Las Vegas Outside Adventures

Description:

Located on the far west side of Las Vegas, the Red Rock Resort is at least a 20-minute drive from the Strip. While it may be far away from the tourist corridor, this neighborhood hotel casino has not skimped on amenities or design. The Red Rock Resort is aiming for boutique-like, and its rooms offer terrific views of either the Strip or Red Rock Canyon. For visitors who want something different from the usual Strip scene, this hotel casino provides a departure from the Vegas norm.

Rooms and suites are available, and all include a 42" plasma television and iPod jack, as well as standard amenities. The resort has received the AAA Four Diamond Award. The $24.99 per day resort fee includes internet access, phone calls, and other incidentals.

This is a resort, so it does have a full spa. Limited childcare is available at Kids Quest. Movie theaters and a bowling alley are options away from the casino. The pool area is up to current Vegas standards—which means you can rent a cabana or enjoy the adults-only area. Ten restaurants, plus a food court and buffet, give guests plenty of dining options, and the resort has three bars. Concerts are held frequently, so anyone planning a visit should check the events calendar for the scheduled performances.

A shuttle to the Strip's Fashion Show Mall runs several times a day. Access to the 215 Beltway freeway is right next to the Red Rock. Guests who would like to do more than explore the hotel casino and its immediate neighborhood will should rent a car.

Description:

This place is so well tended that it looks like it did when it opened in 2000. Golf players will love the proximity to three great golf courses: TPC at the Canyons, Angel Park and the Badlands. The guest rooms are oversized at 550 square feet. The earth-tone decor is restful and the furnishing comfortable. Floor-to-ceiling windows in all rooms and suites offer beautiful views. The 78,000 square foot casino has more than 2,000 slot machines, a bingo parlor, race book and 48 table games, including Pai-Gow.The facility is well equipped with fine restaurants such as Via Veneto, Primo's, Cafe Sienna and Senor Miguel's.

Our Local Expert Says:

Spectacular desert scenery, hiking trails, biking, rock climbing, and a scenic drive.

Description:

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area's towering cliffs look similar to the colorful rock formations in Nevada's Valley of Fire or Utah's Zion National Park, but while it's reminiscent of other areas, Red Rock stands by itself, a lone island of mountains and springs in the middle of the Mojave Desert.

West of Las Vegas, Red Rock sits off State Route 159 (follow Charleston Boulevard west and it will turn into SR159). Admission to Red Rock is $7 per vehicle, and includes admission to the new visitor's center, a map/newsletter.

The visitor's center integrates information, art, and the environment of Red Rock itself. Most of the displays are outside, which is fine for the vast majority of the year in Southern Nevada. Mojave Max, the center's desert tortoise mascot, lives here, along with a few of his friends. The hands-on displays explain the forces that created Red Rock: fire, wind, water, and earth. Keep your eyes open for the colorful birds flying in and out of the inside of the exhibit--the center of the displays is planted with native vegetation.

A one-way scenic drive takes visitors into Red Rock, and it has several places to stop for a hike or to take in a scenic vista; one area, adjacent to the Children's Discovery Trail, has a picnic area next to some springs. Water is plentiful here, so look for wildlife early in the morning and late in the day. You'll see lots of birds, but also look for burros and big horn sheep. Consult the map/newsletter to find a trail that fits your fitness and schedule. Short hikes, like the Children's Discovery Trail, can be completed in under an hour, while a trip to the top of Turtlehead Peak will take you half a day or more.

Winter is a great time to explore Red Rock. Temperatures are generally mild, but the mountains are covered in snow during the coldest months (dressing in layers is highly recommended). Spring and fall are short, but beautiful, with plenty of water from the snowmelt in the streams. Summer is usually far too hot for exploring Red Rock, although short hikes in the very early mornings are often doable. Remember to always bring plenty of water with you, no matter what the time of year, and sunscreen and lip balm are advisable. 

