Upon arriving in Vegas, the family embarks upon a series of misadventures. The Griswolds visit Cousin Eddie, the husband of Ellen 's cousin Catherine. Eddie and his family now live in the desert just north of Las Vegas, on what used to be a hydrogen bomb test site. While on a group tour of the Hoover Dam led by guide Arty, Clark leaves the group after accidentally creating a leak in the dam 's inside walkways, and is forced to climb the scaffolding to the very top of the dam to get out, because his cries for help can not be heard over the roaring water. The next night, they are surprised to find tickets to a Wayne Newton concert and a dress for Ellen have been delivered to their hotel room. They go to the concert, only to realize that Newton had sent the dress. While singing, he brings Ellen up on stage to sing with him, and visits at their table.
where did cousin eddie live in vegas vacation
in the desert just north of Las Vegas, on what used to be a hydrogen bomb test site