Unique Sites In Las Vegas Part 4
Hello! How’s everyone? It’s time once again for another installment of my ongoing series of unique, off-beat sights to see here in Las Vegas. Missed the other posts? Check out parts one, two and three.
I started doing this because people are always asking “What’s there to do besides gamble?” and want to offer some sights to see and also I’d hope some people would like to find stuff off the beaten path that you wouldn’t necessarily run into.
This time it’s all about the King, baby! Yup the Burger King! Well, not really LOL! It’s about Elvis Presley.
Elvis was one of the biggest name performers ever to play here in our fine city. He played over at the Las Vegas Hilton, which was then known as the International and when it opened in 1969 was the largest hotel in the world at the time.
He set attendance records that still stand to this day for Las Vegas, performing 837 consecutive sold out shows and played his last performance in December 1976, 9 months before his death.
Elvis had a long history with Vegas, first coming here in 1956 with a less than stellar run at the Frontier on the strip. He married Priscilla in 1967 at the old Aladdin and spent a good deal of his time here as well.
In 1978 the Hilton had a statue made celebrating the King’s legacy in Vegas and was placed outside the showroom. Later it was moved to the lobby where it was until 2005 when the lobby was renovated. It was in storage until June 2006 where it was moved to its permanent home in the courtyard just outside the lobby and main entrance.
If you’re a fan of Elvis the Hilton and the statue are a must see on your Vegas trip. The showroom is now occupied the Barry Manilow and various concerts and comedians play the famous venue but none compare to the King! Here’s some pics to enjoy! Viva Las Vegas!
But wait! There’s more! As always I have to leave you with a bit of trivia. (You know you love it!)
The main sign outside the Hilton is the largest free-standing sign in the world. It replaces the one that blew over in a windstorm in 1994 which was even bigger! (you can see a pic of the old sign here PS look for the old Landmark hotel in that shot)
Special bonus pic of the Hilton sign:
Filed under: Sites To see, Vegas
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