Hikers, bikers, and rock climbers flock to Red Rock. As you drive along the loop, look for the climbers dangling off the rocks of the Calico Hills, and always be on the lookout for bicyclists and pedestrians on the roadways.

This area was settled in the late 1800s, and you can find remnants of its prior history. At Sandstone Quarry, you can see where the blocks of sandstone were carved, and at Pine Creek, a short hike will take you to the foundation of an old homestead. Agave roasting pits and petroglyphs are evidence of far earlier inhabitation.

Description:

Red Rock Canyon NCA is one of the finest rock climbing areas in the world. The main type of rock found here is Aztec (or Navajo) sandstone, formed years ago through the natural cementing of ancient sand dunes. The rock at Calico's 1& 2, and Sandstone Quarry are the focus of sport climbing. The rock of the main escarpment possesses a greater cementing factor and is considered to be a good quality sandstone. The black or varnished rock is generally considered to be the hardest. Keep in mind however, at its best, it is still sandstone. Routes in the Red Rock Canyon NCA are rated via the Yosemite Decimal System. All class V routes (those involving the use of protection) in Red Rock Canyon NCA range from 5.0 (easiest) to 5.14 (most difficult).

Description:

Sitting within the Red Rock Canyon this easy double-looped trail is accessed via the Pine Creek Trail. Take the trail to the left heading toward the escarpment. Continue across a bridge and over a rise to enter the second loop. Next return across the same bridge and follow the trail back to the Pine Creek Trail.

Description:

From Sandstone Quarry the trail heads north from its junction with the Turtlehead Peak Trail to just past the Agave roasting pit site in Red Rock Canyon. Beyond this site the trail veers up a side canyon to the right where it follows ascending rock terraces to a large natural water tank (Tinaja). Water may be present in the tanks after seasonal rains. This 2.5 mile round trip is moderately strenuous and involves sock scrambling and route finding skills.

Description:

Give your family a taste of the West! A short drive from the city, this ranch is a miniature replica of the old days, when much of the country was a cowboy's domain. Built in 1843, as a wagon stop, this pretty, almost desert-like foothill town, with its wooden boards, tumbleweeds, stagecoaches and saloons will transport most locals back into history. A weekend here will be filled with activities, such as horseback riding, miniature train rides, wild animal spotting, a "posse" show, simulated street fights and melodramatic scenes complete with onlookers and stuntmen. Loads of curios and souvenirs source the memorabilia section, while those who'd like to stay just a little bit longer can avail of the motel facilities – themed rooms, with romantic décor and guided tours beckon guests.

Description:

Agave redefines the conventional Mexican dining experience by combining the radiant flavors and handcrafted care of traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern twist. Executive Chefs Matthew Silverman and Juan Saldana collaborated to create an authentic Mexican menu with a contemporary polish all presented in a traditional Mexican setting. The restaurant's dynamic architecture is reminiscent of a palapa; a structure found in the tropical resorts of Mexico, complete with a thatched roof and vibrant colors. Agave takes it name from the plant used to make tequila in the region of Tequila, Mexico. The restaurant features a bar which boasts over 80 fine Agave tequilas and encourages guests to sample the distinct flavors of each.

Description:

No visitor would be blamed for never leaving the Vegas Strip -- it's the raison d'être of any Vegas tourist -- but a true foodie should make a point of finding the nearest moving vehicle that can get them to Rosemary's Restaurant. A 15-minute (or so) drive down Sahara (hardly anything) is all it takes to eat what may well be the best food in Las Vegas. (Certainly, it is consistently voted the best food in the Las Vegas Review-Journal's annual poll, by food critics and readers alike.)

The brainchild of Michael and Wendy Jordan, both veterans of the New Orleans food scene (Michael actually opened Emeril's here in Vegas), Rosemary's Restaurant (named for Michael's mother) shows more than a few NOLA touches, from the food to the service, in a room that's warmer and more inviting than most others in Vegas. Note that you can get seats at the bar overlooking the open kitchen, great fun for foodie interaction and not a bad choice for singles, or for couples looking for an unusual romantic evening.

