Vegas is a good destination for nature lovers

Mention Las Vegas and most people think of gambling but Vegas it an excellent hub for enjoying

nature.  Vegas may be located in a desert but besides exploring the colorful rocky terrain there are lakes and rivers to explore. Most of the natural areas are part of a national or state park. 

1. Flat water rafting: Put into the Colorado River at the foot of the massive Hoover Dam at a place where only the rafters are allowed. Head down the Colorado as it twist and turns through 12 miles of Black Canyon on a motorized-assisted raft surrounded between the majestic

2000-foot rocky walls while on the lookout for desert wildlife as the guide shares historic vignettes. The rafting trip offered by Black Canyon/Willow Beach River Adventures is suitable for all ages and even those with physical limitations can be accommodated.
2 . Kayaking canoeing: Experience the quiet of the desert and the majesty of Black Canyon on a guided kayaking trip. Explore caves, soak in natural hot springs, and learn the history of the area. Most people consider the Colorado River below Hoover Dam more scenic than any other part of the river.
3. Death Valley: Only 120 miles from Vegas Death Valley always surprises people. Even with its extreme temperature there are over 1000 plant and animal species within the National Park. Visit Furnace Creek Ranch, the Borax Museum, take a guided tour of Scotty’s Castle, and play golf on the world’s lowest golf course.
4. Red Rock: Only 30 minutes from the Strip the escarpment rises three thousand feet from the

Spring Mountains. The Visitor Center provides for an overview of the geological formation. A brochure outlines the many hiking trails. Especially unique is Ice Box Canyon where it offers relief on a hot day. There is a driving loop for those who do not want to hike.
5. Valley of Fire: As the name suggests the rocks in this state park are brilliant. The Visitor Center should be the first stop. There are self-guided trails and petroglyphs left by some of the earliest settlers. 

6. Houseboating: Be your own captain and chart your own course with all the comforts of home on fully equipped houseboat. Experience the quiet desert mornings, the brilliant sunsets, and the star-filled sky from your rooftop hot tub. Explore the shore, venture into a canyon, go fishing or swimming. Forever Resorts rents houseboat on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.
8.  Spring Mountain Ranch: The center of this state park is the ranch owned by Vera Krupp of Germany’s munitions dynasty, later it was owned by Howard Hughes. Besides guided tours of the ranch there are a number of activities including outdoor musical productions during the summer presented by a local theater group.
7. Mt. Charleston: Only 45 miles from the Strip Mt. Charleston is visible from most places in Vegas. Many visitors are surprised that it is usually snow covered in the winter and has a ski center. During the summer it is a cool respite from Vegas.  The drive goes through several micro climatic zones so the vegetation changes with the altitude.
8. Bonnie Springs and Old Nevada: Located in the Red Rock area, Old Nevada is a recreated Old West town with staged gun fights, stagecoach rides and other activities. There is a petting zoo nearby. 
10. Off-roading: Several companies offer desert tours for thrill seekers. Choose your vehicle – dune buggy, 4 x 4, Hummer, or a pink jeep. Explore canyons and visit ghost towns. 

Things to do in Vegas

There is always something new to do in Las Vegas including

special events like the return of Barry Manilow and other performers but, no matter how many times you have been to Las Vegas you can always find something new and different to do – plus enjoy your old favorites. If you don’t like vocalists there is always Cirque

du Soleil presentations and freebies such as the spectacular music, water and light fountain held on frequent intervals outside Bellagio. Most of the major casinos offer some sort of free entertainment.



One of my favorite Vegas museums is the Mob Museum where the

true story of the mob is revealed along with the myths and legends. The Mob Museum opened on Valentine’s Day 2012 in the very building where some of the Kefauver Committee hearings to investigate organized crime were held in the early 1950s.  The courtroom has been restored to the way it looked during the hearings. When we got into the elevator to take us to the third floor to start our tour a video informed us of our Miranda Rights. It set the mood for the tour! There is always a lot to do. On my “gotta’ do the next time list” is the Museum of Neon Art – the night tour.

