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.

1

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Image: Couleur

E.T. , released in 1982, is undoubtedly one of Steven Spielberg's best films and one of the most iconic in the history of cinema. The story follows an alien lost on Earth who forms a pure and heartfelt friendship with a human boy, who will go to great lengths to help him return home.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is an endearing adventure film that marked the ‘80s and taught us the importance of empathy and embracing each other's differences.

2

The Wizard of Oz

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Somewhere over the rainbow is one of the most iconic films we’ve ever seen: The Wizard of Oz (1939). This film marked a turning point in Hollywood , with the angelic Judy Garland leading a troupe of magical beings on a journey to the Emerald City and the dreaded Oz.

A tornado sweeps Dorothy into a technicolor dreamscape populated by munchkins, a cowardly lion, a tin man, a scarecrow, and a wicked witch, prompting a journey down the Yellow Brick Road. Their adventure is largely one of self-discovery : the Lion finds his courage, the Scarecrow his brains, the Tin Man his heart, and Dorothy finally returns to Kansas.

3

Back to the Future

Image: dtavres

A time machine in a DeLorean? Sign me up! What would '80s cinema be without this fabulous trilogy, where a teenager (Michael J. Fox) and a scientist (Christopher Lloyd) share all kinds of adventures together?

First, they travel to the past, then to the future, and finally, to the Wild West. Three movies that took the box office by storm and remain great entertainment for all ages .

4

Lawrence of Arabia

Image: Jack de Nijs for Anefo / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

This Oscar-winning epic biographical adventure drama, based on the life of British army officer and archaeologist, T. E. Lawrence, transports us to Egypt in 1917. Released in 1962, Lawrence of Arabia stars Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, and Omar Sharif.

During World War I, Lawrence is sent to support Prince Faisal in his war against the Turks. His adventure across the desert earns him the respect of his army for his courage and his deep appreciation for Arab culture.

5

The NeverEnding Story

Image: _marioosh

For many, this movie left a huge mark on their childhood. Who wasn’t amazed by that enormous flying albino creature called Falkor? Based on the acclaimed novel by German author Michael Ende, The NeverEnding Story (1984) introduces us to Bastian, a shy boy who discovers a mysterious book telling the story of the destruction of the world of Fantasia.

The protagonist’s adventure begins when he realizes he can save this world, inhabited by extraordinary beings, by finding a way to get inside the story.

6

The African Queen

Image: Copyright 1952 United Artists Corp., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Two great classic movie stars, Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, adrift on a small steamboat in German East Africa during the First World War— this is the epitome of adventure .

The African Queen , directed by the brilliant John Huston and released in 1951, earned Bogart the Oscar for Best Actor and the film the status of an instant classic.

7

Stand by Me

Image: Johannes Plenio

This coming-of-age film, based on a Stephen King story , is perhaps one of the best portrayals ever made of the end of childhood.

The adventures experienced by the four friends in Stand by Me (1986) may not be as spectacular as those of the characters in other films on this list. They don’t have to face fantastic creatures or fight in a war, but they do encounter, for example, an angry dog, a speeding train, hungry leeches, and a dead body lying on the riverbank. It’s a journey of discovery and transformation , filled with tension and drama.

8

Ben-Hur

Image: Reynold Brown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This flagship blockbuster of Hollywood’s golden era tells the story of the son of a noble Jerusalem family who is betrayed by a childhood friend and condemned to the galleys, where he is held prisoner for three years. Ben-Hur then vows to regain his freedom and plots his revenge.

Released in 1959 and starring the legendary Charlton Heston, Ben-Hur was one of the most expensive films in cinema history. A classic among classics, its three-and-a-half-hour running time is packed with adventure scenes.

9

Indiana Jones

Image: Intricate Explorer

Who hasn’t fantasized about being Indiana Jones? Traveling to exotic countries, embarking on dangerous adventures involving mythological objects, and wearing a hat that won’t fall off no matter what you do are things no one can resist.

With his unwavering sense of honor, compassionate nature, effortless charm, and witty one-liners, Indiana Jones is the quintessential adventure hero . Along with Harrison Ford’s brilliant performance, this iconic saga showed us just how epic a college professor can be.

10

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Image: Hans

This 1948 modern western, directed by John Huston, is based on an adventure novel set in the United States in the 1920s, long after the California gold rush.

A group of American drifters, including Fred C. Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart), embark on a journey into the Mexican mountains in search of gold. However, ambition and envy gradually create more problems than any other obstacle along the way. It’s a fun adventure in the desert and a classic fable about man's greed .

