When most people think about a trip to Las Vegas, the first thing that comes to mind is the Strip, with its bright, shining lights, endless string of casinos and hotels, and over the top shows. People also love heading to all you can eat buffets, extravagant nightclubs, and hanging out by the pool.
While all of that can be great fun, if that doesn’t necessarily appeal to you, there is still so much you can do if you’re in the area, and these attractions might surprise you. Here are some fun alternative options while you’re visiting Las Vegas.
Las Vegas
Red Rock Canyon
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a favorite hiking spot for locals, with good reason. The bright red, incredible rock formations found in the Mojave Desert are home to hiking trails, including the Calico Tanks trail, which spans over 2.5 miles. There you can find a gorgeous water pool and sprawling views of Las Vegas. Even if you’ve already visited the Strip, you’ve definitely never seen it like this.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
The Neon Museum Boneyard Park
Over the years, Vegas has become known for its flagrant displays, from neon signs, to flashy billboards. Local design enthusiasts, activists, and historians fought to save some of Vegas’ structures and design elements from being destroyed, which is why the Neon Museum exists. It’s an outdoor area that showcases amazing neon signs, billboards, and everything in between that has been used to draw visitors in. You have to take a guided tour, but you’ll see iconic signs including works by Betty Willis, who designed the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, and plenty more.
The Neon Museum Boneyard Park
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is really one of the reasons that Las Vegas is what it is today. The reason is because the casinos once were powered by the dam, though now they use only a small percentage of the hydroelectric generations for power. In the 1930’s, the Boulder Dam project brought in many workers and put Vegas on the map, helping pave the way for it being the well known tourist magnet it is now.
Hoover Dam
Seven Magic Mountains
The Seven Magic Mountains installation located in the Mojave Desert, just 15 minutes away from Las Vegas, was created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. Each of the towers is made of locally sourced boulders that stand over 30 feet high. There’s a reason why this installation is quite a popular spot for photography.
Seven Magic Mountains
