Las Vegas more than gambling is a series of blogs highlighting some of our favorite activities in the Las Vegas Valley and surrounding area. We love exploring, and enjoy a variety of activities.
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is one of our favorite places near the Las Vegas Valley. Mountains to climb, red rock boulders to play on, waterfalls to enjoy, beautiful scenery, bicycle riding, scenic drives, a visitors center, and lots of hiking! Whether you have a couple of hours or many days to visit the park it is worth it. Over the course of our time in Las Vegas we have hiked almost all of the trails in the park. Because this place is so special to us, I have decided to write a blog dedicated entirely to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Red Rock Canyon charges a fee to enter, however they do accept the America the Beautiful pass. A timed entry system is also in place, and reservations are easy to make on-line. If you only have a few hours to visit, first stop at the Visitors center, get your maps and ask any questions you may have. Take the scenic drive on the one-way paved park perimeter loop road.
This loop road provides access to many parking and picnic areas. Even with the timed entry system the park is very busy, popular climbing areas will feel like trying to park at the mall at Christmas. Be patient most people are only stopping for a few minutes, and it is usually possible to find parking within a trip or two around the lot. Prepare for an amazing day!
Eldorado Canyon/ Techatticup Mine
Techatticup Mine is another interesting and favorite place which we have visited several times. It is located in Eldorado Canyon and is an hours drive from the valley. Highway 165 takes you to Techatticup mine and ends in Eldorado Canyon at the Colorado River. There is access to the river which is accessible by most vehicles. There are no services or picnic tables, however it is a wonderful spot for a picnic.
Our first visit to the mine was for an OHV (off highway vehicle) experience. When we arrived we expected to spend the day riding and what we discovered was so much more. I’m not sure the best way to describe the unbelievable amount of artifacts surrounding the general store. There are signs, gas pumps, homemade campers, old cars, barns and buildings full of artifacts. This does not scratch the surface, there are famous planes from movies and even a wedding chapel. The property is very popular for photographers and film crews.
All this history, off road riding, and my favorite part, a tour of Eldorado mine. Eldorado mine is a historic mine operated in the 1880’s and has quite a story. It is the oldest, richest and most famous gold mine in Southern Nevada. The tour took us through several passages and our guide did an amazing job explaining the process of how the miners extracted the gold. It was labor intensive and dangerous work. Walking on cat walks hanging hundreds of feet above the bottom of the mine with very little lighting is an incredible experience. I highly recommend checking this place out, there is so much to do.
Springs Preserve
The Springs Preserve is an incredible place to visit in the Valley. Las Vegas Valley Water District operates the 180 acres surrounding the original water source for Las Vegas, Las Springs. Las Springs is the water source used by native Americans and travelers through the area for thousands of years.
Today the Spring Preserve offers visitors the ability to enjoy beautiful desert botanical gardens, walking trails through a wetland habitat and so much more. There is a museum with a vast variety of attractions. From dinosaurs, to mining, and even exhibits highlighting the Vegas heydays. There is also an entire waterworks museum, dedicated to educating the public, with hands on experiences and awesome exhibits.
Another section of the Preserve houses an entire town representing life in the early 1900’s and is complete with many artifacts. The train station has a working whistle, which I definitely played with! We spent hours moving from exhibit to exhibit and still did not see everything. If you are visiting with children there is plenty of engaging and hands-on activities. The cafe is a wonderful place to re-fuel and take a break, to prepare for more exploring.
Top Golf
Jess and I are casual golfers. We love playing with friends in fund raising golf tournaments, and hitting balls at a driving range. Top Golf is an experience I think you will love, even if you do not play golf. Imagine three stories of driving ranges complete with servers with whom you can order snacks or drinks from the bar.
It’s similar to bowling, spaces are rented by the hour and hold up to six people. Like bowling players take turns driving balls and having fun. Clubs are provided, but you are allowed to bring your own. There are several “games” which can be played, we like to play top golf where we aim for various point targets scattered across the playing area. Hit your golf ball and when it lands your score is electronically tabulated.
Top Golf is appropriate for all skill levels. There are families with children playing next to groups with skilled serious players. The design of the levels and spaces provides enough separation to allow fun for all. If you have never visited a Top Golf, which are primarily near large cities. Their distinctive huge nets ensures you will be able to find them. Take some family or friends and enjoy some fun, day or night!
Mob Museum
The Mob Museum is a unique Las Vegas adventure complete with a speakeasy. Speakeasy’s have gained followers over the last few years and are popping up in cities across the US. These establishments, which sold alcohol during prohibition times, became synonymous with powerful and infamous people. Today this same feeling of excitement and living on the dark side draws in customers to the variety of retro style bars and replica speakeasy’s. In the spirit of a true speakeasy a password is required to enter the establishment housed Mob Museum’s basement.
