15 Special Places to Visit Near Las Vegas

I love Las Vegas. It’s one of my favorite cities to visit. The sights and sound of the strip are unlike any other place in the United States. But even I’ll admit that after a few days of crowds and slot machine noise, I crave a change of scenery. The good news is you don’t have to go very far to find some peace and quiet and catch a different vibe. There are plenty of places to visit near Las Vegas.

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Places To Visit Near Las Vegas

Southern Nevada and the area around Las Vegas is packed with public lands, unique things to do and charming cities. Many of the activities on this list are less than an hour from the strip and most within three hours. That means that they are easily doable as a daytrip. Here’s my top recommendations of places to visit near Las Vegas, starting with those most convenient to downtown.

Springs Preserve

If you came to Vegas to gamble but you’d also like to learn a little about the area while you’re here – then Springs Preserve is where to go to get your education. This cultural institution campus, just minutes from the strip, has 180 acres of trails, museums, galleries and attractions to educate and commemorate Las Vegas.

Start your visit at the Nevada State Museum that guides visitors through decades of Las Vegas development and history. You’ll see everything from mammoth bones to vintage showgirl costumes.

The Botanical Gardens and surrounding grounds on the campus introduce visitors to desert life via trails with handy information about wildlife and plants found in the region. Don’t miss the the Butterfly Habitat and the splash pad for hot summer days.

Springs Preserve is geared towards families but is fun for everyone. It’s one of the easiest places to visit near Las Vegas since it’s so close to the strip. You can even get there via public transportation.

Seven Magic Mountains

For a easy day with very little effort, another one of the fun places to visit near Las Vegas is Seven Magic Mountains. Just a few miles south of the strip on I-15, this art installation is a colorful display in the desert by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. The exhibit includes seven towers of brightly painted boulders stacked up to symbolize the mix of life and human presence in the desert.

The art was slated for removal in 2018 but because it’s so popular – thanks mostly to social media – it’s been extended and there are plans in the works to leave it indefinitely.

There isn’t too much to do in the immediate area but visiting Seven Magic Mountains could be combined with a visit to the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign, burgers at In-N-Out or a visit to the nearby city of Primm with its old school casinos and restaurants.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

If you only have time for one place to visit near Las Vegas, then my recommendation is America’s first National Recreation Area – Lake Mead. Especially if you are a national park lover. Trust me when I say this park unit is amazing. Even with less water than normal, it’s full of gorgeous views, scenic drives and easy hikes.

Obviously, the best way to see Lake Mead is by getting out on the water. Boats and jet-skis are available to rent for the day at most of the marinas in the park. If you prefer a slower pace, guided kayak tours of the Colorado River in Black Canyon can be arranged. The lake even has a paddle boat – the Desert Princess – for dinner and sunset cruises.

For those that prefer to stay on land, Lake Mead National Recreation Area has plenty of trails and hikes. The Historic Railroad Trails are perfect for an easy walk with some of the best views of the lake. The trails follow the railroad beds previously used for carrying supplies to the Hoover Dam construction. Keep an eye out for big horn sheep that love to frequent the area.

If you only have time to drive through the park, Lakeshore Drive is best route to view the lake and snap some photos. Northshore Road – even though it’s a longer drive – takes you through some of the most diverse and fascinating features of the park.

The Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam is hands down one of the best places to visit near Las Vegas. If you’ve only seen it in movies or photos, do yourself a favor and make the short drive over for an in-person visit to appreciate just how big it is.

Named after Herbert Hoover, the dam was constructed during the Great Depression and completed in 1935. Even though nothing like it had ever been built before, it was actually completed two years ahead of schedule. The construction of the dam shaped the future of the entire Southern Nevada area and it united the nation in a extremely difficult time.

There are a couple of ways to see the Hoover Dam. The quick and free choice is by parking in one of the public lots and walking the short distance to the dam. Along the way are plenty of viewpoints to snap photos, see the intake towers and the spillways last used in 1983.

