Chocolates Botanical Cactus Garden is Nevada’s largest and one of the world’s most prolific collections of its kind. Over 300 species of desert plants can be found on the grounds. Especially enchanting during the holiday season, stroll through the mesmerizing oasis when the garden transforms into a magical holiday cactus garden, adorned with captivating lights and festive displays. 

Now that you’re in the know on these Las Vegas facts, you’re ready to enjoy Las Vegas, whether you’re there for the food, gambling, entertainment, chocolate, or history, you’re sure to have an awesome time. If you are looking for more of a party time Las Vegas starts early with lots of hotel pool parties.

A poolside paradise for adults only, LIV Beach at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas is the ultimate daylife destination on the Las Vegas Strip. Bumping beats, flowing cocktails, and stunning atmosphere reminiscent of the French Riviera make it a one of a kind enclave for fun in the sun for 21 years and over.

For one of the best pool parties in Vegas, The Encore Beach Club, or EBC as it is known as, is a massive 60,000 square foot pool party centralized in the party mecca of Las Vegas. Located at the Encore Hotel & Casino this dayclub is luxurious, vibrant, and one of the most popular locations on The Strip. With three pools, multiple bars, cabanas and daybeds, thousands claim EBC each and every weekend. The massive bungalows offer high-end seating with private infinity hot tubs, private bathrooms with showers and temperature-controlled cooling systems. Entrance costs for Encore Beach Club can vary depending on the event and/or the performer. Typically the price for male entry is between $30 & $100 and for female entry is between $20 & $75. VIP bottle service costs vary quite a bit depending on the event and table location.