10 Interesting Nicknames Las Vegas Has Gotten Over The Years

Las Vegas, Nevada. Many first-timers will think of casinos, lights, parties, nightlife, and unique places to explore; a hot, desert city that is open 24/7. Based on these first-impression sites, Las Vegas has acquired several nicknames throughout the years that have stuck for a long time. The nicknames for Las Vegas are interesting and fitting for this amazing city, but don't judge Las Vegas solely on its handles because there is so much more to this marvelous city.

Before we begin, let's explain what "Las Vegas" actually means. Las Vegas was named in 1829 by Rafael Rivera, a Spanish trader traveling to California. At the time, the city had natural springs and wild desert grasses. "Las Vegas" is literally translated to "The Meadows," which at the time of its naming made sense.

Here are 10 nicknames for Las Vegas, why it has gained that name, some fun facts, and other interesting points.

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10/10 The Glitter Gulch

The "Glitter Gulch" area is located on the well-known crowded Fremont Street. The street features various shops and fascinating lights for visitors to delight in. Downtown Las Vegas earned the name Glitter Gulch in the 1940s due to the electricity produced by the Hoover Dam.

According to Vegas.com, there is a plethora of entertainment in the Glitter Gulch, from restaurants and bars to unique nightlife and delicious desserts.

9/10 The City Of Second Chances

Travel Vegas boasts several reasons Las Vegas is the City of Second Chances, from getting a second chance at rebuilding your life in an affordable manner to experiencing life the way you wished when you were younger.

Blogger Kyla Sawyer reveals the second chance she had at life when moving to Las Vegas from Los Angeles. Her exhausting experience with blowing money and wasting her nights at bars after a traumatic breakup with her boyfriend may be relatable to many. When deciding to live a better life, she followed her parents to The City of Second Chances. And this entertainment capital became more than what everyone considers it to be. She found a new life to live, a second chance at life.

Movoto Real Estate shares interesting facts about The City of Second Chances.

• The Excalibur slots experienced a massive win thanks to an ambitious 25-year-old who gambled $100 and won $39 million.
• The CEO of FedEx, Frederick W. Smith, took FedEx’s last $5,000 to The City of Second Chances and won $27,000 playing blackjack, which went directly to their $24,000 fuel bill.

8/10 City That Never Sleeps

New York City isn't the only city that never sleeps. Las Vegas is known for never turning off its lights, any clocks in its casinos, and the 24-hour restaurants on The Strip. There is so much going on, many forms of entertainment, and a lot to explore.

What's interesting is that the Las Vegas moniker was the complete opposite in the past: The Sleepy Little Town in the Desert. Las Vegas was known as a quiet railway town. It was a place for travelers on their way to California to get some rest.

7/10 Marriage Capital Of The World

Elope City would be a good one, but the Marriage Capital of the World is another nickname for Las Vegas. This doesn't come as a surprise. Want to run away and get married? Everyone would say, "Let's go to Vegas." However, Istanbul, Turkey, is the number one city for weddings. It has 166,000 a year. Vegas comes in second, though. There are over 300 weddings a day in Las Vegas. It is the top wedding destination in the US.

6/10 Lost Wages

According to a study released in 2022 analyzing Las Vegas visitors from 2009-2021, a mean of 75% of visitors gambled when staying in Las Vegas. The average person loses about $500 when gambling in the City of Lost Wages (if their trip is 3-4 days long). The best tip to not losing money is planning ahead and having self-control.

Here are a few facts:

• Casinos on The Strip are usually pricier.
• Playing for too long equals more potential losses.
• Slots have a very low winning probability.

Make sure to budget. The average person gambles for 4-8 hours. You'll spend money on food and drinks. If you are losing more than you intended, take a break. Think of it as paying for entertainment instead of paying to feel bad you lost. If you are winning, put the money aside. Consider it as "untouchable money."

5/10 The Boneyard

The Boneyard refers to the acres-wide area where 'retired' neon signs are preserved. This is home to the Neon Museum, where visitors can say 'Oo' and 'Ah' to nearly two dozen re-illuminated signs and other iconic lights. The museum has over 150 recognizable signs, such as the big Hard Rock Cafe guitar, that can be viewed alone or with a guide. For more information about visiting, check out the Vegas official site.

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4/10 Adult Disneyland

This name is pretty obvious. Disneyland is where children experience excitement and fun. Las Vegas is basically the place to be for adults wanting to enjoy different experiences and feel a sense of awe and wonder. These are some experiences for adult tourists:

• Fine dining
• Gambling
• Luxury shopping
• Nightclubs
• Gondola rides
• The lights on The Strip
• Stunning architecture
• Adult shows
• Theme parks

3/10 Gluttony Central

Las Vegas can be all glitz-and-glamour, but that doesn't only apply to the beauty you see. The food can be very addicting (kind of like gambling).

Interesting facts:

• In a restaurant where diners over 350 pounds eat free, a man ironically (or not) had a heart attack eating at Vegas’ Heart Attack Grill.
• Nowhere in the US does it match the shrimp consumption in Las Vegas. It is over 60,000 pounds per day.

2/10 The Neon City

Las Vegas lights can be seen from space. Nasa has provided images to confirm this fact. You can take a nighttime helicopter ride to view The Neon City from above.

1/10 Sin City

And the most famous nickname of all for Las Vegas is "Sin City." It almost sounds taboo, rebellious, and dare-devil-like. That's pretty much the vibe that many have of Las Vegas: "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." Although Las Vegas has family attractions, it is mainly considered an "adult" city. Sin City has booze, strip clubs, casinos, and other things that may be thought of as "sinful."

• A documentary television series called Cheating Vegas revealed the scandalous ways people hacked the gambling industry in Las Vegas.
• Prostitution in Las Vegas is illegal. But it is legal in the state of Nevada.
• With all the distractions, many don't realize that child trafficking is a horrible problem in Las Vegas that can be prevented.
• Sin City is a place many decided to let go of their morals and beliefs and act in ways they would not if they were in their hometown.
• There is a large self-harm rate in Las Vegas. Visitors are twice as likely to commit this tragedy as opposed to staying home. Many say it is due to money losses.