Category: The Strip

On This Date, August 29, 2007 runaway chlorine tank car rolls through Las Vegas

August 29, 2017
Actual Photo of Chlorine Tank

Actual Photo of Chlorine Tank

On this day August 29, 2007, a runaway chlorine tank car traveled approximately 22 miles through the heart of Las Vegas. The tank car hit a top speed of 50 mph before stopping in the Northern part of Las Vegas. The tank car was fully-loaded with chlorine, a toxic irritating chemical. The tank care had broken free from a rail yard on the South end of the Las Vegas Valley around 9 a.m. The tanker’s speed reached 50 mph. Fortunately no one was hurt and there was no damage or leak of chlorine during the incident.

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On This Date: August 28, 2000 The Desert Inn Closes

August 28, 2017
Desert Inn Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas

Desert Inn Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Closed on August 28, 2000

The Desert Inn was a hotel/casino that operated from April 24, 1950, to August 28, 2000. It was the fifth resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip. The property included an 18-hole golf course. Locals nicknamed the resort “The D.I.” or just “D.I.”.

The Desert Inn’s most famous guest, businessman Howard Hughes, arrived on Thanksgiving Day in 1966, renting the hotel’s entire top two floors and then later bought the resort when asked to vacate.

The Desert Inn has appeared in many movies including: The 1960 film version of Ocean’s 11 and last use in the film Rush Hour 2. The hotel served as the primary backdrop for the TV show Vegas which aired on ABC from 1978 to 1981. The lead character, Dan Tanna, was portrayed by Robert Urich.

The D.I. Was imploded on November 16, 2004. to make way for the Wynn and Encore resorts.

Photo by: Wikimedia Commons

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On This Date: July 25, 2015 Fire at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas

July 25, 2017
Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Fire July 25, 2015

On July 25, 2015, a fire erupted on the 14th floor pool deck of the Cosmopolitan Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. The fire was reported approximately 12:15pm and was extinguished in about 30 minutes.

The fire torched artificial trees and cabanas at the Bamboo Pool on the west side of the hotel, but made little impact inside the building. Large plumes of thick black smoke ccould be seen from all parts of the valley.  All 3000 guests where evacuated from the hotel. Two people were treated for smoke inhalation. One of those patients , one was transported to the hospital.

Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Fire July 25, 2015

Inspectors were not able to find conclusive evidence of what caused the fire at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas pool on that day in July, but evidence points to cigarette butts dropped, perhaps, from one of the balconies above the pool area.

The fire resulted in damage, a couple of minor injuries, but no deaths. Estimation of damages was $2 million dollars.

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On This Date: July 16, 2007 The New Frontier Hotel & Casino Closed

July 16, 2017
The New Frontier was a hotel and casino

The New Frontier Hotel and Casino Closed in July 16, 2007

The New Frontier Hotel & Casino was the second resort that opened on the Las Vegas Strip and operated continuously from October 30, 1942 until it closed its doors for good at 12:00 A.M. on July 16, 2007.

The resort had the distinction of hosting Elvis Presley’s first Vegas appearance in 1956, and the final performance of Diana Ross and The Supremes on January 14, 1970.

The building was demolished on November 13, 2007. In 2007, A new hotel casino, tentatively titled the Las Vegas Plaza, was proposed to be built in its place but those plan were scuttled in 2011.

Photo By: Wikipedia.org

 

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On This Date July 13, 1974 Bob Stupak Opens Vegas World

July 13, 2017
Bob Stupak's Vegas World Opened on Friday July 13, 1974

Bob Stupak’s Vegas World Opened on Friday July 13, 1974

Vegas World was a casino/hotel opened in 1979 on Las Vegas Boulevard owned and operated by Bob Stupak. It was also signed as Bob Stupak’s Vegas World.

Stupak bought the land on which he would eventually build Vegas World with money he raised himself and from his father’s friends. On March 31, 1974, he built a small slot joint called Bob Stupak’s World Famous Historic Gambling Museum. Although, on May 21, the place burned down when an air conditioner caught fire.

