Las Vegas, Nevada, is a city famed for its huge casinos that can satisfy both gamblers and tourists looking for exciting attractions. The area surrounding Las Vegas also has much to offer residents and visitors who may be weary with or disinterested in the glitz of the Strip. You can take in the beauty of the Nevada desert or watch out for flying saucers as you drive past Area 51.
Built in the 1930s, the Hoover Dam remains an amazing feat of engineering, drawing more than one million visitors every year. Located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam Visitor Center is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is a fee for entrance to the Visitor Center. Entry will gain you access to the Exhibit Gallery featuring displays on original construction and other aspects of the dam, and the Observation Deck which features sweeping views of Lake Mead and the Colorado River. There are two tours you can take for additional cost. The Power Plant Tour will take you on a guided tour through the workings of the dam and the powerplant generators. The Dam Tour will additionally take you through the inspection galleries, a series of tunnels built into the dam. Both tours include access to the Visitor Center. The Dam Tour is not accessible to those in wheelchairs or on crutches, or under eight years of age.
Hoover Dam
U.S. Hwy. 93
Boulder City, NV 89005
866-730-9097
usbr.gov
Nevada Route 375 was officially named the Extraterrestrial Highway due to the many claimed sightings of UFOs along the 92-mile stretch of road. From Las Vegas, take Interstate 15 north to U.S. 93 north and turn west on Nevada Route 375. As you travel this sparsely-populated road, you'll pass by the small town of Rachel, Nevada. This is the closest town to Area 51, the mysterious government research and testing facility within the Nevada Test and Training Range. You may want to stop for lunch the local hotel, the Little A'Le'Inn. The gift shop features an assortment of extraterrestrial souvenirs, including T-shirts, caps and mugs. If you don't want to make the drive yourself, you can go on the Area 51 Adventure Tour. It embarks from Las Vegas every Wednesday, though other days are available for groups of four or more.
Extraterrestrial Highway
Route 375, Nevada
If you're looking for a romantic getaway or just a chance to relax and be pampered, you may want to consider taking a gondola ride on Lake Las Vegas, the largest manmade lake in the United States. Gondola Adventures, located at Casino MonteLago on the lakeshore, provides gondola ride packages for special occasions and relaxing getaways. The Classic Cruise includes champagne and chocolates as part of your one hour ride on the lake. A three-course meal is included as part of the Gourmet Dinner Cruise. For those looking to get married on the lake, there is the Wedding Cruise, which includes a minister and a photographer. Pricing is per two people with an extra fee for each additional person. Lake Las Vegas is located approximately 25 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.
Gondolas at Lake Las Vegas
Casino MonteLago
8 Strada Di Villaggio
Henderson, NV 89011
888-446-6365
gondola.com