The several floors of exhibits and many one-of-a-kind artifacts tell a story of mobsters, glitz, and glamor. Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and Bugsy Siegel are a few of the lives chronicled as well as the role authorities like J. Edgar Hoover and Rudy Giuliani played in their organizations. Stills, suits, and Tommy guns transport visitors to an era with different rules and priorities.
With life sized exhibits like the electric chair below, as well as Nevada’s Gas chamber chair the relationship between these types of activities and their consequences is clearly drawn. Louis Lepke the richest man to die was executed in this replica chair. The exhibit which is located in the historic courtroom where the Kefauver hearings, that exposed organized crimes took place. We have visited the museum several times with various friends and family and always learn something new. Plan on a few hours to explore and save time for a drink!
Restaurants
Restaurants in Vegas are another larger than life adventure if you choose. Themed fully immersive experiences like The Heart Attack Grill located on Fremont street, offering diners all the delicious “heart stopping” choices they want. Service staff is dressed as nurses and some beverages are served in IV-bags. The Rain Forest Cafe is a jungle themed multi-floor restaurant located on the Strip near Planet Hollywood. Where you dine on American fare surrounded by lush tropical plants and “Disney style” animatronic animals.
There is also no lack of 5-Star dining options. One of our favorites is The Capital Grille, which surprisingly is a chain restaurant. Their menu is saturated with incredible choices from dry aged steaks to perfectly prepared seared Tuna, Salmon, and many other seafood choices. We have visited The Capital Grille in several cities across the country and have consistently received a first-class dinning experience. The grand plateau is a seafood tower and a special experience for a seafood lover, it is complete with jumbo lump crab, North Atlantic Lobster, shrimp cocktail, and oysters on the half-shell, which we pair with the sommeliers wine recommendation.
Celebrity chefs also have a huge Las Vegas presence. Many top-name chefs are carving out their legacy night after night to diners delight! Thomas Keller, Wolfgang Puck, Giada De Laurentiis, Guy Fieri, Gordon Ramsay, are just a few. A variety of cuisine options are available with a heavy emphasis on mouth-watering steak houses, with top-quality ingredients prepared with both classic techniques and modern flair. If you’re here to vacation, just splurge and try something new!
Top of the World
Top of the World Restaurant pictured above is located in the Stratosphere Tower. 5-Star dinning with 360 degrees views! The amazing views and experiences are topped only by excellent service and exquisite culinary choices.
UNLV
UNLV consistently supplies Las Vegas with top men’s and women’s sports programs. The Rebels provide high quality family entertainment at a budget friendly price. With top athletes the Lady Rebels are consistently amongst the best teams, with an all-time record of wins almost doubling their losses. Jess and I enjoyed several games and fun theme nights!
High caliber quality university programs like this provide opportunities for women to continue their high school careers and possibly make the jump to the WNBA. The Las Vegas Aces are the WNBA team who plays in the Michelob Ultra Arena, located in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The Aces became back to back league champions in 2022 and 2023. Also, a wonderful opportunity to see top athletes at an affordable price.
It’s not all about the women, UNLV football plays their games in Allegiant stadium, Awesome! State of the Art Allegiant Stadium is an incredible place to see a game!
Hollywood Car Museum & Liberace Garage
The Hollywood Car Museum & Liberace garage is a cool family friendly adventure. Multi-generations of movie-goers will be inspired and awed by the famous vehicles from many blockbuster movies found here. The DeLorean from “Back to the Future”, many vehicles from the “Fast and Furious” and Doc Hudson’s Hornet from Pixar’s animated film “Cars”. As well as famous television show’s cars, such as Kit from Knight Rider and the General Lee from Dukes of Hazard. In addition, a host of tribute cars like the Flintstone’s pictured above.
The museum encompasses 30,000 sq.-ft and hundreds of vehicles. Including, amazing car creations such as a 40-foot long pink hot tub convertible limo. In addition, the Liberace garage includes a collection of several of his own sparkly decorated vehicles. Cars have a way of transporting people to a time and place. That is exactly what I felt wandering around this museum. Looking at the coffin dragster from the “Munsters” and Herbie the Love Bug the nostalgia was palpable, these were iconic vehicles from shows I grew up watching.
The museum is conveniently located just off Las Vegas Blvd. near Allegiant stadium. It is open seven days a week from 10am-5pm. Tickets are $20, check website for updates. Plan on a few hours to explore in wonderment!
Slotzilla
SlotZilla is one of the coolest Freemont Street Experiences! If you want to know what it feels like to soar like a bird over two city blocks full of people who are enjoying the entertainment and craziness of Fremont Street below, SlotZilla is the answer. There are two separate zip-lines, the upper Super-Hero zoom starts seven stories above the ground and runs just below the colorful canopy and is 1700′ long. The lower zip-line which is about half the distance is no slouch, riders sit upright and fly high above the street.