After the fire he managed to persuade Valley Bank to lend him more than $1 million to complete what would be known as Vegas World. Vegas World opened on Friday, July 13, 1979 with 102 rooms, with the motto “The Sky’s The Limit”. Bob Stupak developed weird and original rules for traditional games, like double exposure  21, where the dealer would deal both of his card face up. Another of his successful promotions was his direct-mail coupons offering value packages, and his ad were often seen in the back pages of magazines like the National Enquirer.

At its peak, Vegas World made $100 million a year in gambling revenues.

Vegas World is remembered by some as one of Vegas’s most unusual and quirky casinos. Vegas World closed on February 1, 1995, in order to make room for its successor, the Stratosphere, Stupak’s dream project. Stupak died in September 2009.

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The Best Bet-and-Buffet Spots in Vegas!

July 12, 2017

The Best Bet-and-Buffet Spots in Vegas!

Get your belly as well as your pockets full next time you hit the Las Vegas Strip at some of the best restaurants in the country. With diverse buffet spreads including local and foreign delicacies make sure you enjoy the following acclaimed all you can eat joints in the city!

Feast at the Cosmopolitan’s Wicked Spoon

Cosmopolitan’s Wicked Spoon

Cosmopolitan’s Wicked Spoon

The Wicked Spoon is home to one of the most incredible buffet spreads in the city, where you can find anything from Korean style squid to Coulotte steaks. They take the concept of cafeteria style buffets and elevate it to a classier level.

The décor makes the restaurant just as lavish the casino floor, and the prices depending on the time of day are reasonable. For between $28 and $49 you can eat as much gourmet steaks as you want. If you’re gambling just for fun and want to get a little festive, for an extra $15 you can have bottomless drinks, and that includes beer, mimosas, wine and more.

The Glorious Bacchanal at Caesars Palace

Bacchanal Buffet

Bacchanal at Caesars Palace

Unlike the Wicked Spoon’s bizarre menu that happens to include delicacies like dormice dating back to Ancient Rome, the Bacchanal’s menu does offer a staggering 500 mouthwatering dishes ranging across many niches both global and regional. From Atlantic and Pacific oysters to exquisite Chinese food, there’s little missing from their extravagant range of options.

Dubbed by Thrillist as “the standard against which all Las Vegas buffets are judged”, for between $40 and $60 you can book yourself a table. Once again for $15 you can get yourself bottomless drinks (excluding hard liquors), but depending on whether you plan on hitting the tables later or not that may not be the best idea.

Bellagio’s Extravagant Buffet

Bellagio’s Extravagant Buffet

Bellagio’s Buffet

The Bellagio in another one of the most famous casinos in Vegas that is also known for its award-winning buffet table. In addition to exquisite takes on home cooking, you can fill your plate with crab, oysters, lamb chops, dim sum or any of the 15 chef specialties that are made fresh every single day.

While the restaurant is usually packed, as the Bellagio is one of the hottest gambling spots in Vegas, single diners and couples have the option to skip the long line if there are any free seats at the bar. While it may not be idea, it is well worth a chance to get a taste of the multitude of dishes available. It is, however, a little on the pricier side ranging for about $40 to $58 per person.

The Magical Buffet at Wynn’s Fairy Tale Restaurant

Wynn Casino’s buffet

Wynn’s Casino Buffet

The lavish dining experience offered at Wynn Casino’s buffet is something out of a fairy tale. The bouquet’s and ceiling fixtures combine fantasy with elegance, and with over 120 dishes including prime cuts of grilled steak and oceanic delights, there’s little missing from this elaborate feast.

Priced between $30 and $60 per person depending on the time of day, one of the biggest perks of the buffet is access to one of the best dessert buffets in the city. With plenty of warm pastries and even a chocolate fountain you won’t want to miss out on dessert.

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