[bigdave01]

Of course Vegas has an identity. It probably has more of an identity than most US cities. It may not be an identity of skyscrapers of arts/culture, but there is an obvious identity.

[Tom Lennox 70]

Its not really the gambling that draws tourists there, its the whole package with entertainment, shows, neon lights, sumptuous buffets, fancy restaurants, the world' most luxurious hotels, etc. I went to Vegas before turning 21 and its still one of my favorite placest to visit, and I'm considering it as a place I might move to in the future and start my career (either dentistry or pharmacy).

I live 5 hours from Atlantic City, 3 hours from the slots at the Dover, Delaware racetrack and 3 hours from major casinos in West Virginia. There are Indian casinos all over the country. Vegas woudln't be famous if it depends primarily on gambling because you can find slots everywhere now.

You can't beat the attractions of Vegas, like the light shows, the attractions in each hotel, the Cirque de O, the Bellagio fountains, the Venetian canals, etc. Atlantic City, besides casinos, is a ghetto city that looks like Newark and has a crappy beach that sucks even by New Jersey standards, which says a lot.

I've noticed Vegas outside the tourist area is just a typical city with no real identity. That's what happens when large numbers of people are transplants. Same thing with Phoenix, Charlotte and my home region of Washington, D.C. (please read the thread about Washington DC and local identity.) Everyone from Vegas is from other states or from foreign nations.

Though given its location and a big construction industry that attracts illegals, I'm not joking when I say that in 10 years it might have a dominant Mexican identity just like Los Angeles and El Paso.

[Tom Lennox 70]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Yes, Las Vegas has an identity. It may not be an identity you approve of, but it really is unique. Vegas has an EXTREMELY colorful history. The Vegas strip is a really unique 20th/21st century interpretation of the urban form. There's nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world. The Luxor pyramid is not literally supposed to be a replica of the Pyramids of Giza. DUH!?? It's a very playful, "postmodern" architectural statement. The "suburbs" of Vegas off the strip are much denser than your American suburbs. The Las Vegas valley is BURSTING with energy; there's no wonder it's been the fastest growing city in America for over a decade. Somebody here also brought up Phoenix. Phoenix, the other major desert city 6 hours away, is three times bigger than Vegas, slightly older, but it has hardly any history at all. No mobsters, no movie stars, no Elvis, no Bugsy, no nothin-- other than some developers building retirement homes. Pretty much nothing of significance has ever happened in Phoenix. Even as a desert city, ignoring the gambling and the Strip, Vegas is pretty competitive, given the range of natural wonders a short drive from the city.

I definitely prefer Vegas over Phoenix, since Vegas is a lot closer to California, the beach, the Grand Canyon, the ski areas in Utah, Lake Tahoe, etc. There's really not much around Phoenix for hours. Their closest beach is in Mexico and it is not a flashy Mexican beach like Acapulco or Cancun or Los Cabos. Now I heard with the passport issues they can't even go there that easily anymore. I think the only thing Phoenix might win out in is the desert landscape since there aren't that many saguaros in Nevada that I've seen. Also Las Vegas is cooler than Phoenix by about 10 degrees I believe.

[Tom Lennox 70]

Originally Posted by PeteU

Paris? New York, New York? Caesar's Palace? The Venetian?

I guess Las Vegas may have an identity as the world's largest minature golf course.

Las Vegas's identity is the Gambling Mecca of the World, but nothing in Vegas says Vegas. It all screams someplace other than Las Vegas.

Maybe if Las Vegas never got into gambling, it would be known for, I don't know, railroading? Cow skulls? But the Las Vegas of today is centered around one thing, and one thing only: gambling.

As a place to gamble, Las Vegas is fine. But a place of culture and sophistication? Nope. I said before, and I'll say it again, Las Vegas is about as cultured and sophisticated as the South of the Border rest stop in South Carolina.

Actually the Vegas economy is a lot more diversified than people think and I've read that only a quarter of the workforce is employed by the tourist industry. The city is attracting a lot of differnt kinds of companies there though tourism will always continue to be important like in DC, Orlando or Miami.

The biggest single employer in the Las Vegas area is the U.S. military and Nellis AFB is one of the largest and most important military bases in the world. There are also many defense-related businesses going on around there as well as multiple flight test ranges. I think a lot of stealth technology and research takes place around Nellis.

Hey I actually saw stealth bombers on the runway at Nellis when I used the telescope on top of the Stratosphere Tower.

[milquetoast]

Originally Posted by Vagus

I vote for "painted harlot." You go, you pay your money, you have your fun, you leave, you can't imagine coming home to it every night . . .

You are correct, Vagus. ( Is that pronounced with a hard or soft 'g'? ) It is the city that you leave your city for, and cheat with. Because it's younger and more fun and exciting than your city! If you came home to it every night, you would be a dry Vagus.

