The Four Best Attractions Outside of the Las Vegas Strip
Hi, travelers!
Welcome to the first post in the American West section of our blog! As of writing this, we have a trip already planned to Colorado, so make sure you stay tuned for more content! In this post, I wanted to talk about some of the amazing things to do in Vegas that aren’t the Las Vegas Strip. When you think of the Sin City, you think of gambling, amazing theater shows, or the main road lined with hotels. We will talk about those another time, but I thought for our very first post, we’d highlight the attractions that are a little off the beaten path. There is so much to do once you are out West, so hopefully this post will persuade you to step outside the Strip and experience more of what the West has to offer.
CALICO HILLS TRAIL, RED ROCK CANYON
Calling all nature lovers! Just 30 minutes outside the Las Vegas Strip is the beautiful Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. These are exactly like they sound; miles of mountains made of various shades of red and clean mountain air. If you are looking for a hike with stunning views, this is the place! It is considered an easy to moderate level of difficulty and has several different checkpoints to measure the path. The length of the trail is 2-6 miles, however, when I went, we did not hike the entire trail. We only went about 0.5-0.8 miles to a lookout point for some photos. There is a fee to enter this park: $20 per vehicle, $8 per bicycle, or $5 per pedestrian. Here is a map of the area so you can see the visual before you hike!
Accessibility notice: If you are disabled, there is a scenic drive that you can take (although, anyone can take the drive). In addition to walking, we took this scenic route, and it is a wonderful 13 mile drive around the park where you can experience perfect views of Mother Nature’s hard work. It is also important to note that you can use the America the Beautiful Access Pass, a free lifetime pass given to people with disabilities so that they can have access to the most beautiful parts of the country’s nature.
rrckeystone_feb2025_visitor_guide.pdf
MEOW WOLF’S OMEGA MART
Are you looking for something you’ve never experienced before? AREA 15 is an immersive hub for entertainment and events outside the Las Vegas Strip. It has it all; food and beverages, rides and attractions, and many events and entertainment options. When I went in 2021, I visited Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, an immersive art exhibit that takes guests through a mind bending story with vivid colors and unimaginable views. Meow Wolf also offers “Omega Mart: Night Shift” a separate ticketed option for anyone 21+ to experience the exhibit without kids, fewer people, and an alcoholic beverage! This interactive art experience is unlike anything I’ve ever done before. However, I would only recommend it if you do some research beforehand. There is a lot going on once you step inside. You receive an Omega Access card, almost like a Magicband at Disney, that allows you to tap and swipe to unlock parts of the storyline. It was interesting to try to gather information as you went along, but it was sometimes difficult without any guides or assistance. Despite this, it’s worth seeing purely due to the art alone! There is a hefty price tag, starting at $46 per person, $36 for Nevada residents, and a discounted option for Military. There is also a reservation and ticket calendar online where you can find the best prices.
Meow Wolf | Immersive Art Experience at AREA15
SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS
Seven Magic Mountains is a large-scale piece of public art designed by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone located about ten miles south of Las Vegas. This art installation is in the middle of the desert and has 7 towers of brightly colored boulders. According to the artist’s page, it is “a creative critique of the simulacra of destinations like Las Vegas.” Rondinone chose this remote location because it is the perfect in between point; it lives within nature but also is near the hustle and bustle of the highway that connects Las Vegas to Los Angeles. This installation is also a free activity, so you don’t have to stress about making reservations or paying for tickets. This is the perfect spot for some amazing photos! I had the best time walking around and really taking in the size of these towers, as they are very tall.
Accessibility Notice: There is not a paved walkway from the parking area to the installation, so please be cautious if you have issues walking or use any mobility aids. Directions and parking information for visiting Seven Magic Mountains.
THE HOOVER DAM
This 60-story tall structure is a marvel to see in person. The Hoover Dam has a deep history and was built in 1935 to help control the flow of the Colorado River on the border of Nevada and Arizona. It is about an hour outside of the Las Vegas Strip, so you will need a rental car to get to this location, however it is so worth it. This structure is absolutely enormous; I was not expecting the sheer size of this dam. It is open daily from 5am until 9pm PST. There is a guided tour of the dam available for $40 per person, however I did not take it when I visited and it was just as cool. For the guided tour, no motorized scooters are allowed and all tickets must be purchased in person at the ticket center. The Hoover Dam is fully outside, so be prepared with sunscreen, water, and comfortable shoes. I believe that this is a structure that everyone should see at least once in their lives, and is a must do attraction if you are in Las Vegas. Hoover Dam | Bureau of Reclamation
FINAL THOUGHTS
These are some fun things to do if you want to escape the slot machines and take in a little more of what the Las Vegas area has to offer. I had such a fun time experiencing nature, art, and a really big dam! If you are looking for other information on what to do on the Las Vegas Strip, stay tuned because I will be writing more about my trip out West!
Happy travels,