Vegas battles with several ill-founded, though hard to shake stereotypes: You may know it as "Sin City" where you're as likely to get a hand job as you are a handshake. Or you may know it as Geriatric Park where smoke-filled casinos host fanny-packed seniors gambling away their social security checks one quarter at a time. Or you may picture Vegas as a glittering postcard of hotbed of concerts and attractions, clubs and attractions.

There is some truth to each of those images and thanks to a concerted effort by city officials to diversify the Las Vegas economy from just tourism to attracting light manufacturing, banking, and other commercial interests, as the lack of any state income tax and very affordable real estate prices, Vegas has recently enjoyed an enormous boom both in population and in tourism economically. Las Vegas is now one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country, with a rate of 6,000 people moving here per month (a rate that has held up for over about a decade). In the last year alone, an astonishing 38 million people visited the city, spending over $32 billion.

Along the way, it has become one of the hippest, most exciting cities to visit in the United States, no doubt in part due to its burgeoning gay nightlife and alternative entertainment options. The city has made a special pitch to gay travelers: advertising in gay magazines and on popular websites, and even hosting floats in gay pride parades (the 2006 New York City Gay Pride Parade featured a Las Vegas Convention and Tourism Authority-sponsored float with a swank lounge singer and Liberace impersonator). The city's infamous and unapologetic sense of the outrageous has its gay bits: who can forget Siegfried and Roy, the German sensation that - until Roy Horn was mauled by one of the duo's signature white tigers in 2003 -stunned audiences for almost 3 decades with their kitschy magic and illusion show? And many a drag queen the world over has been inspired by the strip's showgirls.

It is important to know that despite the advertising hype of Las Vegas ("What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas") the city's primary attraction continues to be its gambling facilities. Yes, prostitution is legal in the rural counties of Nevada, but not in the city of Vegas.

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Las Vegas is easily accessible by plane with 6 airports serving the region around the city. It is only 4 hours by car from Los Angeles, along a scenic, albeit heavily traveled route in the Mojave Desert.


Gay Friendly Hotels Las Vegas

Las Vegas has more hotel rooms than any other American city and 16 of the 20 biggest hotels in the U.S are located in Sin City. Most of the lavish resorts located on the strip are gay friendly and for the most part are owned by multinational corporations who cater to millions of people every year, many of which are of course gay individuals and couples.

If you seek the world-class, over-the-top luxury as featured in the many movies about Las Vegas or just the basic amenities of a quality hotel that you would find in any large city, the options are not likely to be more diverse than in Las Vegas. Vegas is host to a robust assortment of hotels - each renovating year after year to stay ahead of the competition - and offer you - their guests - the best experiences possible. Sure the hotels invest in their guest sleeping rooms - but the real bulk of the money is spent in creating inviting common spaces - with shopping, dining, entertainment, and gambling - all within the confines of your hotel.

When it comes to almost everything about Las Vegas, the ostentatious is more the rule than the exception. Do not expect to find quaint, Bed & Breakfast-style hotels near the casinos, theaters and bars - as these are located a bit off the strip - removed from the noise and lights. If you are looking for a quieter time and the real "gay" experience - Vegas has one inclusive Gay Resort - The Blue Moon Resort - featuring a clothing optional swimming pool and a more laid back atmosphere.

As Las Vegas can be oppressively hot in the summertime under the desert sun, it's best to plan accordingly. Book your gay friendly hotel after you've decided what sort of events and attractions you want to see, and then find a hotel close to those locations. Taxis are of course numerous on the strip, but they can be expensive.


What to Do? Where to Go? Gay Friendly Las Vegas

Unlike most large, American cities, Las Vegas does not have a "gayborhood." In fact, there are few enclaves of any particular sort, as the city's nightlife, entertainment and lodging are located along the four-mile long strip of highway, Las Vegas Boulevard, that forms the epicenter of economic activity in the city. A place where everything goes, Las Vegas is a welcoming location for gay and lesbian travelers who need not worry about holding hands in public or fear for their safety. As always, the normal safety precautions that apply in any large city are in effect in Las Vegas, perhaps even more so because of all the money that is so visibly part of the city's signature activity, but the city does have an overall welcoming attitude towards gays and lesbians.