Looking for some educational activities for the younger set then visit the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum which opened in 2013 in a new location next to the Smith Center in Symphony Park. It has many family-orientated, hands-on learning experiences with a focus on science, the arts, and culture. It is a fun learning experience for all ages.  The Summit, a 70-foot climbing tower ascends all three floors with interactive activities along the way.  

A personal favorite, and one of the most unique experiences in the desert, is flat water rafting. The tour puts into the Colorado River at the foot of the massive Hoover Dam and floats down the river through 12 miles of Black Canyon. The slow moving, wheelchair accessible, trip allows time to marvel at the canyon walls and includes a stop at a cave and a beach for lunch. Transportation between the city and the put-in area can be included if you don’t have your own transportation.

Renting a car in Las Vegas is rather reasonable as long as you return it to the same location.  A favorite out-of-Vegas trip for most people (tours are offered, if you don’t have a car) is to Red Rock where there is a one-way, 13-mile scenic drive plus a nature center and several hiking trails. One of my favorite trips was to Valley of Fire State Park; one I plan to revisit on my next trip. There are petrified trees, petroglyphs dating back more than 2000 years and, of course, a visitor’s center.  

On this trip we attended our granddaughter’s high school graduation. It was even more special because her father, our oldest son, is a school administrator at the same high school so he was able to personally hand his daughter her diploma. Sometimes people are amazed to realize that Las Vegas is more than gambling.  Actually, most of the gambling is confined to two distinct areas; however, there are slot machines in stores, gas stations and the like. We seldom stay on the Strip.  This time we stayed at La Quinta Inn & Suites Airport South for less than $100 a night including breakfast, transportation to/from the hotel airport and Strip, and a great pool. 

When in Vegas visit Red Rock Canyon

Las Vegas has changed dramatically over the years. Before the glitzy gambling areas of Las Vegas, the area was a stopover on the way west.  While much has changed since John C. Fremont traversed the valley in 1844.  At that time it was still part of Mexico.  The one thing that hasn’t changed much is the stunning scenery just outside the city.  There are tours of Red Rock Canyon but the best way to experience the area is in a private car. The 13-mile scenic driving loop has several places to pull over, park, and get out and explore. Bring a lunch and enjoy it in one of the scenic picnicking areas.

Red Rock Canyon, located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159, was designated as Nevada's first National Conservation Area.  The area is 195,819 acres and is visited by more than one million people each year and besides the scenic drive there are more than 30 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking, picnic areas, nature observing and visitor center with exhibit rooms and a book store.

There is a daily entrance fee of $7 but access is free to those who have the America the Beautiful
Annual Pass or their Senior Pass, Access Pass, or Military Annual Pass. There is also a Red Rock Annual Pass. The first stop should be at the Visitor Center. While there are some exhibits inside the Visitor Center which has a great view of the Calico Hills most of the interpretive exhibits are outside. The exhibits are organized by earth, air, fire and water.

For the youngsters there is a “Junior ExplorerDiscovery Book.” Actually the book is informative for all ages. It’s filled with fascinating bits of information.  Learn how the Mojave Yucca survives in the desert by not shedding its dead leaves.  Instead the dead leaves droop done to shade the trunk. Animals have also adapted. The scaled skin of the Gila monster is

resistant to drying and the big ears of the Jackrabbit catch the cool breeze and it has reflective body hair.  There is information on how to be a friend of nature by leaving no trace and other fun facts.  The interactive displays explain the importance and impact of earth, air, fire and water on the unique environment of Red Rock Canyon. Bird watchers may be surprised to learn that there are nearly 200 different species in the canyon that range from a tiny hummingbird to a mighty eagle.

We have been to Red Rock several times over the years.  At one time it was easy to spot the wild burros and horses but now that there are more than a million visitors each year the wild animals have found quieter places so while they are still there it is not as easy to spot any.It is a hiker’s paradise with  a variety of trails that range from the easy to moderate to Lost Creek – Children’s Discovery Trail where there is a waterfalls at various times throughout the year along with petroglyphs and an agave roasting pit. The trail is a little less than a mile and takes about an hour.There are other things to do after visiting Red Rock – if there is time.  Bonnie Springs/Old Nevada and Spring Mountain Ranch are nearby and both are great places to visit.

