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About Vegas Info

Since 1999, providing a panoramic perspective of Las Vegas, including: history, food reviews, hiking, day trips, local information and photos of this great city.

On this Date: May 18, 2016 IKEA opens in Las Vegas

May 18, 2017
IKEA opens in Las Vegas on May 18, 2016

IKEA opens in Las Vegas on May 18, 2016

The Swedish base home furnishing store opened in Las Vegas on May 18, 2016.
The chain first announced plans in 2014 for a location along Durango Drive and Sunset Road just north of the 215 Beltway. Construction followed soon after.

Last month, IKEA began hiring 300 workers to man the business.

The store boast 351,000 square feet of shopping space 2,300 parking spaces, 300 employees and 3620 rooftop solar panels. The store to features three model home interiors, 43 room-settings, a supervised children’s play area and a 450-seat restaurant, which serves IKEA’s popular menu of Swedish meatballs and lingonberries.

The current closest locations to Las Vegas are in Arizona, Utah and Southern California, according to IKEA.

The Las Vegas store is the 42nd IKEA to open in the United States.

Photo by: IKEA

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On This Date: May 18, 1985, Wet ‘n Wild opened on the Las Vegas Strip

Wet-n-Wild-waterpark-Las-Vegas-1990-5

Wet ‘n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990’s

On this Date, May 18, 1985 Wet ‘n Wild opened at the North end of the Las Vegas Strip at 2601 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas Strip Wet ‘n Wild was a 27-acre water park located on the Las Vegas Strip next to the Sahara Hotel. If featured water rides: Willy Willy, Der Stuka / Bomb Bay / Blue Niagra, Royal Flush, Suntan Lagoon, Lazy River, Dragon’s Den (former Banzai Banzai), Surf Lagoon, Kids Park, Raging Rapids, Plaza Pool (former Bubble Up), Black Hole & Whitewater Slideways and Beach Club.

The park closed in September 2004 to make way for the now defunct and never completed Fontainebleau Resort.

Editor’s Note: From personal history, my roommate was a lead lifeguard from the opening date, problems that occurred included: the Lazy River had too many pumps running causing the river to flow too fast. The water slides had ran too fast, which lead to some patrons flying over the sides and landing on the ground below. additionalprotective sides had to be added to extend the height. The concrete walkways had to be acid washed every night, due the falls on the slick surface. I spent the opening summer there hanging out with lots of staff during and after work.

Wet 'n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990's

Wet ‘n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990’s

Wet-n-Wild-waterpark-Las-Vegas-1990-2

Wet ‘n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990’s

Wet-n-Wild-waterpark-Las-Vegas-1990-3

Wet ‘n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990’s

Wet-n-Wild-waterpark-Las-Vegas-1990-4

Wet ‘n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990’s (Der Stuka)

 

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On This Date: May 16, 2011 the Sahara Hotel and Casino Closed

May 16, 2017
Sahara Hotel & Casino

Sahara Hotel & Casino Closed on May 16, 2011

On May 16, 2011 the Sahara Hotel and Casino closed. The Sahara Resort was anchored on the north end of the Las Vegas Blvd. and Sahara Ave and was the sixth resort to open on the “Strip”. It was in operation from October 7, 1952 until May 16, 2011 as the Sahara Hotel.

In late 1954, the hotel hired jazz musician Louis Prima to be their late night lounge act, one of the earliest ones on the Las Vegas Strip. A long list of headliners followed: included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, Jack Benny, Paul Anka,  and George Carlin to mention a few. The resort was the site of the annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon for many years, mostly in the 1970s, and for a brief time in the 1990s.

The hotel had 1,720 guestrooms and suites with a casino covering more than 85,000 sq. ft. To this day the hotel remains closed and is currently under construction and scheduled to reopen in Fall 2014 as the SLS Las Vegas.

