1

Bob Dylan

Image: Laura Ockel

The Nobel Prize-winning singer-songwriter who gave us anthems like "Blowin' in the Wind" is also a passionate metalworker. Dylan spends his downtime in his Black Buffalo Ironworks studio, crafting intricate gates and sculptures from found objects such as farm equipment, tools, and antique firearms.

2

Angelina Jolie

Image: Joshua Sukoff

Angelina Jolie is world-renowned for her celebrated Hollywood career and humanitarian work. But this actress-director also has a license to thrill in the air. Jolie is a certified pilot who owns a Cirrus SR-22 single-engine aircraft, often taking to the skies for both personal adventures and humanitarian missions.

3

Patrick Dempsey

Image: Carl Gelin

There’s more to Patrick Dempsey than being the charming neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd (aka "McDreamy") on Grey's Anatomy . The actor has developed a passion for race car driving , competing in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He even owns his own racing team, Dempsey Racing!

4

Bob Barker

Image: Thao LEE

The iconic game show host who entertained millions on The Price Is Right for 35 years had a surprising secret weapon up his sleeve: karate. Trained by none other than Chuck Norris , he practiced for decades and even earned his black belt.

5

Steve Martin

Image: Chen Mizrach

He's a comedian, actor, writer... and a banjo virtuoso? That's right! The "wild and crazy guy" who brought us hilarious classics like The Jerk and Planes, Trains and Automobiles is also an accomplished banjo player and composer . Steve Martin has released several bluegrass albums, collaborated with legends like Earl Scruggs, and even won a Grammy for his exceptional work.

6

Steve Carell

Image: Matthew Fournier

Known for his hilarious roles and versatile acting career, Steve Carell is also a whiz on the ice. A passionate hockey player since childhood, he has been lacing up his skates whenever possible. He even got the chance to display his skill on an early episode of The Office .

7

Michael Phelps

Image: Will Porada

He’s the most decorated Olympian of all time, boasting 28 swimming medals. But Michael Phelps didn’t stop at the pool—he also picked up a golf club. He is the holder of a Guinness World Record for the longest televised putt . That was an impressive 159 feet.

8

Kobe Bryant

Image: Mirko Fabian

The late NBA legend was not only a basketball icon but also a gifted storyteller. He proved it after retiring from basketball when he founded Granity Studios, a multimedia company focused on creating inspiring content for young athletes .

One of its standout works was the animated short film Dear Basketball —a heartfelt tribute to Bryant’s lifelong passion for the game.

9

Venus Williams

Image: Jean-Philippe Delberghe

Venus Williams, the tennis superstar with seven Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals, also has a passion for interior design. She founded V Starr Interiors, a company specializing in creating stylish and functional spaces for both residential and commercial clients. She even has a degree in fashion design !

10

Viggo Mortensen

Image: Karolina Grabowska

Viggo Mortensen is celebrated for his captivating performances in films like The Lord of the Rings and Eastern Promises , but he’s also a man of many talents. In addition to acting, he is a poet, musician, photographer, and publisher .

He founded Perceval Press, an independent publishing house dedicated to promoting the work of artists and writers.

11

Terry Crews

Image: KOBU Agency

Before delivering laughs on Brooklyn Nine-Nine or throwing action-packed punches in The Expendables , Terry Crews was an NFL linebacker. But even before that, this multi-talented actor was a skilled artist. He still creates detailed paintings and illustrations in his spare time.

12

Shaquille O’Neal

Image: Yomex Owo

Shaquille O'Neal earned a place in the Hall of Fame for his legendary basketball career, but his talents extend far beyond sports. He's also an entertainment icon with numerous endorsements and a DJ performing under the name " DJ Diesel ."

1

Prank calls

Image: Happysurd Photography

With smartphones taking over, the classic prank call is slowly fading away. Back in the day, dialing a random number to play a harmless joke and share a laugh with friends was a common pastime. Today, with caller ID and mobile phones everywhere, executing those little tricks has become more complicated.

2

Block parties

Image: Yifan Gu

We used to know all our neighbors, and that sense of community was deep. Today, things have changed. With growing cities and people moving more often, your neighbors might be gone before you even learn their names. On top of that, our lives are busier than ever, and closing off a street for a party isn’t as simple as it once was. With these new dynamics, the once-beloved block party has become a rare thing, mostly surviving in small towns or communities. Remember the last time you went to one?

