Need to Recharge After AFM? Discover the Other Las Vegas With These Tips
Beautiful, bustling casinos with massive suites, opulent nightclubs packed with partiers and elaborate theaters starring the biggest names in entertainment are all part of the mystique that makes Las Vegas one of the world’s top tourist destinations. But driving west up Charleston Boulevard at sunrise and seeing the majestic Red Rock mountains on the horizon piques the notion that there is so much more to discover. And it’s not just nature. Life beyond the Strip has become increasingly exciting over the last decade as cultural creatives, sophisticates, and entrepreneurs have flooded Las Vegas from other metropolises in search of a higher quality of life with greater access to the best of everything.
It begins with the spectacular scenery surrounding the Las Vegas Valley: millions of acres of pure natural wonderment with Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to the west and the National Park Service’s Lake Mead Recreation Area to the east. The increasing number of visitors to these parks—3 million per year at Red Rock and almost 6 million at Lake Mead—proves a new type of traveler wants to see a different side of Vegas.
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What was once considered way out there is now very close by. As Las Vegas has grown as a city, Red Rock is now about a 20-minute drive from the Strip and is ideal for those seeking a scenic drive, which takes about 30 minutes, along a one-way loop that allows you to see the limestone banded red rocks. Those who want to amplify the experience can try a hike for any level of expertise. The Calico Tanks hike, which features a natural water collection area, offers a panoramic view of the city.
On the other side of town and about 45 minutes from the Strip, the diverse terrain of the Lake Mead Recreation Area, a mix of wilderness and developed areas, covers 1.5 million acres and extends into Arizona. Take a scenic drive on Lakeshore Road and Northshore Road and experience vistas of the Redstone ranges and dip in the Rogers or Blue Point Hot Springs. For novice hikers, try the Historic Railroad Trail, which goes from the Lake Mead Visitors Center to Hoover Dam and is mostly flat. The path meanders into old railroad tunnels about a mile into the hike.
Located about 15 minutes from Lake Mead and 30 minutes from the Strip, Boulder City captures an authentic slice of small-town desert life. Known as the gateway to Hoover Dam, Boulder City makes a divine half-day trip away from the Strip with quirky attractions such as Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum featuring horror movie props and Sherman’s House of Antiques for vintage jewelry and clothing. For those looking to tee off, the scenic Cascata Golf Club is one of the best in the city. Great dining and drinking options round out the experience: don’t miss breakfast at the Coffee Cup Cafe, burgers at The Dillinger, local brews at Beer Zombies and wine and tapas at Casa Don Quixote.
Let the local food scene be your north star if you aren’t looking to hike, walk or golf. Off-strip dining options dominate the best of what-to-eat lists now more than ever as Strip chefs migrate west and north to do their own thing. The Spring Mountain Road corridor (also known as Chinatown, even though many restaurants are not Chinese) features an impressive collection of casual and creative eateries and bars: EDO, Partage, Sparrow and Wolf, Golden Tiki, Shanghai Taste, Raku and many more.
Head downtown to discover the 18b Arts District, packed with funky boutiques, galleries, restaurants, breweries and cocktail bars. Don’t miss restaurants Esther’s Kitchen, Main Street Provisions, Good Pie and SoulBelly BBQ for food; shops Akin Cooperative, The Good Wolf Lifestyle Co. and Sin Amor Studio; and bars Velveteen Rabbit, Rebar, Horse Trailer Hideout and Garagiste.
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