Las Vegas area sights

I use Las Vegas as a jump off location for more adventurous activities. I’ll put my family in a nice hotel, and then go for a climb without worrying if my family is having a good time. The Circus Circus hotel has come in handy several times for my young children. I love that I can be climbing high in the mountains early in the morning and be back on the strip eating in a restaurant with the family that afternoon. Las Vegas also works well for the whole family, as a jumping off point. Visiting sights like the Grand Canyon or Death Valley are best from here as you’ll usually find cheep airfare to Vegas as well as car rentals. Closer day trips include Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Charleston or Valley of Fire State Park (listed below).

Las Vegas has an endless list of activities you could do. For a family guy like myself who gambles little, doesn’t drink and is devoted to his wife…what is there really to do in Vegas? Here is a list of fun activities while in the city. Most are all within walking distance of each other so you can really pack them in. Although I have walked from The Strip to Downtown (something my wife still brings up), you can easily hop on a bus.

Located in Downtown Las Vegas, you’ll enjoy a pedestrian only street among the older casinos while walking under the Viva Vision canopy and light show. The canopy is 90 feet above you the length of five football fields. This is the largest screen in the world and the experience is amazing when they blast music and light up the canopy.

What a sight, water shooting out of 1,214 water shooting devices up to 460 feet into the air. Add to that the choreographed music and you’ve got the best water show on earth.

Caesars Palace has a free fountain show every hour. The fountains and special effects are something worth a gander. Also, take a peek at the 50,000-gallon saltwater aquarium.

Another free show on the strip, you get to watch a volcano blow up shooting fire balls, with tribal dancers, smoke, flowing lava and a lagoon with waterfalls. All this, choreographed to exciting music, what could go wrong?

This show at the base of Treasure Island Resort is a classic pirate type setting yet the show has changed a bit. There is music, dancing, singing but not nearly enough sword fighting and cannon shooting like I remember it having at one time. But, it’s free and conveniently located on the strip so take a peek.

This is a very scale replica of the real one in Paris. There is an observation deck but it’s never drawn me up it. It is an interesting thing to see set inside the strip, whereas the original in Paris is completely isolated from surrounding structures.

By far the best place to go for a view of the city. The tower is 115 stories high with a really nice observation deck for taking pictures. Of all places, there are some crazy thrill rides on the very top that even extend out over the edges of the roof. One will launch you another 160 feet up to the peak of the structure.

Walk among lions in a glass enclosed walkway around, above and below real lions.

This is the place people go to get away from the city. Not just locals as you will hear every language as you stand at the vistas or walk the trails. The main attraction is the 13-mile one-way scenic drive taking you around the Conservation Area. You are looking at a desert landscape contrasted by the rise of massive sandstone monoliths out of the valley. There’s over 30 miles of trails starting from the parking areas along the drive and at least one should be attempted. Know which trail you want to hike by going into the visitors center and looking at the hiking exhibits. If you pass your trailhead, you have to do the entire loop over again to get back.

Located just south of Red Rock Canyon scenic driving loop is this old western replica of an 1880’s mining town. Although a bit of a tourist trap, the town makes for some great pictures. They do seem to tailor to kids with a petting zoo, dressed up actors and a small train ride around the exterior. They promote a lot of fun events but you would need to time it right on holidays or busy weekends, otherwise it’s a ghost town.

Valley of Fire State Park is located 55 miles north of Vegas off of I-15. It is the largest state park in Nevada and a park with lots of natural sites and short trails worth visiting. You’re mostly exploring around unusual sandstone formations. If you’ve been to the Southern Utah National Parks recently, you won’t be too impressed, but coming from most of the country, you’ll enjoy your visit.

About 45 minutes northwest of Las Vegas is Mt. Charleston in the Spring Mountains. A paved road will take you high into the pine forests at the base of the peak. Here people picnic and go on short hikes. If you’re ambitious enough, you can take a shot at Mt. Charleston, the highest peak in Southern Nevada elevation 11,918. My trip report can be found in the links below.

It’s Area 51, you’re not getting in! But, some like to go up there, stand next to really threatening signs and take pictures.