Why Las Vegas Isnt Actually Located In Las Vegas

Las Vegas consistently ranks as a top U.S. tourist destination; over the past two years, the city has hosted more than 80 million visitors. The imagery that defines Sin City, including the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, the Las Vegas Strip, and the Bellagio fountains, are recognized around the world. However, most of what the average person thinks of as “Las Vegas” isn’t technically in Las Vegas.

To most locals, everything in the Las Vegas Valley is considered a part of the city of Las Vegas. Also known as the Live Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas developed around a settlement now known as the Old Mormon Fort. The fort’s location is in what is considered downtown Las Vegas, next to Cashman Field Stadium. The downtown area and Summerlin are some of the tourist areas that do fall within Las Vegas’ city limits. From there, the city’s map gets slightly more complicated.

The city known as Las Vegas is made up of numerous townships, including Paradise, Spring Valley, Enterprise, Whitney, Sunrise Manor, and Winchester. Most of what tourists think of as “Las Vegas” falls within the Paradise and Winchester townships, including McCarran Airport. Henderson is its own city, with a separate court, police and fire department, but is considered a part of the greater Las Vegas area by locals. Boulder City, which is an approximately 30-minute drive outside the city, is separate from Las Vegas. Locals will also distinguish between North Las Vegas and Las Vegas, despite their proximity to each other.

Las Vegas began as a stopping point to Los Angeles, Utah, Arizona, and even Lake Tahoe. Today, it’s one of America’s top tourist destinations on its own, drawing millions of visitors every year, selling fantasies and catering to one’s every whim. It seems fitting then, that when you come to Las Vegas, you’re really coming to “Paradise.”

This famous site is actually in Paradise, Nevada

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.