Not big on gambling, but want to go to an exciting and lively place with lots to do? Brought the kids or grand kids along with you? Not to worry, there is much to do that doesn’t include stepping a foot inside a casino in Vegas.
Taking the kids with you and still want to make the most of your time in Vegas? No problem–Head over to the 5-acre, indoor Adventuredome Theme Park at Circus Circus. Offering 25 exhilarating rides and attractions, this is just one of the many places along the strip that is kid-friendly. There is also the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, housing North America’s largest and only predator-based aquarium.
Enjoy some world class golf in one of the many championship golf courses nearby. Just over a half hour away from the strip, Lake Mead National Recreational Area also offers recreational opportunities year-round to boaters, fishermen, swimmers, water skiers, and more. On land, try out some hiking and biking trails or take the family for a weekend camping. As the largest man-made lake in the Western Hemisphere, Lake Mead was formed thanks to the famous Hoover Dam.
Only 45 minutes away from the strip, on the border between Arizona and Nevada in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, is the massively concrete Hoover Dam. Take a tour of the power plant and dam, which feature elaborate Art Deco designs on the spillways, four towers, and power plant. You can also opt to simply cross over the Dam to take in the views (see the picture above).
Of the two guided tours: the Dam Tour lasts about an hour, while the Power Plant Tour is only about 30 minutes long. Either way, you’ll want to plan your visit so that you have at least two hours for your entire visit, to ensure you get to see everything there is to see. The Visitor Center also offers air conditioning, which is much-sought after, especially in the scorching-hot summer months. Get to the dam early in the day since pedestrians are not allowed on top of the dam after dark.
These are just a few of the many experiences that Las Vegas and surrounding areas have to offer to families and especially to those who aren’t excited about gambling and the 24-hour nightlife.
