Top 5 Day Trips from Las Vegas
In my previous post, I introduced you to my 3 favourite casinos in Las Vegas. Whilst the sheer variety of casino-hotels, with their pools, bars, restaurants, shows and such mean that you are never in for a dull moment, today, I want to give you my suggestions for other exciting things you can do when visiting the city. If you enjoy a little adventure, then check out these 5 day trips that you can participate in when visiting Vegas, for an even more exciting and wide-ranging experience.
1. Grand Canyon
A visit to the Grand Canyon is on many people’s bucket list. The National Park is a place of breath-taking beauty and astonishing natural features. It is a fair old drive from Las Vegas, taking about 4 and a half hours each way. However, you can reduce the traveling time considerably plus, get an even more invigorating experience by visiting the canyon by helicopter. There are plenty of tour operators that do day trips by chopper. Not only do these cut down the travel time, you will get some of the most astonishing views of the Grand Canyon from the air.
2. Red Rock Canyon
Just a 30 minute drive out of the city will take you to Red Rock Canyon. The national conservation area boasts a set of large red rock formations, sandstone peaks and walls. The walls reach up to 3000 feet high, making them popular with rock climbers and hikers. There is a 13 mile one-way loop road that provides access to the many features of the site. This road is popular with cyclists as it has a moderate climb to start, then is mostly downhill or flat. You will find a visitor centre at the start of the road, with plenty of useful information about the area, its history, geology and more.
3. Hoover Dam
The world-famous Hoover Dam is located approximately 30 miles from Las Vegas, making it within easy reach for a day trip. It is on the Colorado river between the US states of Nevada and Arizona. It is a major tourist attraction, drawing almost a million visitors each year. You can take a guided tour of the damn and learn more about its interesting history. There is also a museum which is well worth a look. You can walk across the damn and take in the stunning views. Although, if you are afraid of heights, this is probably best avoided!
4. Lake Mead
Formed by the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the USA in terms of water capacity. The lake is a massive 112 miles long when full, with a shoreline of around 760 miles. Pretty much every type of water sport you can imagine is available here. The most popular is boating, with fishing, water skiing and swimming also ranking highly. It has sandy beaches and rocky cliffs within its many coves. The area also boasts a visitor centre, with a botanical garden featuring cactus and other plants which are native to the area.
5. Bonnie Springs Ranch
This is a must try for fans of wild west cowboy movies. The former mining town immerses you into the life of the Old West. The 115-acre ranch is located about 40 mins southwest of the Las Vegas Strip. You can take a miniature train ride and indulge yourself in various Old West activities, including staged cowboy gun fights, melodramas, horseback riding and more. The ranch also features a petting zoo, museum, and wild-west style saloons where you can grab a drink or a bite to eat.