Laughlin

Laughlin is located 90 miles south of Las Vegas, on the banks of Colorado River at the border with Arizona (504 ft above sea level).

The town is named after Don Laughlin, who in 1964 bought a forgotten and decaying motel and in two years had it in good shape including 12 slot machines and 2 live gaming tables. When postal authorities asked Don to give a name to the new "town," he suggested Riverside or Casino, but a postal inspector used Laughlin instead.

The motel, now Riverside Resort, was added more rooms and in 1986 it became a 14-floor highrise. Other hotels/casinos were built, especially during the 1980s.

Today's Laughlin's population is about 8,000 and its annual visitors exceed 5 million. In 1987, Don Laughlin funded the Laughlin Bridge, which links Laughlin and Bullhead City in Arizona, over the Colorado river. Two thousand vehicles cross this bridge daily.

There are nine hotels and one motel in Laughlin today, all having more than 10,000 rooms. Attractions include the Colorado river, Horizon Shopping Mall, Davis Dam (1953) and Lake Mohave (just north of the city), four golf courses, the Avi Resort Casino of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, and Lake Havasu.

Colorado Belle Hotel/Casino & Microbrewery (1,200 rooms). (800) 477-4837.
Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort (1,405). (800) 227-3849.
Edgewater Hotel & Casino (1,420). (800) 677-4837.
Flamingo Laughlin (1,900). (800) 352-6464.
Golden Nugget Laughlin (300). (800) 950-7700.
Harrah's Laughlin Casino and Hotel (1,570). (800) 427-7247.
Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall (415). (800) 634-3469.
Ramada Express Hotel Casino (1,501). (800) 243-6846.
River Palms Resort Casino (1,003). (800) 835-7904.

See also www.visitlaughlin.com.

Don't miss "The Watch Man Store," located in the Riverside Resort, "the world's largest watch store." Among the more than 20,000 watches and clocks--of all kinds-- that can be purchased under $20, there may be a genuine $3,000 Rolex which can be bought for only $19.97 (if you can spot it--13 have been sold for $19.97 to date). The store is open every day of the year between 10 am and 10 pm. 298-2535, ext. 5098.