Las Vegas – Not All Glitz and Neon
Outdoor entertainment is the last thing on your mind when you visit Vegas, which is popular for its glitzy nightlife. All you are thinking of is visiting the bars, casinos and nightclubs here and party wild and hard. However, you are in for a surprise because Vegas has a lot more to offer than just nightlife. Las Vegas has the best of all worlds. It is not just a neon oasis, but also a place for some great outdoor adventure. You could choose from a variety of options like outdoor excursions, national parks, sports-related activities and many more.
The Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife lover’s delight. This place is home to around 24 native species that are not found anywhere in the world. The most famous among them all is the endangered pupfish. The refuge has limits on swimming and driving. However, you can swim at the Crystal Reservoir, which is also a good place for boating. You can also draw pleasure from nature trails and go picnicking with your family and friends. The refuge is also a great spot for wildlife and landscape photography.
For the sports and water enthusiasts, Las Vegas has some excellent places for hiking, skiing, sledding and boating. The Red Rock Canyon and Mt. Charleston are two of the best places for hiking. You can also go skiing and sledding, during winter, in Mt. Charleston. The Lake Mead, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, is a place you should not miss if you love boat and jet skiing. Since it is located at the center of three ecosystems, the Mojave, the Sonoran deserts and the Great Basin, Lake Mead is also a lovely place to view wildlife. In winter, the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard resort is a must-visit for the skiers and snowboarders. In addition to these, there are plenty of other adventure locations like the Valley of Fire, the Hoover Dam, etc.
The unadulterated adrenaline rush that one feels in a fast car is incomparable. The pure thrill of sitting in a NASCAR-styled race car is electrifying. And, this ultimate experience is offered in Las Vegas’ Richard Petty Driving Experience. A trip to the Las Vegas Speedway is followed by a real-life racing experience in a NASCAR-style race car, where professional instructors drive you through the speedway at speeds of over 150 mph. And, to preserve the memories of this memorable experience, you can get photo packages and racing merchandise at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway store. And, if you’re looking for something faster and more thrilling, you should visit the Mario Andretti Champ Ride. You will be driven around in a race car by professional instructors at speeds well over 180 mph. The G-forces that you will experience for the first time in your life will make your trip to Vegas unforgettable.
If you have been a sports buff all your life, Las Vegas provide the ultimate gratification. One among Las Vegas’ many epithets is ‘Boxing Capital of the World’, not for organizing boxing bouts but for the number of high-profile competitions that take place here, all year long. Las Vegas is the venue for the most prestigious Rodeo event – The National Finals Rodeo. You can also catch the action of the PGA Tour, a preseason NBA game or watch NHL’s Frozen Fury event. For a virtual gaming experience, head to the ESPN Zone, which has virtual reality games, video games and also a mini bowling alley. If you are not game for a real skydiving experience, you can try the Flyaway Indoor Skydiving.
In Vegas, there is no dull moment. If you are looking for wonderful outdoorsy fun, Las Vegas is a great choice. Head to Vegas and have the fun of your life.