By leah jones
You know what you’re getting in Las Vegas: casinos, nightlife, performances and extravagance. However, just outside of Sin City are plenty of natural escapes and places to explore.
Here are some ideas for day trips from Las Vegas by car (plus travel time) for when you want a short break from Sin City.
45 minutes from Las Vegas by car, you can take a tour of the manmade, 726-foot Hoover Dam. You can also visit Lake Mead, created by the Hoover Dam and the Colorado River, for water and outdoor activities.
The quaint, historic town of Boulder City is right next to the Hoover Dam. Visit the towns shops and restaurants, as well as the Boulder City-Hoover Dam Museum after exploring the famous dam.
The Red Rock Canyon is a geological wonder with its dramatic red sandstone cliffs at only a 20-minute scenic drive away from LV. Visit for hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, biking and more.
Valley of Fire State Park features red and white striped rock formations, over 2,000-year-old petroglyphs and scenic trails like Fire Wave and White Domes. Get there in a 50 minute drive from Las Vegas.
In 45 minutes from Las Vegas, you can experience snow at Mount Charleston during the winter and activities like skiing and snowboarding. Enjoy hiking and bike trails in cooler temperatures in other months.
Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s colorful art installation, Seven Magic Mountains, is free to view and 30 minutes from LV. The grand piece is meant to represent a “mid-way between the natural and the artificial.”
Death Valley (2 hours from LV) is the hottest, lowest and driest place in the continent. It's a must see destination featuring unique landscapes like Badwater Basin, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Artist's Palette.
Zion National Park is a little less than a 2.5 hour drive from Sin City. This renowned park in Utah includes iconic hiking trails like Angel's Landing and The Narrows, as well as stunning cliffs and river views.
The West Rim of the world famous Grand Canyon is located about 2-2.5 hours from LV. Here you can cross the Skywalk, a glass bridge over the canyon, visit cultural exhibits from the Hualapai tribe and more.
Nevada Route 375 isn’t just a road. It's known as Extraterrestrial Highway for its many UFO sightings. In less than 2.5 hours, visit this quirky site for alien themed museums, shops, restaurants and more.