Welcome to [Ba]Sin City!

So you’ve never been to Frank Miller's Sin City, eh? Well, we checked in with the Chamber of Commerce to find out about the city’s attractions and highlights for visitors. Travelers looking for a different kind of vacation may find just the perfect destination in Sin City.

Pack your trench coat
Reminiscent of San Francisco, Basin City is rooted in historic ambience and soaked in cultural diversity.  Be prepared to meet a wide variety of people, as the city has drawn residents from all walks of life.  Conversely, the weather can be pretty predictable.  “Rain doesn’t come to Basin City very often.  And when it does, it’s usually pretty lame stuff,” one resident notes.  “But maybe twice a year the desert sky really coughs it up and spits it out.”  In any case, be sure to check local weather conditions before heading out, as you might need a trench coat or your sunscreen depending on the time of year.

If you are a sports fan, then you must know about Basin City football’s recent boost.  Not long ago, the City Council approved a new stadium.  Now, the Basin City Blues, a once-struggling football team, is about to make a return on that investment.  With superstar Dimitrius Knight acquired in a recent trade, expect to see this team make it to the playoffs this season!  The once-flagging local sports scene is on the rise.  Catch a game on the cheap before playoff hysteria drives up demand for tickets...and ticket prices! 

Once a hot (and we do mean HOT) spot for family vacationers, the Santa Yolanda Tar Pits have gone through several phases of existence.  Despite their historic and cultural value as a scientific dig site, the Basin City Board of Tourism pushed to develop the Tar Pits into a theme park.  Riding on the rush of Michael Crichton’s dinosaur fiction, the park did incredibly well for a short time.  Despite the influx of tax dollars, the death of an elderly patron in a freak fall accident ended the resurgence of Santa Yolanda.  All that remains of the park’s once-glorious dream is the statues of dinosaurs that litter the expanse of the park.  A definite photo op!

Not exactly family friendly
As time has passed, the city has not managed to maintain its family-friendly image, despite its strong religious ties.  The Roark family, much like Basin City’s own royal family, continues their legacy today, marked by the Statue of Cardinal Patrick Henry Roark.  Of gothic design, it stands 20 feet tall.  Often, candlelight vigils are held there to mark special events and the passing of young children. 

The real Cardinal Roark still resides in the city at The Mission, or “Fortress Roark” as it is more commonly known on the streets.  Dating from the 1800s, this stuccoed church and residence is typical of the period.  The bell tower is an especially stunning feature, and can be heard well into the city.  A gift shop is located just outside the gates where you can purchase a miniature replica of the Statue of Cardinal Roark, a Mission snow globe or a cardinal crown made of foam rubber.  A must-see for fans of religious architecture.

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