Las Vegas is known for its world-class hotels, its world-class chefs and cuisines, and its A-list roster of Celebrities that come for work, and for play. It is a wonderland that is known and that always has been known as a playground for adults. Even in the mid 1990s when the tourist board of Las Vegas tried to create a more family friendly feel, Las Vegas was always the place that grownups went to go when they wanted to be bad, even for a moment.

But Las Vegas was not always so big and bright. Las Vegas started out as a simple oasis in the middle of a Nevada desert. The town was started in earnest by John C. Fremont. He found the oasis while on an expedition. He is credited for establishing the town as a place to vacation and as a place for gambling. The reputation of Las Vegas spread and even people from overseas made their way into Las Vegas. However, the traffic was subject to laws that put a stop to gambling for a time. This was a time in the early part of the 20th century when the temperance movement was strong. Gambling and alcohol, which by the way go hand in hand, was abolished. However, this law did not drive the gambling or the alcohol away. These laws simply drove the activities underground. Indeed, many a legendary gangster from Chicago, New York, and other cities found their way to Las Vegas to make their fortunes on black market gambling, and alcohol.

When gambling and alcohol became legal again, tourists were able to partake in these activities in a safe and a legal way. In 1941, the El Rancho was built. It attracted people all over the country, as well as tourist from all over the world. Then the construction of other hotels came such as the Flamingo Grand Hotels and the Sahara Hotel. These hotels were the stomping grounds of Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack, Joey Bishop, and other entertainers of that time.

It should be noted that during this period, the hotels stopped charging its patrons for its performances. Indeed, part of the draw then and now is the world-class entertainment that can be found in Las Vegas. This is very important to note, because not everyone wants to gamble or drink. So the shows that did and that now attract tourists make the shows very much worth the trip.

With regards to the restaurants that can be found in Las Vegas hotels, there was a time that lasted for a long period when Las Vegas had a reputation for its dirt cheap restaurants. More to the point, tourists were told to eat at the hotel buffets. A person could eat until their heart was content and they could get high-end items like steak for the price of a song. While these buffets are still in operation, Las Vegas has become a Mecca of 4 and 5 star restaurants and the chefs that run these restaurants. Many celebrity chefs have restaurant branches in various Las Vegas hotels. Las Vegas hotels have proven to be a valuable place for the new and aspiring celebrity chef to break in, and to cater to the patron of fine taste and means. This type of chef might have a hard time breaking into another city or market. However, Las Vegas hotels have been very welcoming to these chefs, and indeed, many new careers have been made in Las Vegas.