The city of Laughlin, formally known as South Pointe, also offers plenty of gambling and recreation. Laughlin is not only known for its many gambling hotels and resorts, it’s also located on the Colorado River where the California, Nevada, and Arizona state lines merge. It is only 2 hours away from Vegas, but the atmosphere in Laughlin is extremely different. It is definitely more relaxed and much less flashy. Although the hotels and resorts attract millions of guests yearly, the Colorado river attracts even more. The lure of the river attracts boating, fishing, water-skiing and swimmers alike. Wave runners and the sort are also often seen on the river.
Laughlin was not always the travel destination it is today. Up until 1966 the area contained one little roadhouse restaurant that mostly served the workers working on the Davis Dam. Then Don Laughlin, an entrepreneur, came down from Las Vegas and renovated the little restaurant into a casino. After the renovation was complete the casino was named the Riverside. Eleven years later, in 1977, the rapidly growing city of South Pointe was officially changed to Laughlin.
Several people saw the success of the Riverside and began building their own hotels and casinos. Today there are 11 major hotels that cover most of the west riverbank of the Colorado River.
I was going to list a few other things to do in Laughlin, but there isn’t much to do beside gamble, gamble, and gamble. Oh yeah, maybe a show or two. Lol Actually Laughlin is really nice and a lot smaller and slower than Vegas. Unfortunately it is also hotter. Yuck. It’s ok though, I stay inside and gamble. Try it sometime as an alternative to Vegas. You might like it.