{"id":22653,"date":"2019-12-18T01:21:04","date_gmt":"2019-12-18T09:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/?p=22653"},"modified":"2019-12-18T21:10:55","modified_gmt":"2019-12-19T05:10:55","slug":"awesome-things-that-happened-in-las-vegas-in-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/awesome-things-that-happened-in-las-vegas-in-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Awesome Things That Happened in Las Vegas in 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p>What&rsquo;s new in Las Vegas? We&rsquo;ve got this!<\/p>\n<p>We&rsquo;ve slapped together a perfunctory list of great things that happened in Las Vegas in 2019, from casino sales to broken records and entertainment news that&rsquo;ll make you gaga.<\/p>\n<p>Let&rsquo;s dive into the most awesome things in Las Vegas this past year.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Sale of Rio<\/h2>\n<p>It took a minute, but our scoop about the Rio being sold was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/confirmed-at-last-rio-las-vegas-sold-to-imperial-companies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">finally confirmed<\/a>. We&rsquo;d love to say there are big changes in the works at the ailing resort, but Caesars Entertainment will continue to operate the place for at least the next couple of years. Still, the $516 million sale to Dreamscape Companies provides some hope Rio&rsquo;s got some life left in her despite years of neglect.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18617\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18617\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-18617 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Rio Las Vegas casino\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/kiss_minigolf_rio_las_vegas1.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18617\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rio has a new lease on life. The old lease was wrinkled an smelled like the Rio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>2. Vegas Was Invaded by Grasshoppers<\/h2>\n<p>It was easily the weirdest Las Vegas story of 2019. Las Vegas was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2019\/07\/30\/746687183\/in-las-vegas-there-are-swarms-of-grasshoppers-big-enough-to-show-up-on-weather-r\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">invaded by grasshoppers<\/a>, and the story made international news. The adorable, pallid-winged little buggers were gone almost as quickly as they arrived, but they left a lasting impression on our hearts. And windshields.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22666\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22666\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22666 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Vegas grasshoppers\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/grasshopper_tweet.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22666\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The grasshopper invasion made the birds nearly as happy as us (this got 323,000 Tweet impressions).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>3. Renovation of Viva Vision Screen<\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/vegasexperience.com\/downtown-insider\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-viva-vision-canopy-upgrade\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">$32 million renovation<\/a> of the LED screen at Fremont Street Experience was completed on Nov. 13, 2019. The new screen is four times the resolution, seven times brighter and, for the first time, can be viewed during daylight hours. There&rsquo;s a slew of new video content in the works for the revamped screen, set to debut on New Year&rsquo;s Eve. Here&rsquo;s a sneak preview of the new visuals.<\/p>\n<div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube-vqfcnmtvqgq\" style=\"max-width:900px;\" class=\"arve\">\n<div class=\"arve-inner\">\n<div style=\"aspect-ratio:500\/281\" class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:56.200000%\"><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer 'none';autoplay 'none';camera 'none';ch-ua 'none';clipboard-read 'none';clipboard-write;display-capture 'none';encrypted-media 'none';gamepad 'none';geolocation 'none';gyroscope 'none';hid 'none';identity-credentials-get 'none';idle-detection 'none';keyboard-map 'none';local-fonts 'none';magnetometer 'none';microphone 'none';midi 'none';payment 'none';picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create 'none';publickey-credentials-get 'none';screen-wake-lock 'none';serial 'none';sync-xhr;usb 'none';window-management 'none';xr-spatial-tracking 'none';\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube-vqfcnmtvqgq\" data-lenis-prevent=\"\" data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/VqfCnMtvQGQ?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"505.8\" loading=\"lazy\" name=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/VqfCnMtvQGQ?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" title=\"\" width=\"900\"><\/iframe><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"http:\\\/\\\/schema.org\\\/\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.casino.org\\\/vitalvegas\\\/awesome-things-that-happened-in-las-vegas-in-2019\\\/#arve-youtube-vqfcnmtvqgq\",\"type\":\"VideoObject\",\"embedURL\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\\\/embed\\\/VqfCnMtvQGQ?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0\"}<\/script>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>4. Neon Museum Got the Hard Rock Guitar<\/h2>\n<p>When the Hard Rock Cafe closed outside the Hard Rock casino (soon to be Virgin), many had a freak-out about the iconic guitar sign outside. Luckily, the Neon Museum got the sign and spruced it up. Yet another reason to visit the Neon Museum.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3513\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3513\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-3513 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Hard Rock guitar\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/hard_rock_hotel.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3513\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Thought you&rsquo;d never see this bad boy again? Don&rsquo;t fret.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>5. Elon Musk Starts Tunneling<\/h2>\n<p>We broke the story Elon Musk&rsquo;s Boring Company was coming to Las Vegas, but that&rsquo;s not the only reason we think this was one of the coolest things to happen in Vegas in 2020. Musk&rsquo;s company is constructing a twin-tunnel loop transportation system that will whisk passengers from one end of the Las Vegas Convention Center to another, and there have also been preliminary discussions about expanding the tunnel system to downtown, the airport and even the new Raiders stadium.