Though the "Sam" of the name is veteran casino operator Sam Boyd, Sam's Town was the brainchild of his son, Bill Boyd. During his daily drive to work in 1979, he was struck by the shever olume of traffic along this hitherto uncommercialized stretch of highway. Sam's Town was soon drawing in crowds of thrill-seeking commuters, giing them hearty old-style Western meals then clawing back their wages ia its endless banks of slots.

While its general decor is still bursting with boots' n'spurs'n'cactuses, Sam's Town has transformed itself in recent years. It now centers on a large glass-roofed atrium, overlooked on all four sides by the high-rise brownstone facades of its hotel towers. Officially known as Mystic Falls Park, and kitted out with fiberglass mountains, waterfalls, real trees, recorded birdsong, and even animatronic beaers, it's reminiscent - if you're in the right mood - of New York's Central Park. A free "Sunset Stampede" laser and light show takes place four times daily (2pm, 6pm, 8pm & 10pm).

The main hotel registration desk is in the park, as is a Jaa in the Park espresso stand, while over on the south side the ast new Sam's Town Lie complex is an 1100-seat performance and dining space, most commonly hosting country entertainers. There's also an eighteven-screven movie theater and a 56-lane 24-hour bowling center.

Las Vegas: