Have you ever heard of the Hoover Dam? If you're planning a trip to Las Vegas and haven't included a tour of this place in your itinerary, you should reconsider, because it's an incredible place to visit.
With over one million recorded visits per year, the Hoover Dam is one of the main tourist attractions in Las Vegas, especially for those visiting the Grand Canyon West.
The fact is that having the opportunity to see this dam up close, understand how it works and its impact on the local economy is a unique and magnificent experience.
With that in mind, we've put together an article detailing its history and some interesting facts. Intrigued? Keep reading to find out all about it!
How was the Hoover Dam built?
The Hoover Dam was built in 1936, and the initial proposal was for it to supply water to Las Vegas. It is located exactly on the border between the states of Nevada and Arizona, more precisely between the Black Canyons of the Colorado River.
Although its inauguration only took place in the 1930s, the region was already being analyzed in the mid-1900s, when geology professionals of the time considered that the place would be able to support a huge amount of water, aiming at the production of hydroelectric energy.
Its construction took place between 1931 and 1935, and it was inaugurated by then-President Franklin Roosevelt. In its final phase, the dam ended up forming a kind of lake, which would become known as Lake Mead, and later gain the status of the largest reservoir in the United States.
The Hoover Dam is 222 meters high and 380 meters wide, and the name Hoover Dam was chosen to honor Herbert Hoover, who was president of the United States between 1929 and 1933, and was one of the authorities who worked to make its construction possible.
Currently, in addition to being an important center for electricity production in the country, the Hoover Dam is responsible for controlling floods on the Colorado River, providing water for irrigation and consumption for people in parts of the United States.
Has the dam ever been the setting for famous movies?
That's right! Some blockbuster movies had scenes filmed at the Hoover Dam. Some of them were:
- Superman: The Movie (1978);
- Vegas Vacation (1997)
- Solaris (2002);
- Into the Wild (2007);
- Transformers (2007);
- San Andreas (2015).
To see more details of the dam, we recommend watching the movie "Vegas Vacation," which shows the interior of the development in one of its scenes.
How do I get to Hoover Dam?
The dam is located 48 kilometers from Las Vegas, and there are two basic ways to get there: by car and by bus. For those who choose the first option, the best route is to take Interstate 515 S to exit 22, where the driver will reach US 93 and drive for approximately 50 minutes.
If you choose to travel by bus, you can take advantage of excursions that depart from Las Vegas to Lake Mead, the Grand Canyon, and Boulder City.
What to do at Hoover Dam?
It's possible to enjoy the tour in several ways, including on your own, where tourists can enjoy an outdoor area with incredible views, mainly due to the exuberance and grandeur of the development built on the site.
Another way is by taking a tour inside the hydroelectric plant, the Hoover Dam Power Tour, where you can discover more about the structure and history of this tourist attraction.
In 2010, the Hoover Dam Bypass was designed, a magnificent bridge built over the Colorado River, offering incredible views.
Another option to get there is to take a helicopter tour, which has a significant cost, but allows you to fly over the entire Colorado River and have a privileged view of the place.
How can you make the most of your trip to Las Vegas?
To enjoy an incredible experience in Las Vegas, taking the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the region and explore the paradisiacal places it offers, such as the Hoover Dam, it is ideal to have specialized help.
Vegas Tour has solid experience in offering tourists a trip with a complete and unique program of tours, so that they can enjoy an incredible experience in Sin City.
If you enjoyed the content and want to learn more about how to visit and make the most of Las Vegas' tourist attractions, don't waste any time and contact our experts right now.
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