Visiting Old Neveda

John and I often visit family in Las Vegas and, even though in the beginning we were drawn to the gaming part of Vegas, now we seldom even see a slot machine or other gambling devices. Many people do not realize that the major gambling area is located in two distinct areas: The Strip and the Downtown/Freemont Street area. We seldom stay in either area.  The casinos offer great deals for accommodations because they make it up with gambling and diners.  Many of the casino hotels add charge a resort fee which does not make it such a great deal.  

We usually rent a car at the airport. Remember it pays to be a member of the car company’s customer loyalty price.  We are Fast Break with Budget so we get a good deal plus do not have to stand in line to pick up the car.  Most of the car rentals are located in one off-site location with a shuttle bus connection.  It is about a 20-minute drive which is important to remember when returning the car to catch a flight.  However, there is a new section of the airport which has eased some of the congestion and walking distances.   

I have always wanted to visit Old Nevada, a replica of an 1880’s mining town. The property was the homeland of the Paiute Indians and in 1843 became a stopover for wagon trains traveling the Spanish Trail. It is about a 30-minute drive from the city. It seems they are closed when we are free to go.  True to form the website said they were closed on Monday, the day we were free to go but we headed out anyways because I wanted to have lunch at Bonnie Springs which has great food and reminds me of the Old West.

When we arrived there was a tour bus in front of Old Nevada so it was open but not all the activities were available.  Even so, it was great.  The walk through what an old town in the West must have been like was fun.  There was a quaint church.  Someone had put a dollar in an animatronic cowboy who was singing “Don’t Fence Me In” giving ambiance to my walkabout.  I noticed a crowd at the top of the street near the Opera House and made my way in time to see a trial and hanging.

 Members of the audience became the judges and witnesses.  Needless, to say the verdict was guilty and the poor soul was hanged.  It was done with a lot of humor.  The sheriff was wearing long red underwear and was not the brightest of souls.  There is a Bonnie Springs Ranch Petting Zoo that is now accessed from the Old Nevada site which I understand is open every day and is a non-profit venture.  When everything is operational there is a small railroad, a shoot-out on Main Street, and a variety of shops and other activities. There is also a motel and horse riding available.  Good family fun. Tours are available from Las Vegas.

We headed to the restaurant and decided to get something light before the drive back.  They advertise the “best burgers, chicken, and ribs in the West” along with an “authentic bison burger.” Thinking that the burgers would be too much we decided on the on-site baked Bread Pudding.  Oh, my, it was huge and the best we have ever had.  

Two new places to visit in Vegas

John and I visit Las Vegas frequently because we have family there.  There is always something new and different to do – something other than gambling.  This time we visited the new Mob Museum where the true story of the mob is revealed along with the myths and legends. The Mob Museum opened on Valentine’s Day 2012 in the very building where some of the Kefauver Committee hearings to investigate organized crime were held in the early 1950s.  The courtroom has been restored to the way it looked during the hearings.

When we got into the elevator to take us to the third floor where we wanted to start our tour a video informed us of our Miranda Rights. It set the mood! The third floor is where the story of the mob starts with the history of the mob in America. The mob created a “shortcut out of the ghetto” to the American Dream for many new immigrants. When the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution prohibited the making and sale of alcohol it was the perfect enterprise – albeit illegal - for the mob. It was the fuel that led to the development of a National Crime Syndicate in the United

States. At one point Meyer Lansky, dubbed the “Mob’s Accountant,” quipped “We are bigger than U.S. Steel.” Gang wars broke out over control of the illegal trade. One of the most famous shootouts was the St. Valentine Massacre where seven men were gunned down. Incredibly, the museum has the actual wall where the “Massacre” took place. The second floor of the museum follows the development of the Las Vegas mob where, in the beginning, specific areas were set aside for gambling, drinking, and other vices.  

