Take a short drive from the bright lights and smoke filled casinos and enjoy some of Southern Nevada's wonders. These day trips remove you from what the strip is famous for and introduce you to another side of Las Vegas.
Start planning your trip to Las Vegas by researching prices with Expedia.com and Southwest Airlines Vacations. They should give you a good idea of what you can expect to spend on a Las Vegas vacation.
Hoover Dam is an engineering wonder of the world just 35 miles (56 kilometers) southeast of Las Vegas. Formerly named Boulder Dam, this historic man-made creation tamed the mighty Colorado River and created North America's largest man-made lake, Lake Mead.
Bonnie Springs Ranch/Old Nevada lies about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of Las Vegas near Red Rock Canyon. Bonnie Springs Ranch was built in the 1840s as a cattle ranch and watering hole. Adjacent to the ranch is Old Nevada, a place where tourists can witness a re-creation of an Old West town complete with gunfights, horseback riding, children's petting zoo and mini-train rides. Bonnie Springs Ranch/Old Nevada is open to the public year-round.
Death Valley is located in western California, 135 miles (216 kilometers) from Las Vegas and a mere 40-minute plane ride away. This scenic wonder has the lowest elevation on the North American continent at 280 feet (84.93 meters) below sea level. Points of interest include Zabriskie Point, 20 Mule Team Canyon and Scotty's Castle.
Grand Canyon in western Arizona lies approximately 300 miles (480 kilometers) - a one-hour flight from Las Vegas. Over millions of years, the Colorado River carved this natural wonder that is one mile deep and 277 miles long. Sightseeing air tours of the Grand Canyon depart Las Vegas daily for half-day, full-day and overnight excursions. You can drive there in a few hours and but a return trip on the same day might be a bit taxing.
Red Rock Canyon is just 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of Las Vegas. It is a scenic area of rock formations and desert with a 3,000-foot (910-meter) escarpment produced by a thrust fault. Open to the public year-round, Red Rock Canyon has a Bureau of Land Management visitors center and is home to feral horses, wild burros, bighorn sheep, coyotes and a variety of desert plant life.
Valley of Fire State Park is only 55 miles (88 kilometers) northwest of Las Vegas and comprises scenic landscapes, hidden canyons and unique red rock formations. Petroglyph's and remains of ancient Native American civilizations can be viewed here and a Nevada Park Service visitors center provides tourist information. The park is open to the public year-round and tours are available.
Mt. Charleston is 35 miles (56 kilometers) from Las Vegas with its highest elevation at 11,918 feet (3,615 meters). An average of 20 to 30 degrees cooler than Las Vegas, Mt. Charleston is perfect for skiing, picnicking, hiking and horseback riding. If you just want to get a look at what the rest of Southern Nevada is like this gives you a good idea that it is not just about gambling and late night action.
Bryce Canyon is located 210 miles (336 kilometers) northeast of Las Vegas in southwestern Utah. With plenty to see and some very impressive sandstone creations you will be pleased you made the trip to this National Park. Bryce Canyon is open throughout the year.
