Chocolates, Indian Petroclyphs, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire
I love Las Vegas!
For many years my hubby and I would go to the Natural Food Convention held every other year at the big Hilton Hotel and Convention center and always had a blast. We also have a big family that lives in Los Angeles and we would always try to combine a few days in Vegas when we would go to see them. It's a very easy drive across the desert and takes about 5-6 hours, so not too bad.As much as we enjoy the hotels on the strip and all they have to offer, once in a while it's nice to get off the strip and do something a bit different. A few of our favorite Tourist Attractions to visit are as follows;
Number One: Ethel M Chocolate factory;
The factory is about 10 miles from the strip and an easy drive but there are tours you can arrange available from most hotels but we always preferred to drive.
Ethel M Chocolates has been in business since the turn of the century and really do know how to make that luscious chocolate confection. You will be amazed at their ultra modern factory where you will see the process of hand made candy making through large glass windows and video monitors. All the equipment they use is marked so you really get an idea of the process. When the tour ends, you find yourself in a wonderland of chocolate where you get a choice of a sample. Then the hard part begins, what to buy to take home. Everything they make is available for sale and they do ship if you do not wish to eat all your purchases before you arrive home.
Nearby is a two and half acre cactus garden. This is Nevada's largest garden of its kind and features cacti and succulents from all over the world grown within four acres. These are plants that thrive in the desert since they are drought resistant and extremely hearty. The garden is breathtaking and a photographers paradise.
Both attractions are free and open every day from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Located at:
2 Cactus Garden Dr
Henderson, Nevada: about 10 miles from the Strip. Take Tropicana Avenue to Mountain Vista Ave. Turn Right on Mountain Vista. Take Mountain Vista until you reach the intersection with Sunset Road. Turn left follow the signs to Ethel M
Now for the more energetic;
Number Two: Red Rock Canyon; One of our favorite sights is Red Rock Canyon which consists of nearly 200,000 acres in the Mojave Desert. The Canyon is just 15 miles west of Las Vegas.
This is a recreation area where you can get out of your car and hike or take the 13 mile loop drive that starts at the visitor center. It is best to stop at the center and get information and maps which highlight the spectacular natural rock formations of the unusual red and yellow sandstone hills beside the flat lands, filled with desert flora such as Yucca, cactus and Joshua trees. The views are really breathtaking as you drive this loop. If you desire to hike, the brochures describe the trails which vary considerably in length and challenge but offer incredible views of the Spring Mountains and Las Vegas Valley. There are bicycle and horse back riding trails as well.
Hint: dusk is our favorite time to go when the setting sun casts its rays and shadows on these amazing natural wonders. You might even catch a glimpse of a wild burro, big horn sheep, coyotes or a bobcat or mountain lion, even some little rabbits or a gray fox or two. This is the time they come out to play!
The entrance fee to Red Rock Canyon is $5 per vehicle. The canyon is open every day from 7 AM to dusk, and the Visitor Center is open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
1000 Scenic Drive off West Charleston Boulevard. For more info call
702-515-5350
The surrounding desert around Las Vegas stretches for hundreds of miles in every direction.
Number Three: Valley Of Fire State Park; Another incredible place to visit is the Valley of Fire State Park located about 95 miles northeast of Las Vegas and is another prime example of the bizarrely colorful rock formations to found in this area of the United States. This is the oldest State Park in Nevada and was opened to the public in 1935, containing nearly 35,000 acres.
Here you will see Aztec stone formations with ancient rocks that are wrinkled and etched with time and were formed in the Jurassic period 135 to 150 million years ago. You can see fascinating Indian Petroglyphs, reminders of the early cultures who lived and traveled through the area foraging and hunting for food. From the main road you can find fine examples of this rock art in the Atlati Rock and Petroglyph Canyon.
The best place to start is at the visitor center where you will find maps and directions to all the activities and sights in the park as well as their own fascinating exhibits that are on display relating to what is to be found in this park. You can picnic, hike or even camp should you choose to. Don't forget that camera!
The park and visitor center is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Located just off highway I-15 and the Valley of Fire Road.