To go inside the dam and tour the generator room and other features, The Bureau of Reclamation – the government agency that oversees the dam – offers daily tours. There are three different options you can choose from. Check the Hoover Dam website for more info or book in person at the dam. Additionally, you could book an organized tour from Las Vegas like this popular one here.

Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge

Highway 93 to the Hoover Dam used to be the only route across the Colorado River in this busy area of Southern Nevada. Daily traffic, tour buses and pedestrians visiting the dam made for a lot of congestion on this small road.

To remedy the situation and make traffic flow more efficient, Nevada and Arizona improved the infrastructure by constructing the Hoover Dam Bypass. Part of that project included building a new bridge across the Colorado River called the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.

That new bridge isn’t just any bridge – it’s the widest concrete arch in the Western Hemisphere, the second highest bridge in the United States and the world’s highest concrete arch bridge. It’s a construction wonder.

One of the other things added alongside the bridge is a pedestrian path. Now, not only do visitors get the best vantage spot to see the Hoover Dam and take photos, but they also get to experience firsthand just how big and how high that bridge is.

To visit the bridge walkway, just follow signs on Highway 93 to the designated parking area. There are steps and an assessible ramp that lead to the walkway. As you walk the path, signs educate visitors about the geology and the bridge construction details.

Boulder City, Nevada

“The city that built the dam” better known as Boulder City was pivotal in the development of Hoover Dam and Southern Nevada. Boulder City is where the workers were originally housed during the dam construction. Everywhere you look in Boulder City is a reminder of that proud legacy.

Southerner Says: the dam was originally called Boulder Dam but the name was later changed to Hoover Dam to commemorate Herbert Hoover who was instrumental to the project.

To learn more about Boulder City and the dam, the Boulder Dam Hotel is the place to start. The hotel is home to one of the most informative museums that focuses not just on the construction of the dam but also on the stories of the people who worked and lived this very difficult life in the middle of the desert.

Many of Boulder City’s buildings date back to the dam construction. The historic downtown includes a variety of restaurants, shopping, murals and public art. Don’t miss burgers at The Dillinger, coffee at Boulder City Company Store. and gambling at the Railroad Pass Casino – been hosting visitors since 1931 – It’s one of the oldest casinos in the area.

Valley of Fire State Park

Before you ever even get to Valley of Fire you’ll see why it was Nevada’s first State Park and one of the best places to visit near Las Vegas. As the name says, the park is filled with fiery red sandstone rock that can be seen from miles away. Unique formations like domes, arches and impressive two thousand year old petroglyphs invite you to an otherwordly Nevada experience.

Valley of Fire State Park is easy to get to and most of the popular features can be seen in a day. Even if you didn’t pack your hiking boots – you can still enjoy some popular sites and trails. Atlatl Rock – where the petroglyphs are found – Arch Rock and Elephant Rock don’t require any strenuous hiking.

Make sure to include a visit to the visitor center for even more exhibits with informative info about how the area was formed. You’ll find a pretty cactus garden and a few easy walking trails around the visitor center building as well.

Lost City Museum Overton, Nevada

Located at the north end of Lake Mead, the next closest community to Valley of Fire State Park is Overton. Once home to the Basketmaker people and later on, the Anasazi or Ancestral Puebloans, this area is referred to as Pueblo Grande de Nevada or simply – the Lost City.

The Puebloans were known for their pit and cliff dwelling homes. While there’s no cliff dwellings in Nevada like there are in Colorado and Arizona, the remnants of pit homes – and other artifacts – have been found in this region.

You can view many of those objects on display at the Lost City Museum in Overton. One of the museum galleries even features an actual pit dwelling. Through a series of layouts, the exhibit shows visitors the various stages of an archeological dig and what life might have looked like when the Anasazi were living here.

Outside, the museum has actual reconstructed pueblos and a huge petroglyph panel on display.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Some of the prettiest sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life have been in Southern Nevada and one of my favorite places to watch the sun go down is in Red Rock Canyon. This protected land, just a few miles from Las Vegas, is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It’s known for its diverse geological features and the colorful rocks and canyons.

