This History of the Strip
History of the Strip and Las Vegas – Learn how the Strip got its name, the story behind the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, must-see attractions (Fremont Street, Cirque du Soleil ‘O’) and details of our Wedding Adventure Package — including on-site hair & make-up and a 3-hour Lake Mead ATV tour.
The Las Vegas Strip is more than a stretch of dazzling lights and enormous casinos — it’s a living chapter of American showmanship, grit and reinvention. What began as a dusty road lined with motels and gambling joints grew into the world’s most famous entertainment avenue. Below we trace how the Strip began, why the Welcome sign became an icon, and how you can pair a taste of this history with modern Las Vegas experiences — from Cirque du Soleil’s O to a heart-pounding ATV ride at Lake Mead.
Table of Contents – History of the Strip and Las Vegas
- How did the Strip begin?
- How did the Welcome to Las Vegas sign come about?
- Las Vegas Wedding Adventure Package
- Other Services & Local Highlights
- Motorised Scenic Tour — Lake Mead
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrap Up
How did the Strip begin?
“The Strip” nickname came from a comparison to Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip — credited to Guy McAfee, a former LA police captain who relocated to Las Vegas in 1938. McAfee’s move wasn’t a quiet one: he took control of one of the earliest gambling spots, the Pair-O-Dice Club, and the boulevard quickly attracted a cluster of properties eager to cash in on the desert’s tourism potential.
Through the 1940s and ’50s the Strip’s identity took shape as marquee names arrived: El Rancho (1941), Last Frontier (1942), and then Bugsy Siegel’s legendary Flamingo in 1946, which helped set the template for glamour and always-on entertainment. Casinos built outside the Las Vegas city limits in Clark County enjoyed looser oversight — a feature that allowed owners to pursue rapid, bold development and helped the Strip become both a playground and a spectacle.
That mix of entrepreneurial risk, neon spectacle and entertainment investments is why the Strip evolved from a roadside collection of clubs into a global entertainment corridor — the place people imagine when they think “Las Vegas.”
How did the Welcome to Las Vegas sign come about?
The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign — a classic mid-century symbol — was designed by Betty Willis in 1959. Planted in the central median of Las Vegas Boulevard, it’s one of the first things visitors see when arriving from McCarran Airport or driving north from Los Angeles.
Today the sign sits roughly one kilometre south of Mandalay Bay and has its own parking area for southbound visitors, making it much easier (and safer) for people to stop for photos. An interesting quirk: the sign’s location is actually outside Las Vegas city limits in Paradise, Nevada — but its cultural place in the city’s identity is unquestionable.
Las Vegas Wedding Adventure Package
Looking for a wedding package that removes every little worry and helps you focus on the moment? Our Adventure Package is designed exactly for that: carefully curated, inclusive, and ready to deliver the experience you pictured the moment you saw it. If you prefer something more romantic or more adventurous, we offer options to suit both vibes — the challenge will be choosing just one!
A key feature of many of our packages is convenience. For example, we arrange professional stylists to come directly to your hotel room for hair and make-up, so you don’t have to dash around Vegas on your wedding morning. History of the Strip and Las Vegas – Stylists are experienced in bridal looks and will work from reference photos you can email ahead of the big day.
Typical a la carte pricing (USD) used for planning is listed below so you can budget; services like shampoo, blow-dry, manicures, pedicures and waxing can also be added on request. To tailor a package for you, please contact us and we’ll build everything around your wishes.
- Hair – $95
- Airbrush makeup – $95
- Makeup – $85
- Hair + airbrush makeup – $160
- Hair + makeup – $145
- Lashes – $10
- Men’s style – $50
- Spray tan – $85
Other Services & Local Highlights
Las Vegas is packed with memorable experiences beyond the Strip. If you want a lively night out close to a neighborhood bar vibe, try the Bar at Times Square for its upbeat dueling-piano atmosphere and sing-along crowd — a great warm-up to later evening plans.
For historic downtown energy and free outdoor spectacles, the Fremont Street Experience remains a must-see: the Viva Vision light shows dazzle crowds nightly and SlotZilla’s zip line gives a bird’s-eye rush right beneath the giant LED canopy. History of the Strip and Las Vegas – For a world-class theatrical event, Cirque du Soleil’s O at the Bellagio offers an aquatic masterpiece of acrobatics, synchronized swimmers and surreal visuals — an unforgettable show for wedding groups and visitors alike.
Find show schedules and local details through official venues and operators when planning your itinerary; popular attractions can sell out on busy dates.
Motorised Scenic Tour – Lake Mead National Park
If you want to pair energetic outdoor adventure with your city celebrations, the Lake Mead ATV experience is an excellent choice. This motorised scenic tour offers a three-hour ride through Lake Mead National Park with a photo stop at Hoover Dam and a seasonal chance to swim in the Colorado River.
Six-person vehicles make it a fun group activity, and the excursion includes “The All American World Famous Burger” with fries and a soft drink. Round-trip shuttle transport from Las Vegas hotels is provided. History of the Strip and Las Vegas – The advertised price for this package element is USD $199 (taxes and gratuities not included) — a single-day adventure that contrasts nicely with the Strip’s neon glamour.
Key Takeaways – History of the Strip and Las Vegas
- The Strip earned its name and identity in the 1930s–50s as casinos and show venues clustered along Las Vegas Boulevard.
- Betty Willis designed the iconic Welcome sign in 1959; it’s now a must-stop photo moment for visitors.
- Our Wedding Adventure Package bundles convenience (on-site hair & make-up) with optional excursions — contact us to personalise your plan.
- Don’t miss Fremont Street’s Viva Vision shows, Cirque du Soleil O at the Bellagio, or an outdoor ATV tour at Lake Mead for variety.
- Book shows and excursions early — peak dates fill fast.
Frequently Asked Questions – History of the Strip and Las Vegas
Q1. Who coined the name “The Strip”?
A: The nickname is commonly credited to Guy McAfee, who compared Las Vegas Boulevard to LA’s Sunset Strip after moving to the city in 1938.
Q2. Where is the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign located?
A: The sign stands in the median of Las Vegas Boulevard roughly one kilometre south of Mandalay Bay and is technically in Paradise, Nevada; a parking area exists for southbound visitors.
Q3. Can a stylist come to my hotel for bridal hair & make-up?
A: Yes — our packages include the option for professional stylists to visit your room so you can be pampered without leaving your accommodation. Contact us to arrange timing and reference images.
Q4. Is the Lake Mead ATV tour suitable for groups and novices?
A: The ATV tour is offered in six-person vehicles and is designed for groups; operators provide safety briefings and guidance for riders. Let us know fitness or mobility concerns when booking.
Q5. How much should I budget for activities and services?
A: Basic bridal hair & make-up services are listed above; the Lake Mead ATV element is advertised at USD $199 (taxes & gratuities not included). Show tickets and VIP experiences vary widely — we recommend getting quotes for your chosen date as part of your personalised package.
A Walk Through Time — Then, Go Make Yours
History of the Strip and Las Vegas – The Strip is a vibrant blend of history and contemporary spectacle: a place where neon legacy meets modern luxury. Whether you’re standing beneath the Welcome sign, cheering under the Viva Vision canopy, watching the aquatic artistry of Cirque du Soleil O, or carving desert trails on an ATV, Las Vegas offers contrasts that make every wedding trip memorable.
If you’d like us to weave these experiences into a single seamless wedding adventure — hair & make-up in-room, celebrations on the Strip and an outdoor ATV day — please contact us and we’ll put the plan together. Your Las Vegas story begins with a little history — and ends with memories that last a lifetime.
