Ahhh Vegas, Disney for adults – the place you go to let loose and over-indulgence on food, booze and fun. But there is a whole (debauchery free) world outside the strip just waiting to be discovered.
Just last weekend I headed there to celebrate my best friend’s bachelorette with some of my closest friends from high school. We enjoyed 3 days of shenanigans then I stayed behind 2 extra days to explore on my own. My goal was to discover what the city had to offer aside from the strip. Turns out, with a rental car and a sense of adventure there is SO MUCH to do in Vegas and all of it is less than an hour away! Below is my guide for planning a day trip off the Las Vegas strip!
SUNRISE
Start the day early with a trip to the Seven Magic Mountains – an installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone located in the middle of the desert. The seven pillars of stacked boulders painted different neon hues is a stark contrast against the rocky mountain backdrop and bright blue sky. It was intended to be a temporary piece, but it has been so well received that the artist is currently working with the city to plan an extension. But it should remain through all of 2018 at least.
The sun was already blazing when I arrived at 9:30am. There were only a few other people there, but by the time I scoped out the scene and figured out the right angles for my photos, a steady crowd of people had started to arrive. With a little patience and finding relief in the shade of the boulder, I waited it out until I had a window to catch my people-free photos! I could have avoided all of this had I gotten there just a few hours earlier at sunrise. Plus, the best view of the boulders faces east so the morning light would hit them just right!
Travel Tip: It gets hot pretty early, so be sure to pack water and sunscreen! Pets ans photography are allowed, but tri-pods and climbing he boulders is discouraged. I found this out after the fact – oops! I’m not encouraging you to break the rules, buuut let’s just say that no one is around to enforce them…just be respectful!
AFTERNOON
After getting your fill of the wacky neon boulders, head over to Red Rock Canyon National Park and marvel at the colorful canyon. There are several areas to pull-off along the way that offer spectacular views. The Red Rock Canyon overlook is especially pretty and is a great spot to enjoy lunch. But the real attraction is the 13 mile scenic drive along a one way road through the canyon. There are multiple stops along the route that include short trails, longer hikes and lookout points. Take your time and stop often!
Travel Tip: Bring lunch with you. There aren’t many dining options once you enter the park, but there are several beautiful spots where you can enjoy lunch with a view!
I didn’t come prepared to do any strenuous hiking, but there was still plenty to see. If you plan on doing the trails make sure to pack appropriate gear, proper shoes and PLENTY of water. Aside from the visitor’s center at the entrance, there is nowhere to pick up water or snacks along the route.
Travel Tip: Admission to the scenic drive is $15, but you can drive the loop as many times as you like in a day. The park stays open until 8pm in the summer so there’s plenty of time to see it all!
SUNSET
After an afternoon of exploring in the hot desert sun, you may need to cool off at your hotel pool. Just don’t get too comfortable because you’ll want to save some time (and energy) to head to Lake Mead National Recreation Area to catch the sunset.
If you’ve ever visited Vegas, you’ve probably already seen Lake Mead. It’s the giant body of water surrounded by a sprawling mountain range that you fly over on your descent into McCarran International Airport. Located just 45 minutes from the strip, this beautiful national park is also home to the Hoover Dam. After you check out the dam, head over to Lakeshore Road and enjoy a scenic drive along Las Vegas Bay. You’ll pass by the boat harbor, Boulder Beach and several scenic outlooks. I stopped at the sunset outlook, perched myself on a boulder and watched the clouds change from wispy white to vibrant shades of purple and orange. Aside from one other couple who had come to snap some photos of the sunset, it was just me and the mountains. It was the perfect way to end my day trip off the strip.
Travel Tip: Access to Lakeshore Road is free after 5pm. During the day the entrance fee is $20. Just one more reason to save this for sunset!
This was my 4th visit to Vegas, but it was my first time seeing what the city had to offer aside from the bright lights and wild nights found along the strip. If you’re planning a trip to Vegas anytime soon, I highly recommend carving out a bit of time to see all this city really has to offer!
Which of these three attractions would you most like to see? Have you ever explored Vegas off the strip? What other places are there to discover? Share your comments below!
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