Editing Las Vegas (section)

===Tourism===
[[File:Golden Nugget 2008.jpg|thumb|The [[Golden Nugget Las Vegas]]]]
[[File:Night aerial view, Las Vegas, Nevada, 04649u.jpg|thumb|The [[Las Vegas Strip]], primarily located in [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]]]]
[[File:Las Vegas at night (9118927988).jpg|thumb|A view of the [[Las Vegas Valley]] looking north from the [[Stratosphere Tower]]]]
The major attractions in Las Vegas are the casinos and the hotels, although in recent years other new attractions have begun to emerge.

Most casinos in the downtown area are on [[Fremont Street]], with [[Stratosphere Las Vegas|The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Skypod]] as one of the few exceptions. [[Fremont East]], adjacent to the Fremont Street Experience, was granted variances to allow bars to be closer together, similar to the [[Gaslamp Quarter]] of San Diego, the goal being to attract a different demographic than the Strip attracts.

====Downtown casinos====
{{Main|Downtown (Nevada gaming area)}}
The [[Golden Gate Hotel and Casino]], downtown along the Fremont Street Experience, is the oldest continuously operating hotel and casino in Las Vegas; it opened in 1906 as the Hotel Nevada.

In 1931, the [[Northern Club (casino)|Northern Club]] (now the [[La Bayou]]) opened.<ref name=lvrj20000727>{{cite news |first=Heidi Knapp |last=Rinella |title=New book raises questions about Silver State |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 27, 2000 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.a2zlasvegas.com/fse/fse01.html |title=Fremont Street Experience Brings Downtown Las Vegas into Next Century |access-date=December 8, 2008 |publisher=[[Fremont Street Experience]] |archive-date=March 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310095204/http://www.a2zlasvegas.com/fse/fse01.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The most notable of the early casinos may have been [[Binion's Horseshoe]] (now [[Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel]]) while it was run by [[Benny Binion]].

[[Boyd Gaming]] has a major presence downtown operating the [[California Hotel & Casino]], the [[Fremont Hotel & Casino]], and the [[Main Street Casino]]. The [[Four Queens]] also operates downtown along the Fremont Street Experience.

Downtown casinos that have undergone major renovations and revitalization in recent years include the [[Golden Nugget Las Vegas]], [[The D Las Vegas]] (formerly Fitzgerald's), the [[Downtown Grand|Downtown Grand Las Vegas]] (formerly Lady Luck), the [[El Cortez (Las Vegas)|El Cortez Hotel & Casino]], and the [[Plaza Hotel & Casino]].<ref>2013 Fiscal Year in Review, city of Las Vegas Economic and Urban Development Projects, "A New Downtown Emerges."</ref>

