Las Vegas Area Travel Guide (Part 2)

The Las Vegas Area Travel Guide is a resource for Las Vegas visitors who wish to sample the Southwest's great scenery and outdoor recreation. All destinations within the guide are no more than five hours' drive from Las Vegas. Included are sites close to Las Vegas, such as Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Red Rock Canyon as well as locales in Arizona (including Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, and Painted Desert), Utah (Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park), and California (Death Valley National Park, Mojave National Preserve). Details include descriptions, links to many references, and suggested visit times. Also, review our recommended travel itineraries.   NEW! Grand Canyon Skywalk   For easiest use, scroll map to top.

Using the Interactive Map

Place your mouse pointer on any item number (in purple) on the map. A brief description will appear. Click on the number for a link to detailed information below. Detailed Highway Map of Nevada in separate window

Las Vegas Area Pull-Down Menu Hoover Dam / Northern Arizona Utah National Park Loop Las Vegas Area / Lake Mead Death Valley Area Travel Itineraries

Lake Powell Travel Guide | Paria Canyon Guide | Northern Arizona Guide | Grand Canyon Guide

Las Vegas Area Destinations

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(8) Las Vegas Highlights -

There are endless writeups regarding what to see and where to stay in Las Vegas. As a non-gambler, here are a few of my favorites:

• Favorite Place to Stay: While there are newer and more luxurious spots, I always enjoyed the novelty of Luxor Las Vegas (right), staying in the upper floors of the pyramid.
• Favorite Place to Walk Around: The corner of Tropicana Avenue and the Strip features the Excalibur (medieval castles), New York New York (the pseudo New York skyline), MGM Grand, and Tropicana. Luxor's pyramid is adjacent to Excalibur, and the exotic Mandalay Bay is next to Luxor.
• Fun and Free: The Fremont Street Experience can't be beat. A four block section of downtown has been converted to a pedestrian mall, covered by an audio-visual canopy consisting of two million lights. Free animated musical shows take place at the top of each hour. (If you are staying on the Strip, take the bus.)
• Good Amusement: Adventuredome: Extravagant five acre indoor theme park at Circus Circus.
• Best Buffet: Haven't been there, but it is the Bellagio by all accounts.
• Most Exotic Show: Haven't seen it, but Cirque du Soleil (versions at several hotels) is world-famous and said to be spectacular.
• Other Stops: The Mirage features a fabulous aquarium, a dolphin habitat, and a Secret Garden with some of Siegfeld and Roy's most exotic animals. And take a walk through Caesar's Palace which has long set the standard for Las Vegas opulence.

Click Here for the Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

• Official Las Vegas Tourism Web Site
• Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce
• Las Vegas Strip - National Scenic Byways (U.S. Dept. of Transportation)
• Las Vegas Shows
• Cirque du Soleil
• Visit Las Vegas and See the World!

(6) Lake Mead National Recreation Area -

Lake Mead National Recreation Area consists of immense Lake Mead, formed behind spectacular Hoover Dam, and the smaller Lake Mojave to the south. The focus here is all manner of outstanding water recreation ranging from fishing to houseboating to water sports such as kayaking or water skiing. During the cooler months, hiking and auto touring away from the water are excellent, featuring deep canyons, dry washes, sheer cliffs, distant mountain ranges, as well as wildlife and unusual desert plants. Nevada's popular Valley of Fire State Park is near the Echo Bay Marina at the north end of Lake Mead. The Northshore Road offers picnic areas and great scenery. The numerous marinas on the two lakes offer services ranging from boat launches, food, lodging, campgrounds, and boat rentals. Cruises and tours are also available (see below). Lake Mojave, convenient to popular Laughlin, Nevada, is a favorite destination for young people during Spring Break. Visit time: a day to drive the scenic road, several days to enjoy the lakes. Very easy access from Las Vegas.

• Lake Mead National Recreation Area (National Park Service)
• Lake Mead Activities (National Park Service)
• Lake Mead Cruises
• American Southwest: Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• Information/Tours: Hoover Dam (Bureau of Reclamation)

(7) Valley of Fire State Park -

Nevada's oldest state park, Valley of Fire preserves a starkly beautiful section of the Mojave Desert noted for its brilliantly red sandstone formations including cliffs and petrified sand dunes. The red color is enhanced late in the day, near sunset. There are also petrified logs and ancient petroglyphs. Activities here include hiking, auto touring, and photography. There is a visitor center and campground. Valley of Fire is near the north end of Lake Mead, and easily accessed from Las Vegas, 55 miles north in Interstate-15. Visit time: a good day trip from Las Vegas, or a short stopover on the way to the Utah national parks.

• Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada Parks)
• American Southwest: Valley of Fire State Park

(9) Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area / Spring Mountain Ranch State Park -

Red Rock Canyon offers a beautiful natural area just 17 miles outside of Las Vegas. It features panaromas of red rock hills and canyons with the Spring Mountains as a backdrop. There is a campground, 90 miles of trails, a 13 mile scenic drive, a visitor center, plentiful toilets, waterfalls, and petroglyphs. The area is popular with hikers, bicyclists, rock climbers, photographers, and runners. Facilities are wheelchair accessible. The park road reaches an elevation of 4,760 feet, so temperatures will be cooler than in the city. An easy and convenient place for Las Vegas visitors to get a taste of the outdoors. Follow Charleston Boulevard west - it becomes Nevada-159 - then follow the signs. Visit time: a few hours or more.

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is located within Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area at the base of colorful redrock cliffs. The 520 acre oasis was developed into a combination working ranch and luxurious retreat by a string of owners who have given the area a long and colorful history. The main ranch house is open daily for self-guided tours. Guided tours through the area are also offered. There is also a picnic area and many shade trees. The park is located off the Blue Diamond Road. Visit time: a couple hours.

• Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (Bureau of Land Management)
• Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association
• Spring Mountain Ranch State Park (Nevada State Parks)

(10) Mt. Charleston - Spring Mountain National Recreation Area -

Many visitors will be surprised to know the mountains are only 35 miles from downtown Las Vegas. The Spring Mountains are west of the Las Vegas Valley and reach an elevation of 11,913 feet at Charleston Peak. Visitors to Las Vegas may conveniently enjoy complete relief from the desert heat during the warmer months and winter sports from late fall to early spring. Lodging, restaurants, campgrounds, ski lifts, and picnic areas are available at Mt. Charleston. There are 53 miles of trails, and horseback rides are also available. Take US-95 north, then Nevada-157 west. Visit time: a full day trip or more.

• Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (National Forest Service)
• Mt. Charleston (Internet Tours)
• Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort
• Mt. Charleston Lodge

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