All Around Las Vegas

When the words "Las Vegas" are mentioned, thoughts of sunshine, sightseeing, bright lights and casinos spring to mind. The city certainly is fun filled and exciting though there are also several opportunities to take a break from Las Vegas’ lights and explore both natural and manmade wonders.

You could take a trip to nearby Hoover Dam which rises 220 metres from the ground. Around a million visitors take a tour of the famous construction every year and millions more drive across the dam itself.

Hoover Dam is located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas on US Highway 93 at the Nevada-Arizona border. If you are planning to drive across the dam then it is worth noting that some restrictions apply. All passenger vehicles that weigh one-tonne or less are permitted to cross, including cars, vans and motorcycles.

If you don’t fancy driving then the best option is to get a guided bus tour of Hoover Dam that begins in Las Vegas. This way you can relax and enjoy the sights without having to navigate your way around.

You could extend your trip to Vegas by taking a boating excursion on Lake Mead. Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the USA. Located on the Colorado River about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, the lake spans the states of Nevada and Arizona.

Formed by water stored by the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers year-round leisure opportunities. The lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, and fishermen whilst the desert is popular with hikers, wildlife photographers, and sightseers.

If you like the sound of an active holiday then you could set out from Vegas to nearby Red Rock Canyon, another conservation area which boasts 30 miles of hiking trails and plenty of great spots for picnicking and photo opportunities.

The conservation area is home to a set of large red sandstone peaks and walls called the Keystone Thrust. The highest point, La Madre Mountain, stretches to more than 8000 feet. The soaring sandstone formations make the area a popular spot with hiking and rock climbing enthusiasts.

Las Vegas also has one of the world’s greatest natural wonders on its doorstep, The Grand Canyon. Mile-high, multicoloured rock walls, craggy cliffs, and sandy slopes stretch as far as the eye can see and you can visit on a day trip or plan to take a few days and explore the area.

You can book Grand Canyon tours and stay in hotels near the National Park or in a city nearby, such as Williams, Flagstaff or Sedona. Helicopter tours offer a bird’s eye view of this natural wonder and you can take to the Colorado River and try your hand at rafting.

There are attractions such as the Grand Canyon Skywalk and Grand Canyon Railway so whatever way you want to view the sights you should be able to find a suitable solution.

The surrounding areas prove that holidays in Las Vegas can offer glitz and glamour as well as natural beauty.

Paul Buchanan

Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.