The bottom floor deals with the government’s attempt to

eliminate the Mob. It also includes the Mob’s connections with Bobby Kennedy, Cuba, and JFK’s assassination.  One display tells what happened to the “old” mobsters and where they are today. Some are dead and others are enjoying retirement – some in jail and some in luxury. The Mob Museum details organized crime today

To add some balance to our trip we took the grandkids to the

Lied Discovery Children’s Museum which opened in 2013 in a new location next to the Smith Center in Symphony Park. It has many family-orientated, hands-on learning experiences with a focus on science, the arts, and culture. It is a fun learning experience for all ages.  The Summit, a 70-foot climbing tower ascends all three floors with interactive activities along the way.  On the first level Waterworld was a real draw with the younger children as they splashed and learned about the power of water. In Fantasy Festival kids can climb the pirate ship and watch a stage show.  On Level Two “It’s Your Choice” we learned about making healthy lifestyle choices that ranged from exercise, using sun screen, and picking foods to eat or not to eat.


Our favorite area was on Level Three at “Solve it! Mystery Town.” A brief video challenged us to solve a mystery. We were given paper on which to record our “Field Notes” as we tried to use the clues as to what happened in the Mystery Town. It was a great exercise in problem solving. Also on the same level is “Patents Pending” where the grandkids designed and tested their “inventions” using the Drop Zone, Air Towers, and Quake Proof Testing. 

Visiting Las Vegas

There is no place in the world like Las Vegas. The hotels are over the top.  We stayed at the Venetian Hotel which is luxurious. The really amazing part was the room price for the nights we were there was about the same the Holiday Inn Express. But the rate is sometime over $300.  So, it pays to check all the hotels and look for deals. 

A note about taxis. We arrived after a long flight from Korea and hopped in a cab at the airport.  I knew he was taking the long way but I was just too tired to deal with it. We paid with a credit card so the next morning I emailed the company and told them we had been “long-hauled.” I also emailed a Nevada site where one can report taxi problems. Lo, and Behold!  They got in touch with me and credited my card with the overcharge. If you think you are being “long-hauled” do what I should have done. Ask the driver for his name and cab number, write both of them down, then report him – even if the cabbie rectifies the situation because they might do it again.

Visiting Vegas is like a trip around the world: Venice, Paris, Egypt and so on. You gotta’ love a street that has gondola rides, a magical musical fountain, the Eiffel Tower, a volcano, battling pirates ships, and more. However, once you leave the strip it is just like most other cities. We have family who live in Vegas and have been many times so I like to do something different.  I have watched TV’S “Pawn Stars” and knew it was filmed in Vegas so off we went to the store which is located in an un-glitzy part of the city. There was actually a line to get in but it wasn’t long. My son said sometimes the line is very long.  There are bus tours to Pawn Stars that includes other stops but we drove; there is plenty of parking.  The store was crowded but none of the stars were there, not even Chumlee. 

The promotion to advertise Las Vegas as a family destination did not work but there are a lot of family things to do. We have been hiking in Red Rock, flat water rafting on the Colorado River, and, this time, we explored Spring Preserve which is right in Las Vegas. Spring Preserve is an amazing place that has much to offer – and it is still growing.  One of the current exhibits is called CSI: Crime Scene Insect and is fascinating as it tells how insects help to solve crimes. One of the most incredible exhibits shows how flash floods occur in canyon areas. The display is complete with thunder, lightening and a torrent of water cascading over the rocks.  Of a more sublime nature there are displays that trace the history of Las Vegas from when it was a watering spot for Native Americans to the growth that followed the trains to the present time. There are wild animals, gardens, and plenty of learning activities for young and old.  A train/tram ride was being tested when we were there.  The 3.6 miles of trails explore the birthplace of Las Vegas – the site of the springs. The Spanish explorers named the valley "Las Vegas" (meaning "the meadows") because of the springs and the greenery surrounding the area.