The fee for all cars entering the park is $6.00
Number Four: Hoover Dam; In 1935 this incredible dam, named after President Herbert Hoover, was constructed during the great depression to contain the mighty Colorado river from its source in the Rocky Mountains. The water used to overflow and ruin all crops and even take lives on its path to the Pacific. Seven states were affected so this spectacular dam was created to curtail those problems. It is now a Historical National Landmark and claims to have a million visitors each year. It is also called the Eighth Wonder of the World and weighs more than 6,600,000 tons. Its height is 726.4 feet is 660 feet thick at its foundation. Nearly one million people tour the Hoover Dam annually. The Tour Center offers a quite a few interesting exhibits with two guided tours that leave at different times during the day. You can take a 35 minute or 60 minute tour which takes you to some harder to reach areas. You can even keep the hard hat you are given as a souvenir.
My favorite sights though are the large Art Deco statues right near the entrance way, an outstanding example of that magnificent art of the thirties.
This most popular attraction is one we have visited quite a few times during our stays in Vegas. Once we took a helicopter ride and another time we rented a limo, both of these excursions occurred on different occasions when friends we were traveling with hit the jackpot in the casino. Although just taking your own car is an easy trip and doesn't take too much time but there are many options in which to get to the dam, with various tours offered. Prices vary considerably which can be found at the concierge desks in all the hotels.
The Dam is open daily from 9 a.m to 5 a.m; the last tour departs at 4:30.
Located just 30 miles S.E. of Las Vegas on highway 93, Boulder City, Nevada.
Phone: 702-293-8321
And last but not least,
Number Five on my list of tourist attractions outside of the Las Vegas Strip is Lake Mead,
Since this lake was formed by the building of Hoover Dam it seems a fitting place to end your tour of the Hoover Dam with a visit to the
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
This is the 16th largest man made lake in the world and quite an outstanding sight. It is more than 100 miles long and features almost 600 miles of shorelines. There are many recreational activities available. You can rent a boat, go waterskiing or scuba diving, even try your luck fishing. There are camping facilities available too if you want to extend your stay to take advantage of the diverse water sports on this beautiful manmade Lake.
Located at 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City
The lake is open to visitors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Lake Mead's Alan Bible Visitors Centers is open every day from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
So there you have it, my Top Five Tourist Attractions to do and see outside of Las Vegas but not too far away that you can't get back in time to hit the casinos in hope of winning more money to take you even further away the next time, like say for instance, a private plane ride to the Grand Canyon!
For many years my hubby and I would go to the Natural Food Convention held every other year at the big Hilton Hotel and Convention center and always had a blast. We also have a big family that lives in Los Angeles and we would always try to combine a few days in Vegas when we would go to see them. It's a very easy drive across the desert and takes about 5-6 hours, so not too bad.As much as we enjoy the hotels on the strip and all they have to offer, once in a while it's nice to get off the strip and do something a bit different. A few of our favorite Tourist Attractions to visit are as follows;
Number One: Ethel M Chocolate factory;
The factory is about 10 miles from the strip and an easy drive but there are tours you can arrange available from most hotels but we always preferred to drive.
Ethel M Chocolates has been in business since the turn of the century and really do know how to make that luscious chocolate confection. You will be amazed at their ultra modern factory where you will see the process of hand made candy making through large glass windows and video monitors. All the equipment they use is marked so you really get an idea of the process. When the tour ends, you find yourself in a wonderland of chocolate where you get a choice of a sample. Then the hard part begins, what to buy to take home. Everything they make is available for sale and they do ship if you do not wish to eat all your purchases before you arrive home.
Nearby is a two and half acre cactus garden. This is Nevada's largest garden of its kind and features cacti and succulents from all over the world grown within four acres. These are plants that thrive in the desert since they are drought resistant and extremely hearty. The garden is breathtaking and a photographers paradise.
Both attractions are free and open every day from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Located at:
2 Cactus Garden Dr
Henderson, Nevada: about 10 miles from the Strip. Take Tropicana Avenue to Mountain Vista Ave. Turn Right on Mountain Vista. Take Mountain Vista until you reach the intersection with Sunset Road. Turn left follow the signs to Ethel M
Now for the more energetic;
Number Two: Red Rock Canyon; One of our favorite sights is Red Rock Canyon which consists of nearly 200,000 acres in the Mojave Desert. The Canyon is just 15 miles west of Las Vegas.
