So much has been written about Las Vegas that it seems like there can’t possibly be anything new left to discover. However, even frequent visitors to this casino-choked oasis are often surprised by the hidden gems that lurk in their midst. Sure, Las Vegas is crammed full of bright lights and a lot of action – but there are many surprising attractions to enjoy there as well. If you’re willing to leave The Strip, you can experience some of the natural beauty and wonder of this desert region. Whether you’re traveling alone, as part of a couple or with children, there’s bound to be something unique and exciting to take in when visiting Las Vegas.
Sightseeing and Attractions: Las Vegas’s Best Kept Secrets
You can easily while away every last minute spent in Las Vegas simply roaming up and down The Strip, hitting popular attractions like Circus Circus, the fountains at the Bellagio and Treasure Island along the way. For something a little different, though, check out a few of these compelling options:
Television City at the MGM Grand
Help television bigwigs make critical decisions about what should hit the air – and what shouldn’t – by stopping in at Television City at the MGM Grand. When it’s operating, participants get to watch 30-minute long TV show pilots then give their honest opinion about whether they are TV-worthy or not. This can be a fun break from the usual Las Vegas activities – and it’s air conditioned, too!
Ron Lee’s World Of Clowns
There are plenty of strange and unusual museums to peruse when in Las Vegas, but few hold the unique charms of Ron Lee’s World of Clowns. Ron Lee is an artist who has created sculptures and figurines for large companies like Disney and Warner Brothers. This attraction boasts a broad selection of some of Lee’s most impressive works, and is an interesting way to see inside the mind of an artist.
Red Rock Canyon
Incredibly, many people who frequent Las Vegas never see much of it outside The Strip. There’s a whole, majestic desert out there to explore – and the Red Rock Canyon is among the very best options. Drive the 13-mile loop through the canyon to enjoy frequent pull-overs and plenty of scenic views. You don’t have to be a rock climber or a hiker to take in the picturesque topography just outside Las Vegas.
Oatman, AZ
Ghost towns are fascinating to nearly everyone, and an exceptional one can be found in nearby Oatman, Arizona. With a two hour drive, you can visit this once-booming mining community and get a feel for what life was like back during the late nineteenth century in this scorched part of the world.
Best Kept Secrets For Families & Couples
Most people know that Las Vegas presents plenty of opportunities for couples; after all, there are more wedding chapels per capita here than anywhere else on the planet. Still, family-friendly attractions aren’t what Las Vegas is known for; there are some great ones, though, such as:
Valley of Fire State Park
Allowing the kids to explore a bit of the intriguing desert topography of the American Southwest is easy to do when you take a day trip to the Valley of Fire State Park. Located about 50 miles outside of Las Vegas in the Mojave Desert, it boasts rock formations and hiking trails that will keep you on your toes for hours.
Primm Valley
About 25 miles south of Las Vegas – just across the California border – is a much smaller casino town, Primm Valley. What it lacks in glitz and glamor it more than makes up for with good old-fashioned hospitality. A day trip out to Primm Valley can be a welcome break from the hectic pace of Las Vegas.
Desert Horseback Rides
Round up the whole family and get on the backs of a few horses to see the desert in a whole new light. Many visitors to Las Vegas don’t realize it, but there are ample horseback riding opportunities just outside the city limits. By engaging in this fun activity, you can mix a bit of Old West charm into your thoroughly modern Las Vegas sojourn.
Eating - Sample the Local Cuisine
Buffets and Las Vegas go hand in hand, so when you’re visiting you should make a point of hitting as many of them as possible. You can enjoy some phenomenal deals, and you’ll be able to sample a wide variety of different cuisines. From a budgetary and culinary standpoint, Las Vegas buffets are definite winners.
When To Go & How to Get There
Unless you live in neighboring California or Arizona, you’re probably going to be flying in to Las Vegas. In that case, McCarron International Airport is the place you’ll most likely be arriving. Interstate 15 is the main highway that serves the Las Vegas area, and it is a cinch to navigate your way over to the Strip and other points of interest from there.
If one thing’s for certain, it’s thing: Las Vegas is positively scorching in the summer. Temperatures regularly get above 110 degrees Fahrenheit, so if you want to do a lot of outdoor activities you’ll probably want to plan your trip for a less steamy time of year. Spring and fall are both nice, and even the winter is temperate and mild. Basically, there’s no bad time to come to Las Vegas.