Let’s face it: At some point during a Vegas getaway, you’re going to need a break from the slot machines, nightclubs and performances that make Vegas, well, Vegas.
If you’re looking for a quick day trip during your Las Vegas stay, don’t miss these six great options.
Hoover Dam
Whether you choose to see the Hoover Dam by bus or by helicopter, you’ll marvel at this industrial wonder. The grand, art deco-inspired structure provides water to California, Arizona and Nevada, allowing Las Vegas to be the desert oasis it is. Two tours are available: a 30-minute Powerplant Tour that takes you through the plant and to the observation deck, and a Hoover Dam Tour, an extended power plant tour that includes touring the dam tunnels.
Lake Mead
If you’re making the trek to visit the Hoover Dam, don’t miss nearby Lake Mead during your day trip. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy activities like fishing and water skiing, while casual visitors can hop on a cruise for a tour of the lake.
Grand Canyon
If you want to visit the Grand Canyon in one day, book a helicopter or airplane tour from Las Vegas – the flight time is just around one hour. Plenty of tour companies offer day trips from Las Vegas to this famous canyon — one of Seven Wonders of the Natural World — and your experience doesn’t stop with gazing at the canyon. Tours can be customized to include a boat cruise, Skywalk experience, hiking, or a Native American village visit.
Area 51
Do you want to believe? Then spend a day cruising the Extraterrestrial Highway (Highway 375), a two-hour drive from Las Vegas. Named for the abundance of UFO sightings in the area (as well as its proximity to the mysterious Area 51 military site), the Extraterrestrial Highway is largely lined with vast stretches of desert and fun, themed pit stops like the Little A’Le’Inn.
Red Rock Canyon
Just minutes outside Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon offers a vast contrast from the city bustle of Las Vegas. The state park is filled with large rock formations, rocky cliffs and untouched stretches of the Mojave Desert. You can opt for a guided tour of the park’s top sights or explore Red Rock Canyon at your own pace.
Mount Charleston
If the desert heat is putting a damper on your Vegas vacation, escape to the cooler mountain temps at Mount Charleston, less than an hour outside Las Vegas. Pack a picnic and escape into the natural beauty of Mount Charleston with a tranquil hike along your choice of the area’s 52 miles of trails. Pine trees, junipers and songbirds are just a few of the sights waiting for you.
(Main image: pilax)
