Welcome to Gay Las Vegas.

It’s one of America’s top holiday hot spots for gay and lesbian travelers! Las Vegas is so hot its sizzling! From top-rated restaurants with breathtaking views to savoury chocolate shops, romantic attractions and relaxing couples’ spa treatments, Vegas indulgences last long into the night.

Las Vegas was built for pleasure plain and simple. Tourists flock here in droves every month lured by the glitzy casinos and glamour of this psychedelic city of sinister delights and outrageous entertainment.

Located in the middle of the Mojave Desert, Vegas has been catapulted in just 70 years from a rural backwater of only 1,000 inhabitants, to a lavish resort that attracts 35million thrillseekers and high-rollers lured by the bright lights of the famous ‘Strip’.

Las Vegas’ fortunes began to change with the legalisation of the Nevada State gambling laws in 1931, which set the ball rolling for the development of what would become the cities Las Vegas Boulevard. marriage and divorce laws were also relaxed, creating the basis for the "Sin City" allure.

The city’s first casino, the Flamingo Hilton, was first opened in 1946 by Mafia don Ben ‘Bugsy’ Siegel with mobster funds. Unfortunately poor Bugsy was caught skimming off construction funds and, unable to pay them back, was unceremoniously whacked and the precedent was set; Las Vegas is still definitely not for sissies.

The Mafia retained its hold on the city well into the 1980s, by which time the city had gained its well deserved reputation as a city of sin and depravity. However, the FBI launched an assault on the most mobbed up metropolis in the US and many of the larger casinos and hotels came under the ownership of more reputable owners - we said reputable, but that doesn’t mean less ruthless however.

When you think of Vegas, do you imagine the glory days with entertainers the likes of Liberace, Sinatra and Elvis; or elaborate shows of Cirque du Soleil of today; the legendary mobsters, or the antics of Howard Hughes?

The Boulder Dam was an original big attraction, and mushroom clouds on the horizon drew visitors to watch atomic bomb tests from their hotels in the 1950s.

In the popular imagination this city always held the allure of larger than life, forbidden, unrestricted and risque experience, with just sufficient hints of danger, attracting millions from more conventional hometowns to this "magic kingdom" for adults.

Elaborate themed hotel casino resorts such as the Venetian, the Paris and Circus-Circus, with their tacky interpretations of reality, can be forgiven as appealingly over-the-top indulgences. Others, modern and high-tech, include the Wynn, a trendy celebrity hangout.

Bright lights, endless entertainment, 24-hour liquor licenses, ubiquitous slot machines or high-stakes tables of the top-end establishments are the hallmark of life here, night and day.

Gambling, banned for 32 years, was re-legalized only in 1931 Despite recent attempts to introduce a more "family friendly" image, gaming remains the financial lifeblood of the region.

Prostitution, another American no-no, though permitted at state-regulated brothels in rural Nevada counties, is a misdemeanor in larger cities like Las Vegas (since 2004). But escorts reamain discreetly available in the casinos, and openly advertised along the strip.

You don’t so much visit Vegas as smash right into it, rearing up out of the Nevada desert like some giant flashing, flexing one-armed bandit with its supersized follies, casinos, hotels, shows, restaurants, bars and malls all vying for queer attention.

Indeed, your plane well-nigh lands on The Strip, that miracle mile or three of stylish yet quintessentially tits and teeth facade that's like an old-style all-American frontier town’s main saloon-lined street - on acid! Not so mini versions of the Eiffel Tower, Lady Liberty and the Sphinx go head to head with real life lions, exploding volcanoes and eternally sinking pirate ships - plus a plethora of quick-hitch wedding chapels, some of which offer commitment ceremonies to gay couples.

Casinos go to extraordinary lengths to lure in passing gamblers with amazing displays (including pirate battles, complete with sinking galleons, a huge dancing fountain display and erupting volcanoes) and once inside it’s hard to leave - exits are discreetly marked and as there are no windows the maze of slot machines can often seem like a labyrinth of flashing lights. And let’s not forget the free booze to keep you merrily playing ‘till dawn! Keep the slots full of change and the alcohol will keep on coming…

The hotels truly are a sight to behold with 18 out of the world’s largest 21 situated in the city. Here it’s a case of more is more; which has seen each successive generation of resorts trying - and mostly succeeding - in outdoing the others.

A walk down the strip takes in the skylines of New York and Paris, the Pyramids of Egypt and the canals of Venice complete with gondola rides.