[vegaspilgrim]

Wow, terrapin, for the first time I actually agree with you! You pretty much hit it spot on-- people go to Las Vegas for the entire package-- which gambling is certainly a component, but not the only thing. I've been to Las Vegas so many times now and have seen pretty much the whole city-- not just the strip and downtown, but Summerlin, Henderson, Red Rock area, Blue Diamond, Mt Charleston, Lake Mead... Pahrump, Mesquite, Laughlin... you name it. I've probably been at least 15 times, maybe 20 even... and I've gambled a total of $3.00 in my entire life! I have some family who moved out there a few years ago so when I go I spend a lot of time visiting them, and so I've seen how the locals live there. In many ways, once you're off the strip, it is like any other American city, but on the other hand, even the suburbs of Vegas have a Vegas-y feel to them. It's difficult to describe exactly what that is, but I definitely feel different there than in Phoenix, where I currently live. For example, all the bowling allies and movie theaters are IN casinos. Even gas stations in Summerlin feel really glitzy. There's a high rise development on Rampart with some upscale shopping across the street that could give north Scottsdale a run for its money.

Originally Posted by Terrapin2212

I definitely prefer Vegas over Phoenix, since Vegas is a lot closer to California, the beach, the Grand Canyon, the ski areas in Utah, Lake Tahoe, etc. There's really not much around Phoenix for hours. Their closest beach is in Mexico and it is not a flashy Mexican beach like Acapulco or Cancun or Los Cabos. Now I heard with the passport issues they can't even go there that easily anymore. I think the only thing Phoenix might win out in is the desert landscape since there aren't that many saguaros in Nevada that I've seen. Also Las Vegas is cooler than Phoenix by about 10 degrees I believe.

I agree, in many ways, Las Vegas' location is better than Phoenix. Climate is a trade off-- the peak of a summer day in Vegas is just as hot as Phoenix, if not even hotter. However, it cools off slightly faster in Las Vegas at night there, and it's not as hot for as long of a period of the year. Winters, however, are noticably chillier in Las Vegas compared to Phoenix. As much as I like visiting Vegas, though, I'm not convinced it's a great place to live-- especially if you plan on having kids some day. The schools there are rock bottom. Crime is really high, infrastructure is inadequate. Housing prices there are insane-- almost at California levels. You get so little for your money there. You might as well spend a few bucks more and live in California. I'd way rather live in San Diego than in Vegas. SD is so much nicer of a city. Even Phoenix looks like a bargain in comparison, and PHX has shot up through the roof too.

[milquetoast]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Vegas is fun for 2 days, checking out the sights and sounds, visiting replicas of landmarks from around the world, etc. Then its time to get the heck out, its a miserable city and I find it has no identity other than gambling. Its the definition of boring, soulless, sunbelt sprawl.

Chicago is fun for 2 days, checking out the sights and sounds, visiting office buildings and parks that look just like yours and eating deep dish pizza at Michael Jordan's. Ooooh, there's a lake! It's the flyover, passed over, capital of the midwest. Fly into the hub, then jet out faster than a prune shake at Taco Bell!

[milquetoast]

Originally Posted by PeteU

Paris? New York, New York? Caesar's Palace? The Venetian?

I guess Las Vegas may have an identity as the world's largest minature golf course.

That wouldn't be it's only identity. Since you have been 'made' as a New York fan boy, ( I can smell them a mile away ), we'll use New York. When you go to a Las Vegas resort hotel, one that may not look or emulate another location, ( there are more on the way.. ), you will have more options within this hotel as compared to the other variety. Stay at The Wynn. You can't see a silly Broadway style show? You can see that in the hotel. What about the shopping? In the hotel or across the street at Fashion Show. Toys for the kids at New York's FAO Schwartz? There's a huge one at The Forum within walking distance. World class dining? Either town, try not to dispute that! Observation deck at the Empire State Building? Stratosphere's restaurant. Bars and nightclubs? Please. Neighborhood cafe's and Central Park? Does anyone go just for those? There's no history in Vegas like in New York, give it another couple of hundred years. There won't be an actual Statue of Liberty. There's more to do in New York for the tourists, like opera and museums, but gaming, fortunately or not, makes up for an awful lot. It's not just gaming. Per capita, many more tourists agree, as many more come to Las Vegas. One hell of a miniature golf course! Ask the concierge at the Waldorf where the golfing is in Manhattan and check the look on his face. Now, Petey- you're not going to fall into my trap and suggest that the people of Las Vegas are lame and have no identity and are of a questionable nature, are you?

[Mooseketeer]

Las vegas is my idea of hell on earth. Everything I loathe about our society encapsuled in one neat package. Shallowness, superficiality, fake, artificial, greed, gluttony, selfish, hedonistic, hideous, lacking in style, character. I am sure Dante was referring to Vegas in his "Divine Comedy" and the various degrees of hell ! I just try to imagine what a beautiful place it must have been before they built all that garish, gaudi, bling, rubbish and it makes me weep. It must also be one of the worst environmental nightmare in the US. Deserts were never meant to support large consumerist societies , people who waste water like there is no tomorrow.

If this is the best we could come up for "entertainment" heaven help us...

[milquetoast]

Originally Posted by ajf131

To me what makes Las Vegas artificial is that it was essentially started by the Mafia and legally never should have been able to get as big as it got.

The reason, the only reason Las Vegas got this big is because it was regulated in accordance to the law laid down by the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC). You wish your city, state or nation were regulated this forcefully and efficiently! Do you have Mississippi river boats for gaming in St. Louis? Talk about something used for a singular purpose! Those compare quite favorably, I do agree.