It's not just fireworks that Las Vegas has planned for the Fourth of July. In celebration of America250, a number of special activities are planned and one of the nation's iconic landmarks is even decorated for the occasion.
Through July 4, Hoover Dam is illuminated in red, white and blue each night at dusk, and a 300-foot-wide, 150-foot-tall American flag is suspended across it every day (weather permitting).
The activation uses more than 550 automated LED lights, and the installation uses 126,200 feet of wire.
For the best views, visitors are encouraged to watch from the top of Hoover Dam or the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge walkway. Both locations remain open until 10 p.m. nightly. However, the visitor center closes daily at 5 p.m., with final ticket sales at 4:15 p.m.
Several amenities are accessible after normal operating hours, including the walkway parking area, Arizona parking lots, restrooms atop the dam and vending machines dispensing bottled water.
Construction of Hoover Dam, which opened in 1936, necessitated the creation of nearby Boulder City for workers and helped form the groundwork for modern Las Vegas.
Downtown Las Vegas will also celebrate the Fourth in different ways:
• El Cortez Hotel & Casino will offer American comfort food at special prices and a gaming a promotion July 3 to 5.
Guests can visit the Chicago Hot Dog Cart on the main casino floor to get two hot dogs and a 16-ounce draft beer for $10. On July 4, casino loyalty club members who earn 1,000 slot base points throughout the day will receive between $10 and $100 in free slot play.
• The Plaza Hotel & Casino will host its $250,000 Super Bingo event, the largest prize purse in the event's history.
Bingo-only registration is $250 per person with game play on July 4 and 5. The initial entry fee will get players a paper pack of six cards to play the main Super bingo games starting at 12:15 p.m. each day as well as two daubers, free drinks via an open bar at all sessions, a boxed lunch both days and $10 in free slot play after the first day's session.
Twenty games will pay $1,999 each, with a super coverall of $60,000, second place of $15,000 and third place of $10,020 each day.
Players can also add a five-night hotel package for $200 per person, with no resort fee, for check-in on July 2 and checkout on July 6.
• The Legacy Club lounge, on the 60th floor of Circa Resort & Casino, will celebrate Independence Day with its Star-Spangled Glamour event. Guests can take in the city's fireworks shows with small bites and an open bar featuring beer, wine, Champagne, spirits and specialty cocktails. Tickets are $175 (plus tax and fees). The event starts at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, over on the Strip:
• Resorts World Las Vegas will host a fireworks-viewing party at Rose Rooftop starting at 7 p.m. on July 4, a performance by country star Nate Smith at Zouk and a poolside barbecue. Tickets ($25 plus tax and fees) to Rose Rooftop include one drink ticket and DJ entertainment.
• The Fontainebleau Las Vegas will be one of the resorts igniting fireworks at 9 p.m. on July 4. Guests are invited to view them from its elevated outdoor Oasis Pool Deck with small bites and drinks. The viewing party will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission for those not staying at the hotel is $25.
• Country music trio Midland, best known for their hits "Drinkin' Problem" and "Burn Out," will perform at LIV Beach on July 4. The party starts at 8 p.m. and will include the evening's fireworks launch from the hotel's rooftop. Tickets start at $35 (plus tax and fees). Room-and-ticket packages are available.