In 2020, [[Circa Resort & Casino]] opened, becoming the first all-new hotel-casino to be built on Fremont Street since 1980.<ref name=Kat>{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Circa is Las Vegas pioneer Derek Stevens' chosen title |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/circa-is-las-vegas-pioneer-derek-stevens-chosen-title-video-1570930/ |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 10, 2019 |access-date=August 22, 2019 |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813060904/https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/circa-is-las-vegas-pioneer-derek-stevens-chosen-title-video-1570930/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Las Vegas Strip====
<!--The Las Vegas Strip is not actually located in city limits. Please keep this section short-->
{{main|Las Vegas Strip}}
The center of the gambling and entertainment industry is the [[Las Vegas Strip]], outside the city limits in the surrounding unincorporated communities of [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]] and [[Winchester, Nevada|Winchester]] in Clark County. Some of the largest casinos and buildings are there.<ref name="LVS 2008-05-15">{{cite news |url=https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/15/evolution-worlds-entertainment-capital/ |title=Showtime: How Sin City evolved into 'The Entertainment Capital of the World' |last1=Koch |first1=Ed |last2=Manning |first2=Mary |date=May 15, 2008 |newspaper=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |access-date=March 3, 2019 |last3=Toplikar |first3=Dave |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043145/https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/15/evolution-worlds-entertainment-capital/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Welcome signs====
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas.jpg
| caption1 = The original Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
| image2 = City of Las Vegas Sign.jpg
| caption2 = Gateway Arches
}}
In 1929, the city installed a welcome arch over [[Fremont Street]], at the corner of Main Street.<ref>{{cite news |title=Great 'Welcome' Arch Planned For Officials |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86076141/1929-06-13/ed-1/seq-1/ |work=Las Vegas Age |date=June 13, 1929 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |page=1 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183731/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86076141/1929-06-13/ed-1/seq-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome Arch Material Fund Grows Rapidly |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86076141/1929-06-15/ed-1/seq-1/ |work=Las Vegas Age |date=June 15, 1929 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |page=1 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183731/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86076141/1929-06-15/ed-1/seq-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Put a Star on It: A Brief History of the Welcome Sign |url=https://www.neonmuseum.org/the-collection/blog/put-a-star-on-it |website=[[Neon Museum]] |access-date=December 11, 2023 |date=January 2, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183731/https://www.neonmuseum.org/the-collection/blog/put-a-star-on-it |url-status=live }}</ref> It remained in place until 1931.<ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome Arch Will be Razed |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Welcome%20Arch%20Will%20be%20Razed%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 2, 1931 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183732/https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Welcome%20Arch%20Will%20be%20Razed%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome Arch is Razed Last Eve |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Welcome%20Arch%20is%20Razed%20Last%20Eve%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 4, 1931 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183731/https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Welcome%20Arch%20is%20Razed%20Last%20Eve%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1959, the {{Convert|25|ft|m|-tall|adj=mid}} [[Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign]] was installed at the south end of the [[Las Vegas Strip]]. A replica welcome sign, standing nearly {{Convert|16|ft|m}} tall, was installed within city limits in 2002, at [[Las Vegas Boulevard]] and Fourth Street.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Other Las Vegas |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-04-Wed-2002/news/20202414.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 4, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050908080804/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-04-Wed-2002/news/20202414.html |archive-date=September 8, 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/13/garden/13VEGA.html |title=A Neon Come-Hither, Still Able to Flirt |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |first=Patricia Leigh |last=Brown |date=January 13, 2005 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=April 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424060902/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/13/garden/13VEGA.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ask Mr. Sun: The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/nov/25/ask-mr-sun/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=November 25, 2008 |archive-date=March 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323170426/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/nov/25/ask-mr-sun/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The replica was destroyed in 2016, when a pickup truck crashed into it.<ref>{{cite news |last=Michor |first=Max |title='Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas' sign destroyed by truck |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/welcome-to-fabulous-downtown-las-vegas-sign-destroyed-by-truck/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 17, 2016 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183731/https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/welcome-to-fabulous-downtown-las-vegas-sign-destroyed-by-truck/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2018, the city approved plans for a new gateway landmark in the form of neon arches. It was built within city limits, in front of the [[The Strat|Strat]] resort and north of [[Sahara Avenue]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=Neon arches to welcome visitors to downtown Las Vegas |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/may/18/neon-arches-to-welcome-visitors-to-downtown-las-ve/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 18, 2018 |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220182555/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/may/18/neon-arches-to-welcome-visitors-to-downtown-las-ve/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The project, built by [[YESCO]], cost $6.5&nbsp;million and stands {{Convert|80|ft|m}} high.<ref>{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=Downtown Las Vegas gateway arch construction to start this month |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/downtown-las-vegas-gateway-arch-construction-to-start-this-month-1970233/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 2, 2020 }}</ref> Officially known as the Gateway Arches, the project was completed in 2020. The steel arches are blue during the day, and light up in a variety of colors at night.<ref>{{cite news |last=Forgione |first=Mary |title=Can Sin City's new Gateway Arches outshine the Welcome to Las Vegas sign? |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2020-11-19/meet-gateway-arches-newest-landmark-las-vegas |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 19, 2020 |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101085728/https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2020-11-19/meet-gateway-arches-newest-landmark-las-vegas |url-status=live }}</ref>

Also located just north of the Strat are a pair of giant neon showgirls, initially added in 2018 as part of a $400,000 welcome display. The original showgirls were {{Convert|25|ft|m}} tall, but were replaced by new ones in 2022, rising {{Convert|50|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lane |first=Taylor |title=50-foot showgirls coming to north Strip |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/50-foot-showgirls-coming-to-north-strip-2617126/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 2, 2022 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183732/https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/50-foot-showgirls-coming-to-north-strip-2617126/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Garcia>{{cite news |last=Garcia |first=Tony |title=Pair of 50-foot-tall showgirls make downtown debut |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/pair-of-50-foot-tall-showgirls-make-downtown-debut-photos-2632539/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 31, 2022 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183733/https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/pair-of-50-foot-tall-showgirls-make-downtown-debut-photos-2632539/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The originals were refurbished following weather damage and installed at the [[Las Vegas Arts District]].<ref name=Garcia/><ref>{{cite news |title=25-foot-tall showgirls relocated to Las Vegas Arts District gateway |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/25-foot-tall-showgirls-relocated-to-las-vegas-arts-district-gateway-city-of-lv-southern-nevada-clark-county-the-strat-casino-center |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=KSNV |date=March 14, 2023 }}</ref>