11

The Goonies

Image: Nadjib BR

Based on a story by Steven Spielberg , this film is an homage to all adventure films and novels. The possible existence of a great pirate treasure in the depths of an abandoned restaurant seems like the solution to all of Mikey's family problems.

With the help of his inseparable friends, he embarks on an incredible journey. Since its release in 1985, The Goonies has become one of the most influential movies of the genre . Well, let’s be honest: it’s based on an unbeatable formula: friendship, adventure, humor, danger, and reward.

12

Into the Wild

Image: Juho Luomala

This one is a bit different from the rest of the films on this list, but it is an adventure nonetheless. Directed by Sean Penn, Into the Wild (2007) portrays a true story based on Jon Krakauer's novel about Christopher McCandless' diary entries.

Under the name Alexander Supertramp, 24-year-old Christopher sets out into Alaska with a clear purpose: to connect with nature, stripped of his material possessions. While not as flashy an adventure as Indiana Jones, it is a transformative experience that requires great will and courage.

1

Rabies

Image: Samuell Morgenstern

Rabies-infected people and animals cannot swallow water. This is why rabid dogs drool at the mouth, because they are unable to swallow.

In the ancient world, a "cure" for rabies involved forcibly submerging people in bodies of water to force the liquid intake . Quite often, the consequence, as you might have guessed, was death by drowning.

2

Bloodletting

Image: David Trinks

In the days when barbers were also designated surgeons, bloodletting was a common cure for multiple conditions. This gruesome technique was performed not just using surgical tools but also by using leeches , which were directly applied on the human body , to suck blood out of the wretched individuals who required treatment.

3

Madstones

Image: Atul Vinayak

Folk remedies were common in a time when seeking professional medical help was a luxury for most people. Popular in mid-19th-century America, madstones were big hairballs extracted from the guts of goats and deer .

These objects were believed to possess medicinal properties, such as curing rabies and serving as an antidote to various poisons.

4

Chloroform

Image: Carlos Felipe Ramírez Mesa

Many substances that we now recognize as poisonous were once believed to be beneficial to health. During the 19th century, chloroform was commonly used as an anesthetic in surgeries .

However, later studies revealed that long-term exposure to chloroform could cause liver and kidney damage, respiratory depression, and may even increase the risk of cancer.

5

Arsenic

Image: Denise Chan

Another poisonous substance once thought to be beneficial was arsenic, which was used to treat malaria, syphilis, and other ailments during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

However, it was later discovered that arsenic exposure could lead to poisoning, causing severe health complications and even death.

6

Mercury

Image: Benjamin Hibbert-Hingston

Similar to chloroform and arsenic, mercury was once thought to be beneficial to the human body. However, as scientific understanding advanced, its harmful effects became widely known .

Today, we know that mercury is highly toxic and can cause severe damage to the kidneys and nervous system.

7

Urine

Image: Fotografía de Alimentos

Drinking urine for medicinal purposes was common in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where it was believed to have therapeutic benefits and was used as a remedy for various health conditions, including kidney and liver problems .

8

Trepanning

Image: Mathew Schwartz

Trepanning, a common medical practice in ancient civilizations, involved drilling a hole in the skull to relieve pressure or treat a variety of medical ailments such as headaches, seizures, and mental disorders .

However, due to the lack of modern anesthesia and surgical tools, the procedure was extremely dangerous and carried significant risks.

9

Cupping

Image: Katherine Hanlon

Creating a vacuum on the skin using heated glass cups was a popular therapy for various conditions, including pain, inflammation, respiratory problems, and digestive disorders . While not a particularly harmful technique, aside from the markings left on the skin, its benefits have not been scientifically proven.

10

Mummy powder

Image: Narciso Arellano

In medieval times, it was commonly believed that "mummy powder" possessed healing properties. This substance was made from ground mummies obtained from Egypt and was thought to be particularly effective in treating wounds, headaches, and digestive issues .

11

Nightshade

Image: Georg Eiermann

Nightshade is a poisonous plant with soothing properties, which was used as a pain reliever as it can induce a state of calm in the user.

However, this plant is also highly toxic and can cause hallucinations, delirium, and even death if consumed in large quantities.

12

Tobacco

Image: Juano colombo

It might be hard to believe today, but back in the 1600s, schoolchildren were encouraged to smoke cigarettes , which were then thought to be disinfectants.

Cigarettes were also believed to be beneficial for both the lungs and the mind. Thankfully, we now know better.