The cuisine covers most regions of the U.S., though Southern influences dominate. Fifty local farmers help supply products. Seared foie gras with peach coulis, candied walnuts, and vanilla bean-scented arugula is like a quilt, with distinct flavors that all hang together nicely. Interesting sides include ultrarich bleu-cheese slaw, slightly spicy crispy fried tortilla strips, and perfect cornmeal jalapeño hush puppies. A recent visit found the crispy striped bass fighting it out with the pan-seared honey-glazed salmon for "best fish dish we've ever had." Desserts are similarly Southern -- lemon icebox pie! -- and most pleasant.

There is a nice little wine list with a broad range, especially when it comes to half-price bottles. They also specialize, unusually, in beer suggestions to pair with courses, including some fruity Belgian numbers; this is such a rare treat, if you drink, you must try some of their suggestions.

Description:

In just a few short years, The Cracked Egg has grown to become one of Las Vegas' most popular breakfast houses. They use the finest ingredients, eggs, cheeses, fresh fruit, meat, whipped cream, and great coffee. They serve eggs just the way you like them - everything from scrambled to eggs Benedict, and for lunch they have salads, burgers, and great sandwiches. Oh, and don't forget to try the pancakes and waffles.

Description:

Mixing the freshest of ingredients and the funkiest of ideas with great success, Hash House A Go Go is the ideal go-to joint for simple, nutritious and tasty food. Located in Summerlin, the joint offers old recipes with a twist. The salads are perfect for a light snack and the sandwiches are great before or after a drink or two. But do not forget to savor the fried salmon, chicken pot pie, duck breast, and mango-coconut pancake—they will satiate your hunger pangs and pamper your taste buds. Leave the pastas and steaks for the next time—you are sure to return soon for another great treat.

Our Local Expert Says:

Atlatl Rock has numerous petroglphys, a picnic area, and a campground nearby.

Description:

Nevada's oldest state park, founded in 1935, is where red sandstone monoliths and the Mojave Desert meet. Petroglyphs, some almost 3,000 years, old tell the stories of the Anasazi. Petrified trees tell of a time when this ancient valley was lush with vegetation.

Located about an hour outside of Las Vegas, the Valley of Fire sits on the edge of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Its remote location and brilliantly colored rock formations are a favorite of photographers, film makers, and nature lovers. Far more lightly visited than Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire is a great place to really explore the desert. Petroglyphs are abundant here, and wildlife is easy to spot (since there are so few people). Look for big horn sheep, coyotes, ravens, tarantuallas, and other desert dwellers. Stop at the visitor's center to learn about the history, geology, and flora/fauna of the Valley of Fire.

Star Trek fans may recognize the area around White Domes, a land with brilliantly contrasting sandstone formations, as the place where Captain Kirk died. You'll also find the remnanats of an earlier movie set if you take the hike at White Domes--it's a moderately challenging trail that requires rock scrambling at the beginning, and which leads through an amazing slot canyon. Slot canyons, found throughout the Southwestern United States, allow a person to stand in the middle of the canyon and touch both sides. Dangerous during flash floods, these fascinating paths through the rocks are intriguing and beautiful.

For a short and easy trail, try Mouse's Tank. The trail allegedly got its name because it was a hideout for a Paiute named Mouse, and the tanks are the tinajas (areas in the rocks that fill with water). Kids will love scrambling over the easy-to-climb rocks. Keep your eyes peeled along the trail for petroglyphs, and if you're there in the evening, watch for the bats that are out swooping up bugs as the sun goes down.

Valley of Fire offers camping, hiking, picnicking and spectacular photography. It's a popular outdoor wedding location because of its striking scenery. The camping spots fill up fast in the cooler months, especially on the weekend, so if you'd like to camp here, arrive early. Park fees are often on a honor basis, but rangers do come through and check periodically.