Most people come to Vegas with dreams of striking it rich. But it is important to play on a budget and not get roped in by the temptation. It's best to think of gambling as a form of entertainment - an expensive form of entertainment - and not as a moneymaking proposition. Most casinos actually offer gambling lessons to help players learn the rules and strategies behind card and dice games. If rolling the dice for a big pay off isn't your thing - less risk-seeking travelers can just stick to slots.

In addition to the dozens of casinos, Las Vegas is also knows for the packed shows with top-rate talent appearing frequently for short-stays or long runs. Celine Dion has become a fixture at Caesar's Palace as has the world-famous Cirque du Soleil - which has five separate shows operating in Vegas at current (for tickets, http://www.cirque-du-soleil-tickets.com/). Among other performances especially popular with gay travelers is - the ABBA musical "Mama Mia!"

Not everything in Vegas is glitz and glam. Those wishing to take day trips might try a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon in bordering Arizona (which land in the canyon itself) or a trip to the Hoover Dam. Tours of both depart daily from the city with shuttle bus hotel pick-up service. For the especially adventurous, a gay nude beach is located at Lake Mead not far from downtown by car. But be warned - undressing anywhere other than the beach itself can lead to hefty fines as the police frequently patrol the area. There are also numerous tour companies that operate outdoor activities for those wishing to get away from the casinos and neon lights for a while. Gay families will have plenty of activities for their children, as miniature golf courses are abundant just off the strip. There are a number of theme parks, water parks and roller-coasters that match the thrill and excitement of any major amusement park. With Las Vegas' hotels constantly trying to outdo one another, their pool facilities are just one of the features that become more and more exciting with each passing year.

With all the money you'll win at the craps table - what better to do than spend it one of Las Vegas' malls? At the Fashion Show Mall on the strip, you will find bedrock Department Stores like Macy's, Nieman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Caesar's Palace contains one of the city's nicest malls - appropriately titled "Caesar's Forum" - has an impressive fountain of Bacchus, Apollo and Venus. There are also two factory outlet malls that are close to the city's major hotels and gay specialty stores too.

Some of the best comedy performers in the world make their home in Las Vegas or pass through here regularly while on tour. The famed Chicago-based Second City comedy troupe opened up its own theater in Las Vegas in 2001 and performs shows 6 days a week. The Las Vegas Comedy Festival, which takes place in January every year, is a national convention for comedy writers and performers in television, movies and live theater and is considered the premiere such event for people working in the comedy industry. The Comedy Festival in November is a weeklong series of shows featuring the nation's best comics. Penn & Teller, perhaps America's most famous and entertaining magicians (and pro-gay too!), perform at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. Countless local theaters showcase less well-known talents in music, comedy and old-fashioned variety shows.

And if you can't get tickets to Elton John, Madonna or other gay faves - don't worry - there are bona fide celebrity impersonator shows that offer the spirit of these great performers, if not exactly their pitch-perfect voices.


Gay Dining Las Vegas:

As the service in Las Vegas is some of the best you will find in the world, expect to dine well - if you are willing to spend. And if Vegas' mini-replica of downtown Paris is any indication - international dining options will not leave you wanting. From Southern BBQ to sushi to buffalo meat, Las Vegas might just have a more eclectic dining scene than any other city in the United States. That said, Las Vegas caters to visitors of all income brackets, and so there are affordable options for those who would rather spend their money at the blackjack rather than the dinner table.

An especially tantalizing aspect about nightlife in Las Vegas is that there is no last call. That's right; establishments can serve liquor at any time of day. This of course does not necessarily mean that all bars and clubs are open 24/7, but it does make Las Vegas a bit more attractive in terms of nightlife than more puritan towns that dry up around 2 AM. The city offers an array of bars and dance clubs that cater to older and younger, gay men and lesbians, twinks and bears. Many of the city's gay establishments are located on cross streets either intersecting or several blocks away from the main drag, so if you plan to bar hop, it's best to take a taxi.

In addition to Pride City Guide, good local guides for gay travelers are Q Vegas and Out Las Vegas, which can be found at gay bars and "Get Booked," the local gay bookstore. The city has a local gay and lesbian center that is well equipped to deal with the many gay travelers seeking gay-themed activities and gay bars and nightclubs to meet other gay people in the city. Browse the Bars and Nightclub section of our City Directory on the left margin of this page, or click on "Where to Play" at the top of this page and view a full list of gay bars and nightclubs in Las Vegas, including our Pride City Guide Feature Nightspots!

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