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22608\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22608\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22608 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Elon Musk tunnel Las Vegas\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/elon_tunnel_project6.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22608\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oh, like you&rsquo;ve never gotten drilled in Vegas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>6. Raiders Stadium Construction<\/h2>\n<p>Our shiny new Allegiant Stadium has been built so quickly, it&rsquo;s almost enough to give one a concussion. It&rsquo;s expected to open 2020, so expect that to be on our &ldquo;Awesome Things That Happened in Las Vegas in 2020&rdquo; list.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22667\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22667\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22667 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/allegiant_stadium1.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22667\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">You don&rsquo;t have to like sportsball to think this is sexy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>7. Quick Work at Circa Las Vegas<\/h2>\n<p>Speaking of lightning-fast construction, the Circa Las Vegas resort has been a thing of beauty. At the moment, workers are adding a new floor per week, and the $1.2 billion project is halfway done. Circa is touted as having the biggest sports book in the world, the &ldquo;greatest pool in the history of the world,&rdquo; five restaurants, a two-story casino and, sexily, will boast the return of a refurbished Vegas Vickie. December 2020 can&rsquo;t get here quickly enough.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22668\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22668\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22668 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/circa_121719.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22668\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Circa, circa yesterday.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>8. Resorts World Progress<\/h2>\n<p>Resorts World has taken about seven years to come into its own, but the new resort is now a looming presence on The Strip. It&rsquo;s set to open in summer 2021 (after numerous delays, most of them strategic because of flat demand), but 2019 was a year of construction progress as well as adjustments to design (the Asian theme is out), scale (downsized) and amenities (including a 5,000-seat theater).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22537\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22537\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22537 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Resorts World Las Vegas\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/resorts_world_rendering_nov2019_1.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22537\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Resorts World bailed on its Asian theme, but has retained its &ldquo;at least something&rsquo;s happening.&rdquo;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>9. Hula Hoop World Record<\/h2>\n<p>This story didn&rsquo;t get nearly enough play, but in 2019, Getti Kehayova broke the record for the largest hula hoop spun at a whopping 17-feet-plus, right here in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n<div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube--74jxaheg7i\" style=\"max-width:900px;\" class=\"arve\">\n<div class=\"arve-inner\">\n<div style=\"aspect-ratio:500\/281\" class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:56.200000%\"><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer 'none';autoplay 'none';camera 'none';ch-ua 'none';clipboard-read 'none';clipboard-write;display-capture 'none';encrypted-media 'none';gamepad 'none';geolocation 'none';gyroscope 'none';hid 'none';identity-credentials-get 'none';idle-detection 'none';keyboard-map 'none';local-fonts 'none';magnetometer 'none';microphone 'none';midi 'none';payment 'none';picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create 'none';publickey-credentials-get 'none';screen-wake-lock 'none';serial 'none';sync-xhr;usb 'none';window-management 'none';xr-spatial-tracking 'none';\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube--74jxaheg7i\" data-lenis-prevent=\"\" data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/-74jxaheG7I?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"505.8\" loading=\"lazy\" name=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/-74jxaheG7I?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" title=\"\" width=\"900\"><\/iframe><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"http:\\\/\\\/schema.org\\\/\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.casino.org\\\/vitalvegas\\\/awesome-things-that-happened-in-las-vegas-in-2019\\\/#arve-youtube--74jxaheg7i\",\"type\":\"VideoObject\",\"embedURL\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\\\/embed\\\/-74jxaheG7I?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0\"}<\/script>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>10. Sex Dolls Brothel<\/h2>\n<p>You&rsquo;d think the first sex doll brothel in Las Vegas would get more attention, but this new offering has pretty much flown under the radar. That&rsquo;s because such establishments have been controversial in other cities, so the owner is keeping the venture on the down low. It costs $150 for a one-hour interaction with a thermoplastic elastomer doll, which, honestly, couldn&rsquo;t sound sexier. How will the Las Vegas sex doll brothel fare? We trust the owner agrees with our prediction, &ldquo;Build it and they will come.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22670\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22670\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22670 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Las Vegas sex doll brothel\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/sex_dolls_brothel.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22670\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">From Sex Dolls Experience: &ldquo;Are you ready to indulge in the ultimate sexual experience where you are the main focus?&rdquo; Or, as we call it, Tuesday.