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Holidayco.co.uk specialises in Cheap holidays in Las Vegas, package holidays and late deals to a huge number of destinations. Find out more about Las Vegas in our guide below.

Cheap holidays in Las Vegas

Why not search our database of Cheap holidays in Las Vegas now by visiting the holidayco.co.uk homepage and using the search facility.

Las Vegas is located in the state of Nevada about 80km from the border with California and 50km west of the Arizona border. There are two distinct parts to the city: Glitter Gulch and the Strip, where dozens of casinos and hotels line Interstate 15. The city has a population of about five hundred thousand permanent residents.

Most hotels are on the Strip, with casinos distributed between the two. The international airport is located at the end of the Strip, while passengers arriving by rail or greyhound bus come in via the Downtown area.

The city is of course famous as a gambling and entertainment capital, but there is more to Vegas than slots and shows. The city is set against the backdrop of rugged desert with deep valleys of red rock. Outdoor activities are on offer in the surrounding countryside, such as hiking, water-skiing in Lake Mead and even downhill skiing in winter.

Las Vegas is mild in winter (the temperature rarely drops below 13 ° C) and hot in summer with daily highs of 38 ° C being common. The weather is mostly dry but thunderstorms are possible, especially in June to August.

The city is fairly compact, so it is not hard to get around. In fact the best way to experience Vegas is to wander around and see everything close up. The Strip is longer than you might think, however, so sensible shoes and a bottle of water are a good idea if you intend to walk. Some areas are off-limits to vehicles, but in most others there is a range of transportation on offer.

Car rental is abundant and not terribly expensive unless you want to rent a flashy sports car or a vintage model. Prices do vary according to demand. If you'd prefer to be driven than to drive, limousine hire is also plentiful. Of course, it costs about as much for an hour in a limo as a day in a modest rental car, but that's not really the point.

Las Vegas has a very good public transport network with several bus routes operating 24/7, a good taxi service and the Las Vegas Monorail, which is one of the best public transport systems anywhere.

Things to Do

Las Vegas is really about the gambling and the shows. Many establishments are combination hotel/casinos which feature a variety of gambling opportunities ranging from slots to baccarat and roulette. Highly extravagant themed casinos are usual – Las Vegas is about glitz and glamour, and larger-than-life characters.

Many of the world's great entertainers have played Vegas over the years – Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley leap immediately to mind. There is no shortage of entertainment when you have dozens of establishments competing with one another to put on bigger and better shows.

There is also entertainment to be had away from the big shows. At the Court Jesters Stage you can see musicians and circus performers, jugglers, puppeteers and acrobats, and all for free. The Fremont St Experience is an audiovisual extravaganza covering five blocks in Downtown. It may be rather strange but it's interesting and costs nothing.

The city pays homage to some of its great entertainers in places like the over-the-top Elvis-a-Rama museum and the Liberache Museum. Both feature impressive collections of memorabilia and tell the story of these larger-than-life entertainers. Should you feel the need for culture and art, visit the Guggenheim Hermitage, which is filled with impressionist, postimpressionist and modernist art works.

As you might expect, the opportunities for dining and shopping in Vegas are immense. You can find gourmet and specialty cuisine or fast food, or indulge yourself at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Whatever your taste may run to, you can probably find it in Las Vegas.

The same applies to shopping. Even the shops are glamorous. The city's malls are a wonderland of fabulous – and sometimes fabulously expensive – items. You can find a 430-carat emerald and Ginger Rogers' engagement ring on display, though there are few visitors able to afford such things.

Lake Mead, about 50km from Las Vegas, is popular with watersports enthusiasts. Water-skiing, boat hire and scuba diving are all on offer, or you could just relax and sunbathe on the shore.

Red Rock Canyon is about 30km to the west of Las Vegas and is a popular destination for hikers. A little further out is Toiyabe National Forest, which has some excellent nature trails and camping areas. The forest also contains the Lee Canyon Ski Area.

Golfers will also find plenty of opportunities in Las Vegas. There are literally dozens of golf courses in the area. Some are private with very high fees, but there are public courses where you can book a round. It is well worth booking as far in advance as possible. 10-pin bowling is also very popular in Las Vegas, with many centres located in hotels and casinos. As with golfing, it is worth checking ahead in case the alleys are all filled up by one of the local bowling leagues.

There are a great many tours on offer starting in Las Vegas. The Hoover Dam is popular; you can see this engineering marvel set against the volcanic rocks of Black Mountain and learn how it was built. Or you could take a raft trip down the Colorado River starting at the Hoover Dam. Take in the breathtaking scenery and Indian petroglyphs as you drift through Black Canyon before enjoying a picnic lunch while guides show you the sights and explain the history of the region.

Nevada was part of the 'Old West' with its gold miners and gunfighters, and there are several tours you can take to find out about this fascinating period in America's history. Ride aboard an offroad vehicle on horseback along the rim of the Grand Canyon and see ghost towns and Native American villages. At Oatman you can go down an actual gold mine and learn about the Gold Rush that opened up the West.

Why not search our database of Cheap holidays in Las Vegas now by visiting the holidayco.co.uk homepage and using the search facility.