Las Vegas is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, yet many people wonder why Las Vegas continues to be so popular. So, I decided to look into what exactly drives people to visit the city.
Las Vegas continues to be a popular tourist destination because the city-considered an adult playground-gives visitors an escape from normal life. Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world. It has an assortment of casinos, shows, concerts, nightlife venues, festivals and conventions.
Here are a few of the reasons why Las Vegas remains a popular tourist destination:
- Full legalization of gambling
- Large nightclubs and pool parties
- Excellent service
- Fine dining options
- Warm weather with no humidity
- Open 24 hours a day
- Professional sports teams
- Luxury shopping centers
- Shows
- Concerts
- Festivals
- Conventions
- Proximity to other popular destinations
- A “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” atmosphere
- Legalized cannabis
Gambling used to be one of the biggest reasons people visited Las Vegas. But since gambling has become legal in more and more states, Vegas has shifted to more of an entertainment destination. Huge shows, major conventions and professional sports now drive people into the city. There are so many entertainment options in Las Vegas, that nightclubs have even started letting people in for free!
Why Do People Want To Visit Las Vegas?
One of the biggest reason why people visit Las Vegas by the millions every year is because of the aura surrounding the city. Las Vegas is seen as a fantasy land, where anything can happen. The popular saying “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” does a great job at illustrating this.
People feel like they can let go in Las Vegas, without being judged. You can order drinks 24 hours a day, eat all the fatty food you want and even have a one night stand without it being out of the ordinary. This has earned Las Vegas the nickname “Sin City.”
The city’s perception as an adult playground has been amplified over the years as the city has become the setting of many movies and TV shows (i.e. “The Hangover” and “Showgirls”).
Entertainment
Besides helping people escape from their normal lives, Las Vegas is also a mecca for entertainment. The strip is lined with comedy clubs, magic shows, concerts, musicals and Cirque du Soleil style acrobatic shows.
Back in the day, Elvis used to perform on the strip. Now artists like Celine Dion, Bruno Mars, the Jonas Brothers, Aerosmith, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Bon Jovi sell out newly built arenas.
Las Vegas recently welcomed professional sports teams into the city too. Not only is Vegas the home of boxing and MMA, but also the Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) and the Las Vegas Raiders (MLB). The NBA also hosts its summer league in Las Vegas.
Nightclubs, pool parties and strip clubs are another staple of the city. Word-class DJs keep the party going all day and all night. People travel from around the world to enjoy Las Vegas’ robust nightlife scene.
Conventions
Business is another big reason why people come to Las Vegas. There are around 20,000 conventions held in Las Vegas every year, bringing in over 6 million people.
It may seem odd to host a business convention in a city of distractions, but it actually increases attendance. People are more likely to attend a conference in Las Vegas than a city like Chicago.
This results in a huge influx of visitors who head to the blackjack tables and nightclubs after their conferences end for the day. Some even skip the last few day of their conference all together, and opt to indulge in the pleasures of the city.
Luxury
Las Vegas has some of the biggest hotels in the world. These hotels aren’t just large, they’re also known for their luxury and comfort. You won’t find better service anywhere else in the world.
You aren’t required to hit the nightclubs and see all of the shows. Many people come to Vegas to relax and enjoy lavishness of the city. There are a number of 5 star restaurants on the strip. And spending an afternoon at the spa, or a day on the golf course is more than worth the trip.
Proximity To Other Tourist Destinations
It’s common for vacationers on a road trips (or anyone visiting several cities on a single vacation) to stop in Las Vegas. It’s true that Las Vegas is located in the middle of the Mojave Desert, but it isn’t to far from other tourist hotspots. Here is a list of some popular vacation destinations close to Las Vegas:
- Grand Canyon ~ 4 hours
- Hoover Dam ~ 45 minutes
- Zion National Park ~ 2.5 hours
- Los Angeles ~ 4 hours
- Big Bear Mountain Resort ~ 3.5 hours
- Mount Charleston ~ 45 minutes
- San Diego ~ 5 hours
- Phoenix ~ 5 hours
The times listed above are about what it takes to drive to those attractions from Las Vegas. Flights from Vegas, to those attractions, are all under an hour (they’re also pretty cheap too).
Most Popular Things To Do In Las Vegas
People visit Las Vegas to get away from their everyday life. But what are the most popular attractions that allow them to experience that freedom? Here are a few of them:
- Nightclubs, bars and pool parties
- Shows (Comedy, magic, concerts, ect.)
- Sporting events
- Festivals
- Gambling
Nightlife – Las Vegas has the best nightlife scene in the world. There are hundreds of bars and over a dozen nightclubs and pool parties on the strip. And as I mentioned earlier, you can even get free entry to these club by using their guest lists.
Shows – There are so many different types of shows on the strip. Many popular artists have residencies on the strip and do shows regularly. Other top musicians and comedians do pop-up shows in Las Vegas year round.
Sporting events – From boxing, MMA, hockey, football and basketball, there are so many professional sporting events held in Las Vegas. There are a few amateur teams too.
Festivals – Annual festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), Life Is Beautify Festival (LIB) and the iHeartRadio Music Festival bring in hundreds of thousands of people every year.
Gambling – You can gamble in almost all 50 states, both online and in person. But there’s just something different when you visit the massive casinos in Las Vegas. It’s a lot more fun than playing online poker on your couch.
There’s are even more things to do in Las Vegas than I listed here. I wrote another post listing out EVERYTHING there is to do in Las Vegas here.
Most Popular Time Of Year To Visit Las Vegas
Las Vegas is busy year round, but March-October is considered to be the most popular time of year to visit. The city also gets busy during specific conventions and on around certain holidays. Here are some of the dates when Las Vegas is at it’s peak:
- Halloween
- Fourth of July
- New Years
- Labor Day Weekend
- Memorial Day Weekend
- EDC Weekend (Electric Dance Carnival)
- LIB Weekend (Life Is Beautiful Festival)
- Major conventions
I recommend visiting Las Vegas May-September when the pool parties are at their peak. You can often find some inexpensive hotel rates on select weekends during the summer. If you’re wondering how much a trip to Las Vegas actually costs, I wrote another post breaking down the cost of a Vegas vacation.