Family Fun Things to do in Las Vegas, Nevada

Contrary to what a lot of people think, Las Vegas can be very family friendly. We visit Vegas once a year and there are great things to do with our grandkids. On our most recent trip we took them to see Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis. The show is the perfect multi-generational performance. Young and old know many of The King’s songs. In keeping with the Cirque du Soleil tradition the performance is a vibrant fusion of song, dance, acrobatics, live music, and video clips of the Elvis phenomena. The show follows the King of Rock 'n' Roll from his days in Tupelo, Mississippi to the spiritual influence from his gospel singing days to his breakthrough at Sun Records. From the opening scene with a bigger-than-life blue suede shoe to the standing ovation at the end there was never a dull moment. If fact, at times it is hard to know what to watch: the Elvis video clips, the trampoline artist bouncing from one side of the stage to the other, or the performers hanging precariously from the trapeze.

Another night we went to see V - The Ultimate Variety Show located at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. If there is only time for one show this one offers something for everyone and it is very family friendly. Variety is the operative word. The energetic show has an all-star cast with amazing acts from around the world. There is faster-than-the-eye juggling, heart-stopping aerial displays that soar over the audience, and the Crazy Gauchos from Argentina with their funny routines and audience interactions while cracking their whips. And there is more – a balancing act from Russia and Jason Byrne the magician wowed all of us as he produced yellow birds out of thin air. V offers many Vegas-style presentations in one energetic, creative show at a great price.

One of my favorite days occurred when we took our granddaughter to afternoon tea at the Four Seasons Hotel. In the long-standing tradition of afternoon teas the starter included warm scones with Devonshire Cream, Strawberry Preserves and Lemon Curd. The second course included a variety of tea sandwiches featuring Cucumber and Watercress on Sourdough Bread along with other delicate sandwiches. The tea pastries were exceptional with the likes of Bittersweet Chocolate and Brandy Cherry Cake and Fresh Mango Tart. It was a wonderfully relaxing and elegant afternoon experience for our 10-year-old granddaughter.

Another day we all went to M Resort in Las Vegas for a cooking show in Studio B with Chef Tina Martini. The hotel has created a wonderful studio designed for cooking shows. The presentation was excellent but Chef Tina’s run at the M Resort has come to an end however others will follow.

There are a lot of free things to do. Everyone will learn about the natural world at the Flamingo’s Wildlife Habitat, the Mirage’s Dolphin Habitat, MGM Grand’s Lion Habitat, and Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef. And, of course there is the volcano outside the Mirage and the fantastic fountain show in front of the Bellagio. Plus several casinos offer free presentations such as the acts at Circus Circus.

Just a short jaunt from the Vegas Strip, Ethel M’s has a free chocolate factory tour and an amazing Botanical Cactus Garden. At Red Rock there is a nature center and a variety of hiking trails. All family friendly.

Visit Las Vegas and See the World

You can see the world and never leave Las Vegas. Well, sort of!
1. Visit one of the world’s most romantic cities, Venice at the Venetian. You can stroll along San Marco Square, ascend the Campanile Tower, walk across the Rialto Bridge and take a Gondola Ride. It is also home to the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum with a rotating series of exhibitions drawn from the collections of the Guggenheim and featuring original art by Rubens, Picasso, van Gogh, Monet, and others.
2. Feel the lure of the Caribbean. Visit Treasure Island where the free show, Sirens of TI, pit a group of beautiful, tempting women against a band of renegade pirates. With their mesmerizing and powerful song the Sirens lure the pirates to their cove, stir up a tempest strong enough to sink a ship, and transform Sirens’ Cove into a 21st century party.
3. Spend an evening in Munich’s Hofbrauhaus. The fun starts the minute you enter and hear the Oom Pa Band and continues until you raise your stein for the last time. Dine on authentic German specialties served by Drindl-clad waitresses – all capable of carrying eight-liter steins of Hofbräu Beer.
4. Head to Merry Olde England for a night with the Knights at Excalibur’s “Tournament of Kings.” In the era of castles and gallant knights, kings would gather the nobility for fanciful feasts and tournaments of valor in celebration of important events, and you are invited to join in the feasting. Cheer on your favorite jousting team.
5. Experience the excitement of Brazil's Carnival at the Rio. See the Masquerade Show in the Sky with dancers in exotic masks and brilliant costumes. Join in the fun, don a carnival costume, and ride on a Mardi Gras float. The show is free but it is $9.95 per person to ride on a float.
6. Take a bite of the Big Apple at New York, New York. Gaze at the Statue of Liberty and the New York Skyline and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Dine in the Village, take in a show, and enjoy the dueling pianos at the Irish Pub. NYC like Vegas is the city that never sleeps.
7. Experience the passion, excitement, and sophistication of the City of Light at Paris, Las Vegas. Wander the cobblestone pathways lined with French wrought iron street lamps and an exact reproduction of the Eiffel Tower. Dine at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant 100 feet about the strip.
8. The adventure continues. At Mandalay Bay and Shark Reef you will be face to face with some of the most dangerous and exotic animals in the world. Check out into Mandalay Bay's lush, 11-acre tropical sand beach. Manadalay in Myanmar is on a river not the sea but you can still say you were on the Road to Mandalay.
9. Then it is off to explore Egypt. At the Luxor you can pretend you are Howard Carter when he caught the first glint of gold in King Tut’s Tomb. Artisan’s reproduced King Tut’s treasures using gold leaf and linens, precious pigments, tools and original 3,300-year-old methods. Each “artifact” is meticulously positioned according to the records maintained by the Carter expedition.
10. OK! So you really came to gamble. Head to the Mediterranean and Monte Carlo with over 2,100 slot and video poker machines and ninety-five table games. Who knows maybe you will see James Bond playing baccarat.