3

Ding-dong ditch

Image: Waldemar Brandt

Remember when kids could safely roam the streets for hours? The good old days! Wandering around your neighborhood or even a different one, there was always someone who came up with the idea: ringing a doorbell and running away. It might have been a little annoying for the person who opened the door, but it was all in good fun.

4

Fruit baskets

Image: Nick Fewings

Our mothers and grandmothers knew that when it came to celebrations, anniversaries, holidays, or any special occasion, a beautifully arranged fruit basket was always a thoughtful gift. This simple gesture showed care and dedication, but today, it’s slowly disappearing. Why? The convenience of online shopping and the trend toward more personalized presents have made this classic gift increasingly rare.

5

Christmas cards

Image: Richard Bell

If you’re like us and just love greeting cards, you’ve probably noticed that fewer people are taking the time to go to the store, pick the perfect card, write a message, and send it off. While traditional greeting cards and Christmas cards are slowly being replaced by digital alternatives, there will always be those of us who appreciate this lovely ritual.

6

School reunions

Image: RUT MIIT

Reunions with former classmates tend to divide people: some look forward to them with excitement, while others would rather skip them altogether. We won’t ask which side you’re on, but there’s no denying that these gatherings are becoming rarer. While a few devoted groups still make an effort to keep it alive year after year, this custom doesn’t seem to be among the younger generations’ priorities.

7

Bake sales

Image: John Dancy

Whether at school, church, or in the neighborhood, who didn’t take part in a bake sale as a kid? However, in today’s fast-paced world, finding time to bake delicious cookies has become a rare treat. This classic way of raising money for a shared cause hasn’t vanished, but it’s definitely losing steam. With virtual wallets and social media, fundraising looks very different today.

8

Black Friday

Image: Markus Spiske

Black Friday, as we once knew it, is evolving into something new. Those endless lines outside stores are now much shorter, thanks to the rise of online shopping. In addition, with the increase in per capita consumption, Black Friday is no longer confined to the day after Thanksgiving; it now stretches across the entire week, and in many cases, the whole month.

9

Appointment TV

Image: Vitaly Gariev

We’ve all gotten used to on-demand content, which lets us watch, rewind, and replay whenever we like. While this convenience is great, it has slowly replaced the old habit of appointment TV, those moments when families or neighbors would gather in their living rooms at a set time to watch a big game, a premiere, or the season finale, sharing a sense of community that’s not so common today.

10

Private fireworks

Image: Leo Okuyama

As the years have passed, we’ve learned more about the risks of fireworks: How they can frighten pets, harm the environment, and cause serious injuries in both children and adults. We can’t deny that lighting fireworks in the backyard with the family is a magical moment, but these days, that tradition has mostly moved to large events in stadiums or music festivals, where trained professionals handle the show.

1

The Strip is not really in Las Vegas

Image: Stephen Leonardi

The Strip is probably the most iconic attraction in Las Vegas. It stretches approximately 4.2 miles along Las Vegas Boulevard and is the vibrant heart of the city , attracting millions of tourists to experience a unique combination of entertainment and luxury. However, did you know that The Strip is not in Vegas?

Well, it's a technicality. The Strip is located south of the city of Las Vegas, more specifically in Clark County, Nevada, in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester. In any case, this area is one of the most filmed and photographed in the United States. It is also home to many of the world's largest hotels, casinos, and resorts, such as The Mirage, the Caesars Palace, and The Bellagio.

2

There’s more than one Vegas

Image: Jim Witkowski

Although Las Vegas, Nevada is the most famous of them all, it is not the only one. In New Mexico, just a few miles from Santa Fe and Albuquerque, there is another city called Las Vegas. Founded in 1835, it was one of the main stops on the Santa Fe Trail.

Being part of this trail and preserving the Spanish Colonial style of its buildings has earned this town the right to have up to 900 of its buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. And it is the only place in the United States to reach that number!

Like its big sister in Nevada, Las Vegas, New Mexico is now a major film and television set. Series like House of Cards and movies like No Country for Old Men and Wyatt Earp have been filmed here. Who would have guessed?

3

The Great Sphinx is bigger than the original

Image: lindsayascott

The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the most beautiful and emblematic monuments ever erected in the history of mankind. So, of course, Sin City had to have one of its own. This replica is located in Luxor Las Vegas, a casino following the theme of Ancient Egypt on The Strip.