Photo By: Wikimedia Commons

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On This Date: May 15, 1905 Las Vegas Was Born

May 15, 2017
Las Vegas Map 1905

Las Vegas Town Site Map in 1905

On May 15, 1905, Las Vegas officially was founded as a city, when 110 acres (600 plots of land) in what would later become downtown, were auctioned to ready buyers.  In two days, the 110-acres bounded by Stewart Avenue and Garces Avenue and Main Street and 5th Street (now Las Vegas Boulevard) were sold.

Union Pacific Steam Train No 844 Visits Downtown Las Vegas

Union Pacific Steam Train No 844 Visits Downtown Las Vegas November 22, 2011

Map: http://digital.library.unlv.edu
Photo by: Lasvegas360.com

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On This Date May 14, 2015 Blues Legend and Las Vegas Local B.B. King passes away

May 14, 2017
B.B King in 2009

B.B King in 2009 Photo by: Tom Beetz

On this date May 14, 2015, B.B. King passed away in Las Vegas. Born, Riley Ben King (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015), but known by his stage name B.B. King, was an American Hall of Fame blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. also,King had been a long time Las Vegas resident since 1975.

His biggest hit was “The Thrill Is Gone,” which won him the first of 15 Grammy awards. King was also known for performing tirelessly throughout his musical career, appearing at more than 200 concerts per year on average into his 70s.  His famous guitar was named  Lucille which was a Gibson ES-355 “Lucille”.  B.B King was 89.

Photo by: Tom Beetz – http://www.flickr.com/photos/9967007@N07/6577873073

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Top Vegas Attractions Other Than Casinos

May 10, 2017

stratosphere las vegasThere stays a common disposition among the people for Vegas as they totally mix the place with gambling and gambling only. As a result of that those who do not have interests in gambling do not visit the place. But the truth is that Las Vegas is truly extraordinary and there are certain things that can be done other than Casino matters as well. Still if you are a casino lover then you can enjoy it online on the go with Betfair New Jersey.

Grand Canyon Visit
There happens to be a number of companies that offer the tour options to the Great Grand Canyon. There are the day trips as well as the joint helicopter rides also that you can have there. Other than that there are also options for staying there as well.

Visiting the Hike Red Rock
The wonderful Red Rock Canyon happens to be a much visit for you if you make a trip to Vegas. There are roads from Vegas to the Canyon and in case you are a lover of the mountain and canyons, this is the best place for you to visit.

Enjoy the Time At the Hoover Dam
You can pay a visit to the world famous Hoover Dam when you visit to Las Vegas. Only an hour’s distance from Vegas, the place is worth a visit because of its scenic beauty as well as the museum that was there. For the History lovers this is a great place to be at.

Wonderful View of the Lake Mead
Just by the side of the Hoover Dam you will find the Lake Mead where you can spend your time without any kind of nuance.  You can search online for more details of the place.

Have a Stay at the Boulder City
When you make a visit to the Hoover Dam you can also pay a visit to the famous Boulder City, its famous “Milos” restaurant and so on.

Mob Museum Visit
The past relics of bygone times when mob battles and crossfire between the criminals and law enforcements used to take place are present at the downtown Mob Museum.

Local Eateries
The dim restaurants of the Chinatown are also good places to gather up some experiences. With cheap and quality food items as well as fine atmosphere, these eateries are the perfect areas. Have a nice time with the world class cheap food items right here.

Pay a visit at the Fremont Street
The wonderful neon lit environment of the Fremont Street in the downtown part of Las Vegas is sure to stun you.  The dim and the glitz along with the small bars and good cheap drinks are the perfect options for your stay there. So far entertainment is concerned; there are great options as well. You can also see the shark tank of the golden nugget there.

Other than that there are the places like the Shadow Creek Golf Course’s rolling hills when you can play golf, the Neon Museum, where you can have a look at the artifacts and collections of the long gone times of the first casinos also. Then there are the places like the Bonnie Springs and the art hubs like First Friday as well. With all these places to visit and be at, your Las Vegas visit would be perfect in every respect.

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