As the self-proclaimed “Entertainment Capital of the World,” Las Vegas has no shortage of fun and interesting activities in and around the famous Strip. There are dozens of other exciting things to do farther afield, all close enough to hit up from your Strip hotel in a day.
Whenever you’re ready to hunt down some jackpots outside of the city, here are six memorable day trips to consider.
1. Valley of Fire State Park
- Distance from Strip: 60 minutes
- Best for: Local geology, cultural history
What to do
Valley of Fire State Park, the first state park in Nevada, is a 46,000-acre moonscape with ochre-red sandstone formations that have been shaped by centuries of erosion. Pay $10 to enter and head to Atlatl Rock, where you can see petroglyphs that are believed to be 3,000 years old. Views from the end of Mouse’s Tank and Rainbow Vista trails are spectacular, too; if you’re lucky, you’ll spot rattlesnake “tracks” in the sand. After the park, head to Overton, where the Lost City Museum displays artifacts from Native American settlements that were flooded when Lake Mead was established in 1935.
Where to eat
There aren’t many dining options in the Moapa Valley, which makes CABLP in Overton stand out. The restaurant’s name is an acronym for “Criss Angel’s Breakfast, Lunch & Pizza,” and it’s owned by Las Vegas magician Criss Angel. The menu features items such as pizza, mozzarella sticks, and chicken Parmesan. You can also order house-made East Coast–style Italian ices—perfect after a hot day in the park.
Due west of the Las Vegas Strip, the 195,000-acre Red Rock park is a playground of epic proportions.
Photo by Christopher Moswitzer/Shutterstock
2. Red Rock National Conservation Area
- Distance from Strip: 30 minutes
- Best for: Outdoor adventure
What to do
Get out into the park and marvel at the fire-red rocks that inspired the name. (There are several different ways to explore the park: by car, foot, mountain bike, and even horseback.) The best orientation is a stop at the visitor center, followed by a leisurely spin around the 13-mile Scenic Drive, which provides easy access to different trailheads. The Calico Basin trails are a great way to see petroglyphs, while the Icebox Canyon trail brings you up close and personal with a seasonal waterfall (December–April). Guided horseback tours are available from Cowboy Trail Rides, just outside the park (tours start at $89).
Where to eat
Red Rock is just beyond the bustling suburb of Summerlin, home to some of the best restaurants in the entire Vegas Valley. For steak, Harlo Steakhouse & Bar is swanky and delicious; for Italian, Al Solito Posto in Tivoli Village will leave you full and happy. Inside Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa, an outpost of Lotus of Siam serves up some of the tastiest Thai food in town.
The man-made 320-acre Lake Las Vegas is a luxury resort development with hotels, a golf course, and private homes. The lake is open to the public for day use.
Photo by Kit Leong/Shutterstock
3. Lake Las Vegas
- Distance from Strip: 30–40 minutes
- Best for: Golf and water sports
What to do
Some of the options on Lake Las Vegas include flyboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and pedal boating. For rentals, check out Lake Las Vegas Water Sports. In the floating aqua park, visitors of any age can enjoy inflatable slides, jumps, and trampolines. The 18-hole golf course at Reflection Bay was designed by golfer Jack Nicklaus, and views from the greens are epic. Spas at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa and the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa offer massages and other treatments.
Where to eat
Restaurants here are either in the Village at Lake Las Vegas or in one of the resorts themselves. Luna Rossa, in the village, serves delicious thin-crust pizza and has a stellar view of the lake. Marssa, at the Westin, serves steak and sushi in an upscale setting.
Boulder City was born as a company town when the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation needed a place to house the workers who erected the Hoover Dam.
Photo by Kunal Mehta/Shutterstock
4. Boulder City and Hoover Dam
- Distance from Strip: 45 minutes
- Best for: Man-made wonder
What to do
On a guided tour of the dam and the powerhouse, you’ll get to walk through tunnels inside the 730-foot-tall concrete structure and feel the vibration caused by water running through a 30-foot diameter pipe. Considering that the dam created the largest reservoir in the United States—we know it as Lake Mead—it’s also a good idea to hit the Lake Mead Visitor Center to learn more about how the project changed the history of the region forever. For a real adventure, rent a bike and check out a section of the River Mountains Loop, a 34-mile trail that starts (and ends) in town.
Where to eat
Gourmet burgers are the rage at the Dillinger, a casual restaurant in the old Bank of Nevada building in the Boulder City Historic District. One delicious option: the Baby Face Nelson, a burger topped with baked brie, greens, and fig marmalade.
The St. George Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints dates back to 1877.
Photo by Allison H. Smith/Shutterstock
5. St. George, Utah
- Distance from Strip: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Best for: History
What to do
St. George, the first mid-size Utah city you hit heading north on I-15, is a mix of Mormon history and ancient geology—going all the way back to the days of the dinosaurs. (For those with more time, it’s also a gateway to Zion National Park.)
Expect to be awed by the dinosaur footprints at the Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm; the tracks were discovered in 2000, fully preserved in sandstone. Kids (and grown-ups, of course) can also make tracks of their own, uncover replica fossils, or put together dinosaur puzzles. Elsewhere in town, the St. George Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the oldest temple still actively used by the church today.
Where to eat
Head to George’s Corner Restaurant and Pub, an approachable downtown bistro serving burgers and cocktails, including Uncle George’s Green Tea (UV vodka, triple sec, lemon, house green tea) and Bloody Marys made with a house recipe mix.
Located along the South Rim, Hopi Point is the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Photo by Francisco Blanco/Shutterstock
6. Grand Canyon National Park
- Distance from Strip: 4 hours
- Best for: Geological grandeur
What to do
You’ll need to get up early for this day trip, but Grand Canyon National Park is well worth the drive for an all-natural look at the breathtaking scenery of the Southwest. Go to the South Rim for a first-timer’s overview of the 1.2 million-acre park: The visitor center shows an introductory film (as well as the occasional ranger program), while the Trail of Time is an informative exhibition that helps visitors make sense of the geological splendor in front of them.
Where to eat
If you’re in the mood for fine dining, head to the nearly 120-year-old El Tovar Hotel. Its fine dining spot, El Tovar Dining Room, has an elevated take on Southwestern fare, such as salmon tostada. The more casual Arizona Steakhouse serves regional specialties including tortilla soup and green chile tamales.