From more information on all that Las Vegas has to offer including museums, outdoor activities, shows, and, of course, gambling. For more information call (877) VISITLV. Good Luck!

Flat Water Rafting on the Colorado River

John and I visit Las Vegas at least once a year because our son and his family live there. When most people hear we are going to Las Vegas they think we are going to gamble but there is more to Las Vegas than gambling. Last year we took a houseboat vacation on Lake Mohave. A few years ago we spent Thanksgiving on a houseboat on Lake Mead. Many people are surprised to realize that Las Vegas is a place to get close to nature. This year we spent several hours flat water rafting just a short distance from the Strip. We – the seven of us – drove to Boulder City and checked in at Black Canyon/Willow Beach River Adventures located in the Hacienda Hotel. We put into the Colorado River at the foot of the massive Hoover Dam at a place where only the rafters are allowed. There were 16 of us on the raft but the motorized-assisted raft could hold twice as many. Even though it was December and the weather was cool it was sunny.

The Hoover Dam is a destination unto itself but we saw the Hoover Dam as few see it - from the bottom. If you think it looks big from the top you should see it from the bottom. Matt, our guide, shared fascinating stories dealing the construction of the dam and pointed out various aspects of the dam not visible from the top of the dam. The dam is 726.4 feet from the foundation rock to the roadway on the top of the dam but the towers add another 40 feet. The amount of concrete used to build the dam could have paved a highway 16 feet wide from San Francisco to New York City. When it was completed in 1936, it was the world’s largest hydroelectric power generating station and the world’s largest concrete structure. They are building a new bridge across the span because of the traffic jams on the only road to traverse the dam.

We headed down the Colorado River as it twisted and turned through 12 miles of Black Canyon surrounded by majestic 2000-foot rocky walls. Many people think that rafting on the portion of the Colorado River below the dam is much more scenic because the canyon is narrower than it is above the dam. All the while we were on the lookout for desert wildlife and saw cormorants, great blue herons, bald eagles, and other wildlife. Along the way the guide shared information on the area’s geology, the miners, and personal boating and hiking experiences. We passed two canyons that were filled to the top with the rock excavated to create the dam. Our pontoon raft put ashore at Swim Beach for lunch, which is provided. It was too cold for swimming but we enjoyed walking on the beach, climbing the rocks, and basking in the sun.

The rafting trip offered by Black Canyon/Willow Beach River Adventures is suitable for all ages and even those with physical limitations are accommodated. There is no paddling on this basically dry trip. About three hours are spent on the river and upon reaching Willow Beach Marina there is time for shopping before heading back to the starting point at the Hacienda Hotel in Boulder City by van or bus. We drove but they also supply transportation from the Strip. For more information check www.blackcanyonadventures.com.