Beyond the Neon: Unveiling the Hidden Gems of the Las Vegas Strip | Ken Hulsey Photographer

The world-famous Las Vegas Strip is known for its casinos, restaurants, bars, concerts, nightclubs, and extravagant shows. What many people don't realize is that the most sinful part of Sin City is also a showcase of unparalleled beauty, if you take the time to look around. Just beyond the view of gamblers parked in front of flashing slot machines and tourists mulling about on the street, there are amazing statues, fountains, and near-perfect recreations of some of the world's wonders. A traveler can experience the sights of Paris, Venice, New York City, and Ancient Greece all in one afternoon. And that's just the beginning—there is so much more to see and experience.

Sadly, almost everyone who travels to Vegas takes all of this for granted.

Several years ago, my family took a "turnaround" trip to Las Vegas, and I made it a point to capture some of the amazing sights that gamblers and show patrons rarely stop to appreciate. 

For those who don't know what a "turnaround" is, it’s a California term for driving from Los Angeles to Vegas on a Saturday morning, spending the afternoon and evening having fun, staying overnight, enjoying a good breakfast, and then heading back home around noon on Sunday. This ritual usually also includes lunch and shopping at the outlet malls or casinos on the Nevada side of the state line on the trip back.

Here are some of the sights that you may have missed on your Vegas vacation:





























Map:


Check Out:



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ignite Your Independence: Join Us for a Spectacular 4th of July Celebration in Vernon!

Image
 Celebrate Independence Day with Vernon’s 4th of July Celebration! As the summer heat begins to rise, so does the anticipation for one of the most beloved events in Vernon, Texas: the 4th of July Celebration at the Santa Rosa Rodeo Grounds! Mark your calendars, gather your loved ones, and prepare for an evening filled with excitement, delicious food, and stunning fireworks lighting up the night sky.
Read More »

Vincent Hill Station's Wonderful Caboose Collection - Acton, California

Image
 Photos & Story by Ken Hulsey It’s fitting that a restaurant housed in an old train station would boast the finest collection of vintage railroad cabooses in Southern California. Located just off the Sierra Highway (California Highway 14) in Acton, Vincent Hill Station is a fine dining establishment that features live music and dancing. Interestingly, my main reason for stopping off the desert highway was not the food, but rather the impressive collection of cabooses visible from the road.
Read More »

Nature's Call: How Our National Parks Inspired a Deeper Connection with the Environment

Image
 Written By Ken Hulsey If you have been following this blog over the past few months, you have likely seen several posts about how much Terri and I have enjoyed watching documentaries about our nation's breathtaking natural parks. If you're interested in starting to explore these documentaries yourself, I recommend beginning with Ken Burns' PBS documentary, The National Parks: America's Best Idea. In this series, you will learn how each park was chosen for preservation and the significant roles that influential figures like John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt played in their development. Like Terri and me, you will likely find yourself captivated by the stunning scenery and nature footage.
Read More »

Pastor Leanne Matthesius: You Will Be Rescued

Image
 I just wanted to quickly share this very powerful and inspiring message I watched yesterday by Pastor Leanne Matthesius of Awaken Church in San Diego. She was actually preaching this message as a guest speaker at Legacy Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I feel that her core message is that the church and Christians in general should be emboldened in this time of crisis in our nation. Check this out: 1 Samual 11 Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh 11 Nahash[ a ] the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.” 2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.” 3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.” 4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul a...
Read More »

From Gold Nuggets to Family Ties: The Endearing Charm of The Apple Dumpling Gang

Image
 Written by Ken Hulsey A couple of weeks back, I decided to start posting the trailers from some of my favorite movies. Being a child of the 70s, I naturally opted to start my new series in that decade. The first film that I went with was the 1976 action/comedy Silver Streak. Today I decided to feature The Apple Dumpling Gang from 1975, which holds the distinction of being the first film that I ever saw in a movie theater. 
Read More »

91X - XETRA-FM 91.1 FM San Diego | America's Best Rock Station | The Original Cutting Edge of Rock

Image
Written By Ken Hulsey This has been a profoundly sentimental week for me. It all started when I discovered that an old friend from my church congregation used to live in my hometown of Whittier, California. Before the first service, I found myself reminiscing about the local landmarks with her, which stirred up a deep sense of homesickness. From that point on, everything I encountered seemed to trigger memories of my California roots. It probably doesn't help that I frequently wander around Louisiana wearing my Dodgers baseball cap.
Read More »

Rediscovering the Heart of Los Angeles: A Call to Reimagine a City Worth Saving

Image
Written by Ken Hulsey Yesterday, while driving home from work, Randy Newman's 1983 hit "I Love L.A." came up on my Spotify playlist. As I listened to the lyrics, I was hit by an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. It's amazing how music can transport us back to the time when we first heard a song. These moments become part of our collective memory and carry a sentimental significance that evokes cherished feelings and memories.
Read More »

Toys By Roy - Winrock Center Mall - Albuquerque, New Mexico - A Trip Down Memory Lane

Image
If you grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico , during the 60s, 70s, or 80s, you likely have fond memories of Toys By Roy. The store was easily recognizable thanks to the large rocking horse logo on its front. In 1961, Roy Ater opened his first Toys By Roy in the brand-new Winrock Center Mall, which was marketed as ‘the largest in the Southwest.’ Ater’s toy store quickly became one of the mall's first and most successful retailers. Over the following years, Toys By Roy expanded into a successful franchise with 34 locations across 9 states.
Read More »

Unearthing History: The Remarkable Journey of Locomotive #202 from Logging Workhorse to Hidden Treasure

Image
  The Legacy of Locomotive #202: A Snapshot of Railroad History in Louisiana For railroad history enthusiasts, few stories encapsulate the rich tapestry of early 20th-century logging operations in the United States like that of Locomotive #202. This venerable machine, with its beginnings dating back to 1913, provides a fascinating glimpse into the timber industry’s reliance on rail transport and the technological evolution of locomotives during that era. Locomotive #202 was part of an ambitious order by the Crowell Interests, consisting of twelve distinct locomotives, each crafted to meet the burgeoning needs of the Meridian Lumber Company in Meridian, Louisiana. Designed primarily as a woods engine, #202 was instrumental in transporting timber from the expansive forests to the mill, symbolizing the industrial energy that characterized the American landscape in the early 1900s.
Read More »