We decided we wanted to experience the Slotzilla flying like a Super-Hero through the night sky, fortunately we had two wonderful friends who also wanted to go. The flight was booked but the only time slots available started at 10pm, barely morning for the city which never sleeps. It worked out to be perfect. We had time for a great dinner and drinks, there are many restaurants to choose from, and enjoyed the sights and entertainment on and off the stage.
At our ticket entry time we began the climb up the tower. After only a couple of flights we were fitted with our full-body harness. We were lined up in our groups and took the elevator up. There were a few more stairs and several employees checking our safety harnesses along the way. Jess and I rock climb and were impressed with their process and commitment to safety.
Super-Hero
It was our turn, we laid down on the platform and were hooked to the flight cables. Again multiple employees checked each connection point, then a final inspection by the person in charge before we were sent flying. It was the smoothest zip-line I have ever experienced, and we have played on many. Laying down and flying head first was an incredible feeling.
We flew through the air under the bright lights at speeds of up to forty miles per hour. That sounds fast, however I had plenty of time to enjoy the experience! If zip lining is an adventure you have always wanted to try, I recommend Slotzilla. If you’re not ready for the Super-Hero flight you can choose the lower level seated version, to start. For those adrenaline junkies there is all you can fly before 5pm ticket available.
Nellis Air Force Base
Nellis Air Force base is located on the North East Side of the valley. When we first arrived in Las Vegas in November of 2022 to begin our full-time RV journey we heard about an upcoming air show. Jess and I were born and lived in Maine for most of our lives which used to have a rich history of military bases including Loring Air Force Base, Brunswick Naval Air Station, and near by Peas Air Force Base.
All of these bases have been closed and re-developed. However, many air shows took place over the years, but we never had time to attend. Our business required us to work on weekends, so therefore we very rarely had the opportunity to participate in events like this. Finally, we now have time and opportunity.
We started out the day by walking through a huge cargo plane. Wow! Apache attack helicopters, Blackhawks, and a variety of cargo and utility helicopters were on display as well as many fighter jets and other military aircraft. Then the events began, acrobatic displays, fly byes, and a full scale dog fight with many military planes performing highly synchronized combat skills. We were surrounded by the smell of jet fuel and power of the jets flying just above our heads, it was amazing and I questioned how I had never made time for an air show.
Nellis is also home to the fabulous Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds are an elite squadron who perform over eighty aerobatic demonstrations annually around the world. The program was formed in 1953. Officers serve a two-year assignment and enlisted team members serve three to four years. In addition to their public responsibilities they are a USAF combat force, which can be rapidly activated into an operational fighter unit.
Larger than Life Brands
Vegas is all about casinos, lights, and fun. But do not fear, if you want a Big Mac it’s here! Chipotle, Panda Express and McDonalds are just a few of the nationwide brands having fun under the lights. Many popular chains have a big presence on Las Vegas Blvd. and within many casinos, and it’s not only restaurants. There are major drug stores and retailers too, if you need a Target run, it’s no problem!
Corporate America has taken notice. Las Vegas averages more than three million visitors monthly, imagine the benefits of your brand in front of that many people day after day. Brand recognition and connecting with customers is a primary focus of any company. Think about the impression the below image has on you, imagine if you were a kid.
M & M’s
Classic M&M commercials run through my mind. I am struck by the colors and the grandness of the four level store, the first M & M location ever. I definitely could not wait to go inside and explore the wonders within. Larger than life candies and merchandise available to satisfy any chocolate lover. Ensure you take time to customize your very own M&M.
Hershey’s
Not to be left out Hershey has its own especially sweet chocolate store on the Las Vegas Strip. The store is located in the New York – New York Hotel & Casino. It boasts a Statue of Liberty made out of eight hundred pounds of Hershey’s milk chocolate. In addition to merchandise and over 800 delectable chocolates and candies to choose from. There are even activities such as customizing your own chocolate bars, or starring in a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup TV ad.
Jelly Belly
It’s not only about chocolate, there is this giant Jelly Belly! A rainbow display of flavored Jelly Bellies to be sampled and purchased await you at It’sugar The Venetian. The store proudly displays signs stating “Diets start tomorrow” and “Desserts before Dinner. A full size Elvis and Marilyn Monroe embellished with various colored Jelly Bellies add to the decor and excitement of the store for young and old.
Part-4 is currently the last installment of Las Vegas more than gambling, I hope these snap shots of interesting activities beyond gambling will help you plan your visit to Vegas. In this situation “WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS” happened to get out! Be sure to check-out Part 1,2,3 for more awesome Vegas adventures!