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>11. Whiskey Licker Up Opened<\/h2>\n<p>The new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/binions-nails-it-with-new-whiskey-licker-up\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Whiskey Licker Up at Binion&rsquo;s<\/a> features long pours, great food at reasonable prices and the only revolving bar in Las Vegas. It&rsquo;s one of our new favorite watering holes downtown, and they even installed some video poker machines at our request. How&rsquo;s that for customer service?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22306\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22306\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22306 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Whiskey Licker Up\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/whiskey_licker_up_binions12.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22306\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">If there are any misspellings in this caption, blame it on Whiskey Licker Up. Those pours, though.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>12. Front Yard Opened<\/h2>\n<p>We&rsquo;re pleased to report the long-awaited <a href=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/front-yard-at-ellis-island-is-worth-the-wait\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Front Yard at Ellis Island<\/a> was worth the, well, wait. The two-level, indoor\/outdoor venue boasts two bars, top-notch food and 15 video poker machines. Beer lovers will find themselves in heaven, with fresh beer brewed on the premises at prices you wouldn&rsquo;t believe if we told you. Oh, all right, we&rsquo;ll tell you: Giant, frosty beers are three bucks. No, really.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22640\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22640\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22640 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Front Yard Ellis Island\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/front_yard_ellis_island23.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22640\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Your new favorite spot, Strip-ish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>13. Wynn\/Encore Roll Back Paid Parking<\/h2>\n<p>One of the best surprises of 2019 was when Wynn and Encore rolled back paid parking. That&rsquo;s right, both self-park and valet are free all over again. We&rsquo;re pretty sure the change was inspired by challenges associated with getting people to visit Wynn Plaza, but whatever the reason, we&rsquo;re thrilled with this move and hope other Las Vegas casinos follow suit.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21741\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21741\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-21741 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Wynn parking\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/wynn_parking_machine1.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21741\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The best kind of paid parking ticket machine: The retired kind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>14. Strat Renovation<\/h2>\n<p>In case you missed it, the Stratosphere isn&rsquo;t the Stratosphere anymore. It&rsquo;s The Strat, and the north Strip casino has undergone a dramatic transformation. A nearly $100 million investment by Golden Entertainment has turned Strat into one of our favorite Strip hangs, with new restaurants, lounges and casino offerings galore.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22406\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22406\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22406 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Strat casino\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/strat_casino8.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22406\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">You think you know the Strat, but it ain&rsquo;t that.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>15. Lady Gaga Ruled The Strip<\/h2>\n<p>When we broke the story Lady Gaga would have a Las Vegas residency, we had no idea she&rsquo;d take the town by storm. She&rsquo;s rumored to be making more than any Las Vegas headliner, ever, and continues to receive rave reviews for her performances at Park MGM.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22671\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22671\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22671 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/lady_gaga2.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22671\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Her close friends call her &ldquo;Ga squared.&rdquo;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>16. &ldquo;Atomic Saloon&rdquo; Opened at Venetian<\/h2>\n<p>Fans of &ldquo;Absinthe&rdquo; at Caesars Palace were thrilled to hear there would be a new offering from Spiegelworld, the show&rsquo;s quirky production company. In September, &ldquo;Atomic Saloon&rdquo; opened in the Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Las Vegas lost its virginity yet again. The show is raunchy, over-the-top and chock full of variety acts unlike anything else in town. Thanks to &ldquo;Atomic Saloon&rdquo; for the pic.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22672\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22672\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22672 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/atomic_saloon_nun.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22672\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">You will look for a more irreverent show in Las Vegas, but you will find nun.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>17. Sahara Rebrand and Renovation<\/h2>\n<p>The Sahara returned to the Las Vegas Strip in 2019, and if you haven&rsquo;t visited recently, be prepared for a jolt. The entire casino has been revamped and SLS is a distant memory. While our heart was broken when Cleo closed (replaced with Italian), Sahara won us back with its gorgeous Casbar lounge (photo below). Sahara&rsquo;s production show, &ldquo;Blanc de Blanc,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/blanc-de-blanc-closes-at-sahara-las-vegas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">closed after just three months<\/a>, but the resort&rsquo;s getting a lot right, too. The overhauled Sahara should be on your ever-growing Las Vegas to-do list.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21849\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21849\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-21849 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"New Sahara Las Vegas\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/sls_casbar_lounge_sahara.