Attractions · Our pick in Las Vegas
Las Vegas fun facts: the back story
The back story
About Las Vegas fun facts: the back story
A handful of things you may not know about Las Vegas.
History
Springs Preserve marks the springs that gave the valley its name and tells 5,000 years of its history. The Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort preserves part of an adobe fort built in 1855. El Cortez has been open since 1941, and the Golden Steer since 1958.
On the Strip
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign went up in 1959 and has run on solar power since 2014. The High Roller is 550 feet tall, and the STRAT’s thrill rides sit more than 900 feet above the ground. Sphere’s Exosphere uses more than 1.2 million LEDs.
Las Vegas means “the meadows”, after the springs that fed the valley.
In the desert
Valley of Fire’s petroglyphs are more than 2,000 years old, and Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s. In August 2026 the MICHELIN Guide returned to the city for the first time since 2009.
Our advice: start at Springs Preserve to understand why there is a city here at all.
Why it's on our list
- History
- On the Strip
- In the desert
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Las Vegas fun facts: the back story before you go.