This Las Vegas All-American Road Is the Ultimate US Road Trip – World Atlas
This Las Vegas All-American Road Is the Ultimate US Road Trip
Is there a more famous road on Earth than the Las Vegas Strip? Between its storied past and the immense number of world-class attractions that call it home today, this 4.5-mile byway not only ranks among America’s most beloved tourist destinations but has also featured in a plethora of popular media. From the newly released season of Fallout to the comedy classic The Hangover, the severely underrated Scorsese crime drama Casino, and many other movies, TV shows, video games, and books, we have likely all seen or heard about The Strip’s bright lights, whether you have visited in real life or not.
Its reputation, mixed with a number of other historic and cultural landmarks catering to travellers of all ages and interests, has deservedly made it a designated All-American Road. With that, let’s take a deeper dive into the Strip’s remarkable story, as well as what it has in store for modern-day roadtrippers journeying through Nevada.
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The Story of America’s Most Sinful Road
Welcome sign in Las Vegas, Nevada. Editorial credit: DimaSid / Shutterstock.comThe Strip began taking shape in the 1930s, when early resorts were built just outside Las Vegas city limits to avoid the increasingly strict regulations and taxes across the rest of the United States. El Rancho Vegas, which opened in 1941, is widely recognized as the first true resort on the Strip, setting the template for large-scale hotels paired with entertainment and gambling. The 1940s and 1950s then saw rapid expansion, with hotel-casinos such as the Flamingo, Desert Inn, Sahara, and Sands setting up shop, many backed by wealthy investors and, in some cases, infamous organized crime figures like the Italian mafia.
During the 1960s and 1970s, corporate ownership gradually replaced mob influence, bringing greater legitimacy and large capital investments. This resulted in mixed reviews, with some still lamenting the loss of “old Vegas” and its gritty charm to this day. Nonetheless, resorts relentlessly grew bigger, more polished, and more entertainment-focused, helping transform the Strip into a certified international destination and drawing in millions of tourists and high rollers from around the world each year.
Las Vegas, Nevada, circa 2010. (Credit: Ivan Marc via Shutterstock)The opening of the Mirage in 1989 marked a distinct turning point, ushering in the era of the modern megaresort with themed design, luxury accommodations, and spectacle-driven attractions. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, properties such as the Bellagio, MGM Grand, Venetian, and Caesars Palace expanded the city’s global appeal into what we have today, a sparkling gem of a profit generator sitting in the middle of the otherwise harsh Mojave Desert.
Must-See Attractions on The Strip
It goes without saying that the strip has perhaps the best selection of casinos anywhere (although we will still make some recommendations later on), but there are a number of other types of attractions for those not too keen on gambling. From fascinating museums to theme parks, engineering marvels, and more, here are some must-visit draws that the whole family can often enjoy.
The Mob Museum
Interior view of the Mob Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada. Editorial credit: Kit Leong / Shutterstock.comFor those interested in Sin City’s Mafia roots, the Mob Museum offers a detailed look at the history of organized crime and law enforcement in the United States, with, of course, a strong focus on Las Vegas. Located in a former federal courthouse at the northern end of the Stip, this museum opened in 2012 and features dozens of well-curated exhibits spread across multiple floors.
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