Vegas

I have been to Las Vegas 2x in my life and for me that was one too many. I am NOT a gambler so it just doesn’t appeal to me or so I thought. I had no idea that there was a whole world outside of the strip. I needed a vacation, so I went to see a friend. She showed me all the local spots, and we went to the mountains. It was a wonderful trip and exactly what I needed. Here are some spots we went to….

Hoover Dam: Seeing this monstrosity was definitely on my list of things to do. I am not scared of heights to I had no problem walking over the bridge. They have museums and walking trails around the Dam, but we just stuck to the basics. We walked around for a bit and took a peek over the ledge to see just how empty it was. It’s sad to see how little water they have. I was told it has something to do with California, but I didn’t press the issue because it’s a sore subject. I have always wanted to see Hoover Dam so I suggest if you can go visit while you’re in the area do so.

Good Springs: Apparently this small (and I mean SMALL) town is an old mining town from the Gold Rush era. It is so charming! They literally have maybe 1-5 buildings including a saloon. It is tucked away in the desert and if you blink you will miss it. My friend said it is a well-known stop for bikers passing through. It’s a fun little spot to check out if you are around that area.

Mount Charleston/ Charleston Peak- We headed to the mountains for the day and boy was it beautiful. A short drive from the strip and you are in the cool 70-ish degree mountain crisp air. It’s such a fun contrast from the dry desert heat. I have been in mountain towns before, but this was different. The atmosphere was more geared towards camping and trail hiking. I am not kidding… people were just pulling off the road and setting up camp or going on a hike. It was amazing to see. We did end up in one of the small towns tucked away in the mountains at a yard sale. Oh the places you will go right?

Kyle Canyon- On our adventure we drove through Kyle Canyon. It was absolutely beautiful. The fresh springs and lush trees made for a beautiful sight. As we were driving back toward Vegas my feiend rolled down the window and made me stick my arm out. She said watch this and I proceeded to feel the temperature raise from mid 60’s back up to 101-ish within minutes. It was CRAZY!

Seven Magic Mountains- Ok so this isn’t a mountain at all. It’s actually painted colorful rock formations in the middle of the desert. It looks so cool just sitting off the side of the road with the desert as a backdrop. It is free and just a short distance from the strip. It’s a fun place to see if you have time.

Boulder City- On the way back from Hoover Dam we stopped at Boulder City to see the big horned sheep. I thought they were kidding when they said these sheep just roam free but NOPE they were not kidding. These sheep just free range all day long around town. It is hilarious to see them just walking around like they are a part of the city with no cares in the world.

If you have any time while you are in Vegas to see the sights other than the strip I would do so. Vegas is SO much more than gambling and I am very grateful for the experience. I can’t wait to go back!