This is a recreation area where you can get out of your car and hike or take the 13 mile loop drive that starts at the visitor center. It is best to stop at the center and get information and maps which highlight the spectacular natural rock formations of the unusual red and yellow sandstone hills beside the flat lands, filled with desert flora such as Yucca, cactus and Joshua trees. The views are really breathtaking as you drive this loop. If you desire to hike, the brochures describe the trails which vary considerably in length and challenge but offer incredible views of the Spring Mountains and Las Vegas Valley. There are bicycle and horse back riding trails as well.
Hint: dusk is our favorite time to go when the setting sun casts its rays and shadows on these amazing natural wonders. You might even catch a glimpse of a wild burro, big horn sheep, coyotes or a bobcat or mountain lion, even some little rabbits or a gray fox or two. This is the time they come out to play!
The entrance fee to Red Rock Canyon is $5 per vehicle. The canyon is open every day from 7 AM to dusk, and the Visitor Center is open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
1000 Scenic Drive off West Charleston Boulevard. For more info call
702-515-5350
The surrounding desert around Las Vegas stretches for hundreds of miles in every direction.
Number Three: Valley Of Fire State Park; Another incredible place to visit is the Valley of Fire State Park located about 95 miles northeast of Las Vegas and is another prime example of the bizarrely colorful rock formations to found in this area of the United States. This is the oldest State Park in Nevada and was opened to the public in 1935, containing nearly 35,000 acres.
Here you will see Aztec stone formations with ancient rocks that are wrinkled and etched with time and were formed in the Jurassic period 135 to 150 million years ago. You can see fascinating Indian Petroglyphs, reminders of the early cultures who lived and traveled through the area foraging and hunting for food. From the main road you can find fine examples of this rock art in the Atlati Rock and Petroglyph Canyon.
The best place to start is at the visitor center where you will find maps and directions to all the activities and sights in the park as well as their own fascinating exhibits that are on display relating to what is to be found in this park. You can picnic, hike or even camp should you choose to. Don't forget that camera!
The park and visitor center is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Located just off highway I-15 and the Valley of Fire Road.
The fee for all cars entering the park is $6.00
Number Four: Hoover Dam; In 1935 this incredible dam, named after President Herbert Hoover, was constructed during the great depression to contain the mighty Colorado river from its source in the Rocky Mountains. The water used to overflow and ruin all crops and even take lives on its path to the Pacific. Seven states were affected so this spectacular dam was created to curtail those problems. It is now a Historical National Landmark and claims to have a million visitors each year. It is also called the Eighth Wonder of the World and weighs more than 6,600,000 tons. Its height is 726.4 feet is 660 feet thick at its foundation. Nearly one million people tour the Hoover Dam annually. The Tour Center offers a quite a few interesting exhibits with two guided tours that leave at different times during the day. You can take a 35 minute or 60 minute tour which takes you to some harder to reach areas. You can even keep the hard hat you are given as a souvenir.
My favorite sights though are the large Art Deco statues right near the entrance way, an outstanding example of that magnificent art of the thirties.
This most popular attraction is one we have visited quite a few times during our stays in Vegas. Once we took a helicopter ride and another time we rented a limo, both of these excursions occurred on different occasions when friends we were traveling with hit the jackpot in the casino. Although just taking your own car is an easy trip and doesn't take too much time but there are many options in which to get to the dam, with various tours offered. Prices vary considerably which can be found at the concierge desks in all the hotels.
The Dam is open daily from 9 a.m to 5 a.m; the last tour departs at 4:30.
Located just 30 miles S.E. of Las Vegas on highway 93, Boulder City, Nevada.
Phone: 702-293-8321
And last but not least,
Number Five on my list of tourist attractions outside of the Las Vegas Strip is Lake Mead,
Since this lake was formed by the building of Hoover Dam it seems a fitting place to end your tour of the Hoover Dam with a visit to the
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
This is the 16th largest man made lake in the world and quite an outstanding sight. It is more than 100 miles long and features almost 600 miles of shorelines. There are many recreational activities available. You can rent a boat, go waterskiing or scuba diving, even try your luck fishing. There are camping facilities available too if you want to extend your stay to take advantage of the diverse water sports on this beautiful manmade Lake.
Located at 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City
The lake is open to visitors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Lake Mead's Alan Bible Visitors Centers is open every day from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
So there you have it, my Top Five Tourist Attractions to do and see outside of Las Vegas but not too far away that you can't get back in time to hit the casinos in hope of winning more money to take you even further away the next time, like say for instance, a private plane ride to the Grand Canyon!
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