Description:

This is an authentic Irish pub, in the truest sense; manufactured in Ireland, dismantled and reassembled here at the Marriot. Live Irish music is featured here several nights a week. Appetizers range from potato leek soup to savory pork pie. The Irish stew is delightful, and the Beef and Guinness Pie is rich and filling. Corned Beef and Cabbage is served with a creamy parsley sauce and potato pancakes. Irish coffees are available, as are four Irish-brewed beers and 14 Irish whiskeys.

Our Local Expert Says:

Walk across the Hoover Dam for spectacular views. Stop in the middle to stand with one foot in Arizona and the other in Nevada!

Description:

During the Great Depression in the 1930s, Hoover Dam was built in Black Canyon--and it was completed ahead of time and under budget. An engineering marvel in the middle of the harshest desert in the United States, Hoover Dam tamed the Colorado River, ending floods downstream and harnessing the river's force to generate electricity. At one time the largest dam in the world, Hoover Dam is still one of the world's largest dams. Paid tours will take you 530 feet down inside the dam to view the massive turbines, turned by 90,000 gallons of water per second. The Visitor Center features interactive displays and a museum. Outside is beautiful Black Canyon and the monumental bronze statues, Winged Figures of the Republic.

On the river side of Hoover Dam, the Mike O'Callaghan/Pete Tillman Memorial Bridge spans Black Canyon. This bypass bridge was built to help alleviate traffic on the dam, but it's a marvel itself. Daring pedestrians can park and walk across the bridge for an incredible view of Hoover Dam.

Our Local Expert Says:

Stop at Callville Bay and take the short Callville Trail hike for spectacular views of Lake Mead and the surrounding mountains in this jewel of the Mojave Desert, just a short drive from Las Vegas.

Description:

With over 500 miles of shoreline, Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers world class fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking and canoeing, scuba diving, hiking, camping, desert vistas and roadside sightseeing. The contrasts between water and desert, mountains and flat lands, blue skies and colorful desert rock are astounding. The North Shore Drive is an adventure as the road follows the shoreline, cutting through canyons and crossing mountains. The countryside is a collection of rock formations formed by wild weather and volcanic activity. Don't miss the Lake Mead Visitor Center, also called the Alan Bible Visitor Center, with its interactive exhibits and historical artifact displays.

Description:

The historic Boulder Dam Hotel offers twenty comfortable guest rooms with state-of-the-art, individual room climate control, air purification, free wireless internet access, private baths and cable television. A complimentary full breakfast is served in the dining room from 6:30 to 10:30 each morning. The hotel is located in the heart of Boulder City's historic district, 4 miles from Lake Mead National Recreation Area and 7 miles from Hoover Dam.

As seen on

Description:

The Cheesecake Factory is surely the place to go when craving a rich and delectable slice of the mouth-watering dessert, but this restaurant offers much more. Serving appetizers, lunch, dinner, late night dining, Sunday Brunch, and a full bar, the Factory is a great choice for a casual dining experience. Everyone will find something to their liking with over 200 menu selections of pizza, pasta, seafood, steaks, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Be sure to save room for one of the 50 delicious cheesecakes and desserts.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the best places to see Nevada's state animal, the Desert Bighorn Sheep.

Description:

Hemenway Valley Park, located on the outskirts of Boulder City, may seem like an unusual tourist attraction. It's a lovely park, but it's not the park that draws both locals and visitors: it's the herd of Desert Bighorn Sheep that frequent its grassy fields. Boulder City has gradually grown up around Hemenway Valley Park, but the Bighorns have been here for years. They are not domesticated and signs warn visitors not to feed or bother these beautiful animals. Those horns on their heads aren't for decoration.

The Hemenway Herd is large, with numbers hovering around 80. Visitors can see all kinds of Bighorns from lambs to mature males (with those distinctive curling horns). When the herd grows too big, animals have to be relocated; the park's location just off US93 puts the Bighorns very close to traffic.

