Laughlin, Nevada

Laughlin is a census-designated place (CDP) in Clark County, Nevada, United States, and a port located on the Colorado River. Laughlin is 90 miles (152.3 km) south of Las Vegas, nestled in the far southern tip of Nevada, between the Colorado River and Arizona on the east, and California on the west. As of the 2000 census, the population was 7,076. Across the river from Laughlin is Bullhead City, Arizona.Its name comes from Don Laughlin, an Owatonna, Minnesota, native who purchased the southern tip of Nevada in 1964 (informally called South Pointe). At the time, Don Laughlin operated the 101 Club in Las Vegas. He opened what would become the Riverside Resort, offering all-you-can-eat chicken dinners for 98 cents, 12 slot machines and two live gaming tables, along with eight motel rooms (although four of the rooms were occupied by Don Laughlin's family). He wanted to call the community Riverside or Casino but the post office opted for Laughlin instead.Laughlin is the third most visited casino and resort destination in the state after Las Vegas and Reno, and is one of the top five destinations for American RV enthusiasts.Laughlin is advertised as a family-friendly destination and, being located on the river, it emphasizes outdoor and family activities. Many of the casinos that line the Colorado River are linked by an unofficial pedestrian thoroughfare known as the Laughlin Riverwalk.