Disappointing photos show what Las Vegas looks like in real life, from crowded venues and packed pools to long wait lines

REUTERS/Mike Blake

Visitors fill Las Vegas Boulevard, otherwise known as "The Strip."

• Almost 39 million people visited Las Vegas last year.
• As a result of so many annual guests, the county's gaming revenue often reaches close to $10 billion.
• High visitor traffic also leads to daily crowds at many of the iconic Las Vegas venues and sites.
• In addition to crowds, visitors should be prepared for an extreme climate, long walking distances, and extensive wait times.

Popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties, shotgun weddings, and other weekend getaways, Las Vegas is a staple in American tourism.

While some travelers visit with a budget, others - purposely or accidentally - can end up spending thousands of dollars in the infamous "Sin City."

These travelers come from across the country (and around the world), and many may be surprised to find the city - like so many others - is much less glamorous in the daytime.

Read more: Disappointing photos show what Venice looks like in real life, from extreme overcrowding and devastating floods to pollution from cruise ships

Crowded streets and hotel lobbies make venturing outside city limits to national parks worth it - if you don't mind the drive.

However, despite its flaws, Las Vegas promises cheap flights and endless entertainment for the steady stream of visitors each and every weekend.

Keeping reading to see more of the surprising photos taken in America's gambling capital.