The Desert Bighorn is Nevada's state animal. It's a smaller than the Rocky Bighorn and can survive on very little water, often only what it gets from vegetation. The rocky hillsides around Hemenway Valley Park are a good example of the rugged landscape that Desert Bighorns inhabit throughout the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.

As with any wild animal, the best times of day to see the Hemenway Bighorns is early in the morning and close to sunset, although these sheep can often be spotted throughout the day when temperatures are mild.

Description:

The most popular tour is to the Red Rock Canyon area to travel the Bureau of Land Management trails, and lasts approximately three hours. A four-hour tour to the Valley of Fire State Park is also offered for those interested in rock hunting, especially the local find of petrified wood. Discounts for seniors and children. All tours include bottled water and pick-up and drop-off at local hotels. Each Hummer has space for five tourists.

Description:

This helicopter trip is one of the most favored by casino concierges The flight takes off minutes from the strip and you fly over Boulder city , the massive Lake Mead; and Hoover Dam. You continue into the Grand Canyon where you land on the floor of the canyon next to the Colorado River. Lunch is served by local Indians while giving you the history of the canyon.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of Las Vegas' most popular golf courses.

Description:

This 36-hole, par-70/71 public course is a local favorite. Arnold Palmer originally designed the Mountain and Palm courses (the Palm Course was redesigned several years later by Bob Cupp). Players call this a great escape from the casinos, claiming that no matter how many times they play it, they never get tired of it. The Palm Course has gently rolling fairways that offer golfers of all abilities a challenging yet forgiving layout. The Mountain Course has rolling natural terrain and gorgeous panoramic views. In addition to these two challenging 18-hole courses, Angel Park offers a night-lit Cloud 9 Course (12 holes for daylight play, 9 at night), where each hole is patterned after a famous par 3. You can reserve tee times up to 60 days in advance with a credit card guarantee.

Yardage: Palm Course 6,525 championship and 5,438 resort; Mountain Course 6,722 championship and 5,718 resort.

Facilities: Pro shop, night-lit driving range, 18-hole putting course, restaurant, snack bar, cocktail bar, and beverage cart.

Description:

Less than an hour from the Las Vegas Strip, the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area is an island of mountains in the middle of the desert. Mt. Charleston, which is how the local collectively refer to the entire area, is actually the name of the highest peak in the Spring Mountain Range. At a little under 12,000 feet, it's also the third highest peak in Nevada.

Two major canyons welcome visitors: Kyle Canyon, where you'll find a village (no grocery store) and two lodges. Lee Canyon is home to homes and snow play areas, including a ski and snowboarding lodge.

Hiking trails can be found in both canyons, and a hike to the peak of Mt. Charleston will take you into designated wilderness. You're likely to see more birds than any other type of wildlife, but look for deer and lots of squirrels. Elk herds also live here, although they are rarely seen. This is a very dry mountain, so if you're hiking, bring water. Water sources are few on Mt. Charleston.

State Highway 158 connects Kyle Canyon to Lee Canyon, making it easy to turn a trip to Mt. Charleston into a scenic loop. Look for picnic areas, campgrounds, and viewing turnouts throughout the entire area. A small visitor center can be found on Kyle Canyon Road, or SR 157.

Officially a part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, SMNR is home to the bristlecone pine (Pinus longavea), which are some of the world's longest-living plants--the oldest are thousands of years old.

Temperatures here are often 20 degrees cooler than in Las Vegas, and during winter the area is covered in snow. This is the only place close to Vegas where you can ski in winter, and the mountain roads are clogged with locals after the first snowfall--something the residents of Las Vegas don't get to see often.

Description:

If you visit the luxurious JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa in Summerlin, you will find this 24-hour upscale coffee shop to your liking. For breakfast, sample the favorite 'French Connection', a thick French toast grilled in cinnamon and vanilla and served with bananas and pecans. The dinner menu includes pan-seared salmon, prepared with citrus pine nut roasted couscous, tomatoes and olives. The chilled seafood bar is equally impressive. Full bar service is available with your favorite cocktail or wine.