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21849\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Casbar rocks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>18. Golden Nugget Got a Chick-fil-A<\/h2>\n<p>Yes, the opening of Chick-fil-A at Golden Nugget made our list of awesome new Vegas things. Not only was it the first Chick-fil-A in a casino, it was the first Chick-fil-A within walking distance of where we work (Fremont Street Experience), so just deal with it.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22673\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22673\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22673 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Chick-fil-A Golden Nugget\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/chick_fil_a_golden_nugget.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22673\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Las Vegas knows a little something about breast meat. If you get our drift.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>19. MSG Sphere Construction<\/h2>\n<p>Construction began on the MSG Sphere in 2018, but it started to look like a thing in 2019. The Sphere is a partnership between the Madison Square Garden Company and Las Vegas Sands (owners of Venetian and Palazzo), and is expected to cost somewhere between $1.2 billion and &ldquo;Holy crap, that&rsquo;s a metric crap-ton of money.&rdquo; Financial black hole aspect aside, the MSG Sphere could end up being epic. It&rsquo;ll have 18,000 seats inside a 350-foot dome covered on the outside and inside by programmable, wraparound LED screens. Oh, and we can&rsquo;t forget about the infrasound haptic flooring system, whatever that might be.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22674\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22674\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22674 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/msg_sphere1.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22674\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Las Vegas knows a little something about giant orbs. If you get our drift.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>20. Sale of Circus Circus<\/h2>\n<p>Yes, the sale of Circus Circus to Phil Ruffin (owner of TI) for $825 million qualifies as awesome. First, we had the scoop about the sale before anyone else. Second, Circus Circus has long been the red-headed stepchild of MGM Resorts, and hope springs eternal a new owner will give the resort some much-needed love.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22247\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22247\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22247 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"Circus Circus Lucky clown\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/circus_circus_lucky_marquee.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22247\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Las Vegas knows a little something about big tops. If you get our drift.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Thank you for your cursory skimming of our list of awesome things that happened in Las Vegas in 2019. Yes, there were many more things we could add to this list, but honestly, we&rsquo;re suffering from a bit of awesome fatigue.<\/p>\n<p>We considered compiling a list of stupid things that happened in Las Vegas in 2019 (&ldquo;R.U.N.&rdquo; leaps to mind, not to mention <a href=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/bleutech-park-breaks-bullshit-records-with-7-5-billion-project-claims\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bleutech<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/kaos-dayclub-and-nightclub-closes-at-palms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kaos<\/a>), but awesome is infinitely more fun than stupid.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22675\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22675\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-22675 size-full\" style=\"border: 1px solid #000000;\" src=\"\/vitalvegas\/dist\/images\/common\/transparent_3x2.gif\" alt=\"RUN\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/run_refund.jpg\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22675\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At least this isn&rsquo;t a boob joke.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We can&rsquo;t wait to see what 2020 has in store. Lots of in-progress projects are set to debut, including Allegiant Stadium, Circa, the Las Vegas Convention Center expansion, Virgin Hotel (being rebranded from Hard Rock), Caesars Forum conference center, Elon Musk&rsquo;s tunnel (officially Jan. 2021, but fingers crossed) and others.<\/p>\n<p>As long as you keep visiting, Las Vegas will keep creating awesome things and experiences, including some involving copulation with dolls. Allegedly.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What&rsquo;s new in Las Vegas? We&rsquo;ve got this! We&rsquo;ve slapped together a perfunctory list of great things that happened in Las Vegas in 2019, from casino sales to broken records and entertainment news that&rsquo;ll make you gaga. Let&rsquo;s dive into the most awesome things in Las Vegas this past year. 1. Sale of Rio It [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vegas"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>20 Awesome Things That Happened in Las Vegas in 2019<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We&#039;ve slapped together a perfunctory list of great things that happened in Las Vegas in 2019, from casino sales to broken records and entertainment news that&#039;ll make you gaga.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"20 Awesome Things That Happened in Las Vegas in 2019\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"We&#039;ve slapped together a perfunctory list of great things that happened in Las Vegas in 2019, from casino sales to broken records and entertainment news that&#039;ll make you gaga.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/awesome-things-that-happened-in-las-vegas-in-2019\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Vital Vegas\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VitalLasVegas\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-12-18T09:21:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2019-12-19T05:10:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/awesome_vegas_things.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" 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