The vast array of themed hotels means that no matter what you want it’s catered for, from the mystique of the Orient to all the fun of the Circus, Arabian Nights, Roman Legions or medieval English tournaments, it’s all here. What’s more, it’s not all glitz and sequins as some of the world’s best art collections are also here!

Despite the opulence of the surroundings room rates and restaurant prices are some of the lowest to be found anywhere, subsidised as they are by the gamblers objective of a free holiday.

Of course, you don’t have to go seriously astray in Sin City. Beyond the gaudy gambling glitz, Vegas is awash with world class shows, boutique labels and fine dining, plus chic hotels and spas.

Las Vegas is now marketing itself as an all round tourist resort and it certainly has excellent shopping, many theme parks and some excellent shows and entertainments that are well worth seeing. Also on offer is skydiving, helicopter rides, driving race cars at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and horseback riding in nearby Red Rock Canyon.

The Forum shops next to Caesars Palace include Chanel and Gucci amongst ancient Roman décor and the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian offer some of the best shopping opportunities in town.

Whilst at Caesars take a break watching the animated statue show every hour from 10am until 11pm and the street performers at the Venetian around St Mark’s Square. Visitors can even take a break with a gondola ride around the hotel’s waterways and should see the painted ceilings in the main casino and the galleria which is just off to the side of the main casino room.

If you like roller-coasters there are some spectacular rides that should not be missed. The New York New York, Sahara and Circus Circus resorts have indoor rides whilst for a once in a lifetime ride don’t miss the ‘High Roller’ and ‘Big Shot’ on the roof of the Stratosphere Tower.

The observation deck of The Eiffel Tower at the Paris give some excellent views of the strip and is a great way to see the Bellagio fountain shows after dark. For a real treat you can eat at the restaurant at the top of the tower although this is one of the priciest in town.

Another highlight is the Fremont Street Experience which is one of the best free lightshows in town. The canopy over the Freemont Street mall is an enormous screen with over 2 million light bulbs which plays out a fantastic light show every night at dusk until 11pm. For another breathtaking view of the cities extravagant lights the south end of the strip has pedestrian bridges from which there are superb views of the whole of the strip, especially at night.

Vegas really is a feast for all of the senses and there are some great entertainments that are either free or well worth the minimal charges. Don’t miss….

The laser show from the Luxor Hotel which can be seen from outer space and the Pharaoh’s Feast buffet for under $10.

New York, Now York at 3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South for a stunning recreation of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge.

The Mirage hotel and the spectacular volcano which erupts at regular intervals.

The free Fountain Show in front of the Bellagio shoots off every 30 minutes from 3 pm to 7 pm and then every 15 minutes until midnight. (The routines often vary from one show to the next.)

At Mandalay Bay, you can see killer sharks up close at the Shark Reef (702-632-7777; $15.95) exhibit. You walk through a glass tunnel that cuts right through a massive aquarium tank containing sharks, rays, and hundreds of other exotic fish.

Las Vegas has long been criticized for lacking much in the way of culture, but art lovers have been treated to some great new experiences lately. At the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (702-693-7871 or 877-957-9777; $17), major rotating exhibits are staged. Check the website for an exhibition schedule. The nearby Venetian has its branch of the famed Guggenheim Hermitage Museum (3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 702-414-2440).

Las Vegas also has a slew of thrill rides and interactive experiences, from The Roller Coaster at New York-New York (3790 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 800-689-1797; $14), which simulates a jet fighter's barrel roll, lifting you 203 feet up and then dropping you 144 feet down at 67 mph; to the astoundingly scary Thrill Rides at the Stratosphere (2000 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 800-998-6937; www.stratospherehotel.com/thrills; unlimited rides and tower day pass, $33.95), which involves several terrifying, gravity-defying experiences atop the city's tallest building like a whirling 30 mph ride out over the 100-story edge.

The Gay Scene

The gay scene in Las Vegas is growing stronger every year and the annual pride a celebration offers a host of parties and pageants. The Night Parade in downtown is a glamorous, glittering spectacle that is a tribute to the kitsch city. Find out more at www.lasvegaspride.org.

A hedonistic reputation, flashing neon lights and over-the-top spectacles make Las Vegas one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. But Sin City is constantly reinventing itself, touting its family-friendly resorts one year and its massive concert venues the next.
This year, the outreach is to the gay market. The city continues to add attractions to satisfy the ever-growing number of gays who flock there each year. Same-sex couples holding hands in the glittery casinos and well-built gay men dancing the night away at the most popular bars and clubs are increasingly common sights on the Strip.