Interestingly, however, the Luxor Las Vegas Sphinx is much larger than the Egyptian Sphinx at Giza. The original statue is only 66 feet tall, while the Las Vegas version is over 110 feet tall. What’s more accurate is the massive Luxor Pyramid making up the main building of the casino, it is as large as the Red and Bent Pyramids of Egypt.

4

One bright city

Image: Isaac Davis

Las Vegas is famous for its spectacular nighttime lights. In fact, it is considered one of the brightest cities in the world. But can you see it from space? The answer is yes! Las Vegas can be seen from space, as confirmed by NASA and images taken aboard the International Space Station.

In 2021, astronaut Shane Kimbrough tweeted an aerial photograph of the city taken 250 miles above Earth. In it, you can spot clearly a brighter band where The Strip is located. This is due to the high concentration of lights from casinos, hotels, and other attractions in this famous area. It is estimated that approximately 12,000,000 lights are turned on every night on the Las Vegas Strip!

5

Some hotels are missing a floor

Image: jaygeorge

Americans are used to hotels with no 13th floor, but why do some Las Vegas casinos lack 4th floors? Las Vegas hotels avoid numbering floors with a four to ward off any superstition associated with death.

Fear of the number four, called tetraphobia, is common in many Asian countries, especially China. The word death sounds eerily similar to the number four in Chinese and Japanese. Given that Las Vegas receives a large number of Asian tourists each year, it makes sense that so many casino owners want to avoid making them uncomfortable. In fact, many hotels such as the Aria, the Wynn, and the Elara don't even have floors 40 through 49.

6

More than 200 weddings a day

Image: Pexels

Las Vegas is where reality becomes fantasy, where the Eiffel Tower, Egyptian pyramids, and medieval castles shine away on a glamorous desert strip. It's no wonder, then, that Sin City remains a popular wedding destination.

In September 2023, Las Vegas celebrated its 70th anniversary as the "Wedding Capital of the World." There are about 100 chapels in the city issuing more than 200 licenses a day for couples looking for a simple, quick, and —why not?— themed wedding. Throughout history, lots of couples have tied the knot in the city, including celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, and Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu.

7

A ghost town below Lake Mead

Image: Nikola Majksner

Located 24 miles from the city of Las Vegas, Lake Mead is one of the most important tourist attractions in the state of Nevada. It is the largest lake and reservoir in the United States and is a great destination for water activities and fishing.

However, this place holds a big secret. A few years ago, the lake's low water level revealed the ruins of the abandoned city of St. Thomas, approximately 18 meters below the surface. St. Thomas, founded in 1865 by Mormons, was one of the communities directly affected by the construction of the Hoover Dam.

Today, its gloomy structures have become an attraction for those who want to see the remains of a town that once housed 500 people. The foundations of what was originally a school, a post office, a supermarket, and a church make it a true ghost town.

8

A mecca for antique collectors

Image: Kenny Eliason

There's so much more to do in Sin City besides gambling! Did you know that there is an impressive number of antique stores in Las Vegas? These second-hand shops are a favorite among locals and tourists alike and have been in the area for decades.

For example, Downtown Las Vegas, the city’s historic center, is the best place to find bargains, one-of-a-kind items, collectibles, vintage fashion, and unique pieces of jewelry. If you are visiting the city and, at some point, you get tired of the slots, you can go thrifting and take home a piece of the city's history.

9

FedEx wouldn’t exist without Sin City

Image: Michał Parzuchowski

Today FedEx is one of the best-known companies in the United States. With a large fleet of planes and trucks, the company delivers 16.5 million packages daily to 220 countries and territories. However, the delivery giant had a rocky start and there was a moment, five decades ago when it was close to disappearing.

In the mid-1970s, the oil crisis increased the company's operating costs. Overwhelmed by debt, founder Frederick W. Smith withdrew the last US$5,000 and spent a weekend gambling in the famous Las Vegas casinos. Fortunately, luck was on his side and today we can enjoy this service that changed the postal system forever.

10

The largest bronze sculpture in the U.S.

Image: Wadems, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As we’ve seen, everything in Las Vegas is grandiose and monumental. So it's no wonder that this city is home to the largest bronze sculpture in the United States. The iconic MGM Grand lion weighs a staggering 90,000 pounds and stands 45 feet tall.

This sculpture was placed at the entrance of the hotel in 1998 to replace a cartoon-like giant lion head made of fiberglass. The thing is, record-breaking has been at the heart of the MGM Grand since its beginnings: It was the largest hotel in the world at the time of its opening. Now, it is the largest single hotel in the country, with 5,124 rooms in one building.