You can see the best of Red Rock Canyon via a thirteen mile scenic drive. However, if you are visiting between October 1 – May 31 you’ll need a reservation for entry between 8am -5pm local time. Reservations can be made ahead of time at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.

Red Rock Canyon has a variety of hiking trails from easy to difficult and you can even arrange to tour the park by horseback. The visitor center is also a must see with its helpful exhibits and a store for Nevada souvenirs.

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

In 1933 workers unearthed some mammoth bones in a low lying area just north of the Vegas strip. That discovery led to further exploration and now Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the largest fossil beds in North America.

In addition to those very first mammoth bones, they’ve unearthed Camelops bones – which are a larger version of today’s camel – ground sloths that were as big as a car and an 1100 pound lion bone.

Since Tule Springs Fossil Beds is a newish park unit in the National Park Service family, there’s no visitor center or any facilities on site. But don’t let that keep you from seeing one of the most interesting places to visit near Las Vegas.

Within the national park system, there’s not too many sites where you can actually walk among the exploration trenches and look for fossils yourself. Just remember to use Leave No Trace principles while exploring. If you do find a fossil or something interesting – there’s an online form you can fill out to let the National Park Service know.

Mount Charleston is One of the Best Places to Visit Near Las Vegas

There’s nothing more surprising than leaving the heat of the Las Vegas behind and finding snow. Yes, that’s right – snow! Mount Charleston – part of the Spring Mountain Recreation Area – is the fourth highest peak in Nevada and receives about 100 inches of snow a year. That’s enough snow for a small ski resort.

Even though the snow doesn’t stick around all year, if you’re lucky enough to be visiting Las Vegas in the late fall or winter, you might just get the chance to see some snow topped mountain peaks.

Even with no snow – the cooler temps of the mountains is a welcome escape from the hot desert. Drive the 41 mile scenic loop and watch the scenery change from arid desert scrub to wooded alpine. This route has plenty of pullouts and viewpoints along the way and there’s also a new visitor center to check out as well.

One of the other surprises you’ll find atop Mt. Charleston is a lodge that looks like something right out of the Swiss Alps. There’s even has a huge fireplace that logically seems out of place in the desert but somehow works. The lodge restaurant serves pub food with plenty of homemade options and desserts. On Sundays, there’s a brunch as well. Pair that with live music and a huge deck and you can easily sip the day away in the mountains of Las Vegas. Who would have guessed?

Southerner Says: Unfortunately, Mount Charleston Lodge had a fire that burned the restaurant in the summer of 2021. They are in the process of rebuilding but no word on an expected reopen date.

Nelson’s Ghost Town

Nevada is home to dozens of ghost towns, thanks to its early mining days. One of the easiest – and closest ones to Las Vegas – is Nelson’s Ghost Town in El Dorado Canyon. The town has become extremely popular for photographers because of the collection of old buildings, classic cars and other memorabilia.

Nelson’s was once one of the largest mining areas in Southern Nevada. But since it’s so close to the Colorado River, it was very susceptible to flooding. In fact, there was a flash flood in 1974 and fifteen people lost their lives.

Some of the remnants of the mining town are on display at Nelson’s Ghost Town. There are old buildings – a couple of the most popular ones are a church and a gas station. Visitors can walk through and tour the property and even make reservations to tour the old mine. Be aware the owners do live on the property so you are required to check in before you enter.

The road to Nelson’s also has an amazing amount of cholla cactus and overall is just one of the most scenic and best places to visit near Las Vegas. You really get a feel of the old west.

If you visit Nelson’s Ghost Town, drive just a little further down the road to Nelson’s Landing on the Colorado River. Part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area – there’s no fee but there are some outstanding views and hikes in the area. The water is beautiful.

Laughlin, Nevada

In my mind, Laughlin today is what I imagine Las Vegas looked like when it was new – smaller, fewer casinos, less glitz and way less crowds but still a place you’d like to spend some time in. While most people come to Laughlin to gamble, the location on the Colorado River is a prime spot for outdoor activities.