The Strip remains the city's primary draw, but gay visitors to Sin City can experience something entirely different, and equally worthwhile, only a few blocks away.

The majority of the Strip's attractions stretch along Las Vegas Boulevard from Sahara Avenue to Russell Road. This is where you'll find the massive resorts that feature battling pirate ships, exploding volcanoes and roller coasters that whiz around scale models of the New York skyline.

A couple of miles north of the Strip is downtown Las Vegas, a throwback to the city's early days. Here you can gawk at many of the city's original casinos along pedestrian-only Fremont Street. Now called the Fremont Street Experience, it features a four-block canopy covered with twinkling lights.

Locals are quick (and some are even proud) to point out that gays have successfully integrated into mainstream Las Vegas. Although there isn't really a gay neighborhood, the majority of the city's gay bars and clubs are clustered around the Fruit Loop, on Paradise Road near East Harmon Avenue, and the Village Square Commercial Center, on Sahara Avenue near Maryland Parkway.

Crowds can be thin during the week, but the bars and clubs are usually packed on Friday and Saturday nights. Both the Fruit Loop and the Village Square Commercial Center are a short taxi ride (or a 15-20 minute walk) from the Strip.

After a major remodel and upgrade Las Vegas' only gay men's resort, the Blue Moon Resort is now a spectacular trove of pleasure with plenty of events to keep you busy including a free poolside BBQ on Sundays, a lagoon style pool and sun deck and a 10 man Jacuzzi grotto with a 10ft waterfall! Head to the canyons

Located in the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas is within striking distance of some of the Southwest's most dramatic landscapes, and some gay and gay-friendly companies offer comfortable and convenient ways to explore them.

If you can pull yourself away from the roulette wheel for half a day, rent a car and tour Hoover Dam (702-494-2517) and Lake Mead (27 miles southeast on U.S. 93). Together, the two attractions pack a wallop: Lake Mead is one of the world's largest manmade lakes, at 116 miles long; and the Hoover Dam (1939) is considered one of the architectural marvels of the world. Avoid the bus tours -- they can be an expensive waste of time.

There is a cruisey, nude gay beach at Lake Mead, which is popular on summertime weekends. Take I-15 north to Lake Mead Boulevard East. Just past Hollywood Boulevard, head through the Sunrise Mountain pass to the stop sign at North Shore Drive. Turn left and proceed 4.8 miles to just past mile marker 8; take a right. Veer left at every fork for a few miles to the parking lot. Look for the path heading down into a ravine and over a small hill. A 5- to 10-minute walk brings you to the beach. There are no facilities or concessions -- bring water and sunscreen!

Valley of Fire State Park (58 miles northeast on I-15; 702-397-2088) is a stunning desert overlooking Lake Mead. Several petroglyphs (cave drawings by the area's early Native Americans) from thousands of years ago can be seen here, as well as the endless hues of red, orange, and violet of the desert landscape at sundown.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, west of Las Vegas on State Route 160, is so close to the city the skyline is visible from a number of overlooks. The park is famous for its sandstone outcroppings, prehistoric sand dunes and dramatic cliffs along the 65-million-year-old Keystone Thrust.

The Calico Hills, on the park's 13-mile Scenic Loop, remain a popular destination for local rock climbers and hikers. Animal lovers come for a glimpse of wildlife, ranging from rattlesnakes and raptors to ground squirrels and desert tortoises.

Red Rock Canyon's unique attractions include prehistoric pictographs, found near Willow Spring Picnic Area. Archaeologists speculate that the tribes who once lived in the canyon put their handprints on the rocks to announce births. The tribes' origins, however, remain a mystery.

More than one million people visit Red Rock each year, but that number is dwarfed by the hordes of visitors to the Grand Canyon, one of the world's most popular national attractions. The park is a five-hour drive from Las Vegas, but a handful of companies offer helicopter tours from Boulder City that land inside the canyon, within the Hualapai Indian Reservation.

The flight from Boulder City takes roughly 35 minutes. It passes over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead before making a 3,500-foot descent into the canyon. Mischa Maliski of Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters says the National Parks Service banned scenic tours within national park boundaries nearly a decade ago, after a series of crashes. Now, flights must land just outside the park on Hualapai land. Visitors are treated to a small picnic lunch and a champagne toast before returning to Nevada.