Travel Log: Las Vegas

Last week it was gold. This week it's silver. What else would you expect from Las Vegas.

California is known for its Gold Rush in the mid-1800s, and Nevada's nickname of the Silver State was born from its similar popularity of precious metals during the same timeframe. Silver was obviously the key metal, but the ironic note of interest is that Nevada the largest gold-producing state in the country and the second-largest area in the world (South Africa is first).

The nation's central location for gambling put all its chips in just before the 1864 election. It became a state eight days prior, a measure that was rushed and ultimately landed Abraham Lincoln re-election as president.

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• Gambling in Nevada was illegal and unregulated until 1931. Lifting the gaming ban was a measure taken by the state to boost a sagging economy during a significant decline in mining and agriculture in the Great Depression.

• The first slot machine was invented by Charles Fey. Fey was from San Francisco, and the actual date of record for his mechanical invention is up for debate, with reports listing 1897-1899. The machine would later become known as the Liberty Bell since lining up three bells was considered hitting the jackpot.

• Nevada is taken from the Spanish word meaning "snow-clad," although temperatures in some areas of the state can reach up to 120 degrees in the summer. Las Vegas averages are 94-104 during the summer, and 57-69 in the winter. The coldest average temperature is in Elko with winter nighttime averages between 13-26 degrees.

• Just more than 85 percent of Nevada is owned by the federal government. Included in that is Area 51, a military base in Southern Nevada where aircraft and weapons testing is conducted.

• The Hoover Dam contains enough concrete to pave a two-lane road from San Francisco to New York, or 3.25 million cubic yards. The dam was completed in 1935 and is about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River.

Best Burger: Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill
Best Buffet: Carnival World Buffet at Rio
Best Restaurant: N9NE Steakhouse at Palms

Admitted as State: Oct. 31, 1864, as 36th state
Capital: Carson City
Nickname: Silver State
Population Rank: 35th
Largest City: Las Vegas

Las Vegas Motor Speedway sits northeast of the city along Interstate 15 at Exit 54. Traffic in Las Vegas alone isn't ideal, so plenty of pad time will be beneficial.

Once you're there, however, the speedway makes sure the fan experience is worth the travel with its Neon Garage. It's not simply another pre-race concert, nor is it a run-of-the-mill garage experience. The feature combines entertainment with wrenches and grit of the garage.

The name fits, too. Las Vegas is known for its neon. An interesting note: the Apache Hotel had the first neon sign in the city. It opened in 1932.
• More on the Neon Garage

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