The river divides Nevada and Arizona and Davis Dam forms Lake Mojave just north of downtown. As part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the activities and water sport possibilities are endless. Whether you enjoy fishing, swimming or boating, there’s something for everyone.

Desert Rivers Outfitters offers river tours on the lower Colorado and provides all the equipment you need to get out on the water. Since Laughlin is below the dam, the Colorado River runs wide and clear and you can see all the way to the bottom even in 30 feet of water. Novice kayakers will welcome the the calm waters found here.

The owner of Desert Rivers Outfitters, Helen Howard, is a world class kayaker and has spent years paddling rivers around the world and has logged over 20 trips on the Colorado through the Grand Canyon. You couldn’t ask for a better guide to learning about Laughlin and the Colorado River.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is one of the most unique places in the United States. Not only is it the lowest point in North America – it’s one of the hottest places on earth and it’s the largest national park in the lower 48 states. The history and the things you’ll see things in Death Valley just can’t be experienced anywhere else. Many of the landscapes found there in and around the park don’t even look like they’re from this planet.

Since Las Vegas is so close to the park, it makes perfect sense to plan a visit while you’re in town. It could even be done in a day if you are short on time.

To visit Death Valley National Park from Las Vegas, there are several easy routes. I like going via Beatty or Pahrump. Once you are in the park, there’s plenty of things to do. Some of my favorite, can’t miss, features are Dante’s View, Badwater Basin and Zabriskie Point. All of these popular stops are in the same area of the park and can be reached in a regular passenger car. No 4×4 or special equipment needed.

Gold Butte National Monument

We know there’s no shortage of public lands in southern Nevada but out of all the the incredible places to visit near Las Vegas, Gold Butte National Monument is one of the most stellar. Gold Butte is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It’s not the easiest place in the world to get to but so worth it if you have the time.

Located between Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument, Arizona – another little known Grand Canyon viewpoint in the area – and Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Gold Butte is full of rugged landscapes, mountains and geological wonders in every hue of red, pink and coral imaginable. Nature has been at work here for millions of years, carving out areas like the one referred to as Little Finland, int o strangely shaped, delicate rock formations that don’t even look real.

Since the roads in Gold Butte National Monument are gravel and unpaved, it’s best to book an organized tour to visit from Las Vegas. If you have a vehicle available, Friends of Gold Butte, the non profit organization that promotes responsible visitation of the park, offers events and group hikes from time to time. Check their website for current opportunities.

How to Visit These Places Near Las Vegas

Even though many of these places near Las Vegas can be visited by public transportation the best way to travel around Southern Nevada is in a rental car. Driving in Las Vegas and the surrounding area is super easy and convenient.

If you fly into Las Vegas and don’t want to rent a vehicle at the airport – not to worry – there are places to rent cars on the strip. For ease, many resorts have rental agencies right on the property. If your hotel doesn’t include a rental rental, odds are, there’s a hotel close by that does. To save airport taxes on rentals, book a car through a third part like Rentalcars.com or Expedia.com and choose the pick-up site at a location nearby.

Las Vegas Tours

Many people come to Las Vegas for conventions and may only be in town a short time. In that case many of these places to visit near Las Vegas can be seen on an organized tour. There’s an over abundance of tour companies in Las Vegas offering tours that go just about anywhere. For convenience sake, most tour companies will even pick you up at your hotel. Viator.com or Expedia.com are both great websites for booking tours.

Even More Places To Go Near Las Vegas

Nevada is such a special and these places to visit near Las Vegas are just a few of the many things you can add to your Vegas vacation. Besides what’s listed here, there’s even more places to explore.

Nearby towns like Henderson and Summerlin and public lands like Mojave National Preserve, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and even Grand Canyon West are terrific ideas to get you off the strip and to see more of the region. So, next time you visit – take some time to get off the strip and visit one or two of these special places near Las Vegas.

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