Las Vegas Secrets: Trivia, Legends, Lore & More
Find out why when we say, “What happens here, only happens here,” we really mean it.
They don’t call Las Vegas the “Entertainment Capital of the World” for nothing. This inimitable town has been earning that title for decades—and it’s not stopping anytime soon.
While the most outlandish tales you’ve heard about this town may or may not be true, the surprising stats you’ll discover below are actually true. Curious about the number of hotel rooms, the most expensive cocktail, or the amount of shrimp believed to be consumed daily? Read on for these and other only-found-here fun facts.
If you thought Las Vegas was wild, wait until you find out what goes on behind the scenes.
Biggests, Tallests, Mosts, & More
Las Vegas has never been accused of doing things in an under-the-top fashion. Here’s a look behind the curtain that will help show you why.
Las Vegas welcomes a good chunk of the world each night with more than 150,000 hotel rooms to choose from. Of the 20 largest hotels on the planet, more than half of them are found here—like The Venetian, which has just over 7,100 suites.
At 1,149 feet tall, The STRAT is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the country. SkyJump also holds a Guiness World Record for being the “highest commercial decelerator descent facility”—meaning you can bungee jump 829 feet above The Strip.
Wheely fun bonus fact: Did you know that the guy who invented the very first one of these things (for the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893) grew up in our capital town of Carson City? Well, he did. His name? George Ferris.
Leo the Lion—who stands guarding his pride of guests at the palatial MGM Grand—is 45 feet tall, weighs in at 50 tons, and sits perched on a 25-foot-tall pedestal. That pedigree makes Leo the largest bronze sculpture in America.
The High Roller was the world’s tallest ride of its kind until Ain Dubai “took the wheel.” That said, at 550 feet tall and 520 feet in diameter, we think it’s still the best one on which to relaxingly take in the lay of the land, have a private party, or get hitched—partially because you get to look out upon dazzling Las Vegas and Red Rock Canyon.
The “Wedding Capital of the World” averages 340 marriage ceremonies each day across at least 50 wedding chapels—a local industry that generates more than $2 billion.
At 500,000 square feet, The Shops at Crystals is the world’s largest LEED Gold-certified retail district, meaning you can peruse Gucci, Prada, Balenciaga, Cartier, and the largest Louis Vuitton in North America with a little less guilt about your shopping habit’s carbon footprint.
The ancient Egypt-themed Luxor blasts a 42.3 billion candlepower beam skyward—the brightest light on Earth, visible by cruising-altitude planes more than 275 miles away—and boasts a replica sphinx that’s about 40 feet taller than the Great Sphinx of Giza. However, the Vegas one is certainly lighter since it’s not made from a single piece of limestone.
Culinary Craziness
Las Vegas has an appetite for outrageousness, especially when it comes to food and drink. Dig into these more-than-bite-size facts that prove it.
Around 60,000 pounds of shrimp are consumed around the city daily. That’s 30 tons, or enough to fill a semi-trailer. Most of this crustacean crushing goes down at casino buffets and all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants.
One of the most expensive meals in Las Vegas is Joël Robuchon’s tasting menu at the MGM Grand. No surprise here, as Robuchon still stands as the world’s highest ranked Michelin chef with more than 30 stars. The tasting meal is upwards of a dozen sophisticated courses for the mere price of $525. If that’s a drop in the bucket for you, add a wine pairing that’s anywhere from $225 to $950.
Meanwhile, the most expensive cocktail is served at XS Nightclub in Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. The Ono gets you two champagne flutes filled with a mixture of Rémy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl cognac and Charles Heidsieck 1981 Champagne Charlie Brut Millesime—with a side of an 18-karat white gold and Tahitian black pearl necklace and a pair of 18-karat gold Mont Blanc cufflinks (both stamped with the XS logo). According to XS, “The Ono isn’t only a drink, but a celebration.” At $10,000 a pop, we’d have to agree.
Casinos & Gaming
Although it sounds extremely off-brand today, Nevada actually made gambling illegal in 1909—an effort that worked about as well as Prohibition.
Realizing what a lucrative industry gaming had been, still was, and could be, the Anti-Gambling Law was repealed in 1931, paving the way for the Silver State to become the gaming capital of the world—a move that prompted many other states to advocate recalling Nevada’s statehood. But the joke’s on them: Some form of legalized gambling is now legal in 48 out of 50 states.
Today, Las Vegas is home to about one slot machine for every four residents. The largest jackpot ever was awarded back in 2003 by a Megabucks slot at the Excalibur Hotel & Casino to the tune of $39.7 million, after a lucky winner spent only about $100. While certainly not every player catches that big of a break, it goes to show that the house does not, in fact, always win.
Bright Lights, Big City
When viewed from space, Las Vegas is far and away the brightest place on the entire planet. That’s all thanks to dozens of millions of bulbs illuminating the Las Vegas Strip, Downtown Las Vegas, and beyond.
To shed some light on the subject, The Strip boasts more than 12 million bulbs, which rack up an annual power bill of around $490 million—not counting A/C, heat, or any other sort of electrical use. Meanwhile, the 1,375-foot-long Viva Vision canopy features 49.3 million individual LEDs. As for neon, although there isn’t nearly as much of the stuff as there used to be, there are still an estimated 15,000 miles of neon tubing buzzing around town.
However, go beyond the glow and you’ll find a stellar contrast. Nevada also boasts some of the darkest skies in the Lower 48—and therefore some of the most dazzling, with thousands of stars, complete constellations, planets, and entire galaxies visible to the naked eye.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
In 1995, the Federal Highway Commission named Las Vegas Boulevard America’s first (and, to this day, only) “nighttime scenic byway.” And why not? The street bisecting The Strip rolls past some of the wildest “scenery” on Earth—illuminated by more than 12 million light bulbs, outlandishly groundbreaking architecture, and truly unparalleled people watching.
The Fountains of Bellagio
The Fountains of Bellagio have become just about as synonymous with “Las Vegas” as Elvis (and yes, of course, there’s a fountain show featuring his “Viva Las Vegas” classic), but there’s a lot of intriguing info that millions of annual visitors don’t realize is right beneath the surface.
Located in an 8.5-acre lake, the Bellagio Fountains consist of 1,214 individual blasters: 208 oarsmen, 798 mini-shooters, 192 super-shooters, and 16 extreme-shooters. Those last ones can send water 460 feet into the air, nearly the height of the Bellagio itself.
A team of 30 dive-certified engineers, mechanics, and pool specialists—and one “underwater Zamboni” that was created just for here—operate out of a watery lair they call “the Batcave.”
Visitors toss in an average of two tons worth of coins each year—all of which the Bellagio donates to local charities, which help to make some wishes actually come true.
The Fountains of Bellagio perform almost three dozen uniquely programmed shows. Music ranges from Andrea Bocelli and Elvis Presley to Lady Gaga, BTS